sān rén xíng mào suī gè bù xiāng tóng ， dàn shēn shàng sàn fà chū lái de líng yā què shì yī yàng de fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， jū rán quán shì dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù ！
三人形貌虽各不相同，但身上散发出来的灵压却是一样的非同小可，居然全是渡劫级别的老怪物！
The three figures looked different, but the spiritual pressure emanating from them was remarkably similar—none of them were ordinary; they were all veterans who had passed through the tribulation realm!
méi cuò ， dōu shì dù jié qī ， yóu qí nà yǔ shàn guān jīn ， xiàng mào rú yǎ ， fǎng fú jūn shī yì bān de nán zi ， xiū wèi gèng shì dá dào le hài rén de dù jié zhōng qī 。
没错，都是渡劫期，尤其那羽扇纶巾，相貌儒雅，仿佛军师一般的男子，修为更是达到了骇人的渡劫中期。
Indeed, they were all at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. The man with a feather fan and scholar's cap, whose appearance was refined and scholarly like that of an advisor, had even reached the mid-Tribulation Transcendence realm.
sān míng yīn hún guǐ wù ， bù lùn fàng dào nǎ lǐ ， dōu shì yī fāng bà zhǔ ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， què wú yī lì wài de lù chū le gōng jìng zhī sè 。
三名阴魂鬼物，不论放到哪里，都是一方霸主，然而此时此刻，却无一例外的露出了恭敬之色。
Three ghostly spirits, no matter where they were placed, would be dominant in their domains. However, at this moment, each one displayed a respectful demeanor.
duì zhe nà jǐn páo yù dài de nán zi shēn shī yī lǐ ， shēng yīn zhōng tòu chū sù rán zhī yì ：“ dà wáng hé shì fā nù ？”
对着那锦袍玉带的男子深施一礼，声音中透出肃然之意：“大王何事发怒？”
The man in brocade robes and jade belt was deeply bowed to as he asked with a solemn tone: "Your Majesty, why are you angry?"
“ běn wáng liàn zhì de kùn xiān huán fǎ bǎo bèi rén duó zǒu le 。” yōu míng àn wáng yǎo yá qiè chǐ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn shèn zhì dài zhe xiē xǔ yuàn dú 。
“本王炼制的困仙环法宝被人夺走了。”幽冥暗王咬牙切齿的声音传入耳朵，里面甚至带着些许怨毒。
"Someone has stolen the Immortal Restraining Ring I crafted," the Dark King of the Netherworld's voice, filled with gritted teeth, echoed. There was even a hint of venom in it.
“ shén me ， zhè zěn me kě néng ， dà wáng bú shì pài chū sì dì qù tiān xiē shān kān shǒu cǐ wù ， rú hé hái huì bèi rén duó zǒu ne ？” nà nǚ zǐ yǐ shǒu yǎn kǒu ， shēng yīn chōng mǎn le jīng è 。
“什么，这怎么可能，大王不是派出四弟去天蝎山看守此物，如何还会被人夺走呢？”那女子以手掩口，声音充满了惊愕。
"What? How is that possible? Didn't Your Majesty send your fourth younger brother to guard this item on Scorpion Mountain?" The woman covered her mouth and sounded utterly shocked.
qí tā liǎng rén de biǎo qíng yě chà bu duō ， sì dì de shí lì ， suī rán bǐ tā men sān rén yào chà yī xiē ， dàn yě shì háo wú xuán niàn de dù jié qī ， yǒu tā kān shǒu bǎo wù ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， dōu shì wàn wú yī shī ， zěn me huì mò míng de bèi dí rén duó qù 。
其他两人的表情也差不多，四弟的实力，虽然比他们三人要差一些，但也是毫无悬念的渡劫期，有他看守宝物，于情于理，都是万无一失，怎么会莫名的被敌人夺去。
The other two had similar expressions. Although the fourth younger brother's strength was slightly weaker than theirs, he too was at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. With him guarding the treasure, it should have been foolproof both logically and emotionally. How could such a thing happen?
