"Lord Yu, what’s wrong with you?" Li’er asked with anxious concern upon seeing Qin Yu’s current state.

Qin Yu raised his hand to stop Li’er, for at that moment, the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang was recounting to him, inside his mind, the unique and most precious treasure of the so-called Treasure Pavilion.

"Youngster, you are quite lucky. When I left the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion at the bottom of the Chaotic Star Sea, I wondered whether I should leave behind the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring. After all, with the difficulty I set, you were not yet qualified to obtain this ring," the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang said slowly.

Qin Yu couldn’t help but smile bitterly to himself. The Illusionary Demon Realm, Huangquan Road—weren’t these dangerous enough? Especially Huangquan Road, where even those with great power could die from one wrong choice. Despite such dangers, the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang seemed to think they were still insufficient for someone to deserve the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring.

However, Qin Yu finally learned that the ring was called the ’Black Flame Monarch’s Ring’.

"But later I thought that luck is very important, so I decided to place the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring on the finger of my statue’s burdened hand. Most people who reach the Treasure Pavilion aim to rush inside to seize the Immortal Treasures. Noticing that ring means your luck is indeed not bad," said the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang with a laugh.

Qin Yu felt a bit strange that the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang seemed to value ’luck’ so highly.

"The Black Flame Monarch’s Ring is an extremely valuable item in the Immortal Realm. It was the ring I wore during my time traversing the various realms, and it was refined by a powerful friend of mine, a master of the same level as I, known as Black Flame Lord. Hence, it is called the ’Black Flame Monarch’s Ring’," the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang explained the origins of the ring.

Qin Yu silently etched the name ’Black Flame Lord’ into his memory.

If he was of the same level as the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang, then he must be an apex expert capable of controlling the elements.

"Storage-type Immortal Artifacts are difficult to refine. This Black Flame Monarch’s Ring is an Upper Grade Immortal Artifact, but in terms of preciousness, it even surpasses typical Top-Grade Immortal Artifacts. Of course, the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring is a storage-type artifact, so its attack power is not strong."

"However... it has two major support functions, both of which are Black Flame Lord’s unique skills." The tone of the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang clearly revealed his admiration for Black Flame Lord’s unique skills.

"Apart from having a storage space, the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring also possesses two major support functions. The first is ’Skyfire Domain’. Black Flame Lord was adept at using flames, and normally, if a high-level power user utilized the ring, they could unleash flames even more formidable than Heavenly Fire. However, most Heavenly Immortals or those below that level can at most activate the Heavenly Fire contained within the ring. The stronger the power, the more Heavenly Fire that can be drawn out,"

Qin Yu rejoiced in his heart.

Heavenly Fire, a flame that even Heavenly Immortals needed to be wary of.

"The second function is ’Gravity Domain’. If Black Flame Lord were to deploy the Gravity Domain, even Fifth Level Profound Immortals within its range could be crushed to death due to the horrific gravity, causing their Nascent Souls to collapse!" exclaimed the Immortal Emperor Ni Yang, "Of course, the ’Gravity Domain’ attached to the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring is simply some Formation set by Black Flame Lord. You just need to infuse power into it to create the Gravity Domain. The greater the power input, the stronger the gravity will be."

"As for the owner of the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring, of course, they are unaffected by the Gravity Domain."

Two major functions, the Skyfire Domain and the Gravity Domain.

Qin Yu marveled in his heart.

Heavens, just who exactly was the Black Flame Lord? Simply with the Gravity Domain, he could crush Fifth Level Profound Immortals, causing their Nascent Souls to collapse due to the terrifying gravity.

"Alright, what I just described are some of the benefits of the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring itself. Moreover, I’ve also left behind a map, the Sky-breaking Sword Energy, and a phrase. This map leads to the ’Ni Yang Realm’. When you reach the Ni Yang Realm, cover an area with the Sky-breaking Sword Energy, and you can envelop your troops within it. At that time, the Ni Yang Realm will automatically absorb you and them. However... you can bring at most eight people with you, yourself included, making a total of nine,"

Qin Yu’s heart jolted.

"This Black Flame Monarch’s Ring, isn’t it just the combination of three Sky-breaking Maps?"

Only when the Sky-breaking Maps are combined do they reveal a map, and each Sky-breaking Map can take up to six people including the owner inside. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The interior of the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring not only contains a complete map to the Ni Yang Realm but also holds the Sky-breaking Sword Energy, and it can take up to nine people including the owner. Plus, the ring itself comes with two major domains as well as the storage function of an Upper Grade Immortal Artifact.

In terms of value, all three Sky-breaking Maps combined don’t compare.

