I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

Yun Yuan stopped and glanced at everyone. "The Nine Nether Pearl is not only a source of power, it can also control the spiritual veins of the mountains. If it falls into the wrong hands, the natural balance of the entire region will be disrupted, and even disaster will be caused."

The group continued to advance, passing through stone gates and secret passages. Each step was filled with uncertainty and danger, and the air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, a series of gentle whistling sounds came from the front, as if some creature was quietly approaching.

"Pay attention, there seems to be something happening ahead." Lin Chen said in a low voice.

Sure enough, a group of black shadows quickly rushed out of the darkness and pounced on them. These monsters resembled giant bats, their sharp claws flashing coldly, and their eyes gleamed with ferociousness.

"These are the guardian beasts—the Night Shadow Bats!" Yun Yuan said in a deep voice, "They are the guardians of the Nine Nether Pearls. They are very troublesome!"

The battle erupted immediately. Lin Chen's sword swung like lightning, its light piercing the darkness. Every swing repelled a Night Shadow Bat. Yun Shu was agile, dodging the bats' attacks, the dagger in his hand flashing with murderous intent in the darkness.

"Zhang Xun, protect Senior Yun Yuan!" Lin Chen shouted.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xun swung his hammers like the wind, creating a series of loud noises and repelling wave after wave of Night Shadow Bats. Yun Yuan, on the side, cast a spell, chanting an incantation. Runes condensed in the air, forming a barrier to protect everyone.

After a fierce battle, the Night Shadow Bats were finally repelled and peace returned to the cave. But everyone knew in their hearts that this was just the beginning.

"We have to speed up," Yun Yuan said solemnly, "The room where the Nine Nether Pearl is located is not far ahead."

Everyone nodded and continued on. Soon, they arrived at a huge stone chamber filled with various mechanisms and traps. Yun Yuan carefully observed his surroundings and whispered, "This is where the Nine Nether Pearl is, but be careful, this area is full of dangers."

Lin Chen stepped forward, his eyes sharp. "Then let's get started. Zhang Xun, you'll be responsible for protecting everyone's safety. Yun Shu, let's find the location of the Nine Nether Pearl together."

Zhang Xun nodded and replied, "Leave it to me, you can search without worry."

Yun Shu followed closely behind Lin Chen, and the two of them carefully searched every corner of the room. Suddenly, Lin Chen discovered a hidden mechanism on a stone wall. He carefully pressed a button, and the stone wall slowly moved, revealing a small secret room.

"Found it!" Lin Chen shouted excitedly.

They entered the secret room and saw a glowing bead suspended in the center, emitting a faint blue light. This was the legendary Nine Nether Pearl, which contained endless power.

Just as they were about to take away the Jiuyou Pearl, suddenly, a sneer came from behind.

"I didn't expect you to find the Jiuyou Pearl so quickly." A cold voice sounded, and then a mysterious man in a black robe appeared at the entrance.

Lin Chen gripped his sword cautiously: "Who are you? Why do you want to snatch the Nine Nether Pearl?"

The mysterious man sneered and took off his hood, revealing a familiar face. "I am your senior brother, Li Ao. The reason I want to take the Nine Nether Pearl is to save this world."

Hearing this, Lin Chen and Yun Yuan were both stunned. Yun Yuan said in a deep voice: "Li Ao, what do you mean?"

A hint of madness flashed in Li Ao's eyes: "This world has become extremely corrupt. Only by leveraging the power of the Nine Nether Pearl can we completely change everything."

Lin Chen gripped his sword tightly, his eyes determined: "No matter what your purpose is, we will not let you succeed. The Nine Nether Pearl must stay here."

"Then let's see who is the real strong one!" Li Ao sneered, and suddenly a powerful black energy emerged from his hand, and the air around him was shaking.

A fierce showdown is about to begin, and at this moment, the villagers in the distance are anxiously awaiting the return of the heroes...

The young woodcutter stood at the entrance of the village, gazing at the distant mountains and forests, and prayed silently in his heart: "Master Lin, Miss Yun, you must return safely!"

Deep in the secret realm, Lin Chen glanced back at his companions in the darkness and whispered, "Are you all ready? We can't afford to lose this battle."

Zhang Xun took a deep breath and gripped his hammers tightly: "We are ready! We will fight side by side to the end!"

Yun Shu nodded, a determined look in his eyes: "Let's work together and never let anyone succeed."

And so, under the old man's guidance, they set out towards an unknown fate. What challenges will the mysterious man's arrival bring to their adventure? Everything will be revealed in the battles to come... "Lin Chen, are you sure we want to fight this guy head-on?" Zhang Xun asked uneasily. He looked at the dark shadow in front of him, feeling an inexplicable pressure in his heart.

"We have no choice." Lin Chen said firmly, "The Nine Nether Pearl must not fall into his hands."

"Li Ao, what on earth do you want to do?!" Yun Shu shouted angrily. Her eyes were filled with anger and confusion. Her former senior brother had actually turned into the person before her.

"I just want to save this world." Li Ao's voice was filled with a hint of coldness and helplessness. "Don't you understand? This world is already rotten. Only with the power of the Nine Nether Pearl can we completely change everything."

"Save the world?" Lin Chen sneered. "Using the Nine Nether Pearl to control the mountain's spiritual veins and disrupt the balance of nature, is this your way of 'saving' the world?"

"You ignorant fellow!" Li Ao's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. "A truly powerful person doesn't need others' understanding, he only needs to master power. You weaklings can't understand my ideals!"

Suddenly, there was a cry of surprise from outside the secret room, and a group of villagers came out from nowhere, watching all this in surprise, their faces full of fear and shock.

"Oh my God, who is that? Why is he here?" a villager exclaimed in a low voice.

"Look at the energy in the hands of the man in black, so scary!" another villager said in a trembling voice.

The young woodcutter squeezed to the front. He recognized Lin Chen and Yun Shu and shouted excitedly, "Mr. Lin, Miss Yun, what's going on?"

Yun Yuan waved his hand for everyone to be quiet, and said in a deep voice: "This person was once our friend, but now he is our enemy. We must stop him."

"This..." The villagers took a few steps back. Besides fear, there was more doubt and confusion in their eyes.

"Don't be afraid!" Lin Chen looked back at his companions and said loudly, "We will protect the peace here and not let anyone harm this land."

"Yes, we fight side by side!" Yun Shu gripped the dagger tightly in his hand, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

"Hmph, so what if there are a few more ants? You can't stop me." Li Ao sneered, and his hands once again condensed stronger energy, and a dark aura surged around him.