The Silver Puppet, slumbering in this remote place for untold eons, had naturally never heard the name Demon Emperor. However, Evil Phoenix, originating from the Nether Phoenix Clan—a lineage that had maintained its dominance without significant decline since antiquity—was well acquainted with the reputation of the Demon Emperor Sect.

Since even a heaven-defying artifact like the Soul Devouring Pagoda had been revealed before Evil Phoenix, why would Lei Dong attempt to conceal anything, risking unnecessary friction between them? Lei Dong always believed that favors, if undertaken at all, must be seen through to absolute completion. Seeing Evil Phoenix’s astonishment, he calmly stated, "Indeed, this junior obtained the Demon Emperor's inheritance. However, this matter also concerns my very life, so I humbly request that Senior help keep it under wraps."

Seeing Lei Dong’s forthrightness and trust, a wave of warm comfort washed over Evil Phoenix. Her voice softened, "Rest assured, the acquisition of the Demon Emperor's inheritance is of paramount importance. I understand this fully and shall not breathe a word of it to anyone. No wonder, with your mere initial Nascent Soul strength back then, you could force me into that state; the Demon Emperor's inheritance is truly extraordinary, commanding the utmost respect."

"Oh? That so-called Demon Emperor inheritance earns such high praise from the Nether Phoenix? It must possess considerable power, then?" At this, even the Silver Puppet became curious and interjected, "I’ll ask about it casually."

"This junior only obtained the inheritance of the Demon Emperor Sect. I only know that the sect perished tens of thousands of years ago, and now, information about it in the world is exceedingly scarce, almost as if it has been deliberately erased," Lei Dong answered truthfully. He then glanced toward Evil Phoenix, "Senior Evil Phoenix’s lineage is ancient; perhaps there are records concerning the Demon Emperor Sect."

Evil Phoenix paused in thought, "The erasure of information about the Demon Emperor Sect likely involves the supreme beings of the Immortal, Demonic, and Spirit Three Realms. Even the records within my own clan concerning the Demon Emperor Sect have been almost entirely scrubbed clean. Nevertheless, my clan managed, through certain clandestine methods, to preserve some records of pivotal hidden events, including those pertaining to the Demon Emperor Sect. According to the records, the Demon Emperor Sect was an ancient but intensely low-profile and secretive sect, possessing exceptional cultivation techniques and immeasurable power. Most remarkably, this sect's transmission often occurred via the 'Demon Seed.' A Demon Seed is a crystal-like formation where a cultivator, before death, condenses all their techniques and experience. The next generation of inheritors can then gradually absorb the techniques and experience directly from the Seed, allowing for concealed transmission of cultivation methods while saving the next generation a vast amount of training time. Most crucially, through generations of accumulation and refinement, the distilled experience becomes incredibly rich and terrifying."

"Curious. Prince Underworld King once entertained a similar concept—if one could transform a Senior’s skills and experience into indelible imprints to pass directly to disciples, it would be an earth-shattering endeavor. Alas, Prince Underworld King never managed to fully develop it." The Silver Puppet also remarked with surprise and a hint of admiration, "The pioneers of the Demon Emperor Sect were truly singular geniuses to devise such a method of inheritance. Prince Underworld King once complained that while the principle behind this inheritance method is simple—many powerful bloodline beasts can integrate techniques and some experience into their bloodline to pass to their offspring—it remains difficult in practice; the beasts’ transmission is often merely instinctual."

"That is certain; the Demon Emperor Sect was tremendously powerful," Evil Phoenix seemed equally respectful of the sect and spoke fluently, "Though the Demon Emperor Sect operated discreetly, its comprehensive strength meant no one in the Six Domains and Nine Continents dared to provoke them. Every generation of Demon Emperors was essentially among the most elite existences in the Six Domains and Nine Continents, with rare exceptions. The most powerful among them was the last Demon Emperor; though personally low-profile, he dominated the Six Domains and Nine Continents for tens of millions of years. It is said he spent only a million years successfully breaking through to the state of Man-God Unification, achieving oneness with the heavens and earth."

"Breaking through to Man-God Unification, achieving oneness with the heavens and earth?" This time, even the Silver Puppet was profoundly shaken, crying out, "Then, then that’s the same cultivation level as Prince Underworld King? Comparable in might to the supreme beings of the Three Realms?"

"Precisely. Among all Demon Emperors throughout history, only the last generation reached such an unparalleled realm," Evil Phoenix said, her face filled with reverence. "Counting back to the Ancient Desolation era, the number of beings who achieved this level can be counted on a few fingers."

The powerful have always commanded respect and veneration, even those long deceased are revered and endlessly discussed by posterity. The Silver Puppet’s inherent pride and sense of superiority stemmed from its master being one of the few true powerhouses, the Underworld King. Hearing that the most recent Demon Emperor possessed strength comparable to the Underworld King instantly sparked a feeling of worship, coloring its perception of Lei Dong, the inheritor, with a distinctly different sentiment, subconsciously elevating him in its estimation.