No wonder there’s talk of a unique, most precious Immortal Artifact.

Originally, Immortal Emperor Ni Yang said that this Immortal Artifact was in the Treasure Pavilion of the inner palace, but he did not specify whether it was inside the Treasure Pavilion or at the entrance. When they were in the Treasure Pavilion, Qin Yu, Lady Yan Ji, and Yan Mo even thought the three Sky-breaking Maps were the treasures mentioned by Immortal Emperor Ni Yang.

A curiosity suddenly rose in Qin Yu’s heart.

Immortal Emperor Ni Yang had stated that within the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring, he left a map, the Sky-breaking Sword Energy, and a sentence. What could that sentence be?

"As for that sentence, it’s a message I leave for you, junior... I hope that the person who obtains the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring will be able to claim the treasure in the Ni Yang Realm. Of course, I won’t give you any hints. It’s all up to your own efforts. Alright, junior, strive hard. I hope you can do better than I did, haha... I, Immortal Emperor Ni Yang, dominated the Three Realms with my Sky-breaking Sword Energy, who knew I would fall due to that. It’s all about luck... haha..."

With his laughter fading away, the voice of Immortal Emperor Ni Yang disappeared.

After leaving the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion, some restrictions on the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring seemed to have been lifted, revealing its true form. As Qin Yu swept his Spiritual Sense over the inside of the ring, he found it contained just a map and a piece of paper.

That piece of paper bore the sentence left by Immortal Emperor Ni Yang.

"Junior, as a reward for obtaining the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring, I’ll tell you one thing—if your strength is below the Great Success Stage Cultivator, entering will ensure your death!"

The last sentence sent a chill down Qin Yu’s spine.

If your strength is below the Great Success Stage Cultivator, entering will ensure your death!

Qin Yu believed that even if Immortal Emperor Ni Yang would deceive someone, he wouldn’t carelessly misstate this most important sentence he left behind. Moreover, Qin Yu could feel that the Ni Yang Realm was definitely not a place where just anyone could venture.

Having the strength of a Great Success Stage Cultivator is the minimum requirement to step into the Ni Yang Realm.

"Big Brother Qin Yu, you look delighted. What’s the good news?" Li’er said with a smile.

Qin Yu snapped out of his joy from acquiring the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring and looked at Li’er beside him, "Li’er, do you remember when Immortal Emperor Ni Yang once said that there was a unique and most precious treasure in the Treasure Pavilion?"

"You mean... it’s this ring?" Li’er asked in surprise.

"Yes, it’s this ring. This ring is called the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring. It is a storage-class Immortal Artifact of Upper Grade level, and it has two special functions: one is the Skyfire Domain and the other is the Gravity Domain. Do you remember the ink and wash painting I got before?"

"Of course I remember. What’s special about that ink and wash painting?"

...

As Qin Yu and Li’er flew through the sky, Qin Yu shared with Li’er about the Ink and Wash Painting being the "Sky-breaking Map" and the message it contained, even informing her about the news of the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring.

"Ah, is this the Skyfire Domain?"

Qin Yu fully activated the Skyfire Domain, and only a thin layer of Heavenly Fire covered his upper body, with an invisible membrane between the Heavenly Fire and his body, which must be the workings of the divine skill from the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring.

However, it merely covered his upper body and was just a thin layer.

Was this even called a domain?

"Big Brother Qin Yu, your cultivation is just too weak. When a Great Success Stage expert uses the Skyfire Domain of the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring, I estimate that it would at least cover a range of one to two zhang," Li’er said thoughtfully after a moment.

Qin Yu could only laugh helplessly, "It seems that when I return, I need to refine that Nascent Soul and cultivate properly."

Qin Yu had acquired the Nascent Soul of a Second Tribulation Independent Immortal, and after his journey to the Nine Sword Immortal Mansion, his soul had become even more condensed, now reaching the late-stage Kongming level. He was really in a good position to completely refine this Nascent Soul.

"Big Brother Qin Yu, try the Gravity Domain again," Li’er reminded him.

The strength of the Gravity Domain was related to the cultivator’s power; the stronger the cultivation, the greater the force exerted by the Gravity Domain.

"Alright, I’ll give it a try." In truth, Qin Yu had a greater preference for the Gravity Domain inside. Although the Skyfire Domain was impressive, in his view, during actual combat, the Gravity Domain would have an element of surprise that could be particularly effective.

For instance, during a fight between two experts, as Qin Yu charged at his opponent, who was about to counterattack, a terrifying force of gravity would suddenly bear down. Even if the gravity wasn’t enough to kill, just its binding effect alone could significantly reduce the opponent’s speed and rapidly weaken their fighting capabilities.