hé kuàng fàng yǎn shī luò de jiè miàn ， shuí yòu yǒu zhè tiān dà de dǎn ， jū rán gǎn dòng yōu míng àn wáng de bǎo wù ， zhè bú shì lǎo shòu xīng shàng diào ， huó nì le me ？
何况放眼失落的界面，谁又有这天大的胆，居然敢动幽冥暗王的宝物，这不是老寿星上吊，活腻了么？
Moreover, in this lost realm, who would dare to touch something as precious as the Dark King’s treasure? It was like an old man hanging himself—living too long.
“ hēi ， qǐ zhǐ shì nǐ men sì dì ， biàn shì běn wáng pài qù qǔ bǎo de shēn wài huà shēn ， tóng yàng huǐ zài le nà jiā huo de shǒu lǐ 。” yōu míng àn wáng hèn hèn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
“嘿，岂止是你们四弟，便是本王派去取宝的身外化身，同样毁在了那家伙的手里。”幽冥暗王恨恨的声音传入耳朵里。
"Ha! Not only your fourth younger brother, but even my own avatar sent to retrieve the treasure was destroyed by that fellow," the Dark King of the Netherworld's resentful voice echoed in their ears.
“ wǒ méi tīng cuò ba ， lián dà wáng nín de fēn ☆ shēn ， dōu yǔn luò diào le ， zhè zěn me kě néng ？”
“我没听错吧，连大王您的分☆身，都陨落掉了，这怎么可能？”
"Did I hear you correctly? Even Your Majesty’s avatar has perished. How is this possible?"
“ shuí néng yǒu zhè yàng de běn shì ？”
“谁能有这样的本事？”
"Who could have such power?"
sān rén miàn miàn xiāng qù ， biǎo qíng jiē shì bù kě sī yì ， dà wáng fēn ☆ shēn suī rán yě bù guò dù jié chū qī ， dàn zhēn ☆ shí de zhàn lì què yuǎn fēi nà ge jìng jiè de cún zài kě bǐ 。
三人面面相觑，表情皆是不可思议，大王分☆身虽然也不过渡劫初期，但真☆实的战力却远非那个境界的存在可比。
The three exchanged glances, their expressions incredulous. Although the Dark King’s avatar was not at the early Tribulation Transcendence stage, its true combat strength far exceeded that of ordinary beings.
jiù suàn yù jiàn shén me qiáng dí ， dǎ bù guò ， nán dào hái bù néng táo tuō ， jū rán huì bèi dí rén zhǎn shā yú cǐ chù ， ruò bú shì tīng dà wáng qīn kǒu yán shù ， tā men shì shuō shén me yě bú huì xiāng xìn de 。
就算遇见什么强敌，打不过，难道还不能逃脱，居然会被敌人斩杀于此处，若不是听大王亲口言述，他们是说什么也不会相信的。
Even if they faced a formidable enemy and couldn't defeat it, wouldn’t they be able to escape? Yet, they were actually killed by an opponent here. If not for the Dark King's own words, they would never have believed such a thing.
zěn me kě néng ne ？
怎么可能呢？
How could this be?
“ nán dào shuō ， shì nà xiē lái zì yì jiè de qiáng zhě ？”
“难道说，是那些来自异界的强者？”
"Could those powerful figures from another world be responsible?"
“ bù cuò ， mò fēi wài jiè yòu yǒu gāo rén bèi kōng jiān luàn liú juǎn rù zhè shī luò de jiè miàn lái le ？”
“不错，莫非外界又有高人被空间乱流卷入这失落的界面来了？”
"Yes, is there someone of high rank who has been swept into this lost realm by spatial turbulence?"
mò rán piàn kè ， nà yú yǔ shàn guān jīn de jiā huo chóng xīn kāi kǒu ， zhè jiā huo de zhì shāng què shí bù cuò ， yī yǔ jiù diǎn pò guān jiàn le 。
默然片刻，那于羽扇纶巾的家伙重新开口，这家伙的智商确实不错，一语就点破关键了。
After a moment of silence, the man with the feather fan and scholar's cap spoke again. His intelligence was indeed commendable; he had pinpointed the key point.
