Nestled at the foot of the mountain, within the broad courtyard of Huan Yue City, mist billowed upward.

Nie Kong closed his eyes, leaning quietly in the tub. The heat pressed against his skin, sparking an undeniable sense of comfort. Yet, in his mind, the events from the 'War Sound Hall' continued to flicker.

That 'Heart Drum War Sound'—it used the heart as the drum, and the intensely fluctuating, majestic aura within the hall served as the drumstick, striking the rhythm for the 'War Sound'! Since its inception, the 'Heart Drum War Sound' had been intrinsically linked to the 'War Sound Hall.'

According to Zhan Tianlun, the 'Heart Drum War Sound' was forged through the efforts of successive generations of Zhan Clan ancestors. However, after enduring the final round, the 'Ninety-Nine War Sounds,' and witnessing the true nature of the Zhan Clan's 'Nether Source,' Nie Kong harbored a growing suspicion: the 'Heart Drum War Sound' likely held some connection to that 'Giant.'

Based on the subsequent sensations, the owner of that aura was very possibly the Zhan Clan's 'Nether Source,' and the purpose of the ninth round of War Sounds might have been to draw the spirit of the Zhan Clan disciple who lasted the longest into the 'Nether Source' domain.

Otherwise, why would the Giant issue the call, "Come here"?

The one he called was naturally someone like Nie Kong, but regrettably, Nie Kong ultimately did not "come"; instead, he retreated far from the 'Nether Source.'

Nie Kong still vividly remembered the supremely powerful suction force surging from the bottom of the cave. Surprisingly, that suction had no effect on him whatsoever; otherwise, he could never have departed so easily.

Reflecting on it now, Nie Kong believed that suction force might only be effective on those of true Zhan Clan blood, especially since the clan had only begun accepting disciples from outside families in recent years.

Previously, only Zhan Clan disciples could listen to the 'Heart Drum War Sound.' If it hadn't been Nie Kong enduring the 'Ninety-Nine War Sounds' today, but someone possessing genuine Zhan Clan lineage, perhaps the 'Giant's' call would have succeeded.

As for what the Giant intended to do with the person called forth by the 'Ninety-Nine War Sounds,' that was beyond Nie Kong's knowledge.

Of course, his deductions and guesses might all be wrong.

But regardless of whether the purpose of the 'Heart Drum War Sound' was pure or not, it held little significance for Nie Kong. In just over a year, he would have to leave the Nether Land. At that point, any secret of this world would be mere dust.

For now, what Nie Kong needed to do was contentedly serve as this Zhan Clan disciple and relentlessly cultivate atop Mount Zhan Shen.

"If I reach the Sixth Tier and gain the chance to cultivate in the Zhan Clan's 'Nether Source,' then I will indeed need to be more cautious."

Muttering this to himself, Nie Kong slowly opened his eyes.

In the next instant, Nie Kong was stunned by the sight that met his gaze. The once clear hot water had turned pitch black, while his body appeared crystal clear, as if a layer of faint light, like water, was flowing slowly beneath his skin.

With a splash, Nie Kong stood up directly from the tub, his gaze eagerly surveying himself. He looked now like an exquisitely carved piece of jade, but fortunately, his skin color remained unchanged, for which Nie Kong felt quite grateful.

"Is this the benefit of listening to the complete 'Heart Drum War Sound'?"

Nie Kong murmured to himself.

The process of listening to the 'Heart Drum War Sound' was a process of tempering the body. Upon leaving the 'War Sound Hall,' a layer of sticky grime had appeared on Nie Kong's surface. He knew that this was the impurity separated from his marrow, organs, muscles, and skin by the drum's sound, but he hadn't expected that once the grime was gone, his entire body would transform so dramatically.

Soon, Nie Kong discovered another marvelous aspect: a pervasive transparency throughout his body, as if all thirty-six thousand pores had fully opened. At this moment, Nie Kong didn't need to circulate the 'Nether Path Shadow Art,' nor did he need to employ the 'Yin-Yang Spirit Devouring Art'; he could clearly perceive every elemental spiritual force element in the surrounding heaven and earth.

Immersed in this wondrous and profound sensation for a moment, Nie Kong felt as if his entire being had merged with heaven and earth, becoming a part of this vast expanse. His spiritual sense simultaneously extended outward from the courtyard in all directions.

In an instant, his spiritual sense blanketed the entirety of Mount Zhan Shen. The massive mountain seemed to condense in a flash, drawn into Nie Kong's consciousness.

"This is..."

Nie Kong was greatly alarmed. That marvelous sensation abruptly vanished, and the spiritual sense that had spread out simultaneously disappeared without a trace. Standing stunned in the tub, Nie Kong replayed the situation, a flush of red involuntarily rising on his face...

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, a doubtful voice echoed atop Mount Zhan Shen. The figure of the white-robed man reappeared, without warning, standing on the large protruding stone on the cliff face.

A strong wind howled, whipping at his flowing white hair, and the white-robed man's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. Only he could clearly hear the words escaping his lips: "Strange... strange... appearing without shadow, vanishing without a trace. Which Ninth Tier Black Spirit Master is spying on Mount Zhan Shen? Could it be... news that someone in our clan has listened to the 'Ninety-Nine War Sounds' has leaked?"

