The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 194 Money Doesn't Move

Just as Lin Xiao was about to leave, a faint presence suddenly approached. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes scanning the surroundings sharply. The surroundings remained silent, the woodland still thick with the warmth of the battle.

"Hmm?" Lin Xiao's heart trembled, and he instantly used the "Dragon Swimming Across the Seas" technique, lightly moving behind a large tree and hiding in the shadows. At this moment, a cold voice reached his ears.

"It's you, Lin Xiao."

Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows and quickly recognized the owner of the voice: "Don't touch the money."

A figure emerged from the woods, smiling and possessing an extraordinary presence. Qian Budong might seem small, but his calm demeanor suggested he possessed the power to dominate everything. His aura was incredibly steady, without any fluctuations, like a bottomless lake, making it impossible to fathom his true strength.

A flicker of vigilance flashed across Lin Xiao's eyes. He knew that Qian Budong never easily revealed his strength. Even among some practitioners, his name was shrouded in mystery. This man was calm, intelligent, and possessed extraordinary skills. He was definitely not an easy foe.

"Why are you here?" Lin Xiao asked slightly coldly, and he had already started thinking about how to deal with the situation in his mind.

Qian Budong smiled slightly and reached out to remove his hat, revealing his dark hair. His eyes were calm, with an inexplicable sense of contentment. "I'll wait for you here, Lin Xiao. You've killed many people now, and I believe you realize that the next challenge will be even more brutal."

Lin Xiao sneered, with a hint of provocation in his tone, "What do you want to say?"

Qian Budong's smile remained unchanged as he spoke calmly, "I want to tell you that not all enemies are like those simple monks. The more you show off your abilities, the easier it is for you to become a target. Tonight, the collapse of the plains will be a game, and you have stepped into a much bigger one."

"You mean, you are also part of it?" Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed, feeling that things might not be as simple as they seemed.

Qian Budong nodded, his voice becoming deeper. "Not only that, I must tell you one more thing. The two masters and apprentices you just killed weren't the ordinary cultivators you imagined. Behind them lies a massive force. This force is extremely detrimental not only to you, but to all the cultivators present."

Lin Xiao frowned slightly: "You mean, that so-called force intends to use this trial to eliminate everyone?"

"Exactly." A deep light flashed in Qian Budong's eyes. "Don't you think too many monks died in this trial? I believe that the people behind the scenes have been secretly manipulating everything. Everything is to select the strongest, and then concentrate resources to eliminate those monks who do not meet the standards."

After hearing this, Lin Xiao's heart moved, and his eyes became as sharp as a knife: "If that's the case, then what's your position? Are you on my side, or on their side?"

Qian Budong smiled slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "I don't belong to any party. I only care about my own interests. However, if you want to survive, you might consider cooperating with me."

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Xiao's eyes: "Cooperation? How can you guarantee that if I cooperate with you, I won't become the next target?"

Qian Budong sighed softly, seemingly unconcerned with Lin Xiao's doubts. "You and I both know that if we don't cooperate, the ultimate outcome will be death. You and I both know that not all enemies can be defeated by sheer force. Some enemies are simply beyond our ability to confront head-on."

Lin Xiao was silent for a moment, his gaze gradually calming. He knew that Qian Budong's words were true. He had just defeated two powerful men, but the complexity of this trial was far beyond his imagination. If he didn't form an alliance with others, he might eventually be crushed by even more powerful and unknown enemies.

"What are the conditions for cooperation?" Lin Xiao finally asked.

Qian Budong's smile deepened. "It's simple. I have information about the true rules of this trial. I can provide this information to you. In exchange, you can help me solve some problems."

"Trouble?" Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly, "What trouble?"

"I've offended some people during this trial," Qian Budong said casually. "I need your help to eliminate the monks who are plotting against me. As long as you agree, I will give you the information immediately."

Lin Xiao pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of this proposal. While Qian Budong's terms seemed simple, the risks were obvious. He knew that someone like Qian Budong would never simply rely on others for help, but rather seek to gain greater benefits from cooperation.

However, considering his current situation, cooperating with Qian Budong seems to be one of the best options.

"Okay, let's cooperate." Lin Xiao finally nodded, "But if you dare to betray me, I will make you pay the price."

A glimmer of appreciation flashed in Qian Budong's eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened. "This is what I want. Happy cooperation, Lin Xiao."

