“Nine Netherworld Light?”

“Hm?”

“Ah?!”

“Nine what Netherworld Light?!”

“Nine Netherworld what light?!”

“Nine Netherworld what?!”

Mingxi suspected she was infested with a phantom bug!

Otherwise, how could she hear the term 'Nine Netherworld Light' from Ji Lan’s mouth?!

Σ_(꒪ཀ꒪」∠)

Good heavens!!!

Ji Lan, you sly old fox, you look so refined, but I didn't expect you to be such a schemer!

His Night Patrol Zenith actually controls the Heavenly-Rank skill, Nine Netherworld Light, a Ghost-type skill!

Nine Netherworld Light, a Ghost-type domain skill.

Within the domain, there is absolute silence; all sound, light, and even most energy fluctuations are extremely suppressed, as if one is in the singularity before the birth of the universe, where all things return to stillness.

Within the domain, souls are scorched; the Nine Netherworld Light does not burn the flesh but directly ignites the soul. Life forms within the domain continuously feel a cold burning pain from the depths of their souls, their mental energy accelerates in consumption, and those with weak wills may even suffer soul disintegration.

Within the domain, the bond is amplified; the bond with the Beast Tamers becomes even closer, and the coordination of skills with companions reaches its peak.

Finally, within the domain, causality is traced; to a certain extent, it can interfere with and trace the causal link between the opponent's skills and the damage received, and perform a weak 'causal backlash'!

Although the effect of tracing causality is very weak, any causality-related skill, no matter how weak, is stronger than ordinary Earth-Rank skills.

Nine Netherworld Light is definitely the most powerful Ghost-type skill 'on the market,' and arguably one of a kind.

It is also known as a 'pseudo-God Rank' skill, being the closest to, and in some aspects even surpassing, God Rank skills!

A Night Patrol Zenith that controls such a skill is absolutely one of the strongest Pets in this Starsea Cup!

Indeed, everyone has trump cards, but she's encountered all of them!

The situation is tricky!

And her luck is bad!

Speaking of which, a Little Human like Night Sprite, with its timid personality and talent... well, let's not mention it, theoretically has no possibility of evolving into a Venerable-level.

So, as everyone can see, Night Patrol Zenith is actually a new evolutionary form.

And it's a new evolutionary form that diverged from the original evolutionary path at the intermediate stage.

Like Golden Yuanbao, no one has yet figured out the evolutionary method for this evolutionary path.

As for how Ji Lan managed to cultivate such a seemingly unpotential Pet to the Venerable-level, no one outside of him and his trusted circle knows.

Ji Lan, who is dedicated to developing the potential of ordinary Pets, is not stingy or unwilling to disclose it, but the evolutionary method of Night Patrol Zenith is extremely special.

It's not a matter of being difficult to replicate, but a matter of replication success leading to unpredictable disasters.

Mingxi speculated that the evolutionary method of Night Patrol Zenith is likely similar to how the Jin Sui Sprout clan evolves into a Thousand Spirit Demon Envoy.

However, judging from Night Patrol Zenith’s state and personality, it should be harmless to itself.

It is reported that because of this Night Patrol Zenith, Anji Country has sent people more than once to either 'negotiate' or kidnap Ji Lan, trying to figure out this new evolutionary chain of Night Sprite.

Even after Ji Lan was promoted to SSS-level Beast Master, these troublesome characters haven't decreased.

This is also one of the reasons why he finds Mingxi particularly agreeable.

Misery loves company.

In short, Night Patrol Zenith is Ji Lan’s most mysterious and powerful Pet; outwardly ordinary, it is actually Golden Yuanbao’s senior.

So, Mingxi was not at all surprised that Night Patrol Zenith possessed the Nine Netherworld Light skill.

In fact, both she and Emerald Green had speculated that Night Patrol Zenith was hiding a powerful trump card.

That's why they had been constantly using Fate Perception.

One reason was to predict Night Patrol Zenith's trump card.

The constant appearance of 'unknown' meant that what could be predicted was indeed unknown.

And at this moment, after Night Patrol Zenith used Nine Netherworld Light, the flower on Emerald Green’s head silently turned green.

Of course, their actions also had the intention of confusing the enemy and playing an unconventional tactic.

It was a bit crude, but what if Ji Lan fell for it?

Whether Ji Lan fell for it or not is unclear.

But they did have hidden trump cards.

(╯°Д°)╯︵ ┻━┻

How dark!

"Emerald, improvise!"

Within the Nine Netherworld Light domain, the judgment of Beast Tamers outside the arena is inaccurate and can even affect the Pet's performance!

So Mingxi, somewhat redundantly, unleashed her own Pet.

At this moment, in Night Patrol Zenith’s oval eyes, the original fear and pain were suddenly replaced by an incredibly ancient tranquility and depth!

The faint candlelight within the nearly extinguished lantern in its hand abruptly turned into the deepest, Nine Netherworld color, as if capable of devouring all light!