"Impossible... impossible so soon..."

A slightly aged voice drifted down softly. The white-robed man glanced toward the War Sound Hall, his expression growing grave...

"Someone is spying? How audacious!"

In the Zhan Xin Hall on the mountainside, Zhan Yunlan, seated quietly on the black prayer mat, suddenly opened his eyes. "En? It's gone... such a peculiar spiritual sense, leaving no trace whatsoever?" A flicker of shock crossed Zhan Yunlan's face.

"Not good!"

Immediately, Zhan Yunlan seemed to recall something, his expression changing drastically. His figure flashed slightly, and he was instantly a thousand meters high in the air. Instantly, several streaks of black light shot up from various parts of Mount Zhan Shen, gathering around Zhan Yunlan.

"Clan Leader!"

"It seems all the Grand Elders have sensed it. Can you determine this person's identity?"

"I have encountered every known Ninth Tier Black Spirit Master in the Nether Land. This person is none of them!"

"Oh? A completely unfamiliar Ninth Tier Black Spirit Master?"

"This person suddenly spying on our Mount Zhan Shen, could it be that he knows what happened in the 'War Sound Hall' today?"

"It shouldn't be. The aura fluctuations back then were concealed by the Old Ancestor; the news shouldn't have leaked! Could this person have been lurking in the 'Huan Yue City' below all along, noticing the moment that young fellow listened to the 'Ninety-Nine War Sounds'?"

"Hiding right under our noses? To achieve that, and to be an unfamiliar Ninth Tier Black Spirit Master—could he be from that place?"

"That place..."

"..."

The void spanning several meters suddenly fell silent. The assembled figures exchanged glances, each revealing a trace of apprehension regarding "that place."

A moment later, Zhan Yunlan finally spoke, stating gravely, "Grand Elders, regardless, we must capture this person tonight!"

An old man hesitated, "Clan Leader, once captured, how should he be dealt with..."

"Kill him!"

Suddenly, a single musical note reverberated among them like thunder.

The hearts of the crowd skipped a beat, and they looked toward the peak of Mount Zhan Shen, where a white silhouette was gradually fading.

"Yes, Old Ancestor!"

Zhan Yunlan and the others bowed simultaneously. In the next instant, eight figures sped off in various directions with uncanny synchronization...

In the courtyard of Huan Yue City, Nie Kong's chest rose and fell, his breathing becoming slightly ragged. He was entirely unaware that his unintentional spiritual sweep across the entire mountain had caused such a massive stir among the Ninth Tier experts of Mount Zhan Shen.

"The feeling of the Celestial Spirit! This is truly the feeling of the Celestial Spirit!"

After the initial brief shock, an overwhelming sense of ecstasy surged through Nie Kong's chest. He had never imagined that the eighty-one complete 'Heart Drum Sounds' would bring him such a tremendous benefit, allowing him to experience the Celestial Spirit sensation while still only at the Fourth Grade of Spirit Control.

For a Spirit Master, the Celestial Spirit meant 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth.'

Although the 'Body Fused with the Void' experienced during the Void Spirit stage also fell under the category of 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth,' it was merely an initial state and merely a technique. However, 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth' was an artistic concept, possessing a fundamental difference.

In the history of the Celestial Spirit Continent, there were Spirit Masters who had sensed the artistic concept of 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth' before reaching the Celestial Spirit stage, but those individuals had at least broken through to the Cave Spirit stage. A Spirit Control Master like Nie Kong experiencing this was absolutely unprecedented.

If this fact were to spread across the Celestial Spirit Continent, countless Spirit Masters would be utterly astonished.

"Hoo!"

After a long while, Nie Kong managed to suppress the joy in his heart and let out a long breath.

Being able to sense the artistic concept of the Celestial Spirit Master's 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth' did not mean Nie Kong's cultivation level would soar dramatically, but the benefits it brought were extremely evident.

First, Nie Kong’s spiritual sense, which was at the strength of a Void Spirit, would certainly undergo a qualitative change; second, his perception of spiritual power elements would also see a qualitative leap. The former would greatly enhance Nie Kong's sensory capabilities, while the latter would manifest in his cultivation, likely allowing his cultivation speed on Mount Zhan Shen to far exceed his previous expectations.

Quietly reliving the process, Nie Kong attempted to re-enter that state of 'Fusion with Heaven and Earth,' but unfortunately, after trying for quite a while, he was unsuccessful. Nie Kong was not anxious; since there was a first time, there would surely be a second.

"Pill Spirit..."

Haste makes waste. Abandoning the attempt to force it, the word 'Pill Spirit,' which had long haunted his dreams, suddenly flashed across Nie Kong's mind. He instantly felt this realm, once so distant, rapidly approaching him, and a wave of ease washed over him. This was the first time since arriving in the Nether Land that Nie Kong felt such genuine relaxation.

"If no accidents occur, perhaps I can return sooner."

Musing this, Nie Kong stepped out of the tub, replaced the water with a fresh bucket of hot water, and then jumped back in.

Leaning comfortably against the edge of the tub, enjoying the silk-like caress of the heat, Nie Kong's mind drifted to the beautiful face of Hua Mei. A feeling of warmth unexpectedly surfaced, and he soon drifted into a deep sleep...

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