Trials of the Abyss
Chapter 678: Probing Further Downward

Chapter 678: Probing Further Downward

Although Pang Jian was still in the Sixth World, he remained aware of everything happening in the Fifth World above through his connection with the Black Dragon King.

Wanderer Tian Du and Li Yuanli were dead. Like Liu Fu, both were people he had held genuine affection for. They had died abruptly and unceremoniously.

Li Wang, Zhu Ji, Gui Mu, and even Su Wanrou from the Pure Land Sect all showed only a flicker of sorrow at the loss of their comrades. There was no real grief in their eyes. No mourning.

Death seemed like nothing more than a mundane occurrence to these True Gods.

Is this what it means to pursue the Heavenly Dao? One eventually becomes cold and detached?

Does every divine being eventually grow numb to life and death, indifferent to emotion and connection? Just like Luo Hongyan?

Pang Jian shook his head, his heart heavy. He simply could not accept it.

His master had reminded him on multiple occasions to never lose his humanity. Fortunately, his Immortal Divine Soul and physical body still brimmed with emotion.

However, the same could not be said for all the other True Gods.

The awakened Luo Hongyan ignored everything they once endured together in Misty Swamp, unleashing her thunderous might without hesitation. Pang Jian was aware that he would eventually have to face her one day.

Whatever happens will happen. Pang Jian sighed.

Racking his brain, he searched for a way to break out of his situation.

After the Black Dragon King had arrived in the Sixth World, Pang Jian summoned him through their connection.

At the same time, a strand of his will remained within Qi Xu, guiding her ever downward, urging her to descend into the Seventh World as quickly as possible.

Where exactly is Luo Hongyan? Pang Jian wondered.

The return of the six artifacts, Liu Fu's death, the spread of the aura of death throughout the Fifth World, and the fall of Wanderer Tian Du and Li Yuanli pointed to her presence above, but she had not shown herself.

Even the shadowy figure reflected within the Celestial Profound Mirror had no clear features, and Pang Jian could not be sure of the culprit's identity.

A faint doubt stirred within Pang Jian. Is she still hidden in the endless darkness of the Seventh World?

Qi Xu was the eye tasked with exploring the depths of the Seventh World and finding Luo Hongyan.

She's far too powerful. We can't stand against her. The Black Dragon King's deep, resonant voice echoed uneasily in Pang Jian's mind. Just a glimpse of her power as a Sovereign was enough to slay three True Gods.

The True Gods are as fragile as ants to her. Killing them is effortless.

Neither Zhu Ji, Li Wang, Gui Mu nor Su Wanrou can stand against her.

Pang Jian, even the human race and all the foreign races in the Fifth World combined still wouldn't be her match. This war will be over the instant she harbors true malice toward the human race.

You'd do better to escape to the farthest reaches of the starry skies and seek the ancient True Gods still in hiding there.

The Black Dragon King seemed thoroughly humbled after witnessing Luo Hongyan's terrifying power.

He no longer believed the human race had any chance.

Unwilling to continue enduring the corruption of the aura of death in the Fifth World, he chose to descend and reunite with Pang Jian.

His feelings were complicated. Breaking through the barrier above the First World was not an option for him, as he had become a Fey God through Corruption.

Recently, strange occurrences were happening in the Sixth and Seventh Worlds, and he could not help but wonder if an escape path actually existed at the bottom of the Abyss.

If Pang Jian, that Sovereign, and even the Primordial Demon could all break the established laws, descending and still returning after, then other presumed truths could be false as well. There could still be an escape path down below.

I'm willing to let go of my grudge against Long Xiao and abandon the future of the Fey Race in the Abyss if it means getting out. Pang Jian, no race has any hope as long as she remains in the Abyss.

It doesn't matter what she does. Nobody here has the power to stop her.

The world beyond is vast. Perhaps it's time we leave and stop involving ourselves in the strife within the Abyss, the Black Dragon King said, arriving before Pang Jian.

His massive body, spanning over ten thousand zhang, loomed with terrifying majesty in the dense murky energy and the surging darkness of the Sixth World.

"I'm set on leaving, and I won't return to the Abyss," he said aloud, eyes burning with hope.

Pang Jian agreed, "The conflict in the Abyss has nothing to do with you. If it's possible, I'll help you escape the Abyss."

"I want to see you in the stars beyond," the Black Dragon King said in a deep voice.

Pang Jian answered resolutely, "I won't die in the Abyss!"

Meanwhile, Qi Xu, after a prolonged descent, finally fell into the legendary Seventh World, a world of eternal darkness.

"Hmm?" A soft chuckle echoed through the void.

A handsome young man with bluish-purple skin appeared, his presence laced with a chilling, androgynous grace. Long, unkempt hair flowed wildly around him, as if an unseen wind were blowing through it.

Although he bore a close resemblance to the Abyssal Demon, there were some minor differences between them.

This man was the Primordial Demon.

"You're Qi Xu, yes?" He smiled faintly, eyes narrowing as he studied her. "Oh? There's a trace of Pang Jian's will within you. Heh... Pang Jian, you're watching, aren't you? Good. Very good."

