Trials of the Abyss

Vicious and Spirit Beasts native to the northernmost region of the Fourth World rushed fearlessly toward the bizarre mist, all heading toward their sacred sanctuary—Northern Qi.

Giant Rocs, Ice Sculpture Beasts, and Thunder Eagles swarmed into the bizarre mist alongside other Spirit Avians, Vicious Beasts, and Spirit Beasts.

Boom!

A Rank Nine Ice Crystal Beast charged into a flying vessel belonging to the Radiant Race, destroying it.

This towering Ice Crystal Beast, several hundred zhang tall and resembling a mountain of solid ice, had recently been seen around the bizarre mist.

The Ice Crystal Beast had already annihilated three groups of foreign races attempting to intercept the Vicious and Spirit Beasts on their migration to Northern Qi.

Its presence ensured the migrating Vicious and Spirit Beasts could safely make their way into Northern Qi.

"A Rank Nine Ice Crystal Beast with a fully awakened bloodline," Li Bai, the Patriarch of the Demon Scale Race, observed aloud as he approached.

"Li Bai!" The Ice Crystal Beast transformed into a towering human figure and barked out a laugh. "Your daughter is currently a guest in Northern Qi. We would be honored to have you join her."

The Ice Crystal Beast had actually been occupying itself with hunting the flying vessels of the foreign races around the outer regions of Northern Qi while waiting for this distinguished guest.

It knew that Li Bai, the Patriarch of the Demon Scale Race, would eventually appear.

Li Bai's voice was calm. "Is Xuan Ying unharmed?"

"She's safe." The Rank Nine Ice Crystal Beast adopted a welcoming stance and said respectfully, "As long as you're willing to come in for a discussion, regardless of the outcome, your daughter will leave safely with you."

Li Bai was taken aback. "You guys want to speak with me?"

"To be precise, we wish to open a dialogue with all the races of the Fifth World," the Rank Nine Ice Crystal Beast said with a broad grin. "We want to discuss the emerging Fey Spirit Continent, as well as the continents and fragmented lands of the First, Second, and Third Worlds."

"Are you being serious?" Li Bai asked in astonishment.

In the past, foreign races like him had ended the Fey Race's dominion over the Abyss. It was the reason the remaining Fey Race powerhouses allied with the human race when the human race rose to prominence.

This alliance led to the confinement of foreign races like the Demon Scale Race to the Fifth World.

Over the years, the foreign races had staged many retaliatory attacks whenever the murky energy surged, and each time, the Fey Race remained firmly sided with the human race.

In Li Bai's eyes, the enmity between the foreign races and the Fey Race was irreconcilable—a hatred that would last for eternity.

He could hardly fathom why this hidden faction of the ancient Fey Race in Northern Qi would seek dialogue, even cooperation, with his kind.

"Everything is negotiable!" The Rank Nine Ice Crystal Beast chuckled coldly and lifted his gaze to the heavy leaden clouds above. "Our lives have been far from ideal even after the human race took over the Abyss.

"Tens of thousands of years have passed, and our patience with this treacherous race has worn thin. We no longer have any expectations for them.

"Thus, our leader wishes to speak with you. Would you be willing to serve as the representative of the foreign races?" the Ice Crystal Beast asked.

"This is a matter of great importance. Allow me a moment to communicate with our Lord!" Li Bai said in a low voice.

The Ice Crystal Beast nodded. "Go ahead."

Li Bai closed his eyes and used an arcane method to communicate with a God residing in the Fifth World.

After a long silence, he opened his eyes and said solemnly, "We're willing to talk!"

"Please, follow me!" The Ice Crystal Beast, having already anticipated this, turned and led the way.

***

Several Sword Boats were stationed within the Red Mountain Sect's territory on the Cosmic Skies Continent in the Third World.

Sword Pavilion disciples like Qi Qingsong and Zhuang Yuyan braced themselves for an impending storm as they awaited orders from Zhou Wenhao.

One day, an announcement ignited a heated discussion among the disciples and protectors of the Sword Pavilion.

"What? The Pavilion Master has announced that he's entering seclusion to ascend to the True God Realm?"

"He only recently concluded his battle with Li Bai. Who knows if his injuries have even healed? Why is he being so hasty to break through?"

"Is the pressure from above really that severe?"

The news spread rapidly, creating ripples throughout the Abyss.

An hour later, the Nine Tribes Sect and the Ghost Sacrifice Sect each issued public statements, taking full responsibility for Zhou Yi and Ling Yimo's betrayal of the human race.

It was a public apology!

Moreover, they each pledged five sacred-grade artifacts and armor, which anyone could claim using contribution points.

The announcement sent cultivators in the Dark Abyss Continent flocking to the Nine Tribes Sect's and the Ghost Sacrifice Sect's redemption points, eager to acquire the rare treasures.

