Trials of the Abyss

A domeless hall stood on the Stargazing Platform in the Nine Tribes Sect, located In the Southern Gorge of the First World.

Three indistinct silhouettes could be seen on the white jade pillars in the domeless hall.

Li Wang was dressed in a robe adorned with sun, moon, and stars, brewing tea with a lowered head.

"What is it?" he asked, not even looking up.

The three silhouettes on the white jade pillars belonged to Gui Mu, Fan Ao of the Supreme Monad Divine Kingdom, and Liu Fu of the Primeval Pillar Divine Kingdom.

Some projections were more distinct than others.

The projection of Liu Fu, a plain-looking man, said, "Many Vicious and Spirit Beasts have gathered on the Fey Spirit Continent, most of which with awakened bloodlines. Fortunately, their bloodline ranks aren't high, with none reaching Rank Eight or Nine."

"I heard the ancient Fey Race has emerged in Northern Qi, the northernmost region of the Fourth World," Li Wang said, taking a gentle sip of his tea. "It seems they can awaken the bloodlines in Vicious and Spirit Beasts."

Liu Fu nodded. "The root of the problem still lies with the seven Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars in the Fifth World. There are inscriptions within the pillars designed to suppress Fey Race bloodlines, but their effectiveness has weakened as the pillars' sealing power diminishes.

"We don't have anyone who can venture deep into the Fifth World to repair those seven Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars. Or at least, none of us have that ability at the moment," Liu Fu said with a frown.

Li Wang let out a sigh. "The disappearance of the World God and the death of the Celestial Phoenix have indeed tied our hands."

"The Patriarch of the Demon Scale Race, Li Bai, is still in Northern Qi," Gui Mu's ethereal voice echoed faintly, silhouette shrouded in a spectral haze. "Shortly after Li Bai entered Northern Qi, the Ghost Race and the Demon Scale Race warriors occupying the Fey Spirit Continent withdrew. Vicious and Spirit Beasts with awakened bloodlines started to appear not long after."

"Are you saying that the ancient Fey Race has struck a deal with the foreign races of the Fifth World?" Li Wang frowned.

"That much is obvious," Gui Mu replied.

The four True Gods fell into silence. The complexity of the situation weighed heavily on them.

After a brief pause, Li Wang turned to the pillar representing Fan Ao. Fixing his gaze on the golden projection, he asked, "Do you have something you'd like to say?"

"The Gold Dragon of the Dragon Race, Long Zhan, cannot be allowed to ascend to the rank of a Fey God," Fan Ao said solemnly.

"He can't ascend to the rank of Fey God as long as you're alive. What are you worried about?" Li Wang asked, puzzled. Then, raising a brow, he smirked. "Brother Fan, are you afraid the ancient Thunder Dragon will start a war with the Supreme Monad Divine Kingdom and kill you?"

"If I die, the Dragon Lair Sect will gain two Rank Ten dragons," Fan Ao said in a detached tone. "If that Gold Dragon successfully ascends to the rank of a Fey God, he will likely be more troublesome to deal with than the ancient Thunder Dragon.

"The Dragon Lair Sect is already an unmanageable force. Just imagine how overbearing they'll become if they gain another Fey God."

Li Wang knitted his brows. "What do you suggest then?"

"It would be best if Long Zhan were to die. I can't afford to take risks while he's alive. I fear that if I die, he'll seize the opportunity to ascend to the rank of a Fey God.

"You all know as well as I do that Rank Ten foreign races and True Gods alike will perish as the war progresses.

"There's a strong chance that one or two Fey God positions will open up.

"Even if just one position opens up after I'm dead, Long Zhan will surely seize it without issue.

"I know his potential better than anyone here. If he succeeds in ascending to the rank of a Fey God, his combat prowess could surpass even the ancient Thunder Dragon." Fan Chen said solemnly.

"He could surpass the ancient Thunder Dragon…"

Li Wang, Gui Mu, and Liu Fu all wore expressions of deep concern.

"At this point, killing Long Zhan is easier said than done," Liu Fu remarked with a sigh.

"Li Wang, as long as you agree, I'll figure out a way," Fan Ao said earnestly. "Once Long Zhan is dead, I promise to lead the charge in the battles against the Rank Ten powerhouses of the Fifth World.

"I sense an unprecedented danger ahead and am prepared to face death if necessary."

The souls of the other three True Gods trembled at his words.

They were all familiar with Fan Ao's character and temperament—he would not say such words unless he truly meant it.

It was highly likely that Fan Ao would become the first True God of the human race to perish.

Fan Ao was prepared to lay down his life for the future of the human race, wanting nothing more than to ensure that foreign races would not be offering future generations as sacrifices for their worshiped Gods.

As part of that goal, he also sought to eliminate Long Zhan, recognizing him as a potential threat.

Li Wang straightened his posture and stared seriously at the pillar representing Fan Ao. "Brother Fan, have you truly thought this through?"

"I have."

"If you take action, that ancient Thunder Dragon will undoubtedly know this was a collective decision on our part," Li Wang said with a frown. After some contemplation, he sighed. "The Thunder Dragon has remained hidden in the Dragon Lair Sect, refusing to show itself or give a clear stance.

"Go ahead and do what you must. It's time to remind the Dragon Lair Sect that the Abyss still answers to us, the human race."

***

A Sword Boat soared through the skies of the Sacred Soul Continent.

