The Netherworld Elder was truly shocked. He never expected that this young man before him not only saw through his concealment within the spiritual artifact at a glance but also described his current state with pinpoint accuracy. In that instant, Lu Qing appeared unfathomable in the eyes of the Netherworld Elder. The Soul Devouring Technique, even in the Ancient Era of Cultivation, was a secret art that only Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and above could master. How could this boy, separated by an entire era, possess such knowledge of this esoteric technique? Moreover, the Netherworld Elder noticed that Lu Qing had used the word "again" when speaking earlier. Could it be that this young man had encountered another practitioner of the Soul Devouring Technique before? Gazing at Lu Qing, the Netherworld Elder's eyes were filled with uncertainty and suspicion. On the other hand, the surrounding spectators were somewhat bewildered. "I told you, you are not qualified to question me." Facing the Netherworld Elder's involuntary outburst, Lu Qing did not answer his question but instead replied indifferently. The Netherworld Elder was momentarily stunned, his heart boiling with fury. He had lived for tens of thousands of years. When had he ever been treated ? Although this young man before him was rather peculiar, if it were tens of thousands of years ago, he could have crushed him with a single hand. Now that a tiger had fallen to the plains, he was actually being humiliated by a mere youth who had barely shed the scent of milk. How could he not be filled with murderous intent? However, no matter how enraged he was, the current situation was not in his favor. Thus, the Netherworld Elder forcibly suppressed the violent resentment in his heart and did not act out, merely glaring coldly at Lu Qing. "Young friend, what exactly do you intend to do?" "What do I intend to do?" Lu Qing let out a faint chuckle and said, "You concealed yourself within this Netherworld Ghost Claw, secretly manipulated Meng Dian, attempting to incite strife among the Righteous Path, throwing the world into chaos…" "You sought to take advantage of the disorder, refining living beings to restore yourself." "Did you truly believe you could deceive the heavens and pass unseen?" The Netherworld Elder fell into silence. He knew that he had indeed acted recklessly this time. Before fully recovering, he had bewitched Meng Dian into stepping forward to seize the title of the Righteous Path’s leader. But due to the special nature of his cultivation method, without the aid of living souls, it would take countless years relying solely on heaven and earth's spiritual energy to recover his former strength. Only by plunging the world into chaos could he fully control Meng Dian and massacre a vast number of beings to accelerate his restoration. That was the true reason he orchestrated this plot at the Holy Assembly. Beyond this being a golden opportunity, the pride within his heart had also played a role. He had believed that, with him, an Ancient Era Nascent Soul cultivator, in play, dealing with a group of Golden Core juniors would be as easy as flipping his hand. Who could have imagined that such a monstrous being as Lu Qing would appear? A mere youth, yet so unfathomable. Not only that, he even controlled the Li Huo Cauldron, which was the perfect counter to the Netherworld Elder. This development was something he had never foreseen. While he had heard of Lu Qing’s name and deeds during his time hiding within Meng Dian, he had only felt mild surprise. After all, in his eyes, a Golden Core Realm junior, no matter how much of a genius, could not possibly defy the heavens. But now, facing Lu Qing in person, he realized how terribly wrong he had been. "Young friend, you have keen insight and profound cultivation. I, this old one, am impressed." After a moment of silence, the Netherworld Elder slowly spoke. "I never expected that so soon after the world’s revival—before spiritual energy had fully recovered—such an unparalleled genius like you would appear." "This time, I admit defeat. Tell me, what must I do for you to spare this wisp of my soul?" "No matter if it is cultivation methods or treasures, I can give them to you." "I was once a Nascent Soul cultivator and possess countless powerful techniques and mystical arts." "With my guidance, you could effortlessly step into the supreme Nascent Soul Realm." "Moreover, I know of many Ancient Era sect ruins and secret realms, and the methods to open them." "As long as you desire it, I can give it to you!" His voice carried a subtle hint of bewitchment. His words were astonishing and filled with temptation. The surrounding cultivators, even those of great strength, had their eyes blazing with fervor upon hearing them. Even Daoist Yangming, whose Dao heart was known to be firm, found his breath growing somewhat ragged. Only Lu Qing remained utterly unmoved, his expression calm as ever. On the contrary, he looked at the Netherworld Elder’s gray ghostly face, his smile carrying a hint of mockery. "That meager bewitchment of yours—spare yourself the embarrassment." "As for your so-called cultivation inheritances, they're nothing more than minor tricks. I have no interest in them." These humiliating words made the Netherworld Elder's expression darken instantly. Yet Lu Qing ignored him and continued: "As for why I forced you out, it’s actually quite simple." "I just wanted to see what an Ancient Era Nascent Soul cultivator was truly like." "To refine you in front of everyone!" The moment his words fell, within the illusory great cauldron, countless transparent flames surged forth once more, engulfing the gray ghostly face of the Netherworld Elder, along with the Netherworld Ghost Claw, burning them both! Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩 "AHH! YOU DARE, BOY!" Lu Qing’s sudden and decisive attack caught the Netherworld Elder completely off guard, filling him with shock and rage. Yet before he could even voice his fury, he realized something terrifying— The Nanming Bright Fire summoned by Lu Qing was even stronger than before! In just a few breaths, his gray ghostly visage was completely incinerated and purified. Now, the flames were directly refining the core essence of the Netherworld Ghost Claw. And no matter how he tried to manipulate his ghostly aura, it was completely ineffective. At this moment, the Netherworld Elder knew—Lu Qing was truly going all out! Without hesitation, he pushed the Netherworld Ghost Claw’s full power to resist. If he failed, once the Nanming Bright Fire broke through the last barrier and invaded the claw’s core, he would suffer true annihilation! As he exerted all his strength to withstand the Nanming Bright Fire, he was met with a horrifying realization. The fire’s might was far beyond his imagination! The Netherworld Ghost Claw’s ghostly aura had no resistance whatsoever. The moment it touched the fire, it melted away like snow meeting a red-hot iron, vanishing into nothingness. "Impossible! This boy is only at the Golden Core Realm! How can his Nanming Bright Fire be so terrifying?" The Netherworld Elder was in complete disbelief. Even though he couldn’t fully see through Lu Qing’s cultivation, he was certain—Lu Qing had not stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm. Yet his Nanming Bright Fire’s power… Was nearly comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator’s full strength! "Could it be…the Li Huo Cauldron’s spirit is still alive and has already acknowledged this boy as its master?" How could a mere Golden Core cultivator fully control such a mystical artifact?