After leaving the hall doors, Lin Jun did not stray far, instead waiting outside the entrance, straining his ears for any sound from within. Alas, from beginning to end, he heard nothing at all. After quite a while, Nie Kong finally emerged from the hall with a smile on his face.

Lin Jun could no longer suppress the curiosity burning within him. As Nie Kong approached, he quietly inquired, "Junior Brother Nie, what did Master and the Uncles say to you…"

Kong smiled faintly, his expression placid. "Nothing much, they just passed down a technique called the 'Nether Path Shadow Art'…"

"The 'Nether Path Shadow Art'?"

Lin Jun sucked in a sharp breath, crying out in shock.

This 'Nether Path Shadow Art' was the most formidable spiritual technique in Fubo Mountain, traditionally reserved only for the Sect Master. In recent years, due to the waning influence of Fubo Mountain, Zhuo Yue had broken with all precedent and passed it down to Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo to bolster the sect’s overall strength.

To think that they had just bestowed this 'Nether Path Shadow Art'—a treasure they normally guarded jealously—upon Nie Kong, a fellow who hadn't even been officially initiated for a full day. Such an occurrence had never before been witnessed in the history of Fubo Mountain. Yet, this very fellow wore an air of complete nonchalance, as if none of it mattered, which left Lin Jun, a disciple who had served Fubo Mountain for many years, utterly humiliated.

"Oh, and Master also mentioned that starting today, I’m to cultivate in the 'Cave of Dead Spirits'…" Nie Kong added with another smile. "Senior Brother Lin, could you trouble yourself to guide me up there later?"

"The 'Cave of Dead Spirits'…"

Hearing those three words, the muscles in Lin Jun’s face twitched slightly. After a long pause, he managed a wry smile. "Junior Brother Nie, I’m afraid I cannot help you with this favor. Without the Master’s explicit permission, I wouldn't dare approach the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' even if you gave me a hundred times the courage. You should go yourself; the place is right at the peak, very easy to find…"

Only now did Lin Jun truly grasp how highly the Master and Uncles regarded this Nie Kong. First the 'Nether Path Shadow Art,' and now the 'Cave of Dead Spirits'…

Putting aside the 'Nether Path Shadow Art' for a moment, the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' alone was not accessible to just anyone. Cultivation speed within the vicinity of the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' was at least double that of other areas. The combined pressure exerted by the Heart-Devouring Sect, Wind-Hunting Valley, and Soul-Eater Sect against Fubo Mountain was not without the aim of coveting that very 'Cave of Dead Spirits.' In truth, almost every sect in the Nether Realm possessed a location similar to the 'Cave of Dead Spirits,' but compared to Fubo Mountain’s, the sites held by the three rival sects were significantly inferior.

Although Fubo Mountain’s 'Cave of Dead Spirits' was an exceptional place for cultivation, its slots were strictly limited, accommodating a maximum of ten people.

Currently, besides Zhuo Yue and the other three, only five disciples who had already reached the Fourth Stage of the Black Spirit Master realm could utilize that space. Lin Jun had always assumed that the final spot in the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' was reserved for him, only to find it unexpectedly fall to Nie Kong.

"This fellow has taken all the benefits!"

Lin Jun’s eyes flushed slightly, a bitter jealousy rising in his heart, yet tinged with a sense of powerlessness. This was the way of the Nether Realm: possess outstanding talent, and everything follows; possess mediocre talent, and forget everything. Nie Kong had perfected the cultivation of the 'Nether Fiend Art' in such a short time and successfully condensed the 'Nine Great Nether Stars.' His aptitude was truly astonishing, making his preferential treatment entirely reasonable.

"Oh, if that's the case, I shall head to the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' immediately then."

Nie Kong gave a slight nod. Seeing a path leading upward beside the Spirit Venerable Hall, he walked straight towards it.

"…"

Watching Nie Kong's receding figure, Lin Jun remained silent. After a long while, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "…The 'Nether Path Shadow Art,' the 'Cave of Dead Spirits'… I’m truly envious…" But what use was envy for such matters?

Inside the Spirit Venerable Hall, the atmosphere was exceptionally still. As soon as Nie Kong departed, the smiles vanished from the faces of the four leaders, replaced by grave seriousness.

"Senior Brother Zhuo, must we really take this step?" After a long silence, Yan Luo's slightly hesitant voice finally broke the quiet within the hall.

"My three Junior Brothers, the intentions of the Heart-Devouring Sect, Wind-Hunting Valley, and Soul-Eater Sect are crystal clear. If we could supply the Main Sect with sufficient 'Dark Blood Stones,' we would naturally receive their protection. But we have now failed the Main Sect's assignments three times, and it will be difficult to succeed in the future. Failure to deliver the required 'Dark Blood Stones' means Fubo Mountain holds little value for the Main Sect anymore. Yesterday's incident in Shuiyun Town confirms the Main Sect’s attitude…"

His gaze swept across Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo. Zhuo Yue stated gravely, "Under these circumstances, do you believe we have any other path available?"

Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo exchanged glances but remained silent. They were fully aware of the situation Zhuo Yue had analyzed. For Fubo Mountain, there was indeed one alternative path: surrender this foundation, allowing Fubo Mountain to be carved up by the Heart-Devouring Sect, Wind-Hunting Valley, and Soul-Eater Sect. While that might spare the lives of the ordinary disciples, the fate of the four of them would be far less certain.

