Chapter 24: The Netherworld Cult Leader, Emperor Zhenwu

Gao Yuanyuan, possessing the incomplete Nine Yang Manual and the Nine Yin Manual, exuded an unnervingly somber temperament that made people tremble with awe. Yet, her figure and features were of exquisite beauty; her arrival clearly put even Liu Yifei under a sense of pressure. The previous night, after the three had consulted, Gao Yuanyuan had insisted that the others address her as Zhou Zhiruo.

Gao Wu brought the two women into the Duke of Tang’s mansion, though in truth, only Gao Wu was permitted to examine the Dragon Abyss Map. For two full hours, Gao Wu remained alone in the room.

The Tiangang Technique on the reverse side of the Dragon Abyss Map was a primordial cultivation method, yet it was profound and difficult to grasp, requiring a foundation in Taoist arts. Gao Wu spent a quarter of an hour committing it to memory. He discovered that ever since he had crossed over into this world, his memory had become terrifyingly sharp; photographic memory was merely the baseline. Anything he had seen, he could perfectly replicate without a single error.

When he examined the obverse of the Dragon Abyss Map, the fragmented image was soon firmly imprinted in his mind. Merely viewing it caused an inexplicable agitation within his body, as if it were urging him toward some unknown action. The reason he spent two hours in the room was that he discovered a subtle connection between the Dragon Abyss Map and the Nether Order; a stream of white gas was being drawn from the map into the token. Not having the time to investigate what this white gas was, he hurriedly tucked away the Nether Order and emerged from the room with the map.

At that moment, Li Xingyun was sitting in the reception hall, looking awkward as he waited with Liu Yifei and Zhou Zhiruo. Liu Yifei was naturally taciturn, and Gao Yuanyuan, having just arrived in this world, did not speak a word, which truly made things difficult for Li Xingyun.

Gao Wu returned the Dragon Abyss Map to Li Xingyun and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness. The Dragon Abyss Map truly lives up to its reputation."

"Haha, it seems Brother Gao has gained something. Congratulations!"

After leaving the Duke of Tang’s mansion, Liu Yifei asked impatiently, "Gao Wu, how did it go? Did you have any breakthroughs?"

"Yes, the gains were immense. I will tell you both slowly once we return."

At the Qingfeng Inn, after the two supreme experts, Liu Yifei and Zhou Zhiruo, joined forces to ensure their room could not be eavesdropped upon, Gao Wu finally recounted the strange occurrence between the Dragon Abyss Map and the Nether Order. He even reproduced both the Tiangang Technique and the map itself.

"This is the Dragon Abyss Map? Why does staring at it even for a moment make me feel dizzy?" Liu Yifei felt unwell after only a brief glance.

"Same here!" Zhou Zhiruo agreed, her brows furrowed as she closed her eyes. "Whenever I think of this image in my mind, I feel lightheaded!"

Gao Wu put the map away and replied, "I am the exact opposite. Every time I contemplate this map, I feel clearer, and my body even feels lighter."

"By the way, didn't you say something flowed from the map into your Nether Order? Hurry and check if there are any changes!"

Reminded by Liu Yifei, Gao Wu recalled the incident and quickly retrieved the Nether Order.

His cultivation realm had shifted to the Martial Movement Stage, and the Tiangang Technique had been added to his repertoire. All of this was within expectation, but the next piece of information gave Gao Wu a headache.

Dragon Qi: True Dragon Essence (1/7). Under the protection of Dragon Qi, one may ascend to the throne of the Nine-Five.

Gao Wu had never thought about it before, was not thinking about it now, and would never think about ascending to any "Nine-Five" throne in the future. Compared to the isolation of being a sovereign, he preferred the freedom and ease of roaming the martial world.

"You? The Supreme Ruler?" Zhou Zhiruo glared at him with her large eyes. Despite her wicked aura, why did Gao Wu find her so adorable? He couldn't help but shudder. *Do I have some sort of twisted inclination?* He quickly dispelled the terrifying thought. "Hey, don't look down on me! Look at my noble appearance and righteous spirit; becoming an emperor would be a walk in the park!"

