Chapter 32: The Abyss
Darkness, profound depth.
This was the deepest part of the Abyss, where black liquid slowly drifted upward, various Abyssal creatures swam about, and a massive palace stood tall, its enormous ancient doors tightly shut.
If one could enter this Abyssal palace, they would find it grand yet somewhat empty, with no acquired decorations inside. The dome of the palace was covered in eyeballs of varying sizes, emitting faint, viscous sounds like liquid.
The only thing standing in this palace was the throne that had existed since time immemorial. On the throne sat a towering figure clad in dark-gold armor. The armor was majestic yet slightly bloated. This figure on the throne was none other than the Lord of the Abyss.
Crack~
A faint crisp sound appeared, and cracks formed on the dark-gold armguard of the Lord of the Abyss. The cracks grew denser until the armor covering its entire arm shattered, scattering at the base of the throne.
After the dark-gold armor shattered, what was revealed was not skin but a layer of close-fitting armor that looked like black metal melted into liquid and poured onto the body. Wisps of dark power emanated from the armor, forming a V-shape overall, and blood-red eyes opened one by one.
Boom!
The dark-gold armor on the Lord of the Abyss's entire body shattered, and its aura surged another notch above its current level. This caused its blood-red eyes to narrow slightly. From the darkness behind it came overlapping murmurs, saying:
"Heros (Abyssal language: phonetic translation, meaning Element Scholar)."
Indeed, it was the Element Scholar·Heros, who was somewhere unknown, who had broken one of the Lord of the Abyss's secret treasures. This ambitious Lord of the Abyss had not shown its full strength before. The dark-gold armor, whose cost was astonishingly high, had blocked a powerful probe from the Star Realm faction. Otherwise, Element Scholar·Heros would not have succeeded this time.
Overlapping murmurs came from behind the throne. These were Dark Spirits, to some extent parasites of the Abyssal throne. They existed by relying on the throne and thus served every Lord of the Abyss with full devotion. The Dark Spirits murmured in voices either gloomy and low or seductive and enchanting:
"Dark supreme lord, do not heed the scholar."
"He only wants to die; do not, cannot fulfill his wish."
"Who would have thought..."
Just as one Dark Spirit spoke, it noticed an eye suddenly open on the throne, staring coldly at it. It immediately shut up.
"My lord, that Law Destroyer will surely come to fight. Why not we..."
"You vermin, shut up. Our lord scorns such despicable means."
The murmurs of the Dark Spirits gradually lowered. The figure on the throne paid them no heed. The Lord of the Abyss was constantly directing the Abyss to invade the Star Realm. As for the Law Destroyer who would come here, it had long anticipated this.
It had been in slumber before, largely ignoring the countless powerful beings of various races in the Star Realm, until it felt the faint throb of fate. It was then certain that this might be its mortal enemy. However, this enemy was cautious, even when intruding into the Abyss, it retained the protection of Paradise power.
The Lord of the Abyss on the throne looked upward. This battle was not only about the victory or defeat of the Abyss/Star Realm but also about who had the qualification to advance further.
In the Lord of the Abyss's view, although it had previously hidden its true power, the Law Destroyer would inevitably have unexpected preparations. Victory or defeat depended on absolute power. In a battle staking everything, there was no room for falsehood.
...
Under the Black Maple Tree, Su Xiao finished his meditation. He had invested all resources into Supreme Attributes. At this level of strength, everything had to be steady and solid. Entering the Abyss to fight the Lord of the Abyss to the death, any power gained through trickery would be exposed on the spot. He checked the enhanced 「Heavenly Edge Shadow Slash」 ability.
【Heavenly Edge Shadow Slash, Lv.390 (Extreme Technique·Passive)】
Basic Effect: Comprehensive intensity of all technique abilities increased by 10975% (increased by 2200%).
Skill Effect: Extreme Blade (Exclusive Passive)...
Current Extreme Blade·Foundation Strength: 1179 points (increased by 165 points).
Extreme Effect 1: Heavenly Edge Shadow Slash (Extreme·Exclusive Passive)...
Extreme Effect 2: Selfless Realm·My Supreme (Extreme·Exclusive Passive), enters the "Selfless Realm," locking onto the enemy's causal existence and everything about them. The next slash will be unavoidable. You will briefly forget all past blade techniques, retaining only the one blade technique you are currently using, elevating it to its peak.
Current Selfless Realm Enhancement Limit: 89 times the technique's power (after reaching the 80 times limit, subsequent enhancement difficulty will "massively increase").
...