“Buzz—!”

A low, prolonged hum, not from the real dimension, echoed throughout the entire venue, even penetrating the protective shield, causing the souls of all who heard it to tremble!

Centered on Night Patrol Zenith, a bizarre domain, seemingly composed of solidified darkness and pulsating Nine Netherworld flames, instantly unfolded, forcefully annihilating Emerald Green’s Dark Forest.

Shadow Stitch and Nightmare instantly disintegrated under the absolute silence effect of Nine Netherworld Light!

Night Patrol Zenith broke free from its restraints; it floated at the center of the domain, the Nine Netherworld flames in its lantern burning steadily, emitting a daunting majesty.

Its previous weakness was gone; at this moment, it was like a monarch ruling a realm of the netherworld!

Emerald Green felt its own energy being greatly suppressed within the Nine Netherworld Light, and the soul-scorching sensation made it feel a sense of reliving old dreams.

Its thin, cold lips beneath its mask slowly, slowly curled upwards.

Like a demon sneering.

Very! Good!

Although separated by the Nine Netherworld Light, through their bond, Mingxi also felt Emerald Green's current emotions.

Extreme savagery!

Good heavens!

Ever since Emerald Green reverted from a Thousand Spirit Demon Envoy to a Jin Sui Sprout, it hadn't been this agitated.

This Nine Netherworld Light is indeed extraordinary!

However, Ji Lan was unaware of his opponent's current state.

“Shadow Claw!”

Because of Nine Netherworld Light, Ji Lan didn't need to speak to command through their bond; at this moment, silence was more potent than words, and his command seemed to echo directly in Night Patrol Zenith's soul.

Night Patrol Zenith raised its hand, and a Shadow Claw, condensed ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ with a large amount of energy, silently grabbed at Emerald Green, whose senses and mind were shielded!

Its speed seemed not fast, yet it appeared to lock onto causality, making it unavoidable!

Although Emerald Green couldn't see, and its mental energy was sealed.

But it still had its sixth sense.

As the Shadow Claw attacked, the power of Halloween erupted, and countless ghostly figures surged out, only to be silently annihilated the moment they touched the Shadow Claw!

“Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!...”

A hundred ghosts walked at night, and demons roamed.

But Nine Netherworld Light was ultimately not a trivial skill; it greatly restricted and influenced Emerald Green's control abilities.

The Shadow Claw broke through Halloween at an extremely fast speed.

The claw tips sliced across Emerald Green’s body, leaving a deep, bone-visible wound burning with dark fire!

The damage was not extremely exaggerated, but the attached soul scorching and causal interference made Emerald Green’s energy circulation chaotic.

At this moment, the audience, contestant lounge, and commentary booth were as noisy as a marketplace.

Like Mingxi, they were all shocked by this trump card Ji Lan had hidden!

“I never expected it, never expected it, Lan Shen is also a schemer!”

“He even brought out Nine Netherworld Light; will there be God Rank skills next?”

“Is God Rank rare? Hasn't Ming Shen’s Pet already used several God Rank skills? No matter how powerful Nine Netherworld Light is, it's only a pseudo-God Rank; pseudo is pseudo! No matter how strong, it's still pseudo!”

“Can that be compared? Mingxi’s Pet’s God Rank skills are all innate skills, right? Ultimately, it's just a racial advantage; can it be compared to Night Patrol Zenith learning Nine Netherworld Light through its own efforts?”

“Just because you say it's an innate skill, it is?!”

“Is your dad not Li Gang, but the highest administrator of the Yushou Center, and the world's number one skill researcher?!”

“Besides, even if they are innate skills, so what?”

“Is racial advantage not an advantage?”

“Then some people are born in Rome, while you are born as a beast of burden; why don't you go blow up Rome?”

“Why haven't the advantages they possess made you activate your 'jealousy makes you ugly' skill?”

“Are you afraid? Are you willingly debasing yourself? Is groveling more cost-effective?”

This audience member's mouth was laced with poison; he could accidentally poison himself to death.

With his rapid-fire chatter, the audience members sitting around him all reacted by moving away, forming an 'absolute domain' with him at the center!

They were afraid of suffering indiscriminate splash damage.

And the gentleman he was concentrating his fire on had already withered like a mimosa.

“Brother! Awesome!”

The security guards who rushed over to 'patrol' couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

This big brother was just a 'drop in the ocean' of what was happening in the vast audience.

Regarding Night Patrol Zenith possessing Nine Netherworld Light, the reactions of the other contestants were actually even greater.

After all, the stronger Night Patrol Zenith was, the lower their chances of defeating Ji Lan when they encountered him.

“Tricky.”

“Very tricky.”

“Extremely tricky.”

This was the other contestants' assessment of this skill.

A pseudo-God Rank skill, and one with extremely high practicality and long duration—it would be problematic if they weren't wary of it!

And Ji Lan, who was being feared, no longer had any reservations.

