"[Detected an eight-star check-in location, the Eye of the Nether Sea. Would you like to check in?]"
Another eight-star check-in location.
Han Xuanji was somewhat curious about what kind of place would qualify as a nine-star check-in location.
The rewards for seven-star check-ins were only occasionally useful for powerhouses at the Primordial Chaos level.
He no longer felt much surprise, but eight-star rewards were different.
Han Xuanji was somewhat expectant.
"System, check in."
As Han Xuanji silently recited in his mind, the System's prompt sounded again.
"[Congratulations, Host, for successfully checking in at the eight-star check-in location 'Eye of the Nether Sea'. You have received the 'Origin Power of the Nether Sea'.]"
"[Origin Power of the Nether Sea: The root of a world, containing the Origin power of life and death Dao.]"
As the System's prompt faded, Han Xuanji's consciousness sank into the System space, where he saw a fist-sized, slowly rotating energy mass.
It didn't present a dazzling appearance; inside, it seemed as if Yin and Yang Qi had transformed into swimming fish, chasing and flowing, evolving the Dao essence of life and death. Merely observing it, one could feel the ancient and supreme Origin power it contained, almost like the Dao itself!
Han Xuanji secretly marveled in his heart.
This eight-star reward was indeed extraordinary, directly pointing to the Origin of the Great Dao.
The value of this Origin Power of the Nether Sea was immeasurable; it represented one of the fundamental powers behind the rotation of the Immortal Realm and the cycle of life and death!
Such power, let alone the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm, even the legendary Limitless Primordial Realm mighty beings might not be able to easily shake or acquire it.
It was more like a "privilege," an essence of rules.
If he could slowly refine and absorb it, integrating its Origin Dao essence into himself, his comprehension of the Dao of Life, Death, and Reincarnation would elevate to an unimaginable height, which would greatly assist him in achieving a Breakthrough to the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm, and even in assaulting higher Realms.
Of course, the prerequisite for all of this was that he needed sufficient time and a high enough Realm to gradually control this power.
Rashly absorbing it would likely lead to assimilation by the vast Origin Dao principles within it, causing his own consciousness to be lost, with unthinkable consequences.
But no matter what, obtaining this item was equivalent to holding a crucial key to the supreme Great Dao. Its value far exceeded the sum of all his previous gains from checking in at this location!
Han Xuanji suppressed the urge to immediately find a secluded place to cultivate, his eyes filled with joy.
Coming to this place was the right decision.
After checking in, the System prompted that he could not check in again.
Han Xuanji was not disappointed, and he secretly pondered:
"In that case, there's no need to risk entering the legendary Land of Reincarnation."
The Eye of the Nether Sea was extremely similar to the Reincarnation Portal Han Xuanji had encountered before.
He speculated that perhaps the Eye of the Nether Sea was the original portal to enter the Land of Reincarnation, while other similar places were likely Acquired.
For others, it was just a portal to enter the Land of Reincarnation, so they naturally wouldn't risk entering this place and being attacked by Ruins Spirits. Even if they wanted to go to the Land of Reincarnation, they would look for other, safer places.
At this moment, Han You, who had been quietly following Han Xuanji, seemed to sense something. Although he couldn't articulate it, he felt that the Qi on Han Xuanji's body seemed more intimate.
The Nether Crow, on the other hand, jumped from Jiang Hao to Han You and sniffed around, secretly marveling:
"I never thought the Nether Sea would give birth to a living being. It's truly a miracle."
Han You didn't seem displeased by the Nether Crow's actions. Instead, he was curious about the Nether Crow. When he came into close contact with the Nether Crow, he suddenly let out a soft "Oh," tilted his head, and curiously examined the Nether Crow perched on his shoulder with his dark eyes.
The Nether Crow felt a bit unnerved by this gaze. Just as it was about to run back to Jiang Hao, it heard Han You's ethereal voice:
"This black fellow... I feel like the aura on him is somewhat familiar."
He extended a slender finger and stroked the Nether Crow's feathers, seemingly confirming:
"It seems... a part of it is very similar to a very large thing in this place..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Nether Crow stiffened as if struck by lightning, then let out a sharp, distorted cry.
"Caw!"
The Nether Crow no longer cared about anything else. It suddenly flew up from Han You's shoulder, circling wildly around Han Xuanji, its voice filled with unprecedented excitement:
"Sir! Boss! My supremely noble Sir! What he said... he said it was me, the real me!"
It suddenly stopped in the Void Realm in front of Han Xuanji, its small body trembling with excitement, and pleaded in a voice almost like weeping:
"Sir! I beg you! Please have mercy! Little Crow has wandered for eons, with only this wisp of a remnant soul attached to this Nether Crow's shell, living in a daze, worse than death!"
The Nether Crow's voice was mournful and yearning:
"Little Crow is willing to make a Great Dao oath. If I can escape this cage, I vow to serve you as my Master for this life, at your command, with no second thoughts! Please, Sir, grant my wish!"
At this moment, it no longer had any of its previous slyness or calculations, only the humblest plea, solely for that distant freedom.
Jiang Hao watched, dumbfounded. Only then did he understand that this chattering and cowardly Nether Crow, who had been with them all the way, had such an astonishing Origin and tragic experience. He couldn't help but feel a hint of sympathy.
Han You, on the other hand, blinked, looking at the overly excited Nether Crow. His heart was also touched, and he carefully said:
"Master, if possible, perhaps we can help it?"
Han Xuanji looked at the scene before him, deep in thought.
The Reincarnation Demon Refining Array was set up by Nirvana Dao Venerable, grinding away the demonic nature and Karma of the Nether Crow's true form, the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix. Its original intention should not have been to completely obliterate it.
Han Xuanji used his Eyes of Destiny to carefully observe the Nether Crow, pondered for a moment, and then spoke lightly:
"Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix, in charge of devouring and destruction. Releasing you is no small matter."
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Han Xuanji's words instantly calmed the excited Nether Crow, who looked at him nervously.
"However."
Han Xuanji changed the subject and said softly:
"Since you have this karmic connection with me, and Han You can also sense a common Origin, it is not impossible to take you to the Seal location for an investigation."
He did not immediately agree to lift the Seal, but he offered hope.
After all, the location of an ancient array capable of sealing the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix might itself contain immense value and check-in opportunities.
"Thank you, Sir!"
The Nether Crow was overjoyed, bowing to Han Xuanji in a somewhat comical manner.
Meanwhile, the name Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix exploded in Jiang Hao's mind.
He froze in place, his pupils suddenly constricting, staring in disbelief at the crow that usually only cawed strangely and was afraid of death.
Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix?
That was a terrifying existence that only existed in ancient legends and was recorded in the ancient texts of the Immortal Realm!
Legend has it that its wings could cover the world, its cries could cause the Heavenly Dao to collapse, and it fed on worlds, an ancient fierce bird symbolizing ultimate destruction!
Its ferocity was so great that even the mighty beings of the Immortal Realm would change color at the mention of it!
Jiang Hao could not, for the life of him, connect this sneaky Nether Crow, who always wanted to slip away at critical moments, with such a peerless, ferocious creature that dominated ancient times and wielded destruction!
Jiang Hao grabbed the Nether Crow, examining this dark, plain crow, which currently had two tears hanging from its eyes, from top to bottom, his face full of an expression that read, "You must be kidding me."
"Is it real or fake...?"
Jiang Hao's throat was somewhat dry at this moment, his voice trembling in a way he didn't even notice. He stared intently at the Nether Crow, disbelievingly saying:
"You fellow, were you really hiding so deeply?"
Even the Nether Crow itself was somewhat surprised, thinking, "Am I really that awesome?"