Chapter 428: Entering the Black Demon Abyss, Linya's Molt

Chapter 428: Entering the Black Demon Abyss, the Linya Shedding

“Now, is the Jiang family still poor?”

Qi Yuan descended, clad in a blood-red robe, his features peerlessly handsome.

This appearance moved Jiang Ruhua.

How had he never noticed before that he was so breathtakingly handsome?

“With you here, elder, the Jiang family is not poor!” Jiang Ruhua said without a flush of shame or a skip of his heart.

Yet, recalling how he had once fervently pursued the Blood-Robed Sword God, he felt a touch of heat rise to his cheeks.

Fortunately, the Blood-Robed Sword God did not mind.

Otherwise, if he had casually released his aura back then, Jiang Ruhua would have been finished.

At that moment, Qi Yuan’s gaze swept across.

This once ordinary city, where even Purple Mansion cultivators were scarce back then.

Now, with a simple sweep of his senses, he detected over a dozen Yin Gods.

Suddenly, something occurred to Qi Yuan.

“You dwell in the underworld, and in a way, you are being raised by me as well. It has been hard on you.”

Back then, these people were raised by the Great Calamity, their lives and deaths in its grasp.

Now that the Great Calamity had fallen, the threat of the Taihuang Palace still loomed.

These people could not leave the Canglan Realm, could not ascend to the upper realms.

In a sense, the master of the pasture had simply changed to Qi Yuan.

“Raised? I’m living just fine in Canglan Realm!” Jiang Ruhua said without thinking.

After all, to him, a Divine Infant True Lord, still living in the Canglan Realm now was no different from before.

The surrounding Yin Gods, upon hearing Qi Yuan’s words, all changed expression.

“You have saved and recreated us, elder. How dare we harbor any resentment?”

These Yin Gods were terrified, fearing that Qi Yuan was implying something.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s expression remained calm.

So this was the so-called “being with a ruler is like being with a tiger”?

He had merely spoken casually, yet these people were already speculating, treading carefully.

“Your will, elder, is the will of the Canglan Realm, and our will as well.”

A Yin God Venerable said respectfully, as if he had the word “loyalty” carved on his face.

“Don’t be like that. I’m a very democratic person. I have no ambition to be a despotic emperor.

After all, being an emperor is too tiring. You can’t even go to the brothels to listen to songs. It’s not suitable for a socially anxious person like me.”

With Qi Yuan’s current strength, if he could return to Blue Star, becoming a tribal chief or an emperor would be no problem.

But if asked to take the role, he would refuse.

Moreover, he didn’t want to “help the poor.” On Blue Star, he had never even won an online argument.

If he saw a “brother” driving a Land Rover, he’d be furious.

The Yin God Venerables present exchanged glances at this.

They carefully speculated on Qi Yuan’s words but found them hard to comprehend.

Regarding the Blood-Robed Sword God’s character and conduct, these Yin God Venerables had privately discussed it thoroughly over this period.

After all, he was the Lord of Canglan, the mountain hanging over their heads.

But they had talked until they were frothing at the mouth without reaching any conclusion.

Because they had arrived at a terrifying conclusion:

This Blood-Robed Sword God behaved strangely…

He had a screw loose!

But… how could a cultivator at the Yang God realm have a mental problem, be insane?

After all, for such a great figure, even a fart must have deep meaning, part of a grand scheme.

Thus, they reached the best conclusion: flatter, ingratiate, and simply respond according to the “insane” image that the Blood-Robed Sword God had crafted.

“An emperor is despotic… oppresses the people… unworthy to be compared to you, elder!” the master of the Qiudao Palace immediately flattered.

“Indeed, the word ‘emperor’ is not fit to describe you, elder.”

These Yin Gods continued their sycophancy.

Qi Yuan felt himself floating on air.

No wonder ancient emperors all loved sycophantic ministers—these words were truly sweet.

“Ahem, that’s a bit exaggerated. All people are equal. Why is an emperor unworthy to be compared to me?”