Lin Xiao and Qian Budong walked side by side, passing through the dense forest and gradually approaching the edge of the plain. Night fell over the land, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, as if everything was waiting for a drastic change. Lin Xiao's eyes were sharp, constantly alert to everything around him, while Qian Budong appeared extremely calm, as if the impending storm had nothing to do with him.

"We're getting closer." Lin Xiao whispered, his eyes sweeping around. "I'm afraid tonight's operation won't be that simple."

Qian Budong smiled faintly, his voice low and calm, "You're right, this trial has exceeded our expectations. Tonight's collapse will be a turning point for the entire trial. Everyone is scrambling for resources, but there are even greater forces secretly plotting behind the scenes. You and I are not their targets, but we cannot remain immune."

"It seems you've already seen through the truth of this trial." Lin Xiao frowned slightly, his eyes sharp. "Do you know what forces are behind these things?"

Qian Budong's smile remained calm, but a complex light flashed in his eyes. "I only know that there is an ancient force behind this trial. Their goal is not just to eliminate the weak, but to select the strongest cultivators and strengthen their power. And the most crucial point is the true purpose of the Amethyst Jade."

"Amethyst jade?" Lin Xiao's heart trembled, and his fingers moved slightly. "You mean, the amethyst jade is not just a part of the trial, but there are other meanings behind it?"

Qian Budong nodded, his expression becoming increasingly solemn. "The amethyst jade contains extremely rich spiritual energy from heaven and earth, but its true purpose is still unknown to outsiders. There are rumors that the amethyst jade can, under certain conditions, open an ancient teleportation array, and that teleportation array leads to an unknown place."

After hearing this, Lin Xiao's eyes flashed with a strange look: "You mean, the amethyst jade is not only a source of power, but it can also open a door to an unknown world?"

"That's right." Qian Budong's voice deepened. "But those who can activate the purple crystal jade must meet special conditions. Only those cultivators whose spiritual power has reached the pinnacle can open the teleportation array. And behind the trial, there is someone who is planning this test, hoping to use it to select the most suitable cultivators and send them to that world."

Lin Xiao was silent for a moment, and a puzzlement began to well up in his mind: "But why are cultivators being selected and sent to that place? What kind of power is there in that place?"

Qian Budong's eyes gradually grew deep, as if he were recalling something. He pondered for a moment before speaking, "That place is a sealed land. It seals a massive being that once threatened the entire cultivation world. Only the strongest cultivators can shoulder the responsibility of breaking the seal. As for the forces behind all this, their goal is simple - to select the strongest through this trial, and then use their power to break the seal, releasing that being and thereby gaining infinite power."

"So, the amethyst jade isn't just a treasure; it's the key." Lin Xiao's voice was cold. "Could it be that the being you're talking about wants to borrow the power of these cultivators to return to the human world?"

Qian Budong was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "You're right. That power is indeed for resurrection. After resurrection, its power will be immeasurable, and the entire landscape of the cultivation world will be changed. And the manipulators behind all this are none other than those hidden families and forces. They are unwilling to sit idly by and watch the peace of the cultivation world. Instead, they choose to use these trials and these purple crystal jades to achieve their own goals."

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, a chill running through his heart. "So, no matter what we do, we're drawn into this unavoidable vortex?"

"Yes." Qian Budong nodded gently. "Behind this trial, someone has already laid a tight net. If you act alone, it will be difficult to avoid those powerful forces. Only by cooperating with me can you have a chance to survive, and even find a way to fight back against them."

Lin Xiao's mind raced, a tangle of thoughts swirling. He knew he could no longer rely solely on strength to face this situation. Just as Qian Budong had said, there were more powerful forces behind this, and their actions were far more complex than the apparent trial itself. The amethyst jade, originally a simple treasure, held a secret far beyond imagination.

"Okay, let's cooperate." Lin Xiao finally made a decision, "But I don't believe everything you say. While I'm cooperating, I will remain vigilant."

Qian Budong smiled slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes: "As I expected, you don't trust anyone easily, but this is also the key to your survival. We each get what we need, but whether it can be accomplished depends on whether you and I are strong enough."

Without saying anything more, the two continued to move towards the edge of the plain. The atmosphere around them grew increasingly silent. As they drew closer to the center of the trial area, Lin Xiao could sense a powerful pressure gradually approaching.

As night fell, the edge of the plain gradually became engulfed by the pitch-black darkness. Lin Xiao and Qian Budong blended into the surrounding trees, silently heading towards the center of the plain. In the distant sky, a few faint lights flickered, like stars in the night sky, guiding their direction.

