Xu Nian, Su Chan, and Dongfang Ping navigated a perilous killing array to reach the Netherworld King’s Tomb. When the tomb's entrance proved impenetrable, Xu Nian effortlessly opened it. Inside, they discovered the tomb was divided into four levels, each with a deadly survival trial. The first trial involved crossing a path filled with invisible space rifts. Xu Nian and Su Chan swiftly passed, showcasing their incredible speed and skill, while Dongfang Ping also managed to succeed. Many other cultivators perished in the attempt. The three reached the first level's treasures, but learned they could only claim one each.
"It is a Low Grade Luo Divine Shield, crafted from the Reverse Scale of a Peak God-Level Divine Dragon."
Xu Nian immediately recognized the small shield Su Chan held. His understanding of Divine Artifacts had deepened significantly, nearing the point where he could refine them himself. Therefore, he clearly identified Su Chan's shield as an undeniable treasure of the Luo Divine Artifact tier.
"A Luo Divine Artifact level shield, and it even possesses the effect of blocking seventy percent of soul impact!" Su Chan infused her consciousness into the shield, her surprise evident. It appeared this shield was perfectly suited to her needs.
"Let me try as well." Dongfang Ping stepped forward, selecting a luminous sphere. As the sphere vanished, a scroll materialized in his grasp. Dongfang Ping unfurled the scroll, releasing beams of light that exuded an imposing divine power.
"Could this be a Divine King level cultivation technique?" Su Chan inquired, her gaze fixed on the scroll's contents, a look of astonishment clouding her features.
"A Divine King level cultivation technique?" Dongfang Ping's eyes also sparkled upon hearing this. A cultivation method of such caliber is exceedingly rare, even within the Divine World. Naturally, possessing a Divine King level cultivation technique greatly accelerates one's progress. Not every expert at the Divine level can procure such coveted methods.
"Quick, Xu Nian, see what treasure you can obtain." Dongfang Ping urged Xu Nian. Heeding the prompt, Xu Nian approached the remaining eight luminous spheres and ultimately selected one. As he took hold of it, the sphere disintegrated, revealing its contents to all.
It was a black metallic stone, no larger than a thumb. "What is this?" Dongfang Ping frowned, observing the black stone. It seemed Xu Nian's luck was not particularly favorable this time.
"This looks like some kind of artifact refining material," Su Chan commented, her brow also furrowed. However, Xu Nian's eyes lit up with excitement. "Black Nether Gold! It's Black Nether Gold!"
Xu Nian was overjoyed. He had been searching for Black Nether Gold without any success. He had initially assumed he would have to journey to the Divine World to find it. To his surprise, he discovered Black Nether Gold on the very first floor of the Netherworld King's Tomb.
"What is this item that has you so ecstatic?" Dongfang Ping inquired, curiosity piqued.
"This is called Black Nether Gold. It's a rare material for artifact refining. While not a Chaos Spiritual Treasure, it is the hardest and sharpest metal in the Divine World. Its value is comparable to the refining materials for Chaos Spiritual Treasures," Xu Nian explained with a grin.
"The hardest metal? But it's merely the size of a thumb, not even enough to refine a dagger," Dongfang Ping remarked.
"This material cannot be directly used for refining weapons. Given its rarity, similar to Chaos Spiritual Treasure, acquiring enough to refine a sword is nearly impossible. Therefore, it can only serve as an auxiliary material in refining, sufficient to be fused into nine sharp swords," Xu Nian elaborated with a smile. He currently possessed seven godhoods. Should he find two more, once the Devouring God Worm matured, he could forge nine Godhood Flying Swords. At that point, he would be able to initially employ the Taicang Sword Formation, granting him the ability to challenge an expert at the Peak of Divine level.
"I see." Dongfang Ping and Su Chan acknowledged, understanding the significance. The material was indeed precious, but it held little practical value for them, as neither was proficient in artifact refining.
"Let us proceed to the second floor!" Xu Nian declared. Su Chan and Dongfang Ping nodded in agreement, following Xu Nian upwards. Meanwhile, nearby Immortal Emperor level experts attempted to traverse the spatial rift passage. Tragically, the perilous rift claimed seven more lives in mere moments.
"They've gone to the second floor; seven treasures remain." someone shouted, electrifying the onlookers. Since Xu Nian and his companions had not claimed all the treasures, a renewed desire to advance surged through the crowd, though this ambition carried the severe consequence of potential death.
Deep underground, on the second floor, Xu Nian and his companions arrived at a grand palace. Within, a colossal python lay dormant. The python was adorned with silver scale armor and surprisingly possessed sharp horns upon its head. Its immense body stretched five hundred meters, presenting a truly awe-inspiring figure. Fortunately, the palace's expanse on the second floor was vast enough to accommodate such a colossal creature.
"A Sharp-Horned Silver Python at the Early Stage God level, but why is its cultivation not suppressed by the Heavenly Dao?" Xu Nian exclaimed in astonishment. Within the Sealing God Battlefield, all experts at the Divine level would have their cultivation suppressed below the Divine level. Yet, this python remained unaffected, its pulses of divine power exceptionally potent.
Xu Nian found himself perplexed.
"It is the Divine Pattern, a powerful inscription that shields from heavenly calculations, embedded upon its body, enabling it to retain its full might," Su Chan explained.
A realization dawned on Xu Nian; he understood that the Divine Pattern was the very thing obscuring their path.
Consequently, facing an Early Stage God-level Divine Beast was an undertaking not to be taken lightly.
This is because beasts from the Divine World are fundamentally different from Netherworld Divine-level experts. They possess tangible physical forms, and their strength far surpasses that of any Netherworld Divine-level expert.
Furthermore, this particular Divine Python could clearly sense cultivation, its innate prowess undoubtedly immense.
"It appears we must defeat it if we wish to proceed," Xu Nian stated.
"Early Stage God level? I can't possibly handle that," Dongfang Ping remarked, his mouth twitching.
A silent exchange of glances passed between Xu Nian and Su Chan, a subtle hint of a smile playing on their lips.
It was evident that the ensuing battle would fall upon their shoulders.
"If I could utilize my full power, slaying it would be a simple matter. However, at present, I can only employ Great Tao Power. Defeating it single-handedly is an almost insurmountable task," Su Chan declared, her grip tightening as she conjured a long spear.
The moment the weapon materialized, she exuded an overwhelmingly potent aura.
"A fine spear, indeed! Is that a Top-Grade Heavenly Divine Artifact level long spear you wield?" Xu Nian expressed his surprise.
He found it quite unexpected that Su Chan, a woman, would wield a spear, a rarity.
"Finally, some visitors arrive. It has been far too long since I last tasted meat."
Abruptly, the dormant python's eyes snapped open, and a booming voice emanated from it.
It gazed upon Xu Nian and his companions with a palpable sense of mockery.
Xu Nian's gaze sharpened as he drew the God King Sword.
The upcoming confrontation was poised to be a truly ferocious one.
"Allow us to pass, and we shall spare your life," Xu Nian addressed the Early Stage God-level python.
"Spare my life?" The python emitted a derisive laugh, regarding Xu Nian as if he were no more than an insignificant ant.