“Oh, by the way, the atmosphere in the Canglan Realm still isn’t good enough. It needs further rectification. Everyone must live in harmony!” Qi Yuan said seriously. “Otherwise, hearing foul language every day ruins my mood.”

“As you command!”

The other Yin Gods immediately bowed their heads.

As for what Qi Yuan had said earlier—democracy, never being despotic—they pretended not to have heard it.

Wasn’t this rectification of the immortal cultivation world’s atmosphere itself an act of despotism?

…

“The Black Demon Abyss has seven divisions. The region I’m in is the Ziyuan Division.” The cow-horned sister, clad in a purple robe, stood tall and straight, her smile unrestrained.

After picking up Qi Yuan from the Demon Abyss, she had been leading him to the headquarters of the Black Demon Abyss.

“Each division has at least one Great Principle… Is your Black Demon Abyss this strong?” Qi Yuan was surprised.

After all, the Moon God Palace had only two Great Principles.

The Taihuang Palace seemed to have only three.

Yet the Black Demon Abyss had at least seven—how could he not be astonished?

“Hmph, aside from the Principle Council, our Black Demon Abyss has the most Yang Gods at the Great Principle realm in the Six Heavens—nine in total!” Mentioning this, Ziyuan Daxue puffed out her chest, her face full of pride.

“So that means the Black Demon Abyss is stronger than the Taihuang Palace?

How about you find someone to help me destroy the Taihuang Palace?

Otherwise, I’m under too much pressure and can’t sleep at night.” Qi Yuan blinked, stars in his eyes.

Riding on coattails and living off a woman—that was truly sweet.

“Ahem…” Ziyuan Daxue was a bit embarrassed. “Those old ancestors of the Black Demon Abyss aren’t your father. Why would they help you?”

In truth, although the Black Demon Abyss had many Great Principles, in terms of overall strength, it was much weaker than the Taihuang Palace.

The one in the Taihuang Palace had comprehended the supreme ultimate truth.

The Nine Elders of the Black Demon Abyss, though masters of the great ultimate truth, were no match for one who had grasped the supreme ultimate truth.

The rank of the ultimate truth one comprehends determines the strength of their combat power.

Among ordinary great ultimate truth experts, though there are differences in the rank of the truth they comprehend, and thus differences in combat power, these are not pronounced.

One may overcome another, but cannot annihilate them!

In the Six Heavens, the great ultimate truth is already the pinnacle.

Immortal and indestructible, the physical body and soul are as unyielding as vajra.

Even if a star falls, the body remains unharmed.

Indeed, even suicide is impossible.

Even a peerless expert wielding a supreme divine artifact can only defeat or suppress, but cannot annihilate.

But...

A great ultimate truth expert who has comprehended the supreme ultimate truth can break this law, slaying the yang spirit of the great ultimate truth realm!

"If I were their father, would they help me?" Qi Yuan mused.

Zi Yuan Da Xue could no longer hold back, a hint of fear in her voice: "You have quite the nerve, daring to say such things. Aren't you afraid... the Old Ancestor might hear? This is already the territory of the Black Demon Abyss!"

"Anything is possible. What if... I really am their father?" Qi Yuan laughed heartily.

In this world, anything can happen.

For instance, that I am the father of the Black Demon Abyss Old Ancestor is but one of countless possibilities.

Zi Yuan Da Xue looked at Qi Yuan, her gaze complex: "How long have you been ill?" At first, she thought Qi Yuan's personality was unique and interesting.

A genius, after all, with powerful bloodline—some eccentricity was normal.

Now she saw it was not uniqueness, but madness!

"What illness? How do you know I suffer from poverty? What, do you want to support me?" Qi Yuan fired off three questions in a row, blinking.

"Hmph, your sister here is about to become a yang spirit illuminating the heavens. Supporting you... is a trivial matter." Zi Yuan Da Xue boasted grandly.

