Lady Lurien and the others glared at Prince Umbral, grinding their teeth in frustration, but there was nothing they could do.
"Old schemer!"
They were merely Heavenly Court's stationed officials among the Youdu forces, while Prince Umbral himself was an official of the Heavenly Court, holding dominion over Nether City and commanding Emperor’s‑Throne‑level power.
In terms of strength, the four Netherworld Marshals couldn’t even come close; even if they wanted to turn on him, they had no chance.
They had schemed and toiled, mobilizing countless Youdu giants, finally capturing Qin Mu, the Netherworld Divine Son, and placing him inside the Slaughter Cauldron to be refined. Yet Prince Umbral suddenly appeared, killed those Youdu giants with two moves, and snatched the prize effortlessly!
Those Youdu giants could be considered their own loyal followers, now nearly uprooted by Prince Umbral.
Most Youdu giants were once Heavenly Court forces; after death, they fell into Youdu and became the backbone of the Four Netherworld Marshals.
Though they were Emperor’s‑Throne or High Heaven Hall level in life, after death they were riddled with flaws and had to rely on the Four Marshals to survive—after all, Youdu was still Tu Bo’s territory, and other rival Emperor’s‑Throne and High Heaven Hall powerhouses also ended up here after death.
If they didn’t want to be killed by those other powerhouses, they had to attach themselves to the Four Marshals and use Heavenly Court’s influence to survive in Youdu.
Thus, they were happy to follow the Four Marshals’ orders—sharing both glory and defeat. That’s why, when Lady Lurien twice mobilized them against the Netherworld Divine Son, they all joined in willingly.
By banding together, they could even stand up to Prince Umbral of Nether City.
Heavenly Court’s influence in Youdu and Nether City was competitive—there were huge interests at stake. Both Prince Umbral and Lady Lurien’s group wanted to outdo the other.
Heavenly Court stationed the Four Marshals in Youdu and built Nether City not just to restrain Tu Bo, but also to prevent Prince Umbral from growing too powerful, using Lady Lurien’s group to keep him in check.
So Heavenly Court was happy to see Youdu and Nether City locked in constant struggle.
But now, that stalemate might be over. After this battle, Heavenly Court’s giants in Youdu were nearly wiped out, leaving only the Four Marshals. If Prince Umbral gains the Netherworld Divine Son, he’ll be another Tu Bo!
To win him over against Tu Bo, Heavenly Court would have to offer even greater rewards. Lady Lurien and her group had suffered a crushing defeat!
"No wonder he’s survived since the dawn of the Dragon‑Han era—old schemer indeed! They say Prince Umbral has never suffered a loss!"
Lady Lurien and the others felt as if their hearts were bleeding.
Just then, Prince Umbral finally opened the Slaughter Cauldron, lifting the Chaos Net. A hissing sound escaped, and black gas surged out from inside the cauldron.
Lady Lurien and the others grew tense. The Slaughter Cauldron was a lethal treasure entrusted to the Four Marshals by Heavenly Court—Prince Umbral couldn’t wield it yet. If they activated the cauldron now, could they refine Prince Umbral to death?