Trials of the Abyss-Chapter 551: Known Across the Abyss

The members of the Sword Pavilion inside the hall were all beaming with joy. Even Zhou Wenhao could not hide the faint smile at the corner of his lips as he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Jiang Ran's Celestial Gate Sword had been returned to the Sword Pavilion after he fell in battle at the Imperial Dominion. As Jiang Ran's first disciple, Zhou Wenhao had made it his mission to eliminate the elusive White Bone Saint, Lu Qinghe.

Zhou Wenhao's outlook was similar to Jiang Ran's, and he could accept the notion of making sacrifices for the greater good.

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Thus, although the True Gods had undeniably schemed in secret and refrained from lending a hand before his master's demise, Zhou Wenhao actually understood the reasoning behind their actions.

His master's sacrifice and the deaths of seven thousand rogue cultivators had resulted in the downfall of two of the Fifth World's most formidable warriors and the destruction of Zi Mo's and He Motian's half-divine bodies.

All things considered, it had been worth the price, even if the one sacrificed had been his master, Jiang Ran.

"Pavilion Master, did you always know Li Chu would lose?" Zhou Wenhao asked curiously.

Li Zhaotian set down the wine jug, wiped his mouth, and grinned. "I know both Pang Jian and Li Chu well, along with the unique paths of their Heavenly Daos.

"Although Pang Jian is slightly behind in cultivation realms, he outshines Li Chu in every other respect, regardless of whether it's artifacts, physical body resilience, sharpness of spirit, or mastery of techniques.

"As for Li Chu..."

Li Zhaotian's smile dropped, and his expression turned complex.

"He's the most unconventional of all the True Gods. True Gods like Gui Mu, Pei Yishan, or Zhu Ji would never allow the mundane world to affect their state of mind. The path to godhood is merciless, and those who succeed gradually lose their humanity, leaving behind all attachments and obsessions.

"But he's the opposite. He orchestrated the destruction of the Fang Clan for the sake of his disciple, Fu Wangchen. He also still dreams of one day returning to the Fire Maple Tribe to fulfill an old vow.

"Unlike the other True Gods, his path to godhood isn't firmly established, leaving flaws in his heart.

"Frankly speaking, while he doesn't get along with me or the Sword Pavilion, I don't dislike him. He's done his share of despicable things and was reckless for a time after becoming a True God, but at least he still feels human.

"Unfortunately, those maintaining their humanity after achieving divinity rarely meet a good end.

"Fan Ao, Mu Wentao, and now him..." Li Zhaotian shook his head.

He was relieved that Pang Jian was not like that. Part of him had always worried that Pang Jian would follow a similar path, but their conversation in the Imperial Dominion City had eased his concerns.

Pang Jian had not changed much, and his Immortal Divine Soul was noticeably different from those of the True Gods.

"The Stargazing Platform has responded!" Xu Yu suddenly exclaimed, raising the sword token in her hand in excitement. "Li Wang has declared that the Sword Pavilion can relocate the sect and its members to the First World at any time!"

Guang He, Shi Bingyun, Cai Xin, and the other elders were visibly moved.

The Sword Pavilion had been stranded in the Second World for many years, unable to return to its homeland due to the absence of a new Sword God. They had not been able to bring themselves to visit the ancestral hall that housed the tablets of their predecessors under such circumstances.

They had originated in the First World and were once the most revered sect in the Abyss.

A tiger brought low was scorned by dogs.

After years without a Sword God, sects that once could not compare to the Sword Pavilion grew bold, and even their younger generations of cultivators dared to look down on the Sword Pavilion's sword cultivators.

The naturally proud sword cultivators found this almost intolerable, but they could do nothing but endure the humiliation of being forced down to the Second World.

The first generation of True Gods in the Abyss had established the rule to encourage weaker sects and apply pressure to stronger ones.

Only sects with a True God could ascend to the First World. If all the True Gods of that sect fell or left for the starry skies beyond the barrier, that sect would be relegated, regardless of how much the sect had contributed to the human race.

"The Sword Pavilion will remain on the Heaven Awakening Continent. Let those already relocated to the First World return to our rightful homeland," Li Zhaotian commanded. "From this day forward, we will rightfully reclaim our title as the most powerful sect in the First World."

"Does anyone have objections to my decision?"

The Immortal Realm elders, his two disciples, and even Zhou Wenhao all shook their heads.

The nine-floored pavilion, a symbol of the Sword Pavilion's unparalleled might, could not possibly be relocated to the First World at this time of peril for the human race.

After all, the sword cultivators of the Sword Pavilion had never feared death.

***

At the Ancient Law Sect, Dong Wenjian licked his lips and looked expectantly at his elder.

"What was the outcome?" he asked. "Did the battle between Li Chu and Pang Jian reveal Pang Jian's true strength?"

True God Dong Shangqing opened his eyes and said, "I don't think his full strength was revealed."

Dong Wenjian was stunned.

"But it was enough," Dong Shangqing explained with a smile. "Pang Jian pierced through Li Chu's Dharma Idol with a single sword strike. He was the clear victor of their duel, and he won decisively, fair and square."

Dong Wenjian's face lit up with excitement. "He won? He actually won?"

