Chapter 228

Gazing intently at Lin Xuan, the Heavenly Underworld King's expression turned solemn. The seemingly Death Profound Realm junior before him gave him an unprecedented sense of crisis, like a bloodthirsty sword yet to be drawn, destined to spill blood once unsheathed.

"Worthy of being called Sword Saint. This King heard the Seven Kings Hall Lord mention you back in the Demon Prison. Before departing, the Seven Kings Hall Lord specifically instructed this King to invite you to join us. If the Sword Saint is willing, my Demon Prison will treat you generously with a King Hall position. What do you say?"

The Heavenly Underworld King took a deep breath and said in a deep voice. This wasn't just the Heavenly Underworld King spouting nonsense; he wouldn't dare to speak recklessly about such a matter.

In fact, when he first heard these words, the Heavenly Underworld King was completely dumbfounded. A mere Life and Death Profound Realm cultivator, no matter how many tricks he had, could he really turn the world upside down?

Therefore, on his way here, the Heavenly Underworld King was quite dismissive of Lin Xuan's so-called Sword Saint title. He even thought of capturing this so-called Sword Saint and taking him back to the Demon Prison, letting the Seven Kings Hall Lord deal with him. He would then show off his strength to the other King Hall Lords, and perhaps he could receive some training, giving him a chance to replace the missing Nine Kings Hall and sit on the throne of a King Hall.

However, the moment he saw Lin Xuan, that idea was extinguished.

The aura of Death that Lin Xuan exuded made the Heavenly Underworld King understand that this person was indeed worthy of the Seven Kings Hall Lord's evaluation. Perhaps even the Seven Kings Hall Lord's injuries weren't caused by external forces, but by this person.

Faced with Lin Xuan's strength, the Heavenly Underworld King naturally didn't dare to underestimate him, so he honestly relayed the words the Seven Kings Hall Lord had instructed him to say.

"A King Hall position? That's quite generous. I wonder, if I wanted to sit in the Heavenly King Hall, would the Heavenly King Hall be willing to give it to me?"

Lin Xuan chuckled, speaking with complete indifference. He never had any intention of joining the Demon Prison, not in the past, and certainly not in the future.

On the contrary, the Demon Prison had already become his mortal enemy, an opponent with whom there could be no reconciliation!

Hearing Lin Xuan's answer, the Heavenly Underworld King frowned, and the Demonic Markings on his face began to move, appearing quite strange.

However, after frowning for a while, the Heavenly Underworld King seemed to have received some order and unexpectedly replied, "If the Sword Saint is willing to join my Demon Prison, we will certainly respect the Sword Saint as the Heavenly King Hall of my Demon Prison, commanding the demons of the Demon Prison!"

This answer not only stunned the others but even Lin Xuan was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Demon Prison to agree to his casual remark.

In fact, not only were Lin Xuan and the others shocked, but even the Heavenly Underworld King himself was somewhat incredulous. However, this matter was personally conveyed to him by the Heavenly King Hall Lord.

Although the Heavenly Underworld King didn't know why the Heavenly King Hall Lord would do this, since even the Heavenly King Hall Lord had approved it, he naturally had nothing to refute. In fact, he became even more cautious.

Although, for now, this guy seemed to be a tough nut to crack, no one knew if he would directly defect to their Demon Prison and then, in a blink of an eye, become his direct superior.

The Heavenly King Hall was the leader of the Demon Prison. Since these words were personally agreed to by the Heavenly King Hall Lord, it meant that as long as Lin Xuan joined their Demon Prison, he would at least be second-in-command, a figure whose status was second only to the Heavenly King Hall, and even the Heavenly King Hall Lord would have to show some respect.

Such a big figure, even though he, the Heavenly Underworld King, had considerable strength, comparable to a Revolving Wheel Realm expert who had passed through one Reincarnation Tribulation, he was still not enough in front of such a figure.

In fact, the Heavenly King Hall's agreement was also based on consideration.

Previously, the Heavenly King Hall had been in a deep sleep, only recently awakening, but it was still in the recovery phase and couldn't move for the time being.

When he first woke up from his slumber, the Heavenly King Hall saw the Seven Kings Hall returning to the Demon Prison in a disheveled state with the Demon Emperor's Hand, which greatly surprised the Heavenly King Hall.

Although the Seven Kings Hall, and the subsequent King Halls, were much weaker than the previous six King Halls, not yet reaching the level of being comparable to a Reincarnation Realm expert who had passed through three Reincarnation Tribulations, each of them had many special methods. Moreover, the Seven Kings Hall was the brains of their Demon Prison.

