Qin Xue battled through her Heavenly Tribulation, aided by Xu Nian's Immortal Pill, successfully advancing to Peak Late Stage Earth Immortal with profound insights. Moments after, Thunder Leopard of the Lei Family stormed the Qin residence with reinforcements, demanding vengeance for his son Lei Li's death. Xu Nian admitted to the killing and effortlessly pinned Thunder Leopard with overwhelming pressure, shocking all as his Nether Emperor strength was revealed—drawing a wary glance from the mysterious accompanying woman.
"Do you still fancy your chances of seeking revenge now?" Xu Nian gazed at the Thunder Leopard, pinned helplessly to the ground, and posed the question with a cold tone.
The Thunder Leopard’s visage was etched with frustration, yet he found himself utterly incapable of action. Xu Nian’s might was simply too overwhelming; the sheer pressure exerted by him made breathing a struggle. He had never fathroned that his son would meet his end at the hands of such a supreme expert.
"My lady, please, help me!" The Thunder Leopard turned his head towards a woman amidst the crowd, his voice laced with desperation.
Upon hearing his plea, the woman’s brow furrowed slightly. She then extended a hand, and the oppressive aura Xu Nian projected dissipated instantly.
"My lord, you are a revered Nether Emperor, and to bully a mere Profound Immortal seems rather unsporting, wouldn’t you agree?" the woman inquired, her voice possessing a gentle and pleasant cadence.
Xu Nian offered a faint smile.
"He initiated the conflict. The fact that I spared his life already demonstrates considerable leniency," Xu Nian responded.
The woman, having observed the entire exchange, was fully aware that Xu Nian had exercised restraint. Had he not, the Thunder Leopard would have been deceased long ago.
"Might I suggest that, out of respect for my presence, you let this matter conclude here?" the woman proposed.
"My lady!" The Thunder Leopard attempted to interject further, but a single, sharp glance from the woman silenced him.
Witnessing this, the Thunder Leopard had no alternative but to hold his tongue.
"Very well, but the Lei Family must cease all harassment of the Qin Family henceforth. Should this occur again, I shall ensure the Lei Family is eradicated," Xu Nian stated with calm finality.
At these words, the Thunder Leopard’s complexion turned ghastly pale.
Yet, he could offer no rebuttal. An expert of the Nether Emperor realm possessed the power to obliterate the Lei Family in an instant. In the foreseeable future, the Qin Family might well become an untouchable entity.
The members of the Qin Family rejoiced inwardly. With Xu Nian championing their cause, at the very least within Heavenly Thunder City, the Lei Family would hesitate to cause them trouble for the time being.
"Excellent, let us consider this matter settled. Perhaps you would be inclined to accompany me elsewhere for a conversation?" the woman extended a proactive invitation.
"Certainly!" Xu Nian readily agreed.
With that, the two individuals instantly teleported, vanishing from their original standing.
In Heavenly Thunder City, a valley lay to the extreme north.
Thunder rumbled ominously.
Flashes of lightning continuously illuminated the valley's expanse.
From somewhere deep within the valley, a sound akin to a terrifying roar seemed to emanate.
Xu Nian and the woman materialized at the valley’s edge.
The woman’s robes billowed softly in the wind, accentuating her exquisitely beautiful figure. Even Xu Nian couldn’t help but offer a silent commendation of her attractiveness.
"Do you happen to know the nature of this place?" the woman inquired, her gaze fixed upon the valley.
"The Heavenly Thunder Pool?" Xu Nian ventured, acutely sensing the potent and perilous lightning energy permeating the valley. Within its depths, he even perceived an aura reminiscent of Divine Thunder.
"Indeed, this is the Heavenly Thunder Pool. My purpose in coming to Heavenly Thunder City was for this very place; I seek to acquire a strand of Divine Thunder, but my current abilities are insufficient," the woman confessed in a low tone, her eyes directed towards the valley's interior.
"To obtain Divine Thunder?" Xu Nian expressed a degree of astonishment.
She had journeyed here with the singular objective of obtaining Divine Thunder. Such a feat was far from simple. Without power of a Divine level, survival under the onslaught of such thunder would be a grim prospect. Furthermore, the Divine Thunder within the Heavenly Thunder Pool appeared to possess unique characteristics.
"Yes, to obtain Divine Thunder. I intend to forge a Divine Artifact, and this Divine Thunder is an indispensable component," the woman elaborated.