“ hēng ， nà xiǎo zi miàn shēng dé jǐn ， bù xiàng shī luò jiè miàn tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de xiū shì ， rú guǒ běn wáng méi yǒu liào cuò ， què shí yīng gāi shì cóng líng jiè lái de 。” yōu míng àn wáng de biǎo qíng bù zài nà me fèn nù ， dàn liǎn sè ， yī jiù shì yīn chén yǐ jí 。
“哼，那小子面生得紧，不像失落界面土生土长的修士，如果本王没有料错，确实应该是从灵界来的。”幽冥暗王的表情不再那么愤怒，但脸色，依旧是阴沉以极。
"Hmph, that boy looks unfamiliar. He doesn't seem to be from this lost realm. If I'm not mistaken, he is indeed from the Spirit Realm," the Dark King of the Netherworld’s expression was no longer angry but still extremely grim.
“ líng jiè xiū shì ， néng gòu jiāng dà wáng de shēn wài huà shēn miè chú ， mò fēi shì nǎ ge dù jié hòu qī de lǎo guài wù ？” nà nǚ guān de liǎn sè yě yǒu xiē nán kàn le 。
“灵界修士，能够将大王的身外化身灭除，莫非是哪个渡劫后期的老怪物？”那女官的脸色也有些难看了。
"From the Spirit Realm? Could it be a late-stage Tribulation Transcender?" The woman's face also turned pale.
zhè yàng de cún zài ， tā men shì kěn dìng dǎ bù guò ， jiù suàn dà wáng běn tǐ qīn zhì ， dǎ bài tā bù nán ， dàn xiǎng yào jiāng duì fāng miè chú ， yě bú shì nà me róng yì de 。
这样的存在，他们是肯定打不过，就算大王本体亲至，打败他不难，但想要将对方灭除，也不是那么容易的。
Such beings were beyond their ability to defeat. Even if the Dark King himself came, defeating him would not be difficult, but eliminating him would not be easy either.
xiū wèi néng gòu dào dá dù jié hòu qī ， jiù suàn bú shì lǐng yù qiáng zhě 『 bǎi dù tiē ba ☆ wén zì shǒu fā 』， yòu zěn me kě néng méi yǒu xiū liàn jǐ zhǒng lì hài zhī jí de bǎo mìng shén tōng 。
修为能够到达渡劫后期，就算不是领域强者『百度贴吧☆文字首发』，又怎么可能没有修炼几种厉害之极的保命神通。
To reach the late-stage Tribulation Transcendence realm, even without domain power, how could one lack several extremely powerful survival techniques?
zhè zhǒng děng jí de lǎo guài wù ， xiǎng yào jiāng qí miè chú ， nán dù jiù yǔ fán rén xiǎng yào dēng tiān chà bu duō 。
这种等级的老怪物，想要将其灭除，难度就与凡人想要登天差不多。
Eliminating such a creature was as difficult as a commoner trying to climb heaven itself.
jiàn sān míng shǒu xià mò rán bù yǔ ， yōu míng àn wáng hé děng rén wù ， zì rán cāi dào tā men zài xiǎng shén me ：“ nǐ men duō lǜ le ， nǐ kě wù de xiǎo jiā huo ， bìng bú shì shén me dù jié hòu qī de lǎo guài wù 。”
见三名手下默然不语，幽冥暗王何等人物，自然猜到他们在想什么：“你们多虑了，你可恶的小家伙，并不是什么渡劫后期的老怪物。”
Seeing his three subordinates silent, the Dark King of the Netherworld naturally guessed what they were thinking: "You are overthinking. The little brat isn't some late-stage Tribulation Transcender."
