The Nine Nether Demonic Cave

Just as Su Han was about to step forward, a phantom figure flashed past, preempting her to stand before the Three-tailed Demonic Fox.

Su Han, who had been about to advance, instinctively recoiled. Upon closer inspection, she saw lips as if sculpted, eyes like a phoenix’s, and sword-like brows that framed a gaze brimming with unbridled spirit.

A shock of golden hair was particularly striking, and a sacred aura enveloped him, reminiscent of a divine scion. If this wasn’t Luo Shang, then who could it be?

At that moment, Luo Shang had already begun conversing with the Three-tailed Demonic Fox, leaving Su Han with a mind full of questions.

‘How… how did he end up here?’ Su Han wondered, touching her smooth chin. ‘Could he be on another S-rank mission?’

“I heard that the Nine Nether Demonic Cave in the Dark Moon Forest is where Nine Nether Spirit Grass grows?”

“Indeed. The Nine Nether Demonic Cave connects to the abyss tunnel of the Underworld. The Nether Qi leaking from the tunnel forms this cave, and under its nourishment, the Nine Nether Spirit Grass is born.”

“Then quickly take me there,” Luo Shang said with a hint of urgency.

“There’s no rush,” the Three-tailed Demonic Fox replied with a smile. She then gracefully stepped forward, her movements like scattered lotus petals, to stand directly before Su Han. “Little sister, have you heard enough?”

Su Han was startled by the Three-tailed Demonic Fox’s sudden appearance. She had believed herself undetected, yet it seemed everything was within the other’s grasp. Even so, her formidable composure allowed Su Han to quickly regain her calm.

“Hm? Is that you?” Luo Shang exclaimed, surprised to see Su Han emerge from behind. He inwardly chided himself for letting his guard down so completely that he hadn’t even noticed her presence.

“I came here to look for something and happened to run into you two,” Su Han stated, her expression unfaltering. Besides, what she said was the truth!

“Oh,” Luo Shang responded, nodding thoughtfully. “Since you’ve heard everything, perhaps you could accompany me? The journey will be tedious alone, and an extra companion would alleviate some of the solitude.”

He then felt a pang of self-consciousness, realizing his abruptness. “It wouldn’t inconvenience you, would it?”

For Su Han, aimlessly searching alone was still searching, and wandering with someone else was still wandering. Considering this, she decided it would be better to accompany Luo Shang. With that thought, she agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

The Three-tailed Demonic Fox, observing them from nearby, had her beautiful eyes gleam with a sly glint. She licked her lips mischievously before saying to Luo Shang, “Don’t forget the conditions you promised me!”

With a final “Farewell,” she vanished into the vast expanse of the night.

“How did you end up here?” Luo Shang asked, continuing to walk.

“I’m looking for clues about the elven race. What about you? Are you on a mission?” Su Han replied, gently stroking the little succubus perched on her shoulder.

“Both, and neither, I suppose. In essence, it’s for myself.”

Su Han nodded in understanding. S-rank missions were undertaken for rewards, which ultimately served one’s own interests. After all, it was said that one who doesn’t look out for themselves would be struck down by heaven and earth.

“Is that a succubus?” Luo Shang inquired, his gaze fixed on the small creature on Su Han’s shoulder.

“Yes, I stumbled upon her in the s*ave market,” Su Han confirmed with a nod.

“The Nine Nether Demonic Cave should contain Nine Nether Underworld Fruit. When we find it, it might help purify this little one’s bloodline.”

Just as they were conversing, a colossal beast suddenly erupted from a nearby stream. It opened its gaping, ravenous maw, revealing rows of terrifying fangs.

“Watch out! It’s a Frostfall Profound Water Python!” Luo Shang cried out, hastily pushing Su Han aside. He then slammed his palm onto the python’s head.

A faint golden phantom of a giant palm rippled with golden light as Saint Spirit elements converged, illuminating the entire body of the Frostfall Profound Water Python.

Its sheer size was astonishing; half of its massive form remained submerged, yet the exposed portion alone stretched over twenty meters.

“We need to go, quickly! This is a peak ninth-tier magical beast, only a step away from transforming into a Flood Dragon and achieving legendary status.” Luo Shang projected his domain, holding back the Frostfall Profound Water Python, then pulled Su Han’s delicate hand and vanished from the area.

Several hours later, the sky began to lighten. The sun, still heavy-lidded, cast a hazy, almost ethereal glow, its orange hues gradually deepening into crimson.

Just as dawn was breaking, Luo Shang halted. “We’ve arrived. The Nine Nether Demonic Cave is just ahead!” The nascent sun, having just risen, cast its gentle light upon Luo Shang’s face, making his golden hair appear almost dreamlike.

Su Han turned her head, her gaze falling upon Luo Shang’s profile. He was simply… unbelievably beautiful! ‘Oh my goodness, my maiden heart is bursting!’ she thought, though she dared not utter a word aloud.

Luo Shang, however, paid no mind to her. The early sunlight merely made him squint uncomfortably. “According to the Three-tailed Demonic Fox’s information, it’s right in front of us!”

Following Luo Shang’s gaze, Su Han saw a dark, gaping maw carved into the rock face. Scattered around the entrance lay several brittle bones, bleached white, making it impossible to discern if they belonged to humans or beasts.

The ancient scent of ages wafted forth, as if a strong gust of wind could reduce the skeletal remains to a mere handful of dust.

“Alright, what are you spacing out for? Let’s go in!” Luo Shang said, gently tapping the back of Su Han’s head.

“Oh… oh!” Su Han stammered, snapping back to reality and following Luo Shang inside.

The cave entrance was dark and devoid of light. Luo Shang extended his hand, casting an Illumination Spell that brightened the opening. Inside, it seemed… empty?

No, it wasn’t.

A skeletal hand had already clutched Su Han’s ankle.

“Ah!” Su Han gasped, a chill running up her ankle. With a jolt, she stomped down, crushing the bony claw.

“The Yin energy here is intense, yet there are only low-tier undead?” Luo Shang frowned, sensing that things were not as simple as they appeared.

Clearly, the assailant that had attacked Su Han and been crushed was a low-tier undead: a skeleton soldier.

Su Han, realizing she was unconsciously clutching Luo Shang’s sleeve, quickly released her grip and took a step back.

This retreat, however, proved to be a mistake.

Instantly, a ghastly green light surged within the cave, only to vanish just as quickly. A ‘clack’ echoed, like the turning of gears, and then a sinister purple light illuminated the interior. A new, pitch-black opening formed within the cave.

Curiously, Su Han and Luo Shang edged closer to this new maw. The opening then pulsed with dark purple light, and a vortex of Nether Qi coalesced, drawing both of them inside.

When Su Han finally opened her eyes, she found herself in a world of profound darkness. Beside her, Luo Shang sat with his eyes closed, meditating, attempting to commune with the Saint Spirit elements to understand their surroundings.

After a long while, Luo Shang opened his eyes. His pale golden pupils, which had been glowing, retracted their light, returning to a light blue hue.

“This place…”

“This is the Underworld!”