"Pfft, I think you should focus on figuring out this 'Nether Sect' first!"

"Right. Old Liu, I think we still need to find Dr. Sun. After all, he is one of the seventy-two hall masters of the Nether Sect; he should know more."

Liu Yifei blinked at Gao Wu. "Old Liu?"

*Uh, so you only heard the nickname and not the content of the conversation?*

The night was dark and the moon was full. The ink-colored sky was like a vast bolt of silk, wrapping the earth tightly. Only the full moon, like a flawless jade plate, arrogantly tore a corner of the darkness and poured down a cold, silvery radiance. Three black figures moved swiftly across the rooftops; the two in front were graceful and ethereal, while the last followed like a clumsy bear.

At the Jisheng Hall, Dr. Sun had been in high spirits that evening and, having drunk some wine, was fast asleep in his bed.

"Is this really an official of the Nether Sect?" Zhou Zhiruo was the first to express her dissatisfaction.

The three sat scattered around the bedroom. Gao Wu chuckled softly, "This is normal. The Nether Sect was destroyed ten years ago, and the officials are all old now."

"Do you intend to rebuild the Nether Sect?"

"No! I have no interest in such things. I just want to improve my cultivation and find a way back home."

"Tsk, lacking ambition! Since you're here, why be in such a hurry to leave? Wouldn't it be better to be a Sect Leader or an Emperor here?"

"And then I'll make you a sect leader as well!"

"I am already a sect leader!"

Liu Yifei suddenly interrupted them. "Enough. I will wake him; you two keep watch."

"He's only at the Qi-Refinement Stage," Zhou Zhiruo muttered, but fell silent.

Liu Yifei picked up the unfinished tea on the table and splashed it onto Dr. Sun's face.

*Oh, well done, Yifei. So that's how you wake people up!*

"Hmm? Who's there!" Dr. Sun had barely been startled awake before he saw a thin, cold sword pointed at his forehead.

"Spare me, heroes! Whatever you wish to ask, I will tell you everything I know, hiding nothing!"

*Pfft...* Zhou Zhiruo, guarding the door, couldn't help but laugh. Gao Wu was also speechless—they hadn't even asked a question yet, and he was already confessing everything.

"Quiet! It's me!" Liu Yifei had spoken with Sun Simiao before; he recognized her voice immediately. Sun Simiao felt a moment of joy that his life was spared, followed by shock. *Damn, what did I just say?*

"Lady Immortal!"

"Immortal?" Zhou Zhiruo seemed lost in thought.

Liu Yifei ignored him and asked directly, "I have a few questions for you."

"What was the name of the previous Sect Leader?"

"Ah?" Sun Simiao was stunned for a moment before replying, "Emperor Zhenwu!"

"His real name, not his title!"

"That is his real name. The successive leaders of the Nether Sect all took 'Martial Emperor' as their title. The leader before the last was Emperor Jingwu."

The three were stunned; this was something none of them had anticipated.

"Last time you mentioned the Iron-Gall Heavenly King. Who were the other two kings?"

"The Blood-Drinking Heavenly King and the Yongle Heavenly King."

Seeing that Liu Yifei knew nothing of these two, Dr. Sun explained, "The Blood-Drinking Heavenly King, named Wei Buyi, is said to drink a catty of human blood every day. As for the Yongle Heavenly King, no one knows his real name, but he held the highest status among the three kings and always assisted Emperor Zhenwu in managing the Nether Sect."

Gao Wu felt his scalp tingle. Could this Yongle Heavenly King be the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di?

"And the Six Immortals? Who are they?" Liu Yifei was clearly more concerned about this, her tone fluctuating.

Dr. Sun replied solemnly, "The Six Immortals were the representatives of the Nether Sect who walked the martial world. Each of them carved out a formidable reputation!"