"Both Li Wang and Gui Mu said they would admit fault for their disciples' actions if the Pavilion Master announced his intent to break through to the True God Realm?" Qi Qingsong lounged on the grass, using his Blue Dream Sword as a pillow, his expression one of disbelief. "What's going on?"

Zhuang Yuyan shook her head. "I don't know. But I'm worried the Pavilion Master will fail."

"He won't. The Pavilion Master never fights a battle unless he's confident. If he dares attempt this breakthrough now, it's because he's fully prepared!" Qi Qingsong said with a smile.

He harbored a blind reverence for Li Zhaotian.

Grinning cheekily, he added, "Looks like our Sword Pavilion will soon be able to return to the First World!"

"Ascending to the True God Realm is no easy feat." Zhuang Yuyan sighed in concern. "Peak Immortal Realm cultivators in the Demon Sect have recently attempted to break through, only to meet their demise.

"Renowned figures from other factions have also perished in their endeavors. If the Pavilion Master fails, the Sword Pavilion—"

"My master, the Great Elder Jiang Ran, is still alive," Zhou Wenhao interjected calmly.

Qi Qingsong and Zhuang Yuyan glanced over, then scoffed simultaneously.

***

Yuan Qi, in his human form, had withdrawn into a cave on the Greencliff Mountain Range with Pang Jian.

Pang Jian summoned the Heart of Winter. The icy blue glow in Yuan Qi's eyes brightened at the intense cold energy it radiated.

"Cold energy can freeze the water in certain water domains into ice, amplifying its power tremendously," Yuan Qi said. "My ideal battle partners have always been water-attribute Fey Race like Yuan Min.

"Given the unique nature of your spiritual sea, you could consider integrating another extraordinary object into it, something akin to a water domain."

The two spent days in the cave exchanging insights about the Dao of Cold.

Though truthfully speaking, it was more of a one-sided exchange, with Pang Jian spending most of the time humbly seeking Yuan Qi's guidance.

Yuan Qi was not only Rank Eight but also a rare variant among the Fey Race, much like the White Lynx. Thus, he was naturally endowed with many bloodline secrets tied to the Dao of Cold.

As a Rank Eight Great Fey, Yuan Qi could even perceive the Dao of Cold that the Ice Demon had etched within the Heart of Winter and could share his insights about it with Pang Jian.

Pang Jian generously took out the Heart of Winter for Yuan Qi to examine more closely. In return, Yuan Qi provided explanations that greatly enhanced Pang Jian's understanding of the Dao of Cold.

During their idle time, they also discussed the state of the Sacred Soul Continent.

Through Yuan Qi, Pang Jian learned about the other four Fey Kings who would be competing for the position of Fey God: the Frostfeather Drake, the Four-Eyed Spirit Fox, the Two-Faced Ghost Spider, and the Blood Jade Scorpion.

These four would also be the opponents of the Rock Bear. If the Rock Bear defeated Yuan Min and failed to ascend after consuming his heart, the Rock Bear would have to face the victors among these four.

The battles would continue until a Fey God emerged.

Suddenly, a booming and familiar voice echoed outside of the cave.

"Long Yan of the Dragon Lair Sect, here to see Elder Bear!"

Pang Jian swiftly exited the cave and immediately spotted a massive, crimson-scaled dragon. It streaked through the sky like a fiery comet, its body armored in ruby-like crystalline plates.

It was the Flame Dragon he had once encountered at the edge of Spirit Offering!

The Rank Eight Flame Dragon, Long Yan, boasted a draconic body spanning over a thousand zhang, dwarfing even the Rank Nine Rock Bear.

Naturally, the Rank Eight Yuan Qi's ape form also fell short in size compared to the massive Flame Dragon even though they were both in the same rank.

Pang Jian stood at the mouth of the cave, watching as the Flame Dragon descended and transformed into a tall, imposing middle-aged man with two crimson horns on his forehead.

Yuan Qi gazed at the dragon with a somber expression. "The Dragon Race…their bloodline is the only one that remains completely unsuppressed."

Long Yan laughed heartily and waved at Pang Jian. "Remember me? We met on the Dark Abyss Continent."

Pang Jian responded coldly, "I remember."

"Good, good! I hear your master is attempting to ascend to the True God Realm. How ambitious!" Long Yan chuckled.

He stood near the base of a mountain, glancing at Fen Chen and the others rested on its rocky peak.

Licking his lips, he said, "If not for Li Zhaotian attempting to ascend to the True God Realm, all you little ones would already be dead.

"Before coming here, I received orders from the Dragon Lair Sect to kill every single one of you.

"But my orders changed on my way here, so you all get to live—for now."

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