But then, recalling that Qi Yuan regarded the one from Taihuang Palace as a great enemy, she added,

"But your sister would rather be your concubine." Zi Yuan Da Xue giggled.

"Pretty face, pretty dreams!" Qi Yuan was speechless.

"You don't actually think you can take down that one from Taihuang Palace, do you?

And besides, your sister is about to become a yang spirit—a yang spirit, mind you! A yang spirit offering to warm your bed as a concubine, and you're still unsatisfied? What cultivation level are you, anyway?" Zi Yuan Da Xue grumbled.

Qi Yuan was left speechless by her words, even a little ashamed.

"I am... at the Purple Mansion realm."

He answered dejectedly.

Yes, he was merely at the Purple Mansion.

The number one Purple Mansion of the Divine Light Sect.

The title sounded imposing—in the Land of a Hundred Kingdoms, he could lord it over others, sleeping with princesses, empresses, queens, even emperors at will.

But in the Upper Realm, it seemed rather weak.

"Come on, what's the point of pretending to be weak? Your true cultivation is only at the Great Venerable level, isn't it?" Zi Yuan Da Xue cursed.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan felt even more ashamed.

He had outwardly displayed the strength of a Great Venerable to navigate the cultivation world more smoothly.

Originally, he had hoped to enjoy a status above others.

But even a Great Venerable was humiliated.

Alas, he was only at the Purple Mansion, lacking even the confidence to retort.

Finally, he sighed in resignation: "Ah, the atmosphere in the cultivation world is terrible. Clearly, everyone is equal, so why do you discriminate against me, a Purple Mansion cultivator?"

Unable to compete in cultivation level, Qi Yuan could only find fault in morality.

"I can't be bothered with you." Zi Yuan Da Xue was in a good mood.

For now, she could still bully the Blood Robe.

With the Blood Robe's bloodline talent, once inside the Black Demon Abyss, he would surely receive better treatment than her.

And who knows, he might become an ultimate truth expert in the future, or even... higher.

"Alright, we've reached Zi Yuan Heaven. Let's go. Don't say anything reckless, or the Old Ancestor might sense it—there'll be no end to it!" Zi Yuan Da Xue said softly, her figure vanishing.

At the same time, beyond the sky of Zi Yuan Heaven, two pairs of eyes, piercing through countless spaces, were observing Zi Yuan Da Xue and Qi Yuan.

"Old Six, is this the new seedling you've recruited? Looks quite ordinary."

The speaker was Third Elder, one of the Nine Elders of the Black Demon Abyss. He was shrouded in darkness, only his eyes visible.

Within the darkness, the Great Dao seemed to flow, ultimate truths inscribed, drawing one in at a glance—unfit to behold.

"His bloodline is far from ordinary. Its upper limit... reaches even us, capable of becoming a great ultimate truth." Zi Yuan Ancestor spoke, a hint of pride in his gaze.

"Great ultimate truth..." Third Elder's eyes grew deep. "Indeed, a fine seedling."

Such a bloodline was already the highest grade in the Black Demon Abyss, enough to make the Black Demon Ancestral Blood boil.

"Recently, it seems fate favors our Black Demon Abyss." Zi Yuan Ancestor's eyes showed amazement. "In the main lineage, Black Sword... his bloodline is too extraordinary."

"He is our master's life's work, our Black Demon Abyss's reliance against the Lin Ya Molt!" Third Elder's expression turned serious at the mention.

Their master was First Elder, one of the Seven Elders of the Black Demon Abyss, and the foremost figure of the Black Demon Abyss.

"Lin Ya Molt..." At the mention, Old Six's expression shifted repeatedly. "Even powers as strong as Taihuang Palace and Moon God Palace cannot fully withstand the Lin Ya Molt. Can Black Sword...?"

"At least, if he comprehends the supreme ultimate truth, we will have some confidence against the Lin Ya Molt, won't we?" Third Elder said, his voice tinged with melancholy. "The Ultimate Truth Discourse is about to begin, and Black Sword will attend.

