The beautiful woman in the quick transmigration novel has been targeted by the male lead again.

Forty-nine days later, Chang Ning's cultivation level stabilized at the second stage of the Golden Core realm.

A renewed sense of confidence rose within her. Originally, she had only hoped not to lose too badly in the competition, but now she felt that she had the strength to fight back.

A little effort doesn't guarantee victory!

Now that we have this idea, we must make thorough preparations.

Since there's no way to improve my cultivation level right now, I have to work on other aspects.

She had been practicing the Starfall Sword Technique on and off for some time, reaching the eighth level of the second stage, but it was too late to break through.

The only way to improve this is by targeting her Spirit Rhinoceros Sword. During the competition, each person can carry one magical artifact. Although this sword is of superior quality, it only represents its potential for growth. Like people, swords need to be nurtured.

Rumor has it that some powerful sword cultivators' swords have developed sentience, a fact that Chang Ning finds fascinating.

Swords are associated with the element of metal. To help them grow, they are typically fed with various materials such as black iron, ores, and metals. Additionally, depending on the owner's spiritual root attribute, corresponding rare and precious materials are added.

Chang Ning possesses the four spiritual roots of metal, wood, water, and earth. Theoretically, as long as the ingredients are suitable, anything can be fed to her sword.

Her main opponent this time is Fairy Miaofa from the Thousand Machines Sect. Fairy Miaofa has a wood elemental root, and metal overcomes wood, so Chang Ning would be better off finding some metal-attribute materials.

The place with the most metallic materials is not actually in the cultivation world, but in the Nine Netherworlds, the land of the demon race.

With only ten days until the Grand Competition, Chang Ning was still hesitant. She couldn't even navigate the cultivation world, let alone the demon race.

The monsters we've dealt with before were just minor troubles. In the Nine Netherworlds, besides monsters, there are also cultivators who have become demons, as well as demons who have fought their way out layer by layer.

That place is a true jungle where the strong prey on the weak.

Unexpectedly, after hearing her idea, Yun Chao actually led her to the nearest entrance and directly entered the Demon Realm.

The two were now in the Netherworld, a place where the sun never shines, and it was pitch black; one could barely see their own fingers if they stretched out their hand.

There were a few strangely shaped trees around, their outstretched tentacles moving about in the air as if they were alive. Chang Ning took a step to the side and immediately heard a cracking sound under her feet.

In the eerie silence, Chang Ning was startled by the sudden sound. Looking down, she saw several adult-sized leg bones that had been crushed to pieces by her foot!

Her heart had been pounding ever since she entered, and now it was even more so. She grabbed the sleeve of the person next to her and whispered, "Yun Chao, maybe we should leave here."

Although the training grounds in the past were dangerous, the situation was mostly under control. She had never been here before, and to casually venture into an unknown place was either too reckless or too strong.

"Scared?"

Yun Chao took her hand in return, "Then stay close to me."

After saying that, he pointed in a direction and led her there. Chang Ning's heart was pounding: "Yun Chao, do you know where this is? You're too brave!"

I had actually lost my mind and followed him here.

He used to be quite reliable, which made me lower my guard!

Yun Chao was completely unlike her cautious demeanor, his posture as relaxed as if he were strolling in the bamboo grove in front of his own door. "Don't worry, Senior Sister, Junior Brother will definitely protect you."

"You think this is your home!"

Although his cultivation had reached the late Golden Core stage, everyone knew that there were four great demons in the Nine Netherworld, all of whom had reached the Integration stage of cultivators. If he accidentally wandered into any of their territories, their bones would probably be left here, waiting to be crushed by another passerby someday.

Hearing her complaint, Yun Chao chuckled and reassured her, "Don't worry, Senior Sister, I've been here before. It's still far from the demon's territory."

Chang Ning was taken aback. "What are you doing here?"

"Naturally, I'm here to find something, just like my senior sister."

After saying that, he pulled her forward and said, "Ten miles ahead there is a Blackwater Cold Pool. A Blood Shadow Scythe fell out of it. It was made from a kind of meteorite iron unique to the Demon Clan. The sword you are given should have a miraculous effect."

"Dropped? Who dropped it?"

Yun Chao said, "Many years ago, two great demons fought here. One of them was defeated, and his weapon was left here."

Chang Ning was stunned. "How do you know so much?"

"These kinds of things are easy to find out; it's just that my senior sister didn't pay much attention to them before."

"Oh."

Chang Ning said, "I thought your home was here."

Yun Chao's origins are unclear; all that is known is that he comes from the border region between the cultivation world and the demon realm. Chang Ning had never cared about this issue before, but at this moment, it remains to be seen where he actually comes from.

Her thoughts were crystal clear on her face, but Yun Chao remained calm and composed. "I'm sorry, Senior Sister guessed wrong."

Chang Ning said "Oh" again, then changed the subject: "Where is that pool?"

That makes sense. They might not know, but Master Henshui Zhenren certainly did.

"It's just ahead. I'll take my senior sister there."

After saying that, he stretched out his arm and wrapped it around her waist. The two of them took off into the air and flew away. A few breaths later, they saw a deep pool below. It was not large, only about a hundred feet wide. However, the water was pitch black and opaque. Looking at it at a glance was enough to make one feel terrified!

Various skeletons were scattered around the pool, some belonging to demonic beasts, others to cultivators, suggesting that many people had coveted this place.

As soon as they landed, a wave of demonic energy swept over them, and at the same time, they heard the clanging of weapons. Chang Ning was pulled away by Yun Chao and dodged the attack. Then, they saw several demons appear!

The demons are easy to distinguish. Unlike cultivators who absorb spiritual energy for cultivation, they live in the Nine Netherworld, where there is no spiritual energy, but only something else that people in this world call demonic energy.

Their names are chosen arbitrarily, and their appearances are also quite unrefined. Some have multiple horns on their heads, others have long, pointed chins, or their faces are uneven and bumpy.

Cultivators have always regarded eliminating demons as a form of training, and the demon race naturally wants to exterminate cultivators. Several demons rushed over without saying a word!

Yun Chao gently nudged Chang Ning from behind: "Senior Sister, your cultivation has reached the Golden Core stage, so it's a good time for you to practice."

Chang Ning turned to look at him, and Yun Chao said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

She felt inexplicably at ease, mobilized her spiritual power, and rushed over with the Spirit Rhinoceros Sword. The Golden Core stage was far superior to the Foundation Establishment stage. She used the Starfall Sword Technique, and several weaker demons were instantly pierced by the sword energy!

Chang Ning's heart was stirred. The demon in front of her was already at the fifth level. In the past, she would have turned and run without saying a word, but now she had the courage to step forward and fight.

After finally slaying the demon, she was still slightly out of breath when she saw Yun Chao smiling at her from the side.

She immediately felt embarrassed, sheathed her sword, and walked to the edge of the pool. A chilling sensation swept over her; the water was not only unfathomably deep but also incredibly cold!

She asked, "How can I get that sickle up here?"