With such enhancement, coupled with the 「Extreme·Blade Edge」 passive after all Supreme Attributes reached 300 points, it seemed like a 35% increase, not a several-fold or dozens-fold surge. But at this level, let alone a 35% absurd increase, every 1% increase required massive resources.
As for wearing the 「Endless Ring」 to increase Supreme Attributes by 20% and the level cap of 「Heavenly Edge Shadow Slash」 derived from 「Extreme Shadow」, that was not feasible. 「Extreme Shadow」 required a permanent increase in one's own Supreme Attributes to trigger.
Just then, an email from the Void Tree arrived. Checking the sender, it showed Element Scholar. Opening the email, it contained intelligence from Element Scholar·Heros about the hidden strength of the current Lord of the Abyss.
At the start of the Abyss campaign, the Lord of the Abyss had appeared. Its dark-gold armor did look slightly bloated, but armor was always like that. Now it seemed that armor was actually a special supreme treasure. Su Xiao was certain that the Lord of the Abyss's move was not about hiding strength in anticipation of this death battle but about avoiding the gaze from above the dome.
It seemed the Lord of the Abyss had also sensed that the Supreme Being had become different, with growing malice toward the Supreme Realm. Choosing to hide part of its strength was undoubtedly wise.
Su Xiao took Element Scholar·Heros's warning seriously. Fortunately, he had unexpected enhancements on his side. Both sides had their trump cards. This decisive battle would be even more brutal, yet it also sparked anticipation. To be honest, the fight with Tide Shadow Shadow·Avila was not intense enough; Su Xiao's health (number of life cores) had not even dropped below 50%.
Fighting the Lord of the Abyss next would be a life-and-death struggle. Su Xiao currently had 2970 life cores. With the boost from the 「Endless Ring」, it directly exceeded 3600. Such formidable vitality was a crucial asset for him to fight the Lord of the Abyss to the death in the Abyss environment.
Su Xiao took out all the accumulated 「Soul Energy Crystals」 and began continuously enhancing the 「Demon Spirit Awakening」 ability. After consuming about half of the accumulated 「Soul Energy Crystals」, the only ability left that could be enhanced with them was 「Azure Steel Shadow」.
【Demon Spirit Awakening, Lv.EX】
Skill Effect 1: Blade Demon Spirit intensity has reached Lv.EX.
Skill Effect 2: Substitution (Passive), instantly 「substitutes」 positions with the Blade Demon Spirit, with no activation delay, usage process, etc. This characteristic cannot be interrupted, sealed, or blocked by any means and can be 「definitely completed」.
Usage Count: -/- (no usage limit).
Law Destroyer·Bai Ye Exclusive Characteristic·Instant Return: Within 3 seconds of using 「Substitution」 to swap positions with the demon spirit, you can choose to 「substitute」 positions with the demon spirit again. Even if the demon spirit is in a dispersed state, this ability is still usable. 「Instant Return」 has the same level of immunity to interruption, sealing, or blocking by any means as 「Substitution」 and can be 「definitely completed」.
Usage Distance: Within the entire Star Realm (maximum distance can reach from the Star Realm center to the Abyss drifting grounds).
Skill Effect 3: Power Grant (Passive), you can select a current ability of yours to grant to the demon spirit to a certain extent. The grant ratio is between 70% and 80% (the lower to upper limit depends on the intensity of the granted ability).
Skill Effect 4: Physique Grant (Passive), the demon spirit will inherit 50% of your physique intensity, i.e., inherit 50% of your Supreme Strength, Supreme Agility, Supreme Stamina, Supreme Intelligence (the demon spirit has no life cores. As long as you are not dead and the Dragon-Slaying Flash is not destroyed, the demon spirit cannot be eliminated).
Tip: 38,000 natural days after your death, the demon spirit within the Dragon-Slaying Flash will begin to go dormant. It is expected to enter deep dormancy after 456,000 natural days, until it completely fades away after a long time.
Skill Effect 5: Covenant·Soul Imprisonment (Passive), when the demon spirit is within 500 to 50,000 meters around you (adjustable), your soul power will have absolute suppression over its consciousness, keeping it in a chaotic state. When the demon spirit exceeds this maximum range, it will gradually gain clear self-judgment and action ability.
...
The demon spirit had reached its limit but was still firmly suppressed by Su Xiao. It wasn't that Su Xiao had any special abilities; it was that his current soul strength was 64,100 points, a powerful soul nurtured by all Supreme Attributes at 316 points. This absolute suppression of soul power made him barely feel the demon spirit's backlash. As for the demon spirit completely giving up its backlash, that was impossible.