Before that, let us eight gather to help Black Sword refine his blood and elevate his enlightenment, aiding him in grasping the supreme ultimate truth!"

Old Six nodded: "Agreed."

Refining blood and elevating enlightenment required concocting a certain elixir, which, for beings like them, would consume a measure of their primordial energy.

But after all, it was for the sake of creating a great ultimate truth expert who had comprehended the supreme ultimate truth—such a sacrifice was necessary.

"That seedling you fancy is not bad either. If there are any remnants left from our elixir, we can give them to him.

When he becomes a great ultimate truth in the future, he can serve Black Sword like us, under Black Sword's protection." Third Elder said indifferently.

Hearing this, Zi Yuan Ancestor grew reluctant: "Blood Robe, after all, is the demon son of our Zi Yuan Heaven. Why should he eat leftovers? No, he must have the same treatment as Black Sword. His talent's upper limit is also great ultimate truth—why should he be so much worse?"

"Even among great ultimate truths, there are differences." Third Elder said flatly.

"He must have it. Leftovers won't do. Otherwise, I won't refine this elixir!

At most... I'll forgo my share of the Black Demon Ancestral Blood for this ten-thousand-year period!" Old Six clamored, lacking all the dignity of a great ultimate truth yang spirit.

Third Elder cast another glance at Zi Yuan Ancestor, somewhat surprised.

Black Demon Ancestor Blood was exceedingly precious to beings like them.

He grew somewhat suspicious, his expression grave as he asked, "Old Six, tell me truthfully—is the upper limit of his bloodline... not merely that of an ordinary Great Principle?"

Otherwise, why would Old Six, always so stingy, give up his ten-thousand-year share of Black Demon Ancestor Blood?

"Heh heh, it's just an ordinary Great Principle, far inferior to Black Sword." Old Six chuckled, his smile lewd.

Third Elder narrowed his eyes, and the aura around him suddenly shifted, growing deeper.

His gaze pierced through the celestial canopy, landing on Qi Yuan of Purple Fate Heaven, as if trying to see through him.

But then, he shook his head.

"Purple Fate Heaven is your domain; this old man can see nothing.

Once he leaves Purple Fate Heaven, you'll surely conceal his aura, alas..." Third Elder said reluctantly, "It seems you've truly found a treasure—perhaps... only slightly inferior to Black Sword."

"He is inferior to Black Sword," Purple Fate Ancestor said, his tone still somewhat slow.

"Hmph, you're dissatisfied that he's only inferior to Black Sword? He surpasses us Nine Elders, and in the Sixth Heaven, his talent ranks among the top ten." Third Elder's eyes gleamed as he spoke.

How many in the Sixth Heaven had comprehended the Supreme Principle within a Great Principle?

Third Elder's expression turned solemn: "Indeed... this matter must not be leaked, otherwise... if our Black Demon Abyss produces two Great Principles who have comprehended the Supreme Principle...

You were right to conceal it, well done.

When news of Black Sword spread, many eyes fell on our Black Demon Abyss. If Blood Robe...

This time, I am presiding over the Blood-Shaping Ascension Enlightenment. I will secretly withhold one-third. Do not speak of this, and your share of Black Demon Ancestor Blood will not be kept for you."

"One-third is too little!"

"Hmph, Black Sword's talent should be first in the Sixth Heaven.

This Blood Robe, no matter how strong, is at best on par with that one from Divine Luo Heaven—how could he compare?

Unless you have him challenge Black Sword. If he wins, I'll secretly give him two-thirds instead, how about that?"

"You—!" Purple Fate Ancestor was furious. "He's a Great Venerable challenging a Yang God—have you no shame?"

"It's settled!" Third Elder said, and his form dissipated in that instant.

Beyond the celestial canopy, only a shadow remained.

After who knows how long, a glint of light flashed deep in Purple Fate Ancestor's eyes.

He murmured to himself.

"First in the Sixth Heaven?"

"Third Elder, you truly ought to open your eyes and see the whole world."

(The chapter ends)