“ bú shì dù jié hòu qī …… děng dài ， dà wáng nǐ shuō ， nà shì yí gè xiǎo jiā huo ？”
“不是渡劫后期……等待，大王你说，那是一个小家伙？”
"Not a late-stage Tribulation Transcender... Wait, Your Majesty says it's a small boy?"
sān rén miàn miàn xiāng qù ， biǎo qíng wú bù è rán yǐ jí 。
三人面面相觑，表情无不愕然以极。
The three exchanged glances, their expressions equally stunned.
“ bù cuò ， nà xiǎo zi de yàng mào què shí nián qīng ， kàn tā de yàng zi ， yīng gāi yě bù xiàng huó le duō jiǔ ， bù guò yī fēn shén qī de xiǎo bèi ér yǐ 。” yōu míng àn wáng shuō dào zhè lǐ ， liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī gān gà zhī sè ， bì jìng zì jǐ de huà shēn bèi yī fēn shén qī cún zài miè chú ， shuō chū qù ， shí zài bú shì shén me zhí de xuàn yào de shì 。
“不错，那小子的样貌确实年轻，看他的样子，应该也不像活了多久，不过一分神期的小辈而已。”幽冥暗王说到这里，脸上闪过一丝尴尬之色，毕竟自己的化身被一分神期存在灭除，说出去，实在不是什么值得炫耀的事。
"Correct. That boy does look young. Judging by his appearance, he hasn't lived long; just a one-point spirit realm adept," the Dark King of the Netherworld said with a hint of embarrassment on his face. After all, it wasn’t something to brag about that his avatar was destroyed by a one-point spirit realm being.
ér tā miàn qián de sān míng guǐ wù ， yí gè gè yǐ tīng dé shǎ le 。
而他面前的三名鬼物，一个个已听得傻了。
The three ghostly spirits in front of him were already dumbfounded.
guài shì nián nián yǒu ， jīn nián tè bié duō ， sì dì yǔ dà wáng de fēn ☆ shēn ， dōu shì bèi yī fēn shén qī de xiǎo bèi miè hā …… zhè ， zhè bú shì zài kāi wán xiào shì shén me ？
怪事年年有，今年特别多，四弟与大王的分☆身，都是被一分神期的小辈灭哈……这，这不是在开玩笑是什么？
Strange things happened every year, but this year had more than its share. The fourth younger brother and the Dark King’s avatar were both defeated by a mere one-point spirit realm adept… Wasn’t this just too absurd?
zài nà yī shùn jiān ， tā men shèn zhì dōu yǒu diǎn huái yí ， zhǔ shàng shì bú shì xiū liàn gōng fǎ chū cuò ， yǐ zhì yú zǒu huǒ rù mó ， ér shén jīng cuò luàn le 。
在那一瞬间，他们甚至都有点怀疑，主上是不是修炼功法出错，以至于走火入魔，而神经错乱了。
In that moment, they even wondered if their lord had gone mad from practicing cultivation techniques incorrectly, leading to a mental breakdown.
yě nán guài sān rén zhè me xiǎng ， suī rán xiū xiān jiè shén me shì qíng dōu yǒu kě néng fā shēng ， yuè jí tiǎo zhàn yě bú shì bù kě yǐ ， dàn dù jié què shì wán quán bù tóng dì ， yǔ qián miàn jìng jiè de shí lì bàn ruò yún ní ， fēn shén tiǎo zhàn dù jié qī ， nà yǐ jīng shì jǐ bǎi wàn nián dōu bù céng yǒu guò dì 。
也难怪三人这么想，虽然修仙界什么事情都有可能发生，越级挑战也不是不可以，但渡劫却是完全不同地，与前面境界的实力半若云泥，分神挑战渡劫期，那已经是几百万年都不曾有过地。
It was no wonder they thought so. Although anything could happen in the cultivation world and challenges across levels were not unheard of, Tribulation Transcendence was entirely different. The strength difference between realms was like heaven and earth; challenging a Tribulation Transcender with a one-point spirit realm adept was something that hadn’t happened for millions of years.