Pausing briefly, Zhuo Yue added, "In your opinion, given Nie Kong's aptitude, could he gain the favor of those War Clan Elders?"

Hearing this, the complexions of the three immediately relaxed.

Mi Luo chuckled. "Senior Brother Zhuo, why even ask? This little fellow Nie Kong possesses peerless innate talent. Although his age is somewhat advanced, his potential is entirely unconstrained by years. If those War Clan Elders were to learn of him, their eyes would likely turn green with desire…"

A hint of a smile touched Zhuo Yue’s lips. "If that is the case, my three Junior Brothers, what else is there to worry about?"

"It’s a pity to lose such an exceptional disciple…" Feng Hu, who had remained silent until now, couldn't help but sigh deeply, his voice husky.

"Indeed. However, Fubo Mountain is fated not to keep such a genius. Forcibly keeping him could very well invite disaster…" Zhuo Yue also sighed mournfully. After a moment, his voice hardened again. "My three Junior Brothers, this matter is settled. I will go seek an audience with the War Clan Elders today. You three must remain and watch over Fubo Mountain. Until you hear from me, do not allow even the slightest mistake…"

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo all nodded firmly. Zhuo Yue narrowed his eyes, murmuring, "Since the Black God Sect refuses to grant Fubo Mountain a path to live, we must carve one out for ourselves. It is heaven’s blessing that Fubo Mountain managed to pick up this little fellow, Nie Kong…"

At the peak of Fubo Mountain, the layer of black energy pressed down completely, stopping only about three meters short of touching the ground. At the absolute center of the summit was a black hole spanning several meters across. Hovering just above the opening was a slightly smaller piece of black jade, rotating slowly.

Most striking were the ten relatively thin pillars of black light that pierced through the suspended jade stone, connecting tightly with the layer of black energy above their heads. Within these ten light pillars, five men in their mid-thirties to forties, sitting cross-legged, could be vaguely discerned.

The five individuals showed no reaction to Nie Kong’s arrival, though the five light pillars enveloping them continued to pulse faintly.

Nie Kong paid them no mind. He merely stood quietly, sensing the surroundings. Moments later, Nie Kong moved, stepping directly onto the jade stone and casually sitting down within one of the black light pillars.

The very next instant, Nie Kong’s heart gave a violent jolt. Around him, the black light pillar flowed like water. Beneath the smooth jade, boundless black energy surged and churned, rising upward and dripping into his head. A profound sense of deathly stillness quietly permeated the area.

"No wonder this place is called the 'Cave of Dead Spirits'!" Nie Kong thought inwardly. A closer sensation brought a surge of wild ecstasy. Within this absolute stillness, immense vitality was concealed. This vitality was unlike the rich botanical life force on the rest of Fubo Mountain; it was entirely generated from the death energy and maintained a miraculous balance with it. "Even vitality can be nurtured from death energy. Truly, all things in the world possess a life force." A moment later, Nie Kong discovered another benefit. While other Fubo Mountain disciples cultivating in the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' only gained increased speed, for him, there was no longer any need to conceal his absorption of life force, because the density of death energy here was more than enough for his own cultivation.

In a flash, Nie Kong suppressed the joy surging in his chest, calming his spirit rapidly. "Buzz!" His main body, the 'Nine Great Stars,' flickered, transforming into 'Spiritual Apertures,' and began to tremble. Nie Kong simultaneously activated both the 'Nether Fiend Art' and the 'Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art.' Death energy rushed in like surging tides, separating from the black light pillar surrounding him and drilling into Nie Kong’s body.

Once inside, the death energy was swiftly parsed by the 'Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art': the life essence remained in his transformed self, while the pure death energy flooded entirely into his main body. In just a short while, Nie Kong’s figure was enveloped in an inky black aura, and the light pillar connecting the 'Cave of Dead Spirits' to the void above him began to fluctuate with increasing intensity…

Several hours later, on the slowly rotating black jade stone, one light pillar gradually ceased its fluctuation. Soon, a middle-aged man emerged from it. After taking a quick look around, the man bowed respectfully toward the light pillar where Nie Kong was seated before exiting the 'Cave of Dead Spirits.'

As time passed, the remaining four Fubo Mountain disciples finished their cultivation one by one, and each performed the exact same gesture as the preceding man. Clearly, they had interpreted the violently fluctuating light pillar containing Nie Kong as being one of the four leaders, Zhuo Yue and the others.

The sky cycled from light to dark, and from dark to light again. Nie Kong remained seated motionlessly within the pillar. On the morning of the next day, as the dawn sunlight bathed the peak of Fubo Mountain, the five disciples observed the still wildly fluctuating pillar with astonishment, bordering on exasperated amusement.

Presumably, they had already learned of Nie Kong’s identity from their peers. Consequently, when they re-emerged from the 'Cave of Dead Spirits,' the gesture of bowing toward Nie Kong never reappeared.

Days passed. The five disciples came and went repeatedly, but Nie Kong never once left his spot.

Initially, Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo did not pay much heed. However, after three days, they could no longer remain unconcerned. Towards evening, the three of them appeared at the peak of Fubo Mountain. They looked at the status of the light pillar, exchanging silent glances, their expressions etched with worry.

But just then, a major transformation occurred within the light pillar occupied by Nie Kong…