Chapter 1457: Mysteries (1/2)

Dashing through the dim starry river, Nie Tian suddenly exclaimed in shock, “The Nether River!”

He came to an abrupt stop.

A winding river ran past a few realms that were penetrated by the sword-like branches of the incredibly colossal tree.

That river didn’t run through any of the realms, but rather floated quietly in the starry river.

Not a single discarnate soul could be seen in the long, winding river, only dazzling cyan spots that lit up from time to time.

This river was clearly different from the one Nie Tian had seen in the Seven Stars Realm Sea.

However, it was undoubtedly what had stirred his senses and attracted him here.

The Spirit Pearl’s soul examined the Nether River in its unique manner, and then said, “This river is different from the one we have in the Nether Realm.

“That one runs through the north of the Nether Realm, with countless souls and spirits floating in it, killing each other and transforming.

“This Nether River, however, doesn’t have any soul-form beings in it. And it doesn’t run through any of these realms...”

WHOOSH!

The Spirit Pearl suddenly flew out of Nie Tian’s hand and into the distant starry river.

Like a cyan bolt of lightning, it flew off following the Nether River, as if to trace this branch of the Nether River to see if it connected to the one in the Nether Realm.

“If it doesn’t connect to that branch of the Nether River, then it’s a whole new branch...” Surprised by this thought, Nie Tian sensed the Spirit Pearl’s movement, but didn’t fly after it. At the same time, he returned the Star Behemoth bone to his ring of holding.

RUMBLE!

The Flame Dragon Armor suddenly assumed its dragon form: Agaz. Staring at the branch of the Nether River in front of him with his enormous dragon eyes, he said, “This river contains copious Nether Qi. Phantasms should be able to absorb power from it and enhance their strength. It’s just that...”

“What?” Nie Tian asked, looking curious.

“It’s just that they can’t collect evil spirits and vicious souls from it to refine into their bloodlines or keep as their servants,” Agaz said. “Back when I was still with my father, he told me that the Phantasms’ branch of the Nether River gathered discarnate souls, evil spirits, and all sorts of soul-form beings spontaneously.

“In this sense, it’s kind of similar to the Seven Stars Realm Sea.

“Every time a fierce battle broke out between the Demons, Phantasms, Fiends, Bonebrutes, or other races in the Spirit World, some of the discarnate souls of those who died in battle would be magically absorbed by that branch of the Nether River.

“Once they entered the Nether River, they would either be devoured by stronger spirits or devour weaker spirits themselves and become stronger.

“Many Phantasm grand patriarchs and grand monarchs would pick powerful spirits from the Nether River to refine with secret soul magics or enslave for use in battle.

“However, I can’t sense the existence of a single spirit in this branch of the Nether River.”

Rubbing his chin, Nie Tian pondered in silence for a long while before suddenly saying, “If this branch of the Nether River hasn’t absorbed any spirits or souls, then it means no battle has taken place in this part of the starry river. Perhaps those cyan spots that light up from time to time record Grand Monarch Heavenly Spirit’s profound soul magics.”

As his train of thought came to this point, he focused his attention on the spots in the river.

Without the help of the Spirit Pearl, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t see what was vested in the cyan spots that grew dazzling every now and then.

While he observed with rapt attention, he also saw interweaving soul strings flashing across the Nether River from time to time.

However, he couldn’t see through their wonders, even though he was concentrated quite hard.

“It seems that I have to turn to the Spirit Pearl for help.” He then communicated with the Spirit Pearl, asking it to return, so he could observe the wonders of this branch of the Nether River through it as his third eye.

“Give me a bit more time...” The Spirit Pearl’s soul responded as it flew farther and farther away, as if it intended to find the origin of this branch of the Nether River and an answer.

“Alright, I’ve got time. I’ll wait.” He nodded and waited in this unknown area of the starry river.

While waiting, he glanced around at the landmasses and the unimaginably colossal tree that had penetrated and been absorbing nourishment from them. “Where on earth did this colossal tree come from? Even the Tree of Life that created the Floragrims shouldn’t be this large. Besides, didn’t the Tree of Life wither long ago?”

...

At the same time, the Four Manifestations Flame Soul Cauldron blasted through the ward that covered the hole in the ground surrounded by buried titans.

“My heavens!” An exclamation escaped Pang Chicheng’s mouth as soon as he dove through it into the starry river below.