The hum echoed as Li Xuan and his twenty-one companions materialized on the peak of Mount Mingxin.
On the grand Mingxin Plaza, four teams already stood in formation. As Li Xuan and his group appeared, all eyes turned towards them.
"It seems we are late," Ming Hongyang remarked with a smile, though no hint of apology colored his words.
No one on the scene responded to Ming Hongyang. At the forefront of the team on the far left, an elder's gaze had been fixed on Li Xuan since his arrival.
Li Xuan naturally sensed the scrutiny but before he could react, Ming Hongyang inadvertently blocked the elder's line of sight.
Seeing this, Li Xuan felt a flicker of amusement. Did Ming Yuanji, the patriarch of the Grand Elder's family, believe he could kill him with mere glares? He also felt a sense of gratitude towards Ming Hongyang, who had clearly perceived Ming Yuanji's hostility towards him.
Such an action, earning Li Xuan's favor, was naturally something Ming Hongyang would not miss.
"All hundred qualified contestants have arrived. Everyone, please enter the Netherworld Tower. The time limit is one month; I hope you will not waste it."
"Nine Nether Divine Hall, commence!"
Ming Chang, the envoy standing on the high platform in the plaza, waved his hand. With a single hand seal, a colossal array gate materialized behind the peak.
Ethereal light pulsed as a magnificent palace appeared before Li Xuan's eyes.
Witnessing this, Li Xuan was filled with astonishment. The Nine Nether Divine Hall had existed all along on this very Mingxin Plaza, concealed by formations that had eluded even him.
With the emergence of the Nine Nether Divine Hall, a tall tower in the central area also came into view. This tower soared into the clouds, its entire form shimmering with spiritual light. It possessed nine levels, each with a distinct aura of formations.
Clearly, this tower was the Netherworld Tower where Li Xuan and the others were to cultivate.
Looking at the Netherworld Tower, Li Xuan felt a surge of excitement. Within it, he would finally see Li Yao, whom he hadn't encountered in a long time.
"The Netherworld Tower has appeared. Everyone, proceed," Ming Chang envoy declared loudly, nodding towards the five individuals on the plaza, including Ming Hongyang, as the array's light fully dissipated.
As Ming Chang's voice faded, the entrance on the first level of the Netherworld Tower swung open, releasing an indescribable spiritual aura that permeated the plaza.
"Go forth," Ming Hongyang commanded, waving his hand. The hundred qualified contestants behind him bowed respectfully, their faces alight with eagerness, and rushed towards the base of the Netherworld Tower.
Hum.
Upon entering the tower, Li Xuan immediately sensed its extraordinary nature. Not only was the spiritual energy within incredibly abundant, but the flow of time was also exceptionally slow. While not comparable to Zhenyu, it still had a noticeable effect.
Li Xuan roughly calculated that, based on this time flow, he would have approximately one-fifth more time than in the outside world. If he were to go into seclusion, he could gain an additional two months per year compared to the outside.
A thought struck Li Xuan: this was merely the first level. Given that the Netherworld Tower had nine levels, would the uppermost level experience an even slower passage of time? He began to search, his gaze sweeping around.
After a brief search, the entrance to the second level appeared before Li Xuan. Without hesitation, he stepped onto it.
Boom!
The moment Li Xuan's left foot touched the staircase, a powerful force surged towards him. As this force washed over him, Li Xuan instinctively reacted, stepping forward again.
Hum.
As Li Xuan circulated his physical strength, the potent force vanished. With a hum, Li Xuan's figure instantly disappeared from the stairs.
Outside the Netherworld Tower, Ming Chang envoy and the five leaders, including Ming Hongyang, shifted their gaze as the second level of the tower lit up.
"Historically, only the top ten contestants could cultivate on the seventh level. I wonder if we will see an increase in their numbers this time. Patriarch Hongyang, what are your thoughts on Li Xuan of the Li family?" Ming Chang envoy asked, looking towards Ming Hongyang.