"Pang Jian is truly a prodigy of the highest order." Dong Shangqing nodded gently. "Pang Jian's emergence merely marks the start of a rising generation of young talents. You, Li Yuqing, that girl from the Pure Land Sect, and Dong Tianze will be among the waves that push the old guard aside.

"If the older generation of True Gods cannot prove themselves, they will inevitably fall, divine seats relinquished to stronger successors from the new era.

"Xiao Jian, you have to participate in every grueling battle of the upcoming war. Only through such trials can your cultivation progress rapidly.

"Our Ancient Law Sect has no shortage of cultivation resources. Everything will be poured into your development. Even my divine seat will eventually become yours, so work hard and don't let me down."

***

News of Pang Jian's decisive victory over Li Chu spread swiftly across the Abyss. Even Li Wang, the nominal leader of the True Gods, deliberately helped build Pang Jian's reputation.

Pang Jian was the first True God of the new era. After forging his path to godhood and returning from his wanderings with his divine soul, he triumphed over the veteran True God, Li Chu.

The human race urgently needed a Sword God to reignite their morale, and Pang Jian's brilliance convinced many that the legends were true.

The Sword Gods were indeed the strongest weapons of the human race, always appearing to guide the human race through its darkest times.

Li Wang and the other True Gods held Pang Jian, this newly ascended god, in the highest esteem. As a result, Pang Jian's reputation and the prestige of the Sword Pavilion soared to new heights.

It was not long before the entire Abyss knew his name.

***

A group of youths lay sprawled across the soft grass in front of a wooden cabin in the Cloud Wilderness.

Empty wine jars, gnawed bones, and fruit peels were scattered haphazardly around them. Their smiling faces seemed to glow faintly under the soft radiance of the stars and moon.

"So, there are actually many worlds like ours in the bizarre mist." Qi Qingsong sighed, popping a grape into his mouth. "In the Shadow Abyss, the sun and moon never shine, and the Star Devourer rules supreme, feasting on the souls of Rank Nine foreign race warriors. Compared to that, we're living pretty well."

"Do Outer Gods truly reside on those stars in the starry skies?" Zhuang Yuyan asked.

Pang Jian nodded. "From what I know, the stars above us have been desolate for a long time. Far beyond, in the distant starry skies, there are many worlds with the character 'World' in their names. The Sea Race, the Ghost Race, the Demon Races, the Celestial Race, and all kinds of exotic beings inhabit those worlds."

"I really want to see it for myself," Zhou Qingchen said, holding Jiang Li's hand as he gazed longingly at the starry skies. "Perhaps new True Gods of our era need to venture out and resolve the plight of the True Gods beyond the Abyss."

His words were bold and filled with ambition. As a peak Nirvana Realm cultivator, Zhou Qingchen saw a new possibility through Pang Jian and was convinced that his future would not be confined to the Abyss.

Zhou Qingchen believed himself to be one of the extraordinary figures of this era, destined for a far greater horizon such as the boundless starry skies.

"I'll definitely make it out there." Li Yuqing's delicate face glowed like white jade under the moonlight. Pointing at the starry skies with a chicken claw, she declared with unrestrained confidence, "One day, I will cut down the Outer Gods in the starry skies with my sword."

"Yes! That's the spirit!" Her drunken brother, Li Jie, clapped his chubby hands with such enthusiasm that they were nearly swollen. "Sis, remember to collect treasures from the different races while you're there. I'll forge a range of divine artifacts to make you even more unstoppable!"

Wu Sujin of the Pure Land Sect carefully arranged a set of exquisite tea utensils, eyes drifting toward the direction of Thunderclap Paradise.

She knew her talent was slightly inferior to Li Yuqing's. Even if she managed to ascend to godhood, she would likely be ranked among the weaker True Gods.

According to her master, Su Wanrou, this great calamity sweeping through the Abyss would lead to the fall of many True Gods, leaving many divine seats vacant.

If Pang Lin could topple the ancient Thunder Dragon from his pedestal and successfully ascend to godhood, she would become the strongest figure in the history of the Pure Land Sect and replace Su Wanrou.

Wu Sujin would willingly assume the role of the second True God and support Pang Lin in managing the Pure Land Sect as Lin Qiyang supported Su Wanrou. This would allow Pang Lin to focus entirely on her growth without distractions.

Su Wanrou would have fallen in battle or broken through the barrier by that time, with Lin Qiyang following suit.

With the old True Gods gone, she and Pang Lin would rise to power, ensuring that the Pure Land Sect remained unshakable in the First World. This would be Su Wanrou's final contribution to the Pure Land Sect.

Junior Sister, you're supposed to surpass that ancient Thunder Dragon...

This helpless thought constantly lingered in Wu Sujin's mind. There was no guarantee that Pang Lin could achieve such an ambitious goal, even with the support of her master, Su Wanrou, and True God Lin Qiyang.

At that moment, she glanced at Pang Jian beside her.

A glimmer of hope bloomed when she recalled how Pang Jian had pierced through Li Chu's Dharma Idol with a single sword strike.

Perhaps Pang Lin could defeat the ancient Thunder Dragon after all.