The Great Ruler: Reborn as Mu Chen, sweeping across the vast world!

Beneath the tower, the black flames had not yet died down, but like a fire snake trapped in amber, they twisted and struggled in vain, unable to unleash their previous overwhelming power.

The Primordial Qi Pagoda stood firm and unmoving. The chaotic light flowing around its body seemed capable of devouring all light and heat, firmly imprisoning the black flames that were powerful enough to burn mountains and boil seas within a small area.

A dull thud and an extremely angry scream came from the bottom of the tower. Each struggle caused the tower to tremble slightly and emit a low hum, but it could not shake the suppressive force that originated from the beginning of chaos.

Mu Chen stood on the eaves of the tower, his robes fluttering slightly in the lingering heat. Upon hearing his words, the commotion below the tower gradually subsided.

"Who are you?" A cold, suppressed, and furious female voice resounded directly in Mu Chen's mind.

Nine Nether's heart was filled with disbelief. Not only was he suppressed, but even his origins and background were exposed in a single sentence!

This chilled her to the bone even more than a simple crushing force!

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that you have been suppressed here by me. And I have no intention of killing you," Mu Chen said. "Otherwise, it would be more than just suppression by now."

"What do you want?" After a long silence, the voice rang out again, calm yet tinged with a cautious probing.

"How about we make a deal?" Mu Chen said with a smile.

"A deal?" Jiuyou's voice was laced with obvious sarcasm. "You intimidate people with force, and then talk about a deal? Human, aren't you being incredibly hypocritical?"

"Strength is the basis of negotiation, not the goal." Mu Chen remained calm, his tone steady, showing no anger. "If I am not strong enough to engage in equal dialogue with you, how can we discuss a deal?"

"At this moment, you are at my mercy, and I have the upper hand. Proposing a deal is to give you a choice, not to offer charity."

"You can refuse, and I won't do anything to you."

"Heh, that's a nice way of putting it." Jiuyou's voice was icy, filled with undisguised sarcasm. "You think you can just let me go if I refuse the deal?"

Might makes right. Those who are suppressed must either submit or be destroyed. What third option is there?

So-called transactions are nothing more than the victors' fancy words to embellish their plunder.

She was prepared for even more brutal repression, or a long period of torture designed to completely destroy her will.

If things are hopeless, she will not let this human off easily, even if it means self-destruction!

however--

"sure."

Mu Chen answered in a calm and even tone, as if stating something extremely simple.

The mockery from the underworld froze.

The next moment, the chaotic Dao aura that enveloped her body receded like a tide.

The towering pagoda, which had been as imposing as a mountain suppressing heaven and earth, instantly transformed from solid to ethereal, rapidly shrinking until it finally became a stream of light that disappeared into Mu Chen's palm.

The suppression has disappeared.

Freedom, without any cost, abruptly returned to her.

Jiuyou was even stunned for a moment. Its huge body, which was coiled in the scorched basin, subconsciously stretched slightly, and black flames began to flow on its surface again.

Although it was far less intense than at its peak, it had truly regained control.

She suddenly lowered her head, her burning black pupils fixed on the seemingly tiny black-clad boy beside her.

This aura... is it from the Transcendent Realm?!

Having broken free from the oppressive power of that strange giant tower, their spiritual perception was no longer obstructed.

She could clearly see the spiritual energy fluctuations flowing around Mu Chen. Although it was far more solid and substantial than that of an ordinary Transformation Realm cultivator, it was indeed only at the Transformation Realm level!

How is this possible?!

Absurd! Unbelievable!

Was she suppressed by humans at the Transformation Realm?

However, she still felt a slight obscurity when circulating her spiritual energy, reminding her that everything that had just happened was real.

"You..." Jiuyou's voice rang out again, filled with deep surprise and scrutiny, "Only at the Transformation Realm?"

The question was somewhat foolish, but the turmoil surging within her at that moment made it impossible for her not to confirm this mind-blowing fact.

"Absolutely genuine." Mu Chen replied, gently moving his wrist. He had indeed consumed a considerable amount of energy just now by fully activating the Primordial Qi Tower to suppress the attack.

He'll probably run out of spiritual energy after another ten or so times...

"Since you are unwilling to make the deal, I won't press you any further. But I still want to remind you that you are not capable of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation right now; you'll only be throwing your life away."

The enormous body of Jiuyou was coiled up, its wings made of black flames slightly folded, and its burning pupils were fixed on Mu Chen without blinking.

She was completely baffled, utterly unable to understand Mu Chen's motives...

"What exactly do you mean?"

"You might not believe it, but under normal circumstances, our relationship would be quite good. I just don't want you to die in vain, and it would cost me resources to help you rise from the ashes."

"...Are you telling the truth?" Jiuyou asked, still somewhat doubtful.

Mu Chen, who was planning to wait until Jiu You failed her tribulation before coming over, paused for a moment, turned around, and saw the contemplation in Jiu You's eyes.

No, I was just saying it offhand, and you actually believed me!

"Now that you mention this, I'm really interested. Listen carefully..." Mu Chen then began to recount a part of the original story about the Nine Netherworlds.

The story unfolds in detail, then the part about successfully transcending the tribulation in the Nine Netherworlds, ascending to the Supreme Realm, and leading him to the Great Luo Heavenly Domain abruptly ends.

"What happened next?" Jiuyou listened with great interest, and when Mu Chen stopped, she asked again.

"I haven't dreamt about the rest yet. I'll talk about it when I do," Mu Chen said. "But these things are just for reference, because I'm not that weak, and I don't really understand you in reality."

"Ahem." Jiuyou finally realized what was happening and seriously adjusted his posture.

"Human, what kind of deal are you talking about?"

"Oh? You were unwilling to trade with me before, but after hearing a story that may or may not be true, you agreed?" Mu Chen clicked his tongue in amazement.

Nine Netherworlds watched, furious but unable to utter a word. If I weren't outmatched, I would definitely teach this human a lesson!

"I will enroll in the Northern Cang Spiritual Academy to help you obtain the essence blood of the Northern Sea Dragon Kun, assisting you in completing your final evolution and joining the ranks of divine beasts."

"In return, after you complete your evolution, take me to the Great Luo Heaven Domain."

Mu Chen proposed a deal: he planned to first clear the Northern Cang Spiritual Academy dungeon, then clear the Great Luo Heaven Domain, obtain the Dragon and Phoenix True Spirits, and acquire the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones!

Jiuyou remained silent, pondering for a long time.

"I agree to this deal."

Her voice paused, then she changed the subject, her black flame-like eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced sideways at Mu Chen.

"But aren't you afraid that I'll go back on my word after I successfully evolve? What can you do if I change my mind then?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chen simply smiled faintly, a smile that appeared somewhat blurry against the backdrop of the still-smoldering black flames in the basin.

"Although dreams don't quite match reality, whether it's a human or a beast, different circumstances lead to different choices, and ultimately, vastly different outcomes."

"But some things are probably true," Mu Chen continued, his tone carrying an unspoken certainty, "like pride, so I'm willing to take the gamble."

Meeting Jiu You's gaze, Mu Chen said clearly, word by word, "I'll take the gamble. I believe in you!"

"If I fail," he said, "then it's my fault for losing the bet, for not recognizing the animal properly, and I can't blame anyone else."

Jiuyou fell silent once again.

The human in front of me seems to be truly different from other humans!

"Mu Chen, right? I'll remember what you said for now."

"I, Jiuyou, swear by my bloodline that if you obtain the essence blood of the Northern Sea Dragon Kun to help me successfully evolve, I will definitely take you into the Great Luo Heaven Domain, and I will never break my promise!"