Trials of the Abyss-Chapter 552: Reunion in the Bizarre Mist

Several flying vessels of the Shadow Abyss lay quietly anchored near the bizarre mist.

Elders from various races of the Shadow Abyss stood aboard one disc-shaped vessel, all gazing at two peculiar altars designed for divine summoning.

One altar was crescent-shaped, constructed from Starcloud Stone, Void Frost Jade, and other meticulously gathered materials. The other altar was surrounded by upright stone pillars that emanated an icy chill.

A woman from the Shadow Spirit Race and another from the Dark Shadow Race sat on the two altars, both with peak Rank Eight bloodlines.

The Holy Maiden of the Shadow Spirit Race, Cui Ling, meticulously explained the method to summon the Outer Gods from the starry skies, reminding them to open themselves completely and not to resist.

"There's no need to say more," said the Shadow Spirit Race woman, her entire body emanating an icy chill. "As long as we can kill the Star Devourer, we will cooperate fully."

"She's a Moon God, but I draw power from the stars. Will this really work?" the Dark Shadow Race woman asked uneasily.

Cui Ling replied, "She said that the stars and the moon are interconnected, so it won't be a major issue."

"Alright then." The Dark Shadow Race woman sat upright on the crescent-shaped altar, waiting for the descent of Ying Yue's divine consciousness.

"Commence the ritual!" the High Priest of the Shadow Spirit Race commanded.

Ripples of spatial fluctuation immediately enveloped the two altars, and an invisible bridge formed at the center, seemingly connecting to worlds in the starry skies.

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Two divine consciousnesses descended from the outer worlds.

What is your name? an icy will questioned the Rank Eight Shadow Spirit Race woman. There is something I've decided to clarify with you. The choice will be yours to make.

Li Si. My name is Li Si, the Shadow Spirit Race woman replied with utmost reverence. Esteemed Outer God, I beseech you to slay the Star Devourer. For this, I am prepared to pay any price.

Even death? the Frost Crystal God asked.

Li Si did not hesitate. Even death!

The Frost Crystal God fell briefly silent as she pondered her next words.

There are two methods for my divine consciousness to descend, she finally said. I can temporarily freeze your soul and take control of your body, but this would be akin to a cuckoo occupying another bird's nest, resulting in less-than-optimal compatibility.

The second option is to erase your soul. Once your soul fades, my divine consciousness will take its place. This process, referred to as possession, will result in the utter annihilation of your soul. However, this method ensures a far greater level of compatibility with your body and would allow my power to be fully unleashed.

I leave the choice to you.

The Frost Crystal God initially had no intention of explaining this to Li Si, intending instead to erase her soul outright and seize the body in the optimal state of possession.

However, the Shadow Spirit Race woman's resolution in the face of death had caused her to reconsider. It felt only fair to provide clarity, granting her the dignity of an informed choice.

To the Frost Crystal God's surprise, Li Si did not hesitate.

I choose the second method, Li Si said, voice brimming with boundless hatred and determination. The Star Devourer consumed the souls of both my elder brother and sister after they reached Rank Nine.

My Lady, I also have children. They're full of potential, and I don't want them to live in fear of the future when they one day break through to Rank Eight as I have. This shadow that looms over our world will crush them otherwise.

My Lady, I'm willing to let you erase my soul so that you can descend in your most powerful form.

With that, Li Si opened her heart and prepared herself for the embrace of death.

At the same time, the woman from the Dark Shadow Race also made the same choice. The two women willingly sacrificed their lives, trading their deaths for a glimmer of hope for their people and this broken world.

May the inhabitants of the Shadow Abyss forever remember your names.

The Frost Crystal God and the Moon God acted decisively, extinguishing the souls of the two Rank Eight warriors as their divine consciousnesses descended.

***

Several days later, a massive beehive loomed like a majestic mountain before the bizarre mist of Absolute Heaven in the Abyss.

Whoosh!

Pang Jian arrived swiftly under the guidance of his divine sense and smiled at the Bee Sovereign.

"My success was truly thanks to you," he said warmly.

Pang Jian would not have been able to anchor a divine seat and integrate it into his sea of consciousness without the Bee Sovereign's selfless infusion of soul essence and the black turtle's constant supply of spiritual qi and blood essence.

While his Immortal Divine Soul wandered through the bizarre mist and into the Shadow Abyss, the Bee Sovereign and the beehive had remained exposed in the Abyss, waiting patiently for his safe return.

"You're the master and we're the support. The master's glory is a shared one."

The Bee Sovereign's form was tall and slender, with a face that resembled Pang Jian's. Despite this, its golden compound eyes and translucent wings on its back also meant that it did not appear entirely humanoid.

"You have stepped out of the Abyss. One day, if you come across the Nether Abyss, I implore you to explore it for me, for that is my true homeland," the Bee Sovereign pleaded earnestly.

"I promise!" Pang Jian vowed solemnly.