As Ming Chang's words fell, Ming Yuanji's gaze sharpened. Ming Chang envoy was known for his impartiality, and as one of the three supreme powerhouses of the Patriarch's family, he was generally indifferent to the five great families.
However, his unusual emphasis on a disciple of the Li family today was not a good omen.
After all, the Li family, to which Li Xuan belonged, was currently a subordinate family of Ming Hongyang's clan. If Li Xuan gained Ming Chang envoy's favor, it would be unwelcome news for their Grand Elder's family.
Ming Hongyang felt a slight jolt of surprise at this point, clearly not expecting Li Xuan to attract Ming Chang envoy's attention. However, his expression remained unchanged as he clasped his hands and replied, "This youth is extraordinary. But whether he can reach the seventh level will likely depend on his fortune."
Ming Chang envoy nodded slightly and then looked at the Netherworld Tower, stating, "This youth's physical strength is the strongest I have ever witnessed among the younger generation. Although his cultivation has not yet reached the Realm of Convergence, it is only a matter of time."
"However, I believe this youth can reach the seventh level. While the pressure on each level of this Netherworld Tower is far greater than the one below, it should not be a significant problem for Li Xuan."
Upon hearing Ming Chang envoy's words, the five present, including Ming Hongyang, were taken aback. Ming Chang envoy's appraisal of Li Xuan's potential was unprecedented.
Ming Hongyang's mind raced, and he bowed again, "May I ask how the Ming Chang envoy believes Li Xuan can reach the seventh level?"
Ming Chang envoy chuckled and then looked at Ming Yuanji, saying, "You all observed the challenge matches from the outside and naturally did not experience it as directly as I did from within. I presume the Grand Elder is also wondering how Li Xuan managed to defeat Ming Heyue, who unleashed the Blood Fiend Forbidden Technique?"
Ming Yuanji's face turned green, but he still bowed slightly and clasped his hands, stating, "I request that the Ming Chang envoy explain the details."
Ming Hongyang and the other three also turned their attention to Ming Chang envoy.
As Ming Chang envoy had said, they had witnessed Li Xuan defeat Ming Heyue, but they had no way of sensing the divine abilities he used to achieve victory from outside.
Ming Chang envoy glanced at Ming Yuanji and the other four before slowly speaking, "The reason this young fellow named Li Xuan was able to defeat Ming Heyue, who unleashed the Blood Devouring Forbidden Technique, was by utilizing the power of Heaven and Earth's momentum. That sword strike would require at least eighty percent of my strength to withstand."
"Heaven and Earth's Momentum!"
Upon hearing this, Ming Hongyang and the other four exchanged shocked glances. For a moment, all five fell silent, but their eyes darted about, clearly weighing the implications.
Such talent was not good news for their five great families. Once he matured, he would inevitably disrupt the interests of their clans.
As if sensing the shift in their thoughts, Ming Chang envoy spoke again, "Furthermore, I transmitted this matter to the Patriarch yesterday. I believe the Patriarch will also take a keen interest in this youth."
"If not for the Patriarch being in seclusion, he would likely have met this young fellow. This concerns the vital affairs of our Nine Nether Clan. If any of you harbor ulterior motives, it would be best to quell them soon."
"Yes." Ming Hongyang and the other four felt a pang of bitterness in their hearts. From Ming Chang envoy's words, they understood the implicit warning. Ming Yuanji, in particular, felt utterly despairing. However, given Ming Chang envoy's status, they all bowed and clasped their hands in acknowledgement. Now that even Ming Jiuyou was aware of Li Xuan's existence, how could Ming Yuanji dare to harbor any thoughts of him?
Ming Chang envoy nodded slightly and then looked at the Netherworld Tower with a trace of anticipation.
Within Ming Chang envoy's heart, he murmured, "Little fellow, I have resolved these troubles for you. Then, you will have no excuse to refuse my request to take you as a disciple, right?"
Thinking of the prospect of accepting such an outstanding disciple, Ming Chang envoy's lips curved into a smile.