"We're here." Qian Budong suddenly whispered, stopped, and looked around sharply.

Lin Xiao's gaze shifted forward. Across the previously quiet plain, a series of deep, rumbling noises suddenly erupted, as if something were quietly approaching. The oppressive feeling in the air grew stronger, as if even the earth itself was trembling.

"It's them." Qian Budong's expression became somewhat serious. "These people are the last group of participants in this trial. They come from hidden forces, are extremely powerful, and possess some mysterious powers that we cannot easily resist."

Lin Xiao nodded, a sense of vigilance welling up in his heart. Hidden forces usually represent powerful backgrounds and unfathomable strength. If these people were truly behind the operation, Lin Xiao's intuition told him that the conspiracy behind this trial was far more than just selecting the strongest cultivator.

"What is their goal?" Lin Xiao asked in a low voice.

Qian Budong's eyes flickered as he whispered, "Their target is the Amethyst Jade. In this world, those who possess the Amethyst Jade are undoubtedly the most valuable targets. Mastering the Amethyst Jade means controlling the key to unlocking the teleportation array, and the place this teleportation array leads to is exactly where they want to go."

Lin Xiao took a deep breath and thought calmly: "The amethyst jade in my hand seems to have become the focus of this trial. It seems that I must be more careful."

"Exactly." Qian Budong's gaze grew sharp. "And tonight should be their final night of action. If we don't act soon, we'll probably be discovered and targeted by these people. Then it won't be easy to escape."

Lin Xiao frowned, then nodded slowly. Although they had already entered the ambush site, the situation tonight was more complicated than he had imagined. The amethyst jade, the teleportation array, the hidden forces—everything was quietly intertwined, forming an impenetrable web. Lin Xiao's gaze was firm. Having chosen this path, there was no turning back.

"Let's split up," Lin Xiao suddenly said. "You go and look for opportunities to gain more intelligence, preferably finding some hidden enemies. If anyone attacks, I'll handle it myself."

Qian Budong nodded without saying anything, then vanished from Lin Xiao's sight, blending into the darkness. His figure vanished like a breeze, swiftly vanishing from Lin Xiao's sight. Lin Xiao watched him leave, then turned and headed deeper into the woods, seeking a secluded observation position.

Soon after, he heard several muffled footsteps, as if several people were quietly approaching. He held his breath and listened intently. Before long, several figures quietly appeared in his sight.

Their figures were light and their movements were swift, clearly experienced cultivators. Lin Xiao restrained his presence slightly, using the cover of the trees to maintain his concealment. The men walked quickly, clearly on a mission, occasionally exchanging whispered words.

"Where are we going?" asked a monk with a stern face.

"Arrived at the designated location and wait for instructions." Another monk replied briefly.

"What if the amethyst jade has been taken away?" the third monk asked in a low voice, with a hint of uneasiness in his tone.

"Don't worry, there's a key hidden there," the stern monk replied, his tone icy. "As long as someone can arrive with the amethyst jade, the final teleportation array can be activated."

Lin Xiao's heart trembled, but he remained silent, rapidly deducing the identities and motives of these cultivators. They were clearly on a mission, the core of which was the Amethyst Jade. And based on their conversation, the Amethyst Jade wasn't just a reward from the Trial; it held a much more complex story.

He quietly retreated a few steps to avoid being discovered. At this moment, he needed to better understand these people's motives and goals. Lin Xiao already had a vague feeling that tonight's operation might be a matter of life and death.

Just as he was about to continue observing, a gust of wind suddenly sounded from afar, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps. Lin Xiao was immediately alert and quickly ducked, hiding behind the bushes. The footsteps gradually approached, and a moment later, a monk in black appeared in his sight.

The monk was tall and powerful, clearly a formidable figure. Lin Xiao gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, ready to respond to any potential conflict. However, the monk glanced around and didn't seem to notice Lin Xiao's presence.

"It's not advisable to stay here for long, let's retreat quickly." The black-robed monk whispered and turned to leave.

Lin Xiao's heart moved, and he followed quietly, with doubts in his heart: "This cultivator seems to know something."

Under the guidance of the black-robed monk, Lin Xiao followed him all the way and gradually went deeper into the other side of the plain. Suddenly, the black-robed monk stopped and turned to enter a hidden cave.

"It seems that this is their stronghold." Lin Xiao thought to himself, and immediately found a hiding place and waited quietly.