"Forging a Divine Artifact? Are you a Divine Craftsman?" Xu Nian queried, his surprise evident.
He had not anticipated that the woman would be a Divine Craftsman. Within the Three Realms, he recognized himself as the sole Divine Craftsman capable of forging Divine Artifacts. To encounter another in the Netherworld who could also undertake such a task was unexpected. However, the notion of using Divine Thunder to forge a Divine Artifact was entirely novel to him.
"You may consider me as such. My refined Divine Artifacts possess rather unique qualities, and this Divine Thunder is a prerequisite. However, I am unable to acquire it alone, hence I seek your assistance. Upon success, I shall provide you with ample compensation," the woman stated.
"Why me? Even with our combined strength, the chances of acquiring the Divine Thunder seem slim, wouldn't you agree?" Xu Nian asked with a playful smile.
He was genuinely curious as to her motives for extending an invitation to him upon their very first meeting. Logically, a Divine Craftsman should not be short of helpers; if she were to extend invitations, it was probable that Divine-level experts would readily offer their services. Would they not be more beneficial than himself, a practitioner at the late stage of the Nether Emperor realm?
"I am carrying out this refinement of the Divine Artifact in secrecy, and it is imperative that no one else becomes aware of it. Your ignorance of my true identity, in turn, serves my purpose," the woman explained.
Xu Nian seemed to grasp her reasoning.
If the woman desired experts at the Divine level, it would undoubtedly expose her identity. What she truly needed was discretion, making a stranger like him the perfect choice.
"Then perhaps you aren't concerned I might betray you after you secure the Divine Thunder?" Xu Nian inquired with a smile.
"I am not concerned, and you possess no means to kill me. I have life-preserving treasures far beyond your comprehension," the woman stated with unwavering confidence.
Xu Nian found himself slightly taken aback.
It seemed this woman harbored some truly formidable hidden strengths.
"Shall we discuss remuneration then?" Xu Nian proposed.
"A Low Grade Divine Artifact!" the woman declared outright.
However, Xu Nian responded by shaking his head.
A mere Low Grade Divine Artifact was far too meager a price to enlist his services.
"A Mid-grade Divine Artifact coupled with a Low Grade Divine Artifact; this offer is exceedingly generous. If you cannot accept this, then we have nothing more to discuss," the woman declared, a hint of anger coloring her tone.
She felt this individual was simply being unreasonable and demanding too much.
"Divine Artifacts hold no appeal for me; I have no interest in them. Perhaps you would permit me to witness your refining process?" Xu Nian suggested instead.
He was, in truth, quite curious about her artifact-refining capabilities.
"Absolutely not!" the woman refused immediately.
"Then we are done here!" Xu Nian announced, turning to depart.
Witnessing his decisive action, the woman displayed a flicker of hesitation.
Should Xu Nian depart, finding a suitable assistant would prove exceedingly difficult.
After all, Heavenly Thunder City was situated in a rather remote corner of Qing State.
"Very well, I concede. You may observe, but you absolutely must not divulge any secrets of my refining techniques," the woman stated solemnly.
"Agreed!" Xu Nian replied with a grin.
The woman felt a surge of curiosity.
Why would this man forgo a Divine Artifact and instead desire to watch her refinement process?
Could it be that he himself was a Divine Craftsman?
Yet, she quickly dismissed the thought.
Within the Netherworld, aside from herself and her Master, no other Divine Craftsman existed.
"Allow him to watch if he wishes; without the Artifact Refining Technique, mere observation will yield nothing. It is better to focus on refining the Divine Thunder Arrow," she mused internally.
Perceiving the woman's shifting expression, Xu Nian could vaguely discern her thoughts.
Nevertheless, he remained intensely curious about how a Divine Craftsman of the Netherworld employed Divine Thunder to forge Divine Artifacts.
"Let us proceed! Into the valley we go," the woman instructed Xu Nian.
Having spoken, she soared towards the inner reaches of the valley.
Without any delay, Xu Nian followed closely behind.
Upon entering the valley, both Xu Nian and the woman were immediately enveloped by a terrifying lightning aura.
This formidable aura radiated an immense destructive power.
The sheer destructive force was utterly astonishing.
It presented a grave hazard to one's spiritual power.
Typical cultivators of the Netherworld would undoubtedly hesitate to venture near such a place.