Otherwise, why was it that among so many King Halls in the Demon Prison, only the Seven Kings Hall was still active? Wasn't it because, during the final battle, the other King Halls had tried their best to protect the Seven Kings Hall, giving him the opportunity to operate in the Tianxuan Continent and make arrangements in advance?

And the Seven Kings Hall had indeed done an excellent job. First, he paid a certain price to forcibly heal the Nine Kings Hall's injuries, and then he directly destroyed the Great Desolate Sect, eliminating a major concern. After that, he secretly sent people to the Chaotic Demon Sea to eliminate the Thunder Ancestor Symbol controller.

The only thing that could be considered somewhat poorly done was the Darkness Hall in the Northern Xuan Region, but that was an accident.

Originally, the Darkness Hall had already been destroyed by the Seven Kings Hall, and the group of Revolving Wheel Realm peak Darkness Ancestor Symbol controllers had died from serious injuries. But who knew that Bo Xuan would appear at this time, forcibly pulling the Darkness Hall back up.

But afterwards, he successfully made arrangements in the Eastern Xuan Region, planted the chess piece Yuan Gate, and even captured the Space Ancestor Symbol controller, Zhou Tong, and imprisoned him.

It could be said that before this, except for the accidental Bo Xuan, the other known Ancestor Symbol controllers had been dealt with by the Seven Kings Hall. Although the Demon Prison had also paid some price, it was worth it.

As for the Flame Ancestor Symbol controller, after all, they only emerged in recent years, and they're in the Chaotic Demon Sea. It's impossible to say that we could eliminate them as soon as they appeared. Moreover, at that time, Demon Prison was also focused on the Eastern Xuan Region because Zhou Tong was captured, and they didn't have the time for a while.

Before the Heavenly King Hall awakened, everything the Seven Kings Hall did was excellent. Even the Heavenly King Hall had to marvel, worthy of being the mastermind appointed by the Otherworldly Demon Emperor back then, truly remarkable.

However, it was precisely because the Seven Kings Hall's methods were so powerful that the Heavenly King Hall was even more curious about their miserable return this time. After inquiring in detail, they learned of the existence of Lin Xuan.

Therefore, this time, when the Heavenly Underworld King was sent to support Yuan Gate, the Heavenly King Hall also subtly used some means, following in the dark, wanting to see just how terrifying this peerless genius who had caused the Seven Kings Hall so much trouble was.

In fact, from the Seven Kings Hall's mouth, the Heavenly King Hall had already learned a lot of things, such as the Hundred Dynasty War, the secrets of the Ancient Battlefield, and the bloodline of the Ancient Divine Beast... and so on.

This is also why, after Lin Xuan spoke, the Heavenly King Hall personally told the Heavenly Underworld King to agree to his conditions.

It can be said that if Tianxuan Continent lost Lin Xuan, then Tianxuan Continent could almost be said to have lost its resistance.

Don't doubt this point. As long as Lin Xuan defected to them at this time, no matter how much it cost, the group of experts in Tianxuan Continent would only be able to await their deaths. No one could stop such a peerless genius, especially under the premise of Demon Prison's full cultivation.

However, the Heavenly King Hall held a pessimistic attitude towards Lin Xuan's joining. They had already learned from the Seven Kings Hall that this was an extremely intelligent and strategic peerless genius. At the same time, his will was also very firm and could not be easily shaken.

The reason why the Heavenly King Hall let the Heavenly Underworld King agree was, first, to give it a try, maybe it would work?

"Unexpectedly, Your Excellency of the Heavenly King Hall has also come!"

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze falling on the Heavenly Underworld King. At the same time, he took a seemingly unintentional step forward, blocking Ling Qingzhu behind him.

"Hehe, Sword Saint is such a genius, this Hall also wants to see the Sword Saint's demeanor!"

Since he had been guessed, the Heavenly King Hall did not hide it, and a faint laughter came from within the Heavenly Underworld King's body, but it was a distinctly different voice from before.

"With Your Excellency of the Heavenly King Hall present, Lin Xuan naturally wouldn't dare to seize your title."

The Heavenly King Hall was not surprised by Lin Xuan's answer, but was still a little regretful in his heart. If Lin Xuan joined them, what would it matter if they gave up their position? As long as they could win, that would be enough, but unfortunately...

"It seems that my Demon Prison has no fate with the Sword Saint."

Having held expectations, once those expectations were dashed, disappointment would naturally follow. However, the next moment, the Heavenly King Hall composed himself and turned his gaze to Ling Qingzhu behind Lin Xuan.

