NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: The Nine Nether Heart
Shadow Guards and Golden Armor Guards
Jiang HuanYu began inspecting the Shadow Guards and Golden Armor Guards provided by the system.
Shadow Guards:
All at Earth Realm Peak.Possess exceptional stealth abilities, capable of blending into shadows and hiding their presence entirely.Perfect assassins and spies.
Golden Armor Guards:
Also at Earth Realm Peak.Renowned for their formidable defense.Can form a Golden Armor Formation, nearly unbreakable even by a Heavenly Realm Second Heaven cultivator.
Satisfied with their capabilities, Jiang HuanYu dismissed them.
"You may withdraw for now."
"Yes, Master!"
With a flash, the twenty figures disappeared, leaving Xiao Qingli watching in silent amazement.
Jiang HuanYu then retrieved the final reward: the Nine Nether Heart.
A star-shaped, violet crystal hovered in his palm, radiating a mysterious and majestic aura.
System Explanation:
The Nine Nether Heart:
A priceless treasure necessary for evolving the Nine Nether Physique into the Nine Nether Immortal Physique.
A cultivator of the Nine Nether Path gains a significant boost in strength and a qualitative transformation upon integrating the heart.
For Jiang HuanYu, the Nine Nether Heart wasn't of much use personally, but it was a treasure he could leverage.
"The Nine Nether Heart?! How is this possible?!"
Xiao Qingli's voice trembled as her gaze locked onto the glowing crystal in Jiang HuanYu's hand. Her eyes sparkled with both awe and desperate longing.
Even during her peak as the Nine Nether Empress, she had never been able to obtain such a treasure. If she had possessed the Nine Nether Heart in her past life, her Nine Nether Physique would have evolved into the Nine Nether Immortal Physique, fundamentally altering the outcome of her final battle.
"How did this man come to possess such an invaluable treasure?" Xiao Qingli wondered, her mind racing.
Noticing Xiao Qingli's mesmerized expression, Jiang HuanYu chuckled inwardly.
"Perfect. This will seal the deal," he thought.
"Yes, my dear consort, this is indeed the Nine Nether Heart," Jiang HuanYu said aloud, his tone casual yet calculated.
"Knowing your Nine Nether Physique, I believe this treasure is exactly what you need. As a token of my sincerity, I've decided to gift it to you as a betrothal gift."
Xiao Qingli froze in shock, her mind reeling.
"You're giving it to me? Just like that?"
Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and suspicion.
"Impossible! There's no way this scoundrel would hand over such a treasure without ulterior motives. What is he planning?"
Jiang HuanYu smiled warmly, his expression radiating sincerity.
"My dear consort, must I always have a hidden agenda? You are my woman, and this is simply a gift. The Nine Nether Heart may be a priceless treasure, but to me, it pales in comparison to even a strand of your hair."
He stepped closer and placed the crystal in her hands, his eyes unwavering in their earnestness.
Xiao Qingli stared at the Nine Nether Heart in her hands, utterly bewildered.
"Is he serious? Could he truly be giving this to me without strings attached?"
Her heart wavered, her usual defenses faltering. For a brief moment, she wondered if Jiang HuanYu's feelings might actually be genuine.
But no, this was the same man who had tormented her mercilessly just days ago!
"This must be a trick! He's trying to lower my guard!"
Despite her suspicions, the Nine Nether Heart's allure was undeniable. Holding it in her hands, she could feel its resonance with her Nine Nether Physique, beckoning her to integrate it.
Seeing Xiao Qingli lost in thought, Jiang HuanYu smiled gently and stepped closer.
His presence startled her, but instead of making another bold move, he leaned down slightly and whispered into her ear:
"My dear consort, you may stay here and integrate the Nine Nether Heart at your leisure. I have some pressing matters to attend to."
With that, Jiang HuanYu turned and left the room without touching her further.
As Jiang HuanYu's footsteps faded, Xiao Qingli stood frozen in place, her cheeks tinged with an uncharacteristic blush.
"What just happened? Why didn't he…?"
Her emotions were in turmoil. Despite herself, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at his unexpected restraint.
"Snap out of it, Xiao Qingli! You are the Nine Nether Empress, the ruler of a sacred river! How can you allow yourself to be swayed by such trivialities?"
Yet, as she looked down at the Nine Nether Heart in her hands, her resolve wavered again.
"Could it be… that he's truly sincere?"
Leaving the chamber, Jiang HuanYu's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Not much longer now. Even an empress is still a woman at heart. Combine overwhelming strength, an indomitable aura, and a touch of genuine sincerity, and she'll eventually yield."
He summoned the court officials for an assembly, his mind already turning toward the next steps for the Jiang Dynasty's expansion.
"A woman like Xiao Qingli isn't won through force alone. True dominance comes from inspiring both fear and admiration. When her strength grows, she'll recognize my power and sincerity. Until then, patience is key."
Jiang HuanYu's confidence was unshakable.
The Nine Nether Empress might resist for now, but it was only a matter of time before she would stand willingly by his side.