jiù suàn zhēn chū xiàn le yí gè tiān cái ， jiāng sì dì dǎ bài ， dàn zhǔ shàng fēn ☆ shēn de shí lì ， kě yuǎn shèng tóng jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， yě yǔn luò ， zhè wèi miǎn jiù yǒu xiē tài guò fèn zi 。
就算真出现了一个天才，将四弟打败，但主上分☆身的实力，可远胜同境界的修仙者，也陨落，这未免就有些太过分子。
Even if there was a genius who defeated the fourth younger brother, his lord’s avatar's strength far surpassed those at the same stage. His fall was too much to bear.
yuè jí tiǎo zhàn yě gāi yǒu gè xiàn dù ， nǎ ér yǒu zhè me kuā zhāng de ？
越级挑战也该有个限度，哪儿有这么夸张的？
There should be limits to level-crossing challenges; such exaggeration was absurd.
yī shí jiān ， sān rén zhāng kǒu jié shé ， dōu bù zhī dào gāi zěn me shuō ， lián nà yǔ shàn guān jīn de nán zi ， dōu shī qù le xiāo sǎ piāo yì de fēng dù 。
一时间，三人张口结舌，都不知道该怎么说，连那羽扇纶巾的男子，都失去了潇洒飘逸的风度。
The three were speechless, unsure how to respond. Even the man with the feather fan lost his elegant demeanor.
“ zěn me ， nǐ men yǐ wéi běn wáng zài shuō huǎng me ？” yōu míng àn wáng de yǔ qì ， duō shǎo dài shàng yì diǎn bú yuè le 。
“怎么，你们以为本王在说谎么？”幽冥暗王的语气，多少带上一点不悦了。
"How can you doubt what I say?" The Dark King of the Netherworld's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
“ bù gǎn 。”
“不敢。”
"We dare not."
sān rén lián máng gōng jìng de dī xià tou lú 。
三人连忙恭敬的低下头颅。
The three quickly lowered their heads in respect.
“ xíng le ， nǐ men bù yòng zài nà lǐ yǎn shì shén me ， běn wáng kě méi yǒu zǒu huǒ ， gèng bú huì hú yán luàn shuō ， shì shí jiù shì rú cǐ ， nà xiǎo jiā huo suī zhǐ shì fēn shén qī ， shí lì què chū zhòng yǐ jí ， běn wáng yě shì yī shí dà yì ， rú jīn zhào nǐ men lái ， jiù shì yào xún zhǎo nà jiā huo de xià luò ， kùn xiān huán huā fèi běn wáng xīn xuè wú shù ， qǐ néng luò rù wài rén de shǒu zhōng 。”
“行了，你们不用在那里掩饰什么，本王可没有走火，更不会胡言乱说，事实就是如此，那小家伙虽只是分神期，实力却出众以极，本王也是一时大意，如今召你们来，就是要寻找那家伙的下落，困仙环花费本王心血无数，岂能落入外人的手中。”
"Fine, there’s no need for pretense. I haven’t gone mad and am not speaking nonsense. That small boy is indeed a one-point spirit realm adept with outstanding strength. It was my carelessness that led to this. Now, I’ve summoned you to find his whereabouts. The Immortal Restraining Ring took countless efforts from me; it can't fall into the hands of outsiders."
yōu míng àn wáng lěng lěng de shuō ， suí hòu biàn jiàn tā xiù páo yī fú ， sān gè wū hēi de yù tóng jiǎn sǎn shè ér chū ， zhǔn què de luò rù sān rén de 『 mèng yǐ qǐ háng ☆ qīng yì ěr yǎ 』 shǒu lǐ 。
幽冥暗王冷冷的说，随后便见他袖袍一拂，三个乌黑的玉瞳简散射而出，准确的落入三人的『梦已启航☆清逸尔雅』手里。
The Dark King of the Netherworld said coldly as he swept his sleeve and three black jade eye scrolls shot out, accurately landing in their hands.
