"Are you from the Shenxiao Sword Sect?" Xu Nian hurriedly asked.

"Yes, it’s the Shenxiao Sword Sect. I heard that this Shenxiao Sword Sect is a hundred times stronger than our Tianyu Mountain. This time, they brought three beauties, each more beautiful than the last," Chen Mingshan said excitedly.

"So it is the Shenxiao Sword Sect." Xu Nian felt a faint excitement in his heart.

Previously, Bai Li had mentioned that Leng Yanran had appeared in the region of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

It’s very likely that Leng Yanran had joined the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

Even if Leng Yanran wasn’t among these three, he could take the opportunity to ask these people from the Shenxiao Sword Sect if they had any news about Leng Yanran.

"Where are these people from the Shenxiao Sword Sect?" Xu Nian asked hurriedly.

"They were all taken to the inner mansion by the Beichen Divine King. You can’t see them now, only when the banquet starts. I just caught a glimpse when they first arrived," Chen Mingshan replied.

He didn’t expect Xu Nian to be so anxious and excited just at the mention of beautiful women.

Xu Nian felt a wave of disappointment.

It seemed he would have to wait for the banquet to start.

"Come, I’ll take you somewhere," Chen Mingshan suddenly said.

"Where to?" Xu Nian asked curiously.

"You’ll know when we get there," Chen Mingshan said mysteriously.

Then he led Xu Nian flying toward the north of the Beichen Divine King Mansion.

The Beichen Divine King Mansion was incredibly vast, like a small city.

The mansion was divided into an outer and an inner mansion.

Generally, the outer mansion was used for receiving ordinary guests, while the inner mansion was for distinguished guests.

People like Bai Li and Li Mu were arranged in the inner mansion, while those like their god-level disciples could only stay in the outer mansion.

Soon, they arrived at a secluded pavilion within the Beichen Divine King Mansion.

Before they even entered the pavilion, Xu Nian heard an extremely melodious zither sound.

The zither sound was sweet and melodious, as smooth as flowing water, and as lively as chirping birds; it was truly pleasant to listen to.

Even Xu Nian, who didn’t understand music, was captivated by the graceful zither sound.

Under the influence of such music, he felt his mind become extremely tranquil.

Xu Nian couldn’t help but look up at the pavilion.

There, he saw a graceful and beautiful figure sitting cross-legged, her slender fingers dancing over the strings to a moving melody.

Surrounding the pavilion were quite a number of people.

All of them were silent, quietly listening.

Among them were both men and women, though men were the majority, and most of them had looks of admiration on their faces for the zither-playing girl.

"This girl is the daughter of Liu Yanji, whom we saw the other day, named Lu Qinxin. She is also the granddisciple of the Beichen Divine King. Her cultivation has only been over 30,000 years, yet she’s already at the God Peak level. She has an extremely formidable talent in music. Legend has it that her weapon is the Nine Profound Zither in her hands, but what’s most surprising is that she’s actually cultivating the Demon Path," Chen Mingshan said through a transmission.

"The Demon Path?" Xu Nian was a bit surprised.

The zither sound of the girl just now was so light and lively, not at all like the ferocity one might associate with Demon Path cultivation.

Of course, the Divine World does not reject the Demon Path. Many in the Divine World cultivate the Demon Path.

It’s just that this girl gave off a feeling far removed from the typical Demon Path aura.

That’s why Xu Nian felt surprised.

"Unexpected, right? Most wouldn’t guess. She usually interacts with others in a gentle and polite manner, but when she engages in slaughter, the only word to describe it is ’brutal.’ She once killed over a thousand gods in order to break through the God Peak stage, genuinely proving herself through slaughter," Chen Mingshan laughed.

Xu Nian was even more astonished upon hearing this.

This girl was following the path of proving oneself through slaughter.

"Clang!"

Just then, the zither sound suddenly changed.

The next moment, it was the clashing of arms and rolling thunder, as if a war was unfolding.

Xu Nian frowned; this music was filled with intense killing intent, even a joy in slaughter.

This terrifying killing intent felt like a suppressed volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Now you hear it, right? This is her true heart realm," Chen Mingshan transmitted with a laugh.

"She’s likely practiced some form of calming technique, but her killing intent is too strong to easily suppress," Xu Nian replied through transmission.

Chen Mingshan nodded.

Xu Nian was right; Lu Qinxin was explicitly forbidden by the Beichen Divine King to stay here, practicing calming incantations daily to suppress her inner killing intent.

Soon, the violent zither sound faded, and the music returned to its previous light and lively state.

After the piece ended, the girl finally stood up.

"There are many unfamiliar faces today. You must be guests here for my master’s birthday celebration. Forgive my humble display of musical skills just now," the girl said with a smile.

Her elegant face, however, bore a hint of a dark smile, creating an extremely unsettling feeling.

"Marvelous, the musical talent of Road Divine Woman is unparalleled in the world."

Someone below exaggeratedly praised.

Lu Qinxin smiled indifferently and said, "Thank you all for your compliments. However, according to old customs, there will now be three life-and-death duels. Many of you new guests may not be aware, so I’ll briefly explain. I cultivate the path of slaughter, and naturally have a heavy killing aura. My master has me practice the zither here daily to cultivate my mind. Of course, after practicing, there’s an opportunity to engage in three life-and-death duels with those present. Anyone who can last ten moves against me can receive generous rewards. But if they lose, they may lose their life."

"Today’s reward is a piece of Black Nether Gold, the hardest divine gold in the world, material for forging top-grade God King Artifacts," Lu Qinxin said with a smile.

"Black Nether Gold?" Xu Nian’s eyes immediately lit up.

He had been searching for Black Nether Gold but had found no trace of it.

His Taicang Sword Formation had already been crafted to nine swords, completing the initial formation.

But in order to further enhance the Taicang Sword Formation, besides needing more Godhood Weapons, he also needed more Black Nether Gold.

Now, the Black Nether Gold in Lu Qinxin’s possession was just enough for him to forge nine more swords. Once crafted successfully, he would possess the deadly move capable of slaying Daluo God Peak level experts.

"I must obtain this Black Nether Gold," Xu Nian murmured to himself.

Originally, he had just planned to watch, but now he felt compelled to participate.

"I didn’t expect it to be Black Nether Gold. Lu Qinxin is really willing to go all out to attract opponents for her duels, but how can anyone hope to defeat her?" Chen Mingshan laughed.

"Has no one ever won before?" Xu Nian asked. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Not one. Lu Qinxin’s strength is formidable, reputedly invincible below the Luo God level. Even I can’t withstand ten moves from her. If you were to try, you’d have a 50% chance," Chen Mingshan laughed.

"Only 50%?" Xu Nian was somewhat startled.

He didn’t expect Lu Qinxin to be so extremely strong.

"Alright, for the first match, I’ll go!"

Just as Xu Nian was expressing his surprise, a God Peak expert immediately flew out.

Clearly, Xu Nian wasn’t the only one tempted by the Black Nether Gold.

Even knowing Lu Qinxin’s formidable strength, they still chose to give it a try.