The Nether Monarch had summoned Xiang Shaoyun for the second time. After being appointed as the nineteenth prince, Xiang Shaoyun had not gotten the chance to meet the Nether Monarch. He was clear that his life was in the Nether Monarch's hands. If he wanted to leave, he had to obtain the Nether Monarch's permission. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to escape.

Xiang Shaoyun grew excited when he learned that the Nether Monarch had summoned him. He wasn't happy because he was honored the Nether Monarch summoned him. Rather, he was happy because he wanted to use this opportunity to persuade the Nether Monarch to let him leave. If the other Imperial Nether Clan members knew what he had in mind, they might execute him out of anger.

Most imperial nethers couldn't meet the Nether Monarch even once in their entire life. As someone who was going to meet the Nether Monarch for the second time, Xiang Shaoyun was actually planning to escape. For them, someone like him shouldn't continue living.

Once again, Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the Imperial Nether Palace. As usual, the palace was empty. Only a blurry silhouette of the Nether Monarch could be seen within. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get a clear look at the Nether Monarch.

"I greet the Nether Monarch," said Xiang Shaoyun as he bowed respectfully.

This was both his senior and an expert, someone worthy of receiving his bow.

"Staying here yet your heart is somewhere else. What's the point of keeping you around?" said the Nether Monarch.

Xiang Shaoyun felt his entire body turn cold at those words. He was terrified that the Nether Monarch would kill him without saying anything else.

He thus decided not to skirt around the topic. His back became ramrod straight as he said, "Nether Monarch, I beseech you to let me go. I promise to not make an enemy out of the Imperial Nether Clan."

He had no other choice. This was a gamble, a gamble with his life on the line.

"No outsiders can be trusted. Your blood might have been changed, but you still have your human emotions. The glory of our clan does not matter to you. It is indeed pointless to keep you around anymore," said the Nether Monarch with a sigh. "Do two things for the clan, and I will grant you your freedom."

"Really?" Xiang Shaoyun was overjoyed.

"I never make empty promises," said the Nether Monarch flatly.

Xiang Shaoyun asked, "What do I need to do?"

He was afraid that the Nether Monarch would make him do something extremely difficult. He had no idea if he could even complete what was asked of him. Thus, he quickly calmed down from his excitement.

"Your first task is to accompany the other clan members to the Dark Devourer Clan's previous territory and eliminate all survivors. This task will be considered complete after killing five of them. If you fail, don't bother to return," said the Nether Monarch.

"I accept. What's the second task?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.

A Dark Devourer Clan member had tried killing his mother. He was more than willing to accept the mission.

"Bring an item from me to the surface and deliver it to our branch family up there," said the Nether Monarch.

"That's all?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.

The two missions were far easier than he had imagined.

"Yes. You may leave with the clansmen immediately. The faster you complete the missions, the faster you can leave," said the Nether Monarch.

"My mo—" Xiang Shaoyun wanted to bring his mother with him as well.

But before he could finish his words, the Nether Monarch interrupted him, "No. She can never leave. If you complete the two missions and do more things for the clan in the future, I might consider it."

Obviously, the Nether Monarch intended to hold Ming Fu hostage.

Xiang Shaoyun's strength wasn't anything special right now, but he would definitely shine brightly in the future. With Xiang Shaoyun's unique identity, he would be suited to do some things regular Imperial Nether Clan members couldn't do. In short, Xiang Shaoyun was now a chess piece.

Of course, many would still view being the chess piece of an existence like the Nether Monarch a glorious feat. Xiang Shaoyun did not say anything else. He knew that if he kept trying, he might lose the chance to leave.

After he left the palace, Ming Cigeng appeared before him. "Nineteenth prince, everyone is waiting for you."

Xiang Shaoyun said, "I want to bid farewell to my mother before leaving."

"There's no need. I already had someone inform your mother. We need to leave immediately. This is urgent," said Ming Cigeng firmly.

Xiang Shaoyun knew he had no choice, so he could only nod in agreement and leave with Ming Cigeng. After a while, they reached the public square where about 100 Imperial Nether Clan members were gathered. Every single member was a powerful cultivator, none weaker than a Devil Saint. Only a clan as powerful as the Imperial Nether Clan could gather so many experts at such short notice.

The Imperial Nether Clan members were surprised to see Xiang Shaoyun. Evidently, they hadn't expected that he would also take part in this mission. One ought to know that the Dark Devourer Clan was incredibly powerful. Even the Imperial Nether Clan had to be cautious against such opponents. Xiang Shaoyun was no weakling, but this was still a dangerous mission.

Numerous ghostrunes were waiting in front of them. Ghostrunes were the Imperial Nether Clan's exclusive mounts. Xiang Shaoyun found that these ghostrunes had extremely powerful bloodlines, even more powerful than the ones in his Imperial Nether Domain. They were all Devil Saints. When the ghostrunes in his domain sensed these ghostrunes, they even had the urge to rush out of the domain.

The ghostrunes in his domain and the ones before him were of the same species, but the ones before him had been raised by the Imperial Nether Clan. Thus, their bloodline was much stronger than the stray ghostrunes that had followed Xiang Shaoyun.

Over the years, Xiang Shaoyun had tried to strengthen the five ghostrunes serving under him. They had grown much stronger but not strong enough for him. He did not bother hiding anything and released his five ghostrunes.

When they appeared, the other ghostrunes started shouting at them provocatively. For them, the five's bloodline was way too thin. Even the Imperial Nether Clan members couldn't help but jeer at the five ghostrunes.

An Imperial Nether Clan member ridiculed, "Nineteenth prince, where did you find these ghostrunes? They're way too weak. Their bloodline only allows them to grow up to the Devil Sovereign Realm. Why don't you let my mount swallow them up?"

"That's right. What use can these bugs be? I can give you 10 that can easily kill these five you have," said someone else.

More and more people spoke up. Xiang Shaoyun was starting to feel embarrassed.

At this time, Gui Qi shouted, "Blood evolution!"

With that shout, two of the stronger ghostrunes devoured two other ghostrunes. Next, one of the two devoured the other. Finally, Gui Qi devoured the sole survivor, perfectly reenacting the ghostrune's path of evolution.