“ zhè yù tóng zhōng ， yǒu nà xiǎo zi de xiàng mào yǐ jí qí tā yī xiē xiàn suǒ ， yī huì er nǐ men chuán lìng xià qù ， jiù suàn shàng tiān rù dì ， yě yí dìng yào zhǎo dào zhè xiǎo zi de zōng jì 。”
“这玉瞳中，有那小子的相貌以极其他一些线索，一会儿你们传令下去，就算上天入地，也一定要找到这小子的踪迹。”
"These eyes contain that boy's appearance and other clues. Go and search thoroughly—no matter how high or low you have to go—to find this boy’s whereabouts."
“ shì ， dà wáng fàng xīn ， wǒ děng yí dìng huì nǔ lì zuò shì ， nà kě wù de jiā huo pǎo bù liǎo dì 。” nà měng jiàng mú yàng de yīn hún yī biān jiāng shén shí chén rù ， yī biān rú cǐ zhè bān de shuō 。
“是，大王放心，我等一定会努力做事，那可恶的家伙跑不了地。”那猛将模样的阴魂一边将神识沉入，一边如此这般的说。
"Aye, Your Majesty, we will do our best. That hateful fellow won’t escape us," the ghost with a warrior-like appearance said as he sank his consciousness.
“ ń ， nǐ men dōu shì běn wáng xīn fù ， wǒ méi yǒu shén me bù fàng xīn de ， bù guò nà xiǎo jiā huo shí lì bù sú ， rén yě jiǎo huá nán yǐ duì fù ， nǐ men yí dìng bù néng qīng dí ， ruò shì zhǎo dào tā de zōng jì ， gèng bú yào dǎ cǎo jīng shé ， yī biān qiāo qiāo gēn zhe ， yī biān jiāng xiāo xī chuán huí lái ， běn wáng zì huì jiāng tā chōu hún liàn pò 。
“嗯，你们都是本王心腹，我没有什么不放心的，不过那小家伙实力不俗，人也狡猾难以对付，你们一定不能轻敌，若是找到他的踪迹，更不要打草惊蛇，一边悄悄跟着，一边将消息传回来，本王自会将他抽魂炼魄。
"Hmm, you are my trusted subordinates; I trust you. However, that small boy is formidable and cunning. You mustn't underestimate him. If you find his whereabouts, don’t alert him; follow him quietly while sending reports back. I will extract his soul and refine his essence."
“ shén me ， dà wáng yào qīn zì dòng shǒu ？”
“什么，大王要亲自动手？”
"What? Your Majesty wants to do it personally?"
“ bù cuò ， ruò fēi rú cǐ ， zěn néng bào wǒ fēn ☆ shēn bèi huǐ zhī chóu 。”
“不错，若非如此，怎能报我分☆身被毁之仇。”
"Indeed, how else can I avenge the destruction of my avatar?"
yōu míng àn wáng yǎo yá qiè chǐ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， dāng rán zhè huà zhǐ shì biǎo miàn shuō dé hǎo tīng bà le ， yǎn qián sān rén shì tā xīn fù bù jiǎ ， dàn wǔ lóng xǐ hé děng bǎo wù ， lián dāng nián ā xiū luó wáng dōu kǔ xún ér bù dé ， hǎo bù róng yì fā xiàn le tā de xiàn suǒ ， zěn me néng jiǎ shǒu tā rén ne ？
幽冥暗王咬牙切齿的声音传入耳朵，当然这话只是表面说得好听罢了，眼前三人是他心腹不假，但五龙玺何等宝物，连当年阿修罗王都苦寻而不得，好不容易发现了它的线索，怎么能假手他人呢？
The Dark King of the Netherworld's resentful voice echoed in their ears. Of course, this was just for show; while he trusted these three as his closest subordinates, the Five-Headed Seal was such a precious treasure that even the Arrogant King had struggled to find it. How could he entrust it to others?
