Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 478 - 124 Live Well

Chapter 478: Chapter 124 Live Well

Frost Tears had always been cold and dark, but when the Netherworld Heavenly Road opened, the coldness turned scorching, and darkness was about to become light.

This was a subversion, overturning the rules of this place, leaving the rules in chaos.

Times of chaos were always fraught with endless danger, a fact that had never changed from ancient times to the present.

Zhou Yan watched as all the geniuses vanished in nearly an instant, and a wordless sense of crisis grew within him, an indefinable danger that was so heart-pounding.

His expression was detached and calm, his eyes had become unfathomably deep at this moment.

"Lei Yan King, the Netherworld Heavenly Road has opened, and at the same time, I and the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys Jiu Que have laid down a sovereign’s prohibition. Once Ji Wu enters the Netherworld Heavenly Road, the targeting of him will intensify, ensuring his doom and a life worse than death,"

said the Netherworld Queen with a grave expression.

With the Netherworld Heavenly Road opened, her lovely face showed an inescapable exhaustion, and her complexion turned sickly pale.

"King, you should also enter quickly. There are many unpredictable elements in this Netherworld Heavenly Road, and even I and the Netherworld Queen can’t intervene much. The reason we were able to open this Netherworld Heavenly Road was that, during the time Frost Tears existed, the Netherworld Queen and I were the strongest there. At that time, the completion of the Netherworld Heavenly Road needed to borrow the strength of the strong, which is why we were granted the ability to open the road. However, once the road is opened, our situation is entirely the same as yours, nothing special anymore,"

explained the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys immediately.

Having said this, the Netherworld Queen nodded solemnly and continued, "That is true, the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys didn’t lie about this. However, this time I will protect you properly, don’t worry. Since I promised the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys Jiu Que, I will certainly fulfill it.

Jiu Que, you must also grasp any changes in the Netherworld Heavenly Road well, and if you guard this entrance, no outcomes will escape our expectations."

The Netherworld Queen spoke sternly, her originally smiling and charming demeanor had now become incredibly sanctified, and any hint of seduction had vanished unconsciously.

Zhou Yan knew that on the surface, the seriousness and gravity shown by the two were just a front. In reality, things were likely far more complicated than all this, because even the ones who opened the Heavenly Road, who could almost be called its guardians, had no real control. All they could do was to know the hidden exit and wait.

This outcome was unavoidably cruel, the Netherworld Heavenly Road drew strength from two great powers, yet granted them such trivial ability, and due to mutual grievances, they were almost incapable of cooperating to open the Netherworld Heavenly Road.

Every aspect was worth scrutinizing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he gave the Netherworld Queen a deep look full of complex meaning.

"Lei Yan King, do you have any thoughts? Don’t you want me, a burden, to follow you?" The Netherworld Queen seemed to sense something, a fleeting shadow of An Ran in her gaze, before she spoke with feigned annoyance.

As she spoke, her eyes held an earnest hope, looking at Zhou Yan with great anticipation.

Zhou Yan did not deny it but simply nodded and said, "Little Xue, this time I feel that the Netherworld Heavenly Road is not going to be peaceful. Or rather, I’m worried about unexpected events occurring. This time going in, my competitiveness may not be strong. The difficulty of obtaining the Yuan Ci Secret Realm might not be as great as imagined; it’s after coming out that worries me..."

"Zhou Yan, what do you actually mean?"

The Netherworld Queen’s face suddenly turned cold, her demeanor instantly becoming icy as if she were about to turn hostile.

She was like a woman suddenly beset with melancholia.

Zhou Yan sighed, recalling the series of uneasy sensations he had felt before, to the inexplicable palpitations and anxiety in his heart, he solemnly said, "Little Xue, I genuinely don’t want you to take the risk of going in. Comparatively, I estimate the Netherworld Heavenly Road probably strengthens as it encounters stronger opponents. The reason why the Saint has not obtained the Yuan Ci Secret Realm is certainly because the difficulty for Saints and for the strong of the Void Realm is the same. So if you go, and the conditions target Saint Level, then everyone might end up dead."

Zhou Yan shared his conjecture, looking at Little Xue with a gaze full of tenderness.

His heart, now influenced by Lei Yan King, genuinely cared for the Netherworld Queen.

He didn’t want any more mishaps to occur.

If he went into the Yuan Ci Secret Realm and failed to seize it, then the two protecting outside could establish a sequence. Should a powerful figure suddenly appear, wanting to snatch the final fruits, the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy alone might not be able to cope.

Zhou Yan expressed his concerns.

Immediately, the Netherworld Nine Souls Envoy Jiu Que fell silent, and the Netherworld Queen’s face showed a more complex expression.

