Trials of the Abyss-Chapter 711: Showing Ones Sharp Edges
Chapter 711: Showing One's Sharp Edges
A single proposal from Luo Hongyan split the eight True Gods into two opposing sides. A great battle was on the verge of breaking out.
"Li Zhaotian, this is the Fifth World, we're not within the range of the barrier," Gui Mu said coldly, standing tall in her loose-flowing robes. "You can't manifest your full strength here, so you'd best stop posturing and barking like a mad dog. Do you truly think you have a chance if it does come down to a fight?"
Her gaze swept dismissively over Yin Ji and Su Wanrou, only turning serious when it landed on Pang Jian. He was the only one she was uncertain of.
Yin Ji and Su Wanrou's expressions darkened at the truth of Gui Mu's words. Li Zhaotian lost his greatest advantage—his connection to the barrier. As it did not apply in the lower worlds, his combat prowess in the Fifth World was nowhere near what it was in the upper worlds.
Su Wanrou, the Sage of Medicine and Poison, ultimately relied more on the latter in combat. However, her potent poisons had to be cultivated within living hosts, and with the barriers firmly shielding the continents of the Fifth World, her strongest abilities were heavily restricted.
Yin Ji excelled in soul-related divine techniques and in the refining and commanding of puppet constructs. Unfortunately, she had not brought said puppet constructs into the Fifth World, thus limiting her combat prowess as well.
On the other hand, although Zhu Ji had suffered the most from the aura of death, his Dao of Power meant he could draw on murky energy, making him the strongest among them. With the aura of death having eased up, he was more than capable of taking on two or even three opponents at once.
Li Zhaotian's act of splitting the factions was not the wisest decision for their group.
As Li Zhaotian opened his mouth to retort, Pang Jian interrupted calmly, "Senior Gui Mu can be excluded right away. I can completely overpower her."
He stepped forward, positioning himself in front of his master, Yin Ji, and Su Wanrou. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Senior Li Wang, Senior Gui Mu, Senior Jiang, pardon my arrogance, but even if the three of you worked together, you wouldn't be able to withstand a proper exchange with me."
His words were even more arrogant than Li Zhaotian's earlier declaration in defense of Yin Ji!
Li Wang shot Pang Jian a strange look.
Jiang Fan's face darkened. "Like master, like disciple! Li Zhaotian has always been a high-handed bastard. Looks like his disciple turned out exactly the same!"
Gui Mu narrowed her eyes, eerie green flames dancing in her pupils. "Pang Jian, what gives you that kind of confidence?"
Zhu Ji, the strongest among them, looked mildly surprised but said nothing.
"The foundation of your Ghost Sacrifice Sect's cultivation methods originates from the Ghost Race, centered around the divine soul and a wide array of soul-related techniques," Pang Jian said bluntly, raising his hand to tap between his brows.
Streams of bluish-green rivers of soul flowed out from the center of Pang Jian's brow, winding gently around his body.
"I killed the mid-ranking God of the Ghost Race, You Kui, out in the starry skies." The corners of Pang Jian's mouth curled slightly. "I've been studying his soul-related divine techniques ever since."
Gui Mu snorted coldly. "The Ghost Sacrifice Sect's techniques only borrow from the Ghost Race's techniques. They're not entirely the same. Pang Jian, do you truly believe I won't surpass You Kui once I leave the Abyss and can freely roam the starry skies?
"I may not know what comes after the True God Realm for us humans, but I'm certain I've already surpassed You Kui. I've only stayed behind all these years because of the Outer Gods stationed above the Abyss!
"I refuse to believe that you've truly grasped all of You Kui's divine techniques in such a short time. I—"
"I mentioned You Kui to let you know that I have insights into the Ghost Race's soul-related techniques and, by extension, a good grasp of your combat style as well," Pang Jian interjected with a shake of his head. "When I say I can defeat you without question, it's not because I intend to rely on those techniques. It's because of this."
The Thunder Pool appeared, hovering at the center of his palm. Blinding arcs of lightning erupted from the majestic palaces within it, echoing with thunderous booms that reached even the most distant corners of the Fifth World. The sound alone caused their souls to quiver, as if on the verge of shattering. Gui Mu felt it most intensely of all.
"Senior, that ancient Thunder Dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect held some caution toward Senior Su, but he was never truly afraid of you," Pang Jian said, meeting Gui Mu's gaze without flinching. "You know better than anyone that his Dao of Lightning naturally suppresses the soul-related techniques of your Ghost Sacrifice Sect.
"That's why Mu Wentao chose to side with that ancient Thunder Dragon, hiding away on the Sacred Soul Continent after being exposed.
"Before coming here, I made a stop in the First World and captured that ancient Thunder Dragon alive. Even Long Xiao couldn't withstand a move from me. Do you really think you can?"
Pang Jian arched an arrogant eyebrow.
Gui Mu's face turned ashen.
The aura emanating from the Thunder Pool was enough to convince her that Pang Jian was not bluffing. She did not need confirmation that Long Xiao had been captured. The presence of the Duke of Thunder's divine artifact was proof enough. None of her soul-related divine techniques would be of any use against it.