The White Lynx crouched silently behind Pang Jian, shooting wary glances at the Celestial Profound Mirror in Liu Youyu's hands, earlier arrogance nowhere to be found.

In the mirror, the reflection of a man in golden robes with prominent golden dragon horns on his forehead flickered in and out of sight.

Long Zhan was tailing the Sword Boat!

The White Lynx was not the only one feeling anxious, Pang Jian and the others, having since learned of Long Zhan's bloodline rank and fearsome reputation, also felt a crushing foreboding.

They could not shake the feeling that Long Zhan was going to appear.

Pang Jian and the others could not handle the White Lynx, even when working together.

The same White Lynx that soundly defeated them with her black-and-white domain now trembled at the thought of Long Zhan's cruel torment.

Long Zhan's insurmountable combat prowess was evident in the White Lynx's demeanor.

Whoosh!

Pang Jian exhaled deeply.

The nourishment of life energy and the resilience of his physique, which was on the verge of advancing into the Providence Realm of the Grand Providence Sacred Body[1], had allowed him to fully heal his injuries.

His skin, muscles, bones, and inner organs had returned to peak condition.

He glanced at the tense form of the White Lynx behind him, then reached out to touch her.

The White Lynx bared her sharp teeth, instinctively snapped at his hand, and snarled, "What are you doing?"

Pang Jian pulled his hand back. "I was just going to treat your injuries."

The White Lynx shrank back.

Then, peering down at her battered body, she sighed. "My strength lies in my soul. The injuries to my body don't affect my combat prowess much. So…"

Her eyes darted to the Celestial Profound Mirror once more.

"You can treat my injuries if I make it out of the Sacred Soul Continent alive."

"I didn't expect you to fear him this much," Pang Jian remarked.

The White Lynx glared at Pang Jian as if he stepped on her tail. "You're not of the Fey Race and haven't lived on the Sacred Soul Continent. You can never understand how terrifying Long Zhan is!

"He's the executioner of the Dragon Lair Sect. His claws are drenched in the blood of countless Fey Kings!"

"Even your master, Li Zhaotian, the strongest Immortal Realm cultivator of the human race, with his divine sword, the Tempest Fiend Sword, may not be able to defeat him!

"He nearly tortured me to death! Why wouldn't I fear him?

"The soul techniques I excel at are utterly ineffective against him!" the White Lynx snarled.

"Can you shut up already?" Fan Chen snapped irritably, expression dark. "It doesn't matter how strong Long Zhan is, he can't ascend to the rank of Fey God as long as my clan's old patriarch is still alive!

"Even if he's the strongest among your Rank Nine Fey Kings, he's still far from being the equal of the True Gods."

"That's only because Fan Ao became a True God first!" the White Lynx snarled. "If Long Zhan could ascend, he would undoubtedly be stronger than your ancestor and would surely go further along the Dao of Gold!"

Long Zhan's arrogant laughter abruptly filled the air. "White Lynx, for that statement alone, I'll permit you to leave the Sacred Soul Continent alive."

Roar!

Long Zhan, hovering in the path of the Sword Boat in his human form, unleashed a thunderous roar. The sound waves halted the Sword Boat mid-flight, rendering it unable to move forward even an inch.

"The Fan Clan of the Supreme Monad Divine Kingdom!"

A golden beam shot out from one of the golden dragon horns on Long Zhan's forehead, no thicker than a finger and imbued with an aura of unparalleled sharpness capable of piercing all things.

It shot toward Fan Chen like a lightning bolt.

No one had time to react, nor the strength to stop it. They could only watch as the golden beam pierced through Fan Chen's forehead and into his sea of consciousness.

Fan Chen's divine soul was instantly destroyed.

Bang!

Fan Chen's body collapsed backward, lifeless.

The prodigious descendant of Fan Ao, the True God of the Supreme Monad Divine Kingdom, had perished in the blink of an eye.

Long Zhan let out a carefree laugh. "I don't fear Fan Ao. I merely haven't claimed that seat.

"For a mere descendant of his to speak against me on the Sacred Soul Continent—how foolish."

Long Zhan's figure flickered, transforming into a golden streak and speeding into the distance.

The Sword Boat resumed its flight.

***

An hour passed in silence.

Everyone aboard the Sword Boat gazed at Fan Chen's corpse in a daze.

Even the White Lynx remained uncharacteristically quiet.

"I invited Fan Chen to the Sacred Soul Continent and brought him into these treacherous waters.

"The blame lies with me. I didn't understand the Dragon Lair Sect deeply enough and underestimated their audacity to kill him," Pang Jian said, head bowed, unable to bear the sight of Fan Chen's lifeless body. "Fan Chen's death is my responsibility."

"Junior Brother, don't be too hard on yourself," Hu Yuanfei consoled with a sigh.

"I'll try to advance to the Nirvana Realm as soon as possible. One day, I'll give Fan Chen the justice he deserves," Pang Jian said, sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes.

As the Sword Boat sailed onward, he forced himself to meditate, suppressing his turbulent thoughts.

Long Zhan had appeared right as they were about to leave the Sacred Soul Continent and killed Fan Chen.

This was a heavy blow to Pang Jian's spirit.

His loathing for the Dragon Lair Sect and the Dragon Race had been stoked, burning fiercely in his heart.

1. Just a quick reminder about the realms of the Grand Providence Sacred Body – they are divided into the Jade Body Realm, Illusory Bone Realm, Vital Blood Realm, Golden Body Realm, Providence Realm, and Rebirth Realm. ☜

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