After a while, she let out a melancholic sigh and softly said, "Lei Yan King, I thought you were like the past, ready to cast me aside after using me, which is why I was so agitated. It’s also because I don’t want to see you leave, and even less do I want to see you come to harm. But you’re right; without the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, you can’t advance further nor can you cultivate in peace. So everything should indeed be centered on seizing the Yuan Ci Secret Realm. Therefore, I will listen to you and cooperate well with the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys, guarding the exit to ensure no one slips out of control."

Zhou Yan nodded and gazed tenderly at the Netherworld Queen, Xiao Shuang, "Xiao Shuang, rest assured that no matter what, I will try my best to survive and come out to see you. And you must protect yourself at all costs."

Zhou Yan’s gaze was deeply affectionate as if it could melt the Netherworld Queen.

Such a look, such a tone, made the Netherworld Nine Soul Envoys greatly envious and admiring. He couldn’t help but think to himself: The King is truly different. Even when deceiving this woman, the Netherworld Queen, his techniques are so potent, he’s practically the reincarnation of a Lover!

In his heart, he sighed but also felt an inexplicable sense of loss. Did the King no longer care about his life or death?

As he was pondering, he heard Zhou Yan’s voice, imbued with a tone of concern, "Jiu Que, no matter what, you must also survive. This is not a safe place because ever since the Heavenly Road has been opened, I have never felt such a terrifying, palpitating sensation.

You should know that my current ability in this regard is almost on par with the Hall Master. Hence, the Yuan Ci Secret Realm is secondary. You and Xiao Shuang must both survive! Only by surviving will there be other possibilities. And once dead, even if we seize the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, we can’t hold on to it, and it will still be lost."

Zhou Yan spoke earnestly with utmost seriousness.

The Netherworld Nine Soul Envoy had never been cared for like this; no one ever cared how he was doing, or whether he lived or died. Zhou Yan’s words immediately stunned him for a good while, and the blood-colored flames in his eyes became unpredictable.

After some time, he steadied his fluctuating heart and emotions and spoke solemnly, "King, rest assured, my years of cultivation haven’t been in vain. When the time comes, I will certainly satisfy you."

His voice was extremely respectful, and a firm resolve like never before took root in his heart— to be loyal to this Sovereign of Soul Envoys because only this person truly cared for him!

This time his call of ’King’ was unprecedentedly sincere, free from any perfunctory attitude, and full of willing submission.

It was also because of Zhou Yan’s words that he had decided in his heart that he would defend the Yuan Ci Secret Realm at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing his life. Should outsiders seize it, he would recapture it at all costs and let the King refine it.

He had this unwavering thought in mind, not realizing that Zhou Yan was deliberately manipulating him with feigned concern to make him risk everything, even his life, to seize the Yuan Ci Secret Realm.

...

The Netherworld Heavenly Road was gradually closing, waves of chilly, evil auras emerged, and Zhou Yan started to feel an endless pull on his mind and body.

Previously, he was immune to the temptations of the Netherworld Heavenly Road because of his strong resistance to such allure. Moreover, he didn’t want to enter just yet but wished to leave some words with the Netherworld Queen before going.

Now, having left his words, Zhou Yan prepared to enter the Netherworld Heavenly Road. Suddenly, the road presented a terrifying lure to his mind and spirit.

With a thought, Zhou Yan’s inclination to refuse rose, and he halted his step. As he took that step, the pressure of death overwhelmed him like a tide, and endless memories flashed through his mind, where he seemed to see a most tragic future.

The future is always unpredictable, as it is a universal law because it is unstable.

But the future... could also transcend planes and appear in a process of derivation, such as in a world derived by a Great Power under normal conditions, and how the world’s future would change, etc.

Even if the future was an illusion, the tragic memories that suddenly emerged made Zhou Yan’s heart incredibly heavy.

The determination to defy fate and forge ahead became intensely strong because of these mysterious memories.

Then, he paused his advance, turned around, and with a look of reluctance gazed at the Netherworld Queen. Suddenly, he reached out and embraced the Netherworld Queen, who was within an arm’s reach, and fervently kissed her rosy lips.

"Um—"

The Netherworld Queen was startled, standing frozen on the spot.

In that moment, it felt eternal.

The Netherworld Queen’s body and heart softened, her pretty face turned red, and her eyes shimmered with tears and deep affection.

But then, Zhou Yan let go of her and stepped back a few paces, staring at her, "Take good care of Little Xue, survive no matter what."

"Yes, I will, don’t worry."

The Netherworld Queen, Xiao Shuang, said tremulously.