zhè shí hòu ， biàn shì xīn fù yě xìn bù guò ， zǒng zhī hái shì nà jù huà ， xiǎo xīn wú dà cuò 。
这时候，便是心腹也信不过，总之还是那句话，小心无大错。
Even loyal subordinates couldn’t be fully trusted in times like these. In short, better safe than sorry.
dāng rán ， zhè nèi zhōng de yuán yóu ， tā jiù bú huì duì sān rén xiáng shuō 。
当然，这内中的缘由，他就不会对三人详说。
Of course, he wouldn't elaborate on the reasons behind this to them.
ér sān rén xīn zhōng jīng yí ， yǐn yǐn jué de dà wáng suǒ yán ， yí dìng yǒu shén me bù jìn bù shí zhī chù ， rán ér huái yí guī huái yí ， dàn tā men yòu qǐ gǎn hú yán luàn yǔ ， gōng jìng de xíng le yī lǐ ， suí hòu biàn tuì le xià qù 。
而三人心中惊疑，隐隐觉得大王所言，一定有什么不尽不实之处，然而怀疑归怀疑，但他们又岂敢胡言乱语，恭敬的行了一礼，随后便退了下去。
The three were alarmed and vaguely felt that there was something unsaid about what their lord had said. However, they dared not speak out of turn; after a respectful bow, they withdrew.
The three figures looked different, but the spiritual pressure emanating from them was remarkably similar—none of them were ordinary; they were all veterans who had passed through the tribulation realm!
Indeed, they were all at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. The man with a feather fan and scholar's cap, whose appearance was refined and scholarly like that of an advisor, had even reached the mid-Tribulation Transcendence realm.
Three ghostly spirits, no matter where they were placed, would be dominant in their domains. However, at this moment, each one displayed a respectful demeanor.
The man in brocade robes and jade belt was deeply bowed to as he asked with a solemn tone: "Your Majesty, why are you angry?"
"Someone has stolen the Immortal Restraining Ring I crafted," the Dark King of the Netherworld's voice, filled with gritted teeth, echoed. There was even a hint of venom in it.
"What? How is that possible? Didn't Your Majesty send your fourth younger brother to guard this item on Scorpion Mountain?" The woman covered her mouth and sounded utterly shocked.
The other two had similar expressions. Although the fourth younger brother's strength was slightly weaker than theirs, he too was at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. With him guarding the treasure, it should have been foolproof both logically and emotionally. How could such a thing happen?
Moreover, in this lost realm, who would dare to touch something as precious as the Dark King’s treasure? It was like an old man hanging himself—living too long.
"Ha! Not only your fourth younger brother, but even my own avatar sent to retrieve the treasure was destroyed by that fellow," the Dark King of the Netherworld's resentful voice echoed in their ears.
"What?"
"Did I hear you correctly? Even Your Majesty’s avatar has perished. How is this possible?"
"Who could have such power?"
The three exchanged glances, their expressions incredulous. Although the Dark King’s avatar was not at the early Tribulation Transcendence stage, its true combat strength far exceeded that of ordinary beings.
Even if they faced a formidable enemy and couldn't defeat it, wouldn’t they be able to escape? Yet, they were actually killed by an opponent here. If not for the Dark King's own words, they would never have believed such a thing.
How could this be?
"Could those powerful figures from another world be responsible?"
"Yes, is there someone of high rank who has been swept into this lost realm by spatial turbulence?"
After a moment of silence, the man with the feather fan and scholar's cap spoke again. His intelligence was indeed commendable; he had pinpointed the key point.