Especially if it were used unexpectedly, the opponent, initially unaware, would suffer more when its effects were unleashed in a life-or-death moment.

Qin Yu channeled his cultivation into the Black Flame Monarch’s Ring. Actually, the ring didn’t absorb much energy; the intensity of the gravity was related to the purity of the cultivation, while the range of the Gravity Domain was based on the amount of power channeled into it.

"Why are you just standing there, Big Brother Qin Yu?" Li’er asked with a smile.

"I have already activated the Gravity Domain, but I’m not very clear about how powerful it actually is..." Qin Yu said helplessly, after all, as the caster, he could not feel its effects himself.

Li’er laughed, "Well, that’s easy. I’ll just step into it."

Li’er, who was initially at a distance from Qin Yu, moved closer, while Qin Yu hastily retreated, "How can we do this, Li’er? If your body can’t withstand it..."

"It’s fine," Li’er interrupted Qin Yu, "I have a Protective Dharma Treasure, and I definitely won’t get hurt. Besides, even for a same-level expert, they definitely couldn’t be killed by the Gravity Domain. Didn’t you say that Black Flame Lord was only able to kill Fifth Level Profound Immortals? And Black Flame Lord himself was of the same rank as the Eighth Level Profound Immortal, Immortal Emperor Ni Yang. Hence, the Gravity Domain won’t harm me with my Protective Dharma Treasure, and its power could not be that overwhelming."

Convinced by Li’er’s reasoning, Qin Yu saw the sense in her words.

"Then be careful," said Qin Yu, letting Li’er approach.

Li’er stepped into the gravitational field with a smile, which Qin Yu had spread into a circular area with a three-meter radius from where he stood as the center point. As soon as Li’er entered, her body suddenly felt heavier, and then ripples appeared on her body’s surface.

Qin Yu knew those were the ripples from Li’er’s Protective Dharma Treasure.

He immediately deactivated the Gravity Domain, and Li’er said with a beaming smile, "Big Brother Qin Yu, your Gravity Domain is quite powerful. I’d say it’s at least several million catties in pressure. A Golden Core Stage expert would definitely die, and a Nascent Soul Stage expert, if suddenly attacked, would be close to death too. Even a Cave Void Realm expert would likely get injured."

Qin Yu nodded with a smile.

He was pleased with the effects of the Gravity Domain; a sudden pressure of several million catties was enough to injure Cave Void Level experts, and even Kongming Stage experts would be caught off guard.

Qin Yu wanted that element of surprise.

In a life-or-death fight, the Gravity Domain could represent an opportunity for victory.

However, the Gravity Domain needed to be kept secret; if enemies knew about it and prepared in advance, its effects, while still potent, definitely wouldn’t be as pronounced as when it caught the enemy unprepared.

×××

After flying for some time, Qin Yu and Li’er finally arrived at the Hidden Dragon Continent.

Qin Yu had no idea that ever since the Qin Dynasty had the Star Pavilion’s experts as guardians and gained an absolute advantage in the ranks of Upper Immortals, they had begun their invasion of the Ming Dynasty, showcasing the might of the Qin Family Army.

"Eh, the troops below belong to the Qin Family Army, and father and the others seem to be in the camp," Qin Yu noticed with his Spiritual Sense and immediately sensed Qin De’s presence. NaturalIy curious, he wondered, was it necessary for his father to take action even in the event of war?

"Li’er, let’s go down."

Qin Yu and Li’er dived towards the ground from the ninth heaven, and as they neared the surface, the two fierce cavalry units training below continued their relentless charge, each soldier exuding an aura of battle.

The aura of one soldier was unremarkable, but the combined aura of over ten thousand cavalry was formidable indeed.

Qin Yu and Li’er appeared on the ground as swiftly as lightning, unnoticed by the cavalry due to their rapid descent, and they made sure to land near the vicinity outside the commander’s tent.

"Lord Yu."

General Wang Song, the leader of this military unit, was taken aback upon seeing Qin Yu and promptly kneeled on one knee. As a high-ranking individual in the military department of the Qin Dynasty, he was well aware of just how extensive Lord Yu’s authority was, considering the incident with over ten thousand Upper Immortals in the capital.

"General Wang Song, no need for such a fuss. I just want to pay a visit to my father," Qin Yu smiled and nodded.

"The Supreme Emperor and the others also came to the front line yesterday to have a look. I will lead Lord Yu to where the Supreme Emperor is staying," General Wang Song regained his composure and led the way with due dignity, while Qin Yu and Li’er followed him toward Qin De’s quarters.

(Tomorrow’s update: three Chapters!)

(To be continued, for more details, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM, where the Chapters are more up-to-date, to support the author and read legally!)