Chapter 185: Mount Netherworld, the Black Phoenix Clan

Chaos reigned in Dark Moon City, with massive vortices constantly expanding as if trying to devour everything, causing widespread panic.
Hundreds of kilometers away, on a mountain peak, there was a scene of peace and tranquility—yet beneath that calm lay an even more terrifying danger.
At the top of the mountain was a huge cavity from which bursts of scorching steam emerged from time to time. It was a massive volcano, an active one, surging with energy and ready to erupt at any moment.
This place was the habitat of one of the four major clans within the Source of Darkness—the Black Phoenix Clan. Mount Netherworld got its name from this main peak, known as Mount Netherworld Peak, precisely because of the magma there, which resembled a netherhell and could erupt at any time.
Each eruption claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused tremendous upheaval within the Source of Darkness. Historically, it had only erupted twice, but without the guardianship of the Black Phoenix Clan, the frequency might have been several times higher.
The horror here was beyond what ordinary people could endure. For many in the Source of Darkness, it was even more terrifying than the battlefield of gods and demons, often referred to as the Battlefield of Death.
Yet, what was terrifying to others was an ideal place for the Black Phoenix Clan, who were born to master fire. The magma on Mount Netherworld Peak contained not ordinary flames but the primal flames of their clan—the Netherhell Flames. It was said that the origin of the Black Phoenix Clan lay within these flames.
Thus, this place naturally became a sacred site guarded by generations of the Black Phoenix Clan and their home. No one else could approach it, and the volcano’s menace was kept in check through the efforts of the clan.
Just as a phoenix is reborn from fire, so too is the Black Phoenix Clan. Fire is their source of life; as long as the flames burn, the phoenixes endure, and so does the Black Phoenix Clan. This was a widely spread saying, emphasizing that on Mount Netherworld Peak, the Black Phoenix Clan was invincible—immortal and unmatched.
“Are you truly determined to go there to train?” At that moment, in a large courtyard beneath Mount Netherworld Peak, inside a grand hall, two rows of old men and a few middle-aged people sat neatly arranged. At the top sat a middle-aged man and an ageless old man. The atmosphere was extremely solemn. In the center stood a woman, delicate and graceful, evoking pity at first glance. The question came from the old man at the top, his tone heavy.

If anyone who knew the ins and outs were present at this moment, they would surely be shocked. This was indeed the habitat of the Black Phoenix clan, and this hall was like the imperial palace among them. Those who could sit here were all the top figures of the Black Phoenix clan—individuals whose mere stepping could shake the entire clan and even the Source of Darkness.

“Mm, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going!” Without the slightest hesitation, the girl replied firmly to the old man’s question, showing no sign of fear.

“Weren’t you absolutely unwilling to go in a few years ago? Why do you want to go now? The Nether Mountain isn’t what it was back then. A few years ago, it was still asleep, and even we old men could offer some help if you went in. But now that it’s awakened, we must suppress it forcefully. If we’re not careful, it could erupt. If you go in, you’ll have to rely on yourself! It’s a life-or-death situation. Although we are immortal here, it takes at least a hundred or even a thousand years to regenerate. If you fail, you’ll end up with your soul scattered. Haven’t you thought about that?” The oldest man on the left hesitated before speaking.

The Nether Mountain, this active volcano, has a thousand-year cycle—sleeping for a thousand years and erupting when it wakes. This year marks the thousandth anniversary, and no one dares say they can enter! Even the strongest among the Black Phoenix clan wouldn’t dare to provoke it recklessly.

“Girl, why don’t you go train at the top of the Nether Mountain? Our clan members have been training there for five or six thousand years. The eruptions within the mountain have been suppressed by us for five thousand years. It’s extremely violent inside, and one must not enter rashly. In nearly a thousand years, no one has been able to enter and come out safely, not even when it was asleep. Now that it’s awake, even fewer can enter. Not to mention you—even we old men wouldn’t dare enter when it’s asleep!

It’s only because you possess the power of pure bloodline, which hasn’t appeared in six thousand years, that we dare let you try when it’s asleep. But now that it’s awake, it’s absolutely impossible. If anything happens, how can we fulfill the ancestors’ wishes?” Another elder at the front also spoke, trying to dissuade her.

“Mm, girl, there’s no need to take risks. It’s too dangerous. If you want to train at the top, we agree. If anything happens, we can save you. But avoid the bottom of the mountain—it’s too dangerous and violent. Even our combined efforts to suppress it feel insufficient lately. How can you enter so easily?” The other elders also urged her not to go.

“My Black Phoenix clan has been reborn from the flames—fire is our true origin. Our clan originated from the depths of the Nether Mountain, and our ancestors were born within the flames of the Nether Hell. So why can’t I go in now? Have we all forgotten what our ancestors said? Our Black Phoenix clan comes from the Nether and belongs to the Nether! Only those who have truly entered the flames of the Nether Hell and been recognized by them can be considered true members of the Black Phoenix clan! Is it wrong for me to go in?” The girl said anxiously as she saw everyone trying to dissuade her.

After hearing her words, everyone frowned and sighed repeatedly.