"Rumor has it that the Sword Saint has always been aloof from women, but unexpectedly, he is so protective today. It seems that this girl's identity is not simple!"

However, as soon as the Heavenly King Hall said this, the Heavenly Underworld King's expression became strange. He could see that the woman was the reincarnation of the Ice Master, and she had already awakened from Reincarnation Realm. Logically speaking, with the Heavenly King Hall's insight, it was impossible not to see it, right?

Not only was the Heavenly Underworld King scratching his head, looking puzzled, but even Bo Xuan, the Primordial Hall Master, and others were somewhat surprised. However, after hearing these words, Ying Xuanzi felt a sudden pang in his heart.

"Your Excellency's identity is also not simple. However, one edge of Lin Xuan's Sword is already protecting someone, so he can only face you with the other edge."

The expression on Lin Xuan's face did not change at all. He simply tightened his grip on the Sword Sheath, and his other hand was already on the Sword hilt, ready to draw his Sword at any time.

"Why must the Sword Saint be so nervous? This Hall is just a wisp of consciousness, coming with the Heavenly Underworld King, wanting to chat with the Sword Saint, with no other intentions."

The Heavenly King Hall still said with a smile, but after saying that, he changed his tone and said with a light laugh.

"However, I never thought that today, this Hall would have the honor of meeting an old friend here, isn't that right? Ice Master?"

The last sentence was clearly not addressed to Ling Qingzhu, which made Bo Xuan and the others' expressions even stranger.

Standing behind Lin Xuan, Ling Qingzhu tightly gripped the Sword Sheath with one hand, her Pearly Teeth lightly biting, her gaze fixed on the demonic shadow in the sky, ready to take the initiative to step forward.

However, before Ling Qingzhu could make any move, the Heavenly King Hall changed his tone again and continued.

"However, since an old friend is unwilling to come out and meet, it doesn't matter. But this girl is truly fortunate, not only did she obtain the Ice Ancestor Symbol of the Ice Master, but she even obtained the Ice Master's inheritance. Even her aura is somewhat similar. No wonder the Seventh Hall mistook you for her back then."

As the Heavenly King Hall's words came out, instantly, everyone's gaze fell upon Ling Qingzhu.

Although the identity of the Ice Master's reincarnated body had always been a secret, there had been some unsubstantiated news circulating. Just now, the Heavenly Underworld King had directly revealed it, which had shocked all the powerhouses within the Otherworldly Demon City.

At that time, it was merely a rumor that the Young Palace Master of Taiqing Palace, Ling Qingzhu, had an extraordinary background, seemingly a reincarnation of a Reincarnation Realm powerhouse, but it was not specified who.

As a result, the Heavenly Underworld King directly uttered "Ice Master," shocking everyone. That was the Ice Master, the leader of the Eight Masters in the ancient times, the number one person under the Symbol Ancestor.

But now, this Heavenly King Hall said that Ling Qingzhu was not the Ice Master. Moreover, judging from Ling Qingzhu's reaction, it seemed to corroborate this point.

"As expected of the Heavenly King Hall, truly discerning eyes."

Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and then, a smile appeared on his face as he responded softly. However, strands of sword intent were already brewing within his body.

"Hehe, compared to the Sword Saint, this Hall is still a bit lacking. If it were the Sword Saint, I'm afraid he would be able to see it at a glance, right? After all, although this girl's aura has begun to merge with the Ice Ancestor Symbol, her aura is still quite different from that of the original Ice Master."

The Heavenly King Hall seemed to have no intention of hiding anything, perhaps feeling that these things could be said, and there was nothing to hide. Or perhaps, this Heavenly King Hall wanted to display his strength to deter others.

"After all, back then, this Hall and the Ice Master could be considered old opponents who fought countless times. I understand the Ice Master's aura better than ordinary people. If it were someone else, they would probably not recognize it."

This was not nonsense from the Heavenly King Hall. He was able to recognize it because he had fought the Ice Master too many times and was extremely sensitive to the Ice Master's aura. Of course, he was indeed deterring others.

If it were someone else, it would indeed be difficult to recognize. For example, the Seven Kings Hall, otherwise, they would not have told the Heavenly King Hall about this matter after returning. However, the Seven Kings Hall was indeed powerful, actually realizing that something was wrong.

"However, this girl is indeed powerful, actually learning most of the Ice Master's skills. In the future, I'm afraid she will be a very powerful opponent for my Demon Prison!"

The Heavenly King Hall said, seemingly sighing and threatening. However, Ling Qingzhu, standing behind Lin Xuan, did not change her expression at all, only staring intently at the Heavenly Underworld King with her clear eyes.