Because they killed the Snake Spirit, the Netherworld Fruit Tree had become hostile toward them?
Lin Lei and Bei Bei exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
"Haha." Belerei laughed and said, "Of course, that's merely my guess! Otherwise I can't understand why the Netherworld Fruit Tree treated you two that way, and treated me this way too. But regardless… the matter is over now. I owe you two my thanks for being able to obtain the Netherworld Fruit this time."
Lin Lei smiled faintly.
He still held a measure of goodwill toward Belerei. Setting everything else aside, Belerei had shared the news of the Netherworld Fruit's emergence. If Belerei hadn't wanted him to obtain it, he never would have told him. And Belerei had spent countless billions of years pursuing this Netherworld Fruit.
Such perseverance was worthy of obtaining that supreme treasure, the Netherworld Fruit.
"Weren't they saying that whoever obtains the Netherworld Fruit would receive a Sovereign's audience and become a Sovereign's Emissary?" Bei Bei exclaimed. "Where's the Sovereign?"
Lin Lei's eyes lit up and he quickly looked around carefully.
If the Sovereign appeared now, his purpose would be achieved.
*Whoosh!*
Because the Netherworld Fruit Tree had departed, the grey fog once again pervaded the area. Suddenly, a hazy figure emerged from the grey fog not far away, causing both Lin Lei and Bei Bei's eyes to brighten: "Could it be the Sovereign?" Both of them were filled with anticipation.
In an instant, the figure arrived.
The newcomer was thin yet tall, with long silver hair hanging loose. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, swept over Lin Lei and the others before finally settling on Belerei. He smiled faintly and said, "Belerei, congratulations on obtaining the Netherworld Fruit! Come with me to the Sovereign's Palace now, and await the Sovereign's summons."
"It's you!" Belerei's face showed surprise. "Arthis!"
"Yes."
The silver-haired, eagle-eyed man smiled faintly. "After all these years, you still remember me. You've stayed at Netherworld Mountain all this time — I know everything about it. I have to say I'm amazed… the loneliness of countless ages, the endless wait of countless years. You actually endured it all. I have to express my admiration!"
Belerei laughed heartily. "Back when we entered Netherworld Mountain together, I swore an oath before going in! I, Belerei, would either die within Netherworld Mountain or become a Sovereign's Emissary before leaving!"
Lin Lei and Bei Bei now understood completely.
So the newcomer was not the Sovereign, but rather the person who had obtained the Netherworld Fruit the first time Belerei came to Netherworld Mountain. "This man is a Sovereign's Emissary!" Lin Lei thought. "Since he stays at Netherworld Mountain, he must have a close relationship with the Sovereign. If I could go through him…"
Lin Lei's purpose in coming to Netherworld Mountain was to gain an audience with the Sovereign.
"Big brother, congratulations." The purple-haired youth Bulong said with heartfelt sincerity.
Belerei looked at his younger brother with a warm smile.
"Belerei, let's go. Come with me to the Sovereign's Palace," Arthis urged.
"Arthis," Belerei quickly said, "how about this — I'll send my brother out of the Grey Fog Region first, then go with you."
"No rush," Arthis said with a faint smile. "Travel with me and bring your brother along. Leave him at the border between the Grey Fog Region and the Purple Fog Region and let him wait there for a day or so. After you've seen the Sovereign and received the Sovereign's arrangements, there will still be time to send your brother out. He can wait that long, surely."
"Big brother, it's just a day or so." Bulong was excited. "When we meet again, you'll be a Sovereign's Emissary."
"Actually, your brother's strength after consuming the Netherworld Fruit is already comparable to an ordinary Sovereign's Emissary," Arthis said calmly. "However, the reason your brother's strength has grown so much is precisely because of the Netherworld Fruit. Obtaining the Netherworld Fruit naturally makes one the Netherworld Sovereign's Emissary."
Belerei nodded with a smile. "Then Arthis, let's go."
"Wait." Lin Lei spoke up at this point.
"Hmm?" Arthis and Belerei both looked over. Belerei quickly introduced them: "Arthis, this is Lin Lei, who came here with me. The two of them are said to be from the Infernal plane, and their strength is extremely formidable."
"Even without the Netherworld Fruit, the two of them are already quite strong," Arthis said, his expression indifferent. "I saw everything about your battle here. Lin Lei — you, a powerhouse of the Four Divine Beast clans, coming to the Netherworld for this Netherworld Fruit? I find that hard to believe. What is it you want now?" Lin Lei's dragon-transformation appearance would make it easy for many powerhouses to guess his identity.
Lin Lei's heart tightened.
Arthis's attitude didn't seem favorable at all.
"Mr. Arthis," Lin Lei quickly said, "I did not come to Netherworld Mountain for the Netherworld Fruit. I have an important matter and wish to have an audience with the Sovereign of the Netherworld. Please, help us — lead us to meet the Sovereign! I truly have something of the greatest importance!"
Lin Lei's tone and eyes both conveyed his earnest plea.
"Arthis." Belerei looked at Arthis, clearly hoping he would help.
Arthis merely smiled faintly and said casually, "You traveled tens of billions of miles from the Infernal plane to the Netherworld, braving death to breach Netherworld Mountain. Being able to do all this… of course I know you must have something truly important to discuss with the Sovereign. However, across all the countless planes, there are countless people who wish to meet the Sovereign! Surely I can't take you there just because you want to see one? What kind of status does a Sovereign hold? They can't possibly meet each and every person. And I don't have the authority to bring you there!"
Lin Lei urgently said, "Ar—"
"Say no more."
Arthis said coldly. "I'm merely a Sovereign's Emissary — don't make things difficult for me. If you truly are determined to see the Sovereign, then keep fighting your way through. Break through the Grey Fog Region and enter the Purple Fog Region! Once you exit the Purple Fog Region, you'll reach the Sovereign's Palace. At that point, whether you can see the Sovereign will depend on the Sovereign's will."
Lin Lei understood. Arthis was merely a Sovereign's Emissary — essentially a servant. How could he have the authority to bring them there?
Thinking of this, Lin Lei stopped pressing the matter.
Arthis glanced at Lin Lei and shook his head. "Lin Lei, let me give you one more piece of advice. You'd best give up and head back down the mountain! The path ahead is not an easy one. Belerei, let's go." With that, Arthis, Belerei, and Bulong flew off at tremendous speed.
Lin Lei and Bei Bei did not follow. Instead, they stood where they were.
"Boss?" Bei Bei looked at him.