Li Wang trembled in shock. "You captured Long Xiao alive?"
"What did Long Xiao do?" Su Wanrou asked.
Pang Jian turned toward the Sect Master of the Pure Land Sect and said solemnly, "That ancient Thunder Dragon tried to vent his rage on the Pure Land Sect. He attempted to shatter the protective array and massacre your sect members on his way out of the Abyss."
"Did he manage to pull it off?" Su Wanrou asked, voice trembling.
"He didn't even manage to break the Pure Land Sect's protective array before I captured him." Pang Jian chuckled darkly. "I tossed him into the Resolute Expanse. His flesh, bones, and lightning are nourishing the Nine Heavens Thunder Divine Tree."
Su Wanrou was stunned at first, but a wave of calm soon swept over her, and her eyes lit up with joy. "That means Pang Lin's path to godhood is clear. Nothing stands in her way now."
The aura radiating from the Thunder Pool and Pang Jian's words only confirmed his overwhelming strength.
Pang Jian was a monster with mastery over the Ghost Race's soul-related techniques and the Thunder Pool at hand. Gui Mu's Heavenly Dao was thoroughly suppressed, leaving her with no hope of victory against him whatsoever.
The aura of death had left Jiang Fan barely clinging to life. He could not possibly stand against Pang Jian either.
Li Wang was not known for his combat prowess. Even if he joined forces with Gui Mu and Jiang Fan, they would not be able to last long against Pang Jian.
Su Wanrou realized, with growing surprise, that Pang Jian was not bluffing when he claimed to have the strength to suppress all three of them. Thus, her worries for her safety faded away.
"I'll hand the Nine Heavens Thunder Divine Tree, the Mirage Dragon Pearl, and some of that Thunder Dragon's other artifacts to Pang Lin," Pang Jian said with a light nod. "When the time is right, I'll pass this Thunder Pool to her as well."
Su Wanrou beamed. "That girl's luck is enough to make even me jealous!"
"Alright, that's enough!" Li Zhaotian cut in with a grin. With a booming laugh, he taunted Li Wang, Gui Mu, and Jiang Fan, "So what's it gonna be? You still wanna fight?"
Gui Mu's expression dimmed. Jiang Fan, too, lowered his head.
Li Wang let out a long sigh. "We never truly intended to start an internal war. Jiang Fan will be one of the sacrifices. He'll surrender his cluster of Fortune."
Jiang Fan trembled at Li Wang's words, but he silently kept his head down. He had already come to terms with it.
"Gui Mu, is there any way you could preserve even a trace of their souls while here in the Fifth World? So that, perhaps one day, they could be reborn?" Li Wang asked solemnly.
Gui Mu paused in thought, then shook her head. "I can't."
Li Wang nodded. "In that case, there's nothing I can do. I'll die alongside him."
Gui Mu stiffened, while Zhu Ji snapped his head toward Li Wang.
Li Zhaotian, Su Wanrou, Yin Ji, and even Pang Jian felt a jolt in their hearts, all turning to stare at Li Wang with looks of utter disbelief.
"It seems only right for me to die before anyone else," Li Wang said with a gentle smile. "How can I cling to life when this could bring a permanent end to the suffering of our human race?"
"All these years, I've worked tirelessly for the survival of the human race and the chance for the True Gods to live peacefully in the starry skies.
"A Sovereign is promising us a foothold in the starry skies. What reason do I have to keep holding onto this seat of power?
"Don't worry, I'll be the first to die. Zhu Ji, strike down Gui Mu and Jiang Fan after, so the three clusters of Fortune can be offered to her."
The leader of the True Gods glanced at the Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillar.
"As far as I know, Sovereigns aren't the type to go back on their word. I believe she'll keep her promise, and I ask you to also have faith. A Sovereign's promise isn't so easily broken."
The dim stars embroidered on his robes shimmered faintly, and a faint smile of relief appeared on his face.
For Li Wang, dying for the future of the human race was a beautiful thing. Exchanging three clusters of Fortune for the everlasting prosperity of the human race was a price worth paying.
"Li Wang!"
"Elder Li!"
Li Zhaotian, Su Wanrou, and Yin Ji called out at the same time.
When they saw this respected elder willingly step forward to sacrifice himself for the future of the human race, they could not help but feel moved.
Li Wang had devoted his entire life to the survival of the human race and was even willing to sacrifice himself without hesitation. That none of them held the same resolve and courage was shamefully selfish.
"Perhaps I should be the one to sacrifice myself. I'm weak and I also hold a cluster of Fortune..." Yin Ji murmured in Li Zhaotian's arms.
"Don't say that!" Li Zhaotian snapped, shooting her a fierce glare.
"Wait a moment," Zhu Ji interrupted with a frown. "Hold on, Elder Li! That Sovereign's promise is based on the condition that she can defeat the Black Empyrean Phoenix!
"We, the human race, can continue to survive in the Abyss if she wins the battle. But what if she loses? What if she takes the three clusters of Fortune, forges three Divine Personas, and fails?
"If that Black Empyrean Phoenix completes its rebirth, her promises won't hold any weight!"
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