"Hmph, that boy looks unfamiliar. He doesn't seem to be from this lost realm. If I'm not mistaken, he is indeed from the Spirit Realm," the Dark King of the Netherworld’s expression was no longer angry but still extremely grim.
"From the Spirit Realm? Could it be a late-stage Tribulation Transcender?" The woman's face also turned pale.
Such beings were beyond their ability to defeat. Even if the Dark King himself came, defeating him would not be difficult, but eliminating him would not be easy either.
To reach the late-stage Tribulation Transcendence realm, even without domain power, how could one lack several extremely powerful survival techniques?
Eliminating such a creature was as difficult as a commoner trying to climb heaven itself.
Seeing his three subordinates silent, the Dark King of the Netherworld naturally guessed what they were thinking: "You are overthinking. The little brat isn't some late-stage Tribulation Transcender."
"Not a late-stage Tribulation Transcender... Wait, Your Majesty says it's a small boy?"
The three exchanged glances, their expressions equally stunned.
"Correct. That boy does look young. Judging by his appearance, he hasn't lived long; just a one-point spirit realm adept," the Dark King of the Netherworld said with a hint of embarrassment on his face. After all, it wasn’t something to brag about that his avatar was destroyed by a one-point spirit realm being.
The three ghostly spirits in front of him were already dumbfounded.
Strange things happened every year, but this year had more than its share. The fourth younger brother and the Dark King’s avatar were both defeated by a mere one-point spirit realm adept… Wasn’t this just too absurd?
In that moment, they even wondered if their lord had gone mad from practicing cultivation techniques incorrectly, leading to a mental breakdown.
It was no wonder they thought so. Although anything could happen in the cultivation world and challenges across levels were not unheard of, Tribulation Transcendence was entirely different. The strength difference between realms was like heaven and earth; challenging a Tribulation Transcender with a one-point spirit realm adept was something that hadn’t happened for millions of years.
Even if there was a genius who defeated the fourth younger brother, his lord’s avatar's strength far surpassed those at the same stage. His fall was too much to bear.
There should be limits to level-crossing challenges; such exaggeration was absurd.
The three were speechless, unsure how to respond. Even the man with the feather fan lost his elegant demeanor.
"How can you doubt what I say?" The Dark King of the Netherworld's tone carried a hint of displeasure.
"We dare not."
The three quickly lowered their heads in respect.
"Fine, there’s no need for pretense. I haven’t gone mad and am not speaking nonsense. That small boy is indeed a one-point spirit realm adept with outstanding strength. It was my carelessness that led to this. Now, I’ve summoned you to find his whereabouts. The Immortal Restraining Ring took countless efforts from me; it can't fall into the hands of outsiders."
The Dark King of the Netherworld said coldly as he swept his sleeve and three black jade eye scrolls shot out, accurately landing in their hands.
"These eyes contain that boy's appearance and other clues. Go and search thoroughly—no matter how high or low you have to go—to find this boy’s whereabouts."
"Aye, Your Majesty, we will do our best. That hateful fellow won’t escape us," the ghost with a warrior-like appearance said as he sank his consciousness.
"Hmm, you are my trusted subordinates; I trust you. However, that small boy is formidable and cunning. You mustn't underestimate him. If you find his whereabouts, don’t alert him; follow him quietly while sending reports back. I will extract his soul and refine his essence."
"What? Your Majesty wants to do it personally?"
"Indeed, how else can I avenge the destruction of my avatar?"
The Dark King of the Netherworld's resentful voice echoed in their ears. Of course, this was just for show; while he trusted these three as his closest subordinates, the Five-Headed Seal was such a precious treasure that even the Arrogant King had struggled to find it. How could he entrust it to others?
Even loyal subordinates couldn’t be fully trusted in times like these. In short, better safe than sorry.
Of course, he wouldn't elaborate on the reasons behind this to them.
The three were alarmed and vaguely felt that there was something unsaid about what their lord had said. However, they dared not speak out of turn; after a respectful bow, they withdrew.