A colossal demonic silhouette loomed above his head, an immense shadow that seemed to embody the full essence of his demonic cultivation.

The Primordial Demon pointed toward the center of Qi Xu's brows.

A streak of demonic light shot forth, instantly severing the link between Pang Jian and Qi Xu.

"If you want to know what's happening down here, you'll have to come see for yourself," the Primordial Demon's voice echoed from the final wisp of Pang Jian's fading connection to Qi Xu. "Pang Jian, you were only lucky enough to forge a Divine Persona because she sealed most of my power in this place. Otherwise, your body would've been mine.

"Come down and face me for real if you dare. And don't forget to bring the Thunder Pool and your other lightning-attribute artifacts."

The Primordial Demon laughed in provocation.

Then, Pang Jian sensed nothing more. The Primordial Demon's corruption had completely engulfed Qi Xu's mind.

Qi Xu's fate was in the Primordial Demon's hands now.

She sealed him... Pang Jian's heart stirred with unease.

The one the Primordial Demon referred to was, of course, Luo Hongyan. Only a Sovereign had the power to seal the Primordial Demon in the Seventh World and prevent him from unleashing his full might.

What is happening in the Seventh World?

Pang Jian was filled with burning curiosity, an overwhelming urge to descend and uncover the truth for himself.

However, the Thunder Pool was not with him, and he was not certain he could win against the Primordial Demon as things stood.

The Primordial Demon taunted him without restraint, clearly provoking him to descend.

The Primordial Demon was cunning. Every word was a careful weave of truth and deception. Pang Jian did not know if his goading hid a deeper intent.

Perhaps the Primordial Demon is putting on a show of strength to mask his vulnerability after realizing he's been exposed while weakened.

If so, then now would likely be the best time to descend.

But...what price would I have to pay if I'm wrong?

All I have to lose is a physical body, albeit one that's reached the rank of a mid-ranking God with a Divine Persona. My Immortal Divine Soul is still safely anchored in the Thunder Abyss.

As long as my Immortal Divine Soul still exists, even the destruction of my physical body won't count as true death.

It's time to gamble!

A flurry of thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, and Pang Jian soon made his decision.

"Xiao Hei," he said suddenly. "I'll scout the Seventh World first. You stay here for now."

The Black Dragon King was taken aback. "I wasn't trying to pressure you. I meant for us to explore the Seventh World together. At no point did I ever intend for you to risk yourself on my behalf."

There was genuine emotion in his voice.

He had not expected his plea to be met with such an immediate response from Pang Jian.

Even more surprising was that Pang Jian intended to personally venture into the Seventh World and uncover its secrets on the Black Dragon King's behalf.

"I know." Pang Jian nodded. "I have two bodies. I'm not afraid to sacrifice one. The Primordial Demon is in the Seventh World, and she could be there as well.

"When I sent Qi Xu down, our connection remained. The same will hold true for us.

"I don't know whether I'll be able to return to the Sixth World after I descend, but I'll let you know what I find. Whether you choose to remain in the Abyss or follow in the footsteps of the ancient Fey Gods will be your decision."

With that, Pang Jian descended.

He shot down faster than Qi Xu, vanishing from the Black Dragon King's sight like a streak of ghostly light. Despite the distance, the connection between them remained unbroken.

For reasons he could not explain, the Black Dragon King simply stood there in silence, quietly tracking Pang Jian's descent.

There was still a lot within both their hearts left unspoken, but neither gave voice to the words.

***

The three Fey Gods, the unicorn, the Vermilion Bird, and the Water Serpent, gathered above Thunder God Mountain in the Thunder Abyss, where lightning arced and thunder roared,

"Lei Ying!" the unicorn called out, its voice low and firm. "Has that honored guest gained great fortune from this Thunder God Mountain?"

The Vermilion Bird and the Water Serpent narrowed their eyes, closely observing the flow of lightning atop the mountain peak.

No dense lightning split apart to form a path, nor did Lei Ying emerge from the peak as she usually did. Lei Ying had yet to even utter a single word in response.

After a short pause, the unicorn grew impatient. "Lei Ying, that guest is not just a guest of your Thunder Race. He's an honored guest of the entire Thunder Abyss. Please do not keep him confined to Thunder God Mountain."

The Vermilion Bird added, "We, too, have questions we wish to ask him."

"What's the matter?" Pang Jian's calm voice echoed from the lightning-wreathed summit of Thunder God Mountain. "Lei Ying isn't here right now. If there's anything you wish to discuss, feel free to speak directly with me."

"Haha! Excellent!" The unicorn burst into laughter. "Honored guest, could we invite you to step out and speak with us?"

"Of course."

Pang Jian emerged, hands empty, from the peak of Thunder God Mountain to stand before them.

"Where is the Thunder Pool?" the Vermilion Bird asked, a hint of urgency in its voice.

Pang Jian pointed to the mountain peak. "Still on the mountain. Now then, what did you three want to discuss?"