Chen Qingyu is attacked by Wang Ming, who uses the forbidden Soul Capturing Umbrella to try and enslave her. Despite her injuries, she attempts to sacrifice herself to save Xu Nian. Xu Nian flees but, urged by his artifact spirit, decides to return to rescue Chen Qingyu. Just as Wang Ming is about to capture Chen Qingyu's soul, Xu Nian arrives.
"It’s you?" Wang Ming and Chen Qingyu simultaneously cried out in astonishment. They beheld Xu Nian, brandishing the God Sword, suspended in the void before them. "Didn't you already flee? Why have you returned?" Chen Qingyu inquired, a note of irritation in her voice. She clearly hadn't anticipated this passerby youth would depart only to reappear. At the time, she hadn't even considered seeking his aid, thinking what help a mere Nether Emperor-level passerby could possibly offer. Saving his life with her last vestiges of strength seemed a more fitting final act of kindness. Xu Nian offered Chen Qingyu a knowing smile, understanding her thoughts perfectly. "I don't favor owing others, especially when repayment is impossible, so after careful consideration, I returned," Xu Nian stated with a grin. Chen Qingyu found herself momentarily speechless. For such a reason? Was this fellow's mind addled? Earlier, his swift departure had led her to believe he was a pragmatic and decisive individual. Unexpectedly, his stubbornness remained. "Kid, you tread a path of ruin; you dare to destroy my Soul Capturing Umbrella, and you shall pay with your life," Wang Ming declared, his gaze fixed on Xu Nian with intense malice. The fact that Xu Nian had actually severed his Soul Capturing Umbrella fueled his rage. Without it, subjugating Chen Qingyu would be an even more arduous task. Chen Qingyu could only sigh, a sense of helplessness washing over her. At this juncture, her strength had waned, leaving her unable to shield Xu Nian or ensure his escape. In her estimation, the Nether Emperor before her was fated to perish. Yet, Xu Nian remained remarkably composed, facing the incensed Wang Ming with a tranquil expression. "If you intend to kill me, then proceed," Xu Nian challenged, the God Sword in his hand glinting as his eyes sharpened. "Hmph, you court death, and I shall grant your wish," Wang Ming scoffed coldly. He then channeled the Divine Soul Power coursing within him, simultaneously unleashing the Water Attribute Dao Truth. 'Ice Dragon!' Wang Ming, channeling the Great Dao Power, instantly conjured a colossal ice dragon. 'Ice Dragon Seals the Heavens, slay him!' Wang Ming bellowed. The Ice Dragon surged towards Xu Nian without delay. Its roar echoed with terrifying might, and its form radiated an intense coldness, imbued with a potent True Intent of the Dao. "Second Level of True Intent?" Xu Nian remarked, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected Wang Ming to have achieved insight into the Second Level of True Intent. Chen Qingyu on the sidelines could only shake her head in resignation. This young man, this passerby, was surely doomed. Such an assault, she mused, could overwhelm not only a Nether Emperor but perhaps even a seasoned Mid-grade Divine level expert. Wang Ming smirked disdainfully. He was confident that after this strike, the insolent youth would be utterly annihilated. However, Xu Nian merely offered a gentle smile. As the dragon bore down upon him, his eyes blazed with fierce combat spirit. "If that is the extent of your prowess, then allow me to unveil my Boundaryless Realm," Xu Nian proclaimed. 'Boundaryless Realm unleashed!' Gripping the God Sword, he executed a single, decisive slash. Instantly, a beam of extreme sword radiance flashed forth. The ice dragon, which had been hurtling towards Xu Nian, was cleanly bisected. Furthermore, Wang Ming himself could not escape the path of this devastating sword strike. The terrifying sword radiance cleaved his entire being in twain. "What?" Chen Qingyu's face contorted in shock. "No... impossible." Wang Ming's eyes widened in profound horror and disbelief. He had never conceived that his end would come at the hands of a mere Nether Emperor. But alas, his soul origin had been irrevocably shattered, leaving no possibility