His trump card was revealed, so what was there to worry about!

Just go for it!

“Misfortunes Never Come Singly!”

Ji Lan intended to press the advantage.

Within the Nine Netherworld Light domain, Misfortunes Never Come Singly had an exceptional effect on enemies in poor condition!

Night Patrol Zenith’s eyes glowed brightly; the wounds on Emerald Green’s body seemed to ignite, and the pain at the soul level attacked with double intensity!

Even its Second Form began to become unstable, its surrounding energy fluctuating violently, seemingly on the verge of collapse at any moment!

Mingxi watched with a grim expression.

She could feel Emerald Green enduring immense pain and soul-level erosion!

But besides constantly using the power of their bond to soothe it and calm its increasingly violent and gloomy emotions, she could do nothing.

This was also a drawback of Beast Tamer competitions.

Separating the Pet and Beast Tamers with a protective shield, connecting them only with cold commands.

All damage was borne solely by the Pet.

In fact, this mode was a manifestation of the gradually self-serving concept of Beast Tamers!

Of course, this was also related to the maximum restriction of modern world warfare.

Heroes are only needed in times of chaos.

In times of peace, both the country and the Yushou Center actually prefer citizens to be content with the status quo, because the strong are often more prone to ambition and desire, and are a major source of social instability.

For example, Descent.

So, with the development of the times, with the birth of various laws and regulations protecting Beast Tamers, and with the implementation of measures such as isolating Beast Tamers from Pets in Beast Tamer competitions,

Beast Tamers gradually transformed from combat professionals into auxiliary roles.

Was this not also a process of 'domestication'!

Of course, the upper echelons were not all 'doves'; the universe is mysterious and unpredictable, and no one can guarantee that unknown enemies will not appear.

So, the strong who should be cultivated still need to be cultivated!

Otherwise, why would Dragonflower Country give Mingxi special attention?

And she's rambling again!

In fact, Emerald Green did not feel that its Little Human’s comfort was useless.

Her very existence was its strength, the first ray of light that shone into its dark and hopeless life.

Irreplaceable!

In its eyes, filled with chaotic memories and pain, the constant clarity and gentleness always spelled out her name.

“Jin Ming!”

As if impervious to the erosion of Nine Netherworld Light, it spread its arms, striking a pose that embraced everything!

The violent nature of the energy around it suddenly changed, becoming incredibly deep and hollow, as if transforming into the most primitive void in the universe!

Infinite Slaughter Hell, the Ferry of the Ruins.

Emerald Green let out a sigh that seemed to come from the end of all things.

This was not an increase in the skill's rank, but a qualitative transformation of the skill!

It infused the killing and destructive intent of the Earth-Rank skill “Infinite Slaughter Hell” with “ending” and “nothingness,” forcefully sublimating it, thanks to Mingxi’s several Drawing Spirit sessions and its understanding of ‘world rules’ through pharmacology.

A 'plain' Earth-Rank skill, yet it unleashed the power of a Heavenly-Rank.

In its Second Form, it indeed controlled three great God Rank skills.

But its Little Human was right; having trump cards means not panicking when things happen!

This was only the quarterfinals, not yet the time for it to go all out!

An Earth-Rank skill was enough.

“Buzz—!”

“Hiss!”

The silent energy, the soul-scorching flames, and the faint causal force within the Nine Netherworld Light domain were all frantically pulled, absorbed, and annihilated by the destructive power unleashed by Infinite Slaughter Hell!

It was as if it had encountered its true nemesis—not resistance, but inclusive destruction!

“Damn it!”

“What skill is this again?!”

Ji Lan’s face changed drastically; he could feel the Nine Netherworld Light being rapidly disintegrated!

And Night Patrol Zenith, caught within it, let out a terrified whimper, the ghostly flames in its lantern flickering violently, as if about to be sucked away!

The singularity at the center of the destruction grew larger and larger, and the suction became stronger and stronger!

Finally—

“Buzz... Bang!”

Like a bursting bubble, the Nine Netherworld Light domain was completely torn apart!

Along with the domain, Night Patrol Zenith was also blasted into the sky!

“Jiji!”

After a mournful wail, the light in Night Patrol Zenith’s eyes extinguished.

With a “crack,” the lantern in its hand showed signs of shattering.

It fell like a kite with a broken string, its aura extremely weak.

Its body wriggled, squirmed, twisted, and crawled darkly for a short while.

It was clear that it was trying very hard to continue fighting.

But how could Emerald Green, that schemer, do nothing?

Its combos were relentless, each aiming for the Pet’s life.

How could Ji Lan just stand by and watch?

Anyway, he had already prepared himself for a loss, so he didn't hesitate for too long and quickly sent the Night Patrol Zenith, whose lamp was almost out, back into its Pet Space.

It was the last round, so there was no need to worry about red cards or not.

“So! Mingxi advanced to the semifinals of the singles competition?!”