“Girl, don’t be willful. You don’t know how terrifying the flames of the Nether Hell are. The previous Grand Elder had extraordinary talent—he was a genius once in a thousand years for our Black Phoenix clan, with over half pure bloodline. What happened to him when he entered? Everyone believed he would succeed, charging in with his godlike strength, but he died tragically. To this day, he hasn’t been reborn yet. If you go…” One of the oldest elders said solemnly, looking at the girl with concern.

“Yes, our Black Phoenix clan has existed for tens of thousands of years. How many people have truly entered those flames over all these years? The world thinks everyone in our clan practices within the flames of the Nether Hell. How ridiculous! How many know that those with impure bloodlines are just seeking death by going in? Those people still crave it day and night—ignorant of their own fate. How do they know that our clan has been practicing on top of the Nether Mountain for thousands of years, never venturing inside? Even so, those without at least three layers of our clan’s bloodline still seek death? Over the millennia, only a few have truly met the requirements to enter and practice—just five. One was our ancestor, and the other three were the elders during our clan’s most glorious period ten thousand years ago! Over these years, our clan has remained low-key not because we refuse to stand out, but because our strength has declined!

The only time in ten thousand years was during the volcanic eruption six thousand years ago, which got out of control. In that crisis, our clan nearly perished. At that critical moment, our ancestor stepped forward, pouring in 70% of his bloodline, becoming the first to enter with less than 80% bloodline, sacrificing his life to save our clan!”

“Perhaps it was the intervention of the Ancestor that enabled our forebears to succeed. The first person in nearly ten thousand years outside the city even tamed the flames of the netherworld and saved a crisis! In six thousand years, no one has reached over 70% blood purity. The previous Grand Elder was the only one, but he failed. Although you have the purest bloodline in ten thousand years, you are still… you are our only hope. The volcano will awaken soon. Your strength isn’t yet up to the standard, but we old men can still hold things back for a few decades. You still have time to prepare and train—there’s no need to rush!” continued the old man on the left. This old man held a status in the Black Phoenix clan no less than the clan leader, known as the Supreme Elder. It was said his strength had reached a terrifying level beyond ordinary imagination. Naturally, his words received support from everyone.

“His blood purity is only 70%. I’ve already reached 90%, so my chances are much higher!” The girl replied proudly, lifting her head.

She was also extremely proud. Indeed, aside from the ancestor who founded the Black Phoenix clan, she was the one with the purest bloodline in tens of thousands of years! Even among the five who had succeeded before, four had 80% blood purity and one had 70%—none of them reached 90%. 90% meant success could be achieved with almost no effort, of course, that was when the volcano was dormant, not now. Entering now, with insufficient strength, failure was still possible.

It was precisely because of her pure bloodline that her status within the clan was terrifyingly high. Even the clan leader didn’t dare mistreat her, let alone since the clan leader was her father.

“I must go. I will succeed. Grandfathers, don’t worry. Lucy knows when to stop. If things get too tough, I’ll just withdraw! I want to go on the journey to the Netherworld in half a year. I need strength for that. Half a year should be enough for me to grow stronger. I won’t embarrass you then!” If force didn’t work, she tried charm, the girl said coquettishly.

The group looked at her fondly, unwilling to scold her for being willful or let her take such a risk. They had doted on her since she was young, protecting her at all costs—how could they bear to see her make such a choice?

“Are you really determined? Is it for that boy?” The Grand Elder, who knew some of the reasons, frowned and asked Lucy.

Hearing the Grand Elder’s words, Lucy froze for a moment before nodding even more firmly than before. “Yes. Brother Rod is in trouble. I have to help him! I don’t need his protection. I want to fight alongside him!”

“You… if we want to help him, we can use the clan’s strength—why not send a few strong members right now?” The eldest asked with a slight smile. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, hoping this request would work.

“Hmm, sending someone to protect my brother would be good. That way, he won’t be in danger before I leave!” Lucy replied after serious consideration.

Her words almost made the old men blow their whistles in frustration. They wanted to send someone to protect Rod not out of concern for him, but simply hoping Lucy would change her mind. Otherwise, who would be willing to send a clan expert to protect an unrelated person? Now, Lucy’s response was driving them crazy!

“Alright, Lucy. Since you’ve made up your mind, let’s go with it. You’re not a child anymore; you should know what to do on your own. I’m your father—I trust you. My daughter will succeed!” Seeing the elders showing signs of anger, the middle-aged man sitting next to the oldest one, who had remained silent until then, suddenly stood up and sighed.

“Chieftain…” The people around him grew anxious.

“I trust her. Fine, let’s settle this. Lucy has made up her mind. It’s useless for us to object. Instead of letting her sneak away, it’s better if we help her. That way, it’s better!” The middle-aged man said helplessly, looking at the two rows of elders with a bitter smile.

“Well… fine, let’s do it then. Get ready. Seven days from now, during the time of extreme darkness when the unrest subsides, you can enter. Stay with me obediently these days as I prepare things for you!” Then, the man who seemed to hold the highest status beside the middle-aged man also sighed and agreed to his request.

“You all, don’t just sit around. Prepare what needs to be prepared these days. Take care of whatever is left unfinished. Lucy must not get into trouble!” He then turned to the elders and spoke in a commanding tone. The group could only obediently agree, looking at each other in confusion.