of survival. "No!" Wang Ming's final, deeply unresigned roar echoed. Ultimately, his Divine Soul dissipated completely into the ether. Xu Nian ascended through the air, deftly securing Wang Ming's storage ring. Chen Qingyu, observing from the side, remained utterly stunned. The turn of events far surpassed her expectations. "Take this; it will aid your recovery," Xu Nian said, tossing a Divine Pill towards her. This pill had been acquired from a defeated Divine-level expert. Chen Qingyu caught the Divine Pill, hesitated briefly, and then consumed it. She promptly assumed a cross-legged position to commence her healing. Meanwhile, Xu Nian turned his attention to examining Wang Ming’s storage ring. He probed its contents with his soul. Within, Xu Nian discovered that Wang Ming possessed an extraordinary abundance of wealth. Wang Ming, it turned out, had no fewer than three Divine Artifacts, all of them of the highest quality. Including the Soul Capturing Umbrella Xu Nian had previously destroyed, this amounted to a total of four Divine Artifacts. This discovery alone was sufficient testament to Wang Ming's immense riches. Furthermore, Xu Nian unearthed a considerable quantity of Divine Medicines within Wang Ming’s storage ring.
Two of these extremely rare Divine Medicines possessed a value comparable to the Black Magic Sky Mushroom.
This considerable haul brought immense satisfaction to Xu Nian.
Truly, the swiftest path to accumulating riches lay in combat and the acquisition of spoils.
"Hmm? What is this?"
Suddenly, Xu Nian's gaze was captured by a ring nestled within a corner of the storage ring.
"Buzz!"
Xu Nian promptly extracted this ring.
The artifact was ancient, radiating an aura of bygone eras.
Intricate and mystical Divine Patterns were etched upon its surface.
However, these patterns were utterly incomprehensible to Xu Nian.
An attempt to forge an ownership bond with the ring proved futile.
Even when blood was dripped upon it, the liquid merely slid off without absorption.
"What is happening? Is this not a treasure?" Xu Nian questioned aloud, bewildered.
"This ring is quite unusual; I cannot fathom its nature either," Shi Shanshan's spectral form materialized, turning her attention to the ring with scrutiny.
Even as a Divine Craftsman, she found herself unable to unravel the ring's enigma.
"This is a ring from the Void-breaking Sect of the Divine World, said to be their ultimate treasure. Its exact function remains unknown, but it is undoubtedly an extraordinary item, exceeding the value of your Chaos Divine Palace and Star Axe," Emperor Ye Tian's voice resonated within Xu Nian's mind.
Xu Nian was astonished by this revelation.
"More valuable than the Chaos Divine Palace and the Star Axe?"
Could this ring truly be so precious?
Yet, it seemed he could not utilize it at this juncture.
"For now, I shall keep it and study it later; it might prove crucial," Xu Nian murmured to himself.
"Indeed, with your current strength, treasures of this caliber are utterly beyond your grasp. However, the God King Sword you obtained previously is quite potent; you should focus on enhancing it, as it is currently the most practical Divine Weapon available for your use," Emperor Ye Tian advised.
Xu Nian nodded in agreement.
The level of a treasure did not invariably equate to its superiority.
His current strength was insufficient to fully unleash the true potential of these high-tier artifacts.
A treasure that harmonized with one's power was of paramount importance.
Xu Nian's gaze involuntarily shifted towards Chen Qingyu, who was nearby, recuperating.
Chen Qingyu's recovery progressed remarkably swiftly, and within moments, her injuries had shown significant signs of healing.
"Thank you." Chen Qingyu opened her eyes and approached Xu Nian.
"There is no need for thanks; as I said, I dislike owing favors," Xu Nian responded.
Chen Qingyu, however, offered a faint, wry smile.
He owed her nothing; it was she who had needlessly interfered.
Even without her intervention, he would not have found himself in peril.
A Nether Emperor capable of dispatching a Mid-grade Divine-level expert—such prodigious talent was an unprecedented encounter for her.