"It is a pity that for some unknown reason, the Demon Emperor clashed with the supreme beings of the Three Realms," Evil Phoenix seemed privy to secrets unknown to many others, sighing regretfully. "Not only was the entire Demon Emperor Sect utterly annihilated, but the Supreme Demon Emperor himself perished in the conflict. The supreme beings of the Three Realms then secretly intervened, using their immense influence to erase all records pertaining to the Demon Emperor Sect. Now, the vast majority of races and cultivators have completely forgotten that such an incredibly potent existence ever graced history."

"Could it be that Prince Underworld King has some unknown connection to this Demon Emperor Sect?" The Silver Puppet suddenly felt a jolt, its eyes brightening sharply, and it ventured a bold guess: "The Chaotic Supreme Treasure Lei Boy possesses originated from the Demon Emperor Sect, and this incomplete Chaotic Supreme Treasure was taken away by Prince Underworld King. Furthermore, Lord Underworld King spent a significant amount of time researching inheritance methods similar to the Demon Seed."

Evil Phoenix frowned, pondering deeply before nodding, "That possibility exists, but there is no concrete evidence. So much time has passed, accompanied by the long Ancient Wars; deducing the true cause is exceedingly difficult."

"Regardless of the sequence of events, this junior has received another immense favor from Prince Underworld King," Lei Dong said with profound sincerity in his expression. "Senior, if at all possible, this junior wishes to enter the Underworld King’s Palace, even just to kneel before the Underworld King’s Throne, to fulfill a deep desire of this junior's heart."

The Silver Puppet gazed deeply at Lei Dong. Its tone lacked any trace of hostility, instead carrying the appreciative air of a senior regarding a junior. "To return to the matter at hand, you certainly share a deep fate with Prince Underworld King. Separated by countless ages, so many elements have become intertwined between you two. In truth, I, this guard, am not completely irrational. Thinking back carefully now, it is highly probable that Prince Underworld King has met with calamity—even in the best-case scenario, he is trapped somewhere, unable to escape and enduring endless torment. Since you have indirectly obtained the Chaotic Supreme Treasure left by Prince Underworld King, and coincidentally mastered the Underworld King’s Body Tempering Art, and most importantly, managed to reach this Underworld King’s Palace, untouched by anyone for tens of millions of years—it seems destiny itself has arranged these things."

These words, spoken deliberately or perhaps unintentionally by the Silver Puppet, stirred something within Lei Dong. In the Demon Emperor’s inheritance, the Demon Emperor had mentioned that truly sensing the extraordinary nature of the Soul Devouring Pagoda and unlocking its function was not something any random person could achieve. The Demon Emperor seemed to have set a condition: the soul must first undergo baptism by high-level laws such as Spatial Law and Temporal Law before it could function. Otherwise, the Chaotic Soul Devouring Pagoda would never have ended up as a windfall for Lei Dong.

Could it be that all of this was truly predetermined by fate? Lei Dong felt utterly bewildered for a moment. Why did he transmigrate with his memories? And how could his fragile soul, which was barely more than an ordinary person’s in his past life, traverse into this Nine Continents world? Everything he encountered made Lei Dong feel increasingly bewildered the deeper he cultivated. Based on his current understanding of the universe's laws, such an event should be nearly impossible. If this was truly something preordained by fate, by the will of the cosmic laws, then what purpose lay behind such an arrangement?

Everything gave Lei Dong a splitting headache. In the end, he relied on his exceptional willpower to suppress all the complex emotions. These matters were too high-level, far beyond what his current strength allowed him to contemplate.

The most pressing task now was to resolve his immediate predicament and acquire some benefits to strengthen himself, preparing for the impending journey to the Bright Domain to seize the Water of Life and awaken the Celestial Demon. He immediately composed himself and respectfully stated, "Senior speaks the absolute truth. This junior’s aptitude is dull; my current standing is entirely due to the residual grace of Lord Underworld King. Perhaps this is indeed fate, a matter predestined." Lei Dong subtly sought to deepen their rapport; even if he gained no immediate tangible benefits, it would help him escape his current predicament.

"Since you have acquired the Underworld King’s Chaotic Supreme Treasure, and Lord Underworld King’s whereabouts are currently unknown, with dire prospects—therefore, we, the guardians of the Underworld King’s Palace, unanimously hope that you will assume the position of successor to Prince Underworld King, temporarily executing the duties of the Underworld King until His Lordship returns, or until confirmation of his demise. In the latter case, you shall be the true Underworld King."

"What?" Though Lei Dong had navigated the world for so many years and witnessed countless trials and tribulations, he was utterly stunned by this sudden proposal. They wanted him to act as the successor to the Underworld King? His heart began to pound uncontrollably, and his mind immediately began calculating the manifold advantages of accepting the succession. At the very least, wouldn't he command all the guardians within the Underworld King’s Palace?