Xu Nian followed the Lei Family Ancestor into Tianbei City.

Although Tianbei City is not large, it is very lively, and the Netherworld Practitioners active within it are basically all above the Heavenly Immortal level.

Below Heavenly Immortal level is indeed rare.

"Brother Lei, is the person you’re taking me to meet also a Divine-level expert?" Xu Nian couldn’t help but ask curiously.

"Yes, also Divine-level, but not the one from the Qin Family; he’s an old friend of mine. The Divine-level experts in Qing State aren’t limited to the few from the three major forces; there are also some guys who like to remain in hiding," the Lei Family Ancestor said with a smile.

Xu Nian nodded.

Indeed, to outsiders, Qing State only has Divine-level experts in the Qin Family, Chaoyang Sect, and Moyang Sword Academy.

But some hidden Divine-level experts are barely known to anyone.

Clearly, this friend of the Lei Family Ancestor is one of those hidden experts.

"Brother Lei, how much does your friend know about the Netherworld Lord?" Xu Nian asked.

"I don’t know exactly how much he knows. This guy spent some time in the Netherworld God Temple early on, so he should know a few things. However, his temperament is eccentric, so getting information from him might not be easy," the Lei Family Ancestor replied.

"Eccentric?" Xu Nian thought to himself upon hearing this.

His curiosity about the Lei Family Ancestor’s friend grew even stronger.

Regardless, he’ll find out more once they meet.

Soon, they arrived at a secluded and quiet residence.

Inside the residence, an elder sat.

The elder had white hair and beard, yet his eyes were extremely sharp.

The elder held an ancient and simple string of prayer beads.

The beads emitted powerful energy fluctuations, and each bead seemed to be inscribed with a powerful divine pattern.

These divine patterns were very ancient, yet each was different.

"This is definitely a very powerful ancient artifact," Xu Nian said in amazement to himself.

There were eighteen beads, meaning the string contained eighteen powerful divine patterns.

Creating such an ancient artifact is absolutely mind-boggling.

Of course, Xu Nian could also see that this ancient artifact seemed to have a flaw.

If he wasn’t mistaken, when at its peak, this ancient artifact should have been at the Top-Grade Heavenly Divine Artifact level.

But now, it’s only at the Low Grade Divine Artifact level.

"Old immortal, still playing with your prayer beads. You’ve been researching those beads for hundreds of thousands of years, haven’t you?" the Lei Family Ancestor said.

The elder looked up at the Lei Family Ancestor and immediately smiled, "So it’s you, the old Lei immortal. You’re not dead yet?"

"Hmph, since you aren’t dead, why would I be?" the Lei Family Ancestor retorted immediately.

"Haha, I’m destined to outlive you. Tell me, what brings you here instead of staying at your Thunder Pond cultivating?" the elder laughed.

"Can’t I simply visit?" the Lei Family Ancestor chuckled, then took a swig of wine.

The elder’s figure flashed instantly, appearing directly in front of the Lei Family Ancestor, snatching the wine jug and taking a hearty sip.

"Great wine, it’s the first time I’ve tasted such strong stuff," the elder’s eyes lit up as he couldn’t help but praise.

"First thing you do upon meeting is steal my wine, you old immortal," the Lei Family Ancestor snatched the jug back, glaring at the elder.

"Still as stingy as ever," the elder countered immediately.

Watching the two bicker, Xu Nian’s face showed a subtle smile.

It seemed the Lei Family Ancestor and this elder had an unusually strong relationship.

Only true friends would bicker like this.

"Old Lei, is this the younger generation of your Lei Family? Not bad, already at the Nether Emperor Perfection level. It seems you’ve got a genius on your hands. Is this why you’ve come to see me?" the elder, named Tang Wu, said with a smile.

"He’s not from my Lei Family; my Lei Family couldn’t produce such a genius. But I really did come because of him. He’s a new friend of mine, named Xu Fenn, and he’d like to ask you something," the Lei Family Ancestor replied.

"Oh? A newly made intergenerational friend?" Tang Wu showed a trace of surprise and then carefully studied Xu Nian again.

"Junior Xu Fenn, paying respects to the elder," Xu Nian said with a smile.

"It seems Old Lei holds you in high regard. It’s the first time I’ve heard him praise someone like this. What brings you to me?" Tang Wu asked.

"I would like to ask the elder for some insights regarding the Netherworld God Temple and the Netherworld Lord," Xu Nian said.

Upon hearing Xu Nian’s words, Tang Wu’s face changed dramatically.

"I can’t answer that for you. You’d best leave; I know nothing," Tang Wu refused harshly.

Xu Nian’s expression shifted.

He hadn’t anticipated Tang Wu’s mood to change so quickly.

Is there some taboo concerning the Netherworld God Temple and the Netherworld Lord?

If not, why would he avoid it like the plague?

"Old Tang, that’s not right. Didn’t you spend time in the Netherworld God Temple? How could you not know?" the Lei Family Ancestor immediately interjected.

"Hmph, Old Lei, what does this have to do with you? I advise you not to meddle in some matters, and as for you, young man, some things are worth asking about, others aren’t. Think carefully, or you might lose your life," Tang Wu said coldly.

He gave Xu Nian direct advice.

Xu Nian was further surprised.

Tang Wu’s underlying message was clear: if he continued to inquire about the Netherworld God Temple, he would face danger.

Likewise, Tang Wu likely refused to speak out for the same reason.

"Elder, I really have a very important reason for seeking the Netherworld Lord. It’s more important than my life, so I must know," Xu Nian said immediately.

"Hmph, what does that have to do with me?" Tang Wu said coldly.

"I told you, this guy is eccentric. If he doesn’t want to talk, you likely can’t persuade him," the Lei Family Ancestor said with resignation.

"Good to know, so you’d best leave," Tang Wu issued a directive for them to leave.

Xu Nian showed a thoughtful expression.

"Elder, are you studying divine patterns? Would you be interested in ancient divine patterns from ancient artifacts?" Xu Nian asked with a smile.

"Huh? You have ancient divine patterns from ancient artifacts?" Tang Wu’s eyes lit up suddenly.

He seemed intrigued.

"Yes, I do, but since the elder is not welcoming us, I guess I’ll have to leave," Xu Nian said with a smile.

Earlier, he saw the elder handling the prayer beads, clearly studying divine patterns.

And ancient divine patterns from ancient artifacts would undeniably have a fatal allure for those who comprehend divine patterns.

Thus, when he mentioned he had ancient divine patterns, the elder would surely be tempted.

"Wait a moment, boy, don’t leave. Weren’t you curious about the Netherworld God Temple? It’s not impossible to tell you," the elder hurriedly stopped Xu Nian.

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian’s smile grew wider.

The Lei Family Ancestor also burst into laughter.