"Enter the bizarre mist. A bee awaits, prepared to transport you through teleportation," the Bee Sovereign said, guiding the massive beehive into the bizarre mist. "I will dispatch bees to search the area while you're away.

"The foreign races that infiltrated Absolute Heaven during the once-in-a-hundred-millennia calamity would have had to rely on a hidden pathway to enter."

Pang Jian's eyes lit up. It seemed the Bee Sovereign had considered everything thoroughly, fully aware that the bizarre mist served as a crucial passage connecting the Abyss to the outside world.

A batch of foreign race warriors had once traversed the bizarre mist from the outer worlds and reached Absolute Heaven, where they carried out their purge of the human race.

At that time, the bizarre mist imposed strict restrictions based on bloodline ranks and cultivation realms, barring entry to most. Nevertheless, the fact that the foreign races of the outer worlds had successfully infiltrated proved the existence of a pathway, a means to navigate the bizarre mist and establish a connection between this region and the outside world.

Equipped with a hive full of bees, the Bee Sovereign would undoubtedly uncover any hidden exits or entrances within the expanse of the bizarre mist. It was only a matter of time and effort.

"Thank you for your hard work. We'll talk more when I return."

Pang Jian then vanished into the bizarre mist and teleported away.

When he reappeared, he was by a golden bee in front of a boundary wall. This was the same boundary wall where he had seen Pan Di all those years ago.

Pan Di had gone into a frenzy when Pang Jian took out the Thunder Pool, futilely clawing and striking at the boundary wall with all his might.

Pang Jian was determined to leave the Abyss with his true physical body and had chosen this boundary wall as his exit.

This would not have been an option without the Gate of the Abyss. He would have been forced to abandon his body and rely solely on his Immortal Divine Soul to carry his divine artifact across the boundary wall.

The Gate of the Abyss hanging on his chest meant his physical body could easily pass through!

Pang Jian effortlessly crossed the boundary wall like a fish entering the sea. The Gate of the Abyss warmed, its four engraved characters softly aglow as he emerged into the swirling bizarre mist beyond.

"It works!"

Using the Thunder Pool, Pang Jian channeled a trace of its power to sense Pan Di's presence. Then, summoning a protective shield to shield his physical body from corrosion, he traveled swiftly toward Pan Di.

***

Pan Di's massive golden skeleton floated motionlessly in the bizarre mist at the boundary wall leading to the Shadow Abyss. It remained utterly still, patiently awaiting Pang Jian's return.

For an ancient being like Pan Di, a decade or even a century was but the blink of an eye. Barely a dozen Abyss days had passed since Pang Jian had bade it farewell and entered the Shadow Abyss.

To Pan Di, such a span of time was less than the length of one of its occasional naps. It felt no anxiety, enduring with endless patience for Pang Jian's return.

Pan Di suddenly snapped out of its deep contemplation. Twin balls of intertwined lightning flared to life within its eyeless sockets as it sensed a powerful existence nearing its location.

An Outer God.

The Star Devourer's act of dragging a grayish-yellow star into the Shadow Abyss had clearly drawn the attention of the Outer Gods.

Pang Jian had also mentioned seeing several spectral shadows descending into the bizarre mist, attempting to trace the Star Devourer's movements. It seemed one of those Outer Gods had finally discovered the location of the Shadow Abyss after extensive searching.

I wouldn't fear these Outer Gods if I still had even a third of my power. The Fey Gods born of our Ancient Fey World are the pinnacle among equals. How infuriating!

Pan Di's thoughts swirled in turmoil. After a brief hesitation, it decided to retreat. If it stayed, the approaching Outer God would inevitably find it.

By leaving, it risked losing all chance of ever meeting Pang Jian again. The endless expanse of the bizarre mist offered no landmarks, and without the anchor of a boundary wall, it would inevitably drift aimlessly, losing all sense of direction.

Still, it had no choice. Staying meant the Outer God would find him, and its weakened state meant there was no hope of survival if that were to happen.

Whoosh!

Pan Di shot away in a brilliant silver streak of lightning. The instant it moved, the Outer God's soul fluctuations and powers flared violently.

Not good.

The Outer God had already discovered its presence and was merely feigning ignorance. When Pan Di abruptly fled, the Outer God dropped all pretense and unleashed its full power, giving chase with relentless determination.

***

Pang Jian was utterly puzzled.

Strange, why did Pan Di flee?

When he channeled the power of the Thunder Pool within him, he could sense all beings tied to the Dao of Lightning, and Pan Di was no exception.

He was confident he would not lose his way to the Shadow Abyss thanks to the Thunder Pool and his knowledge of Pan Di's position near the boundary wall.

However, Pan Di's erratic flight disrupted his plan, forcing him to quicken his pace to close the distance.

He needed to catch up before Pan Di strayed too far from the Shadow Abyss, or finding their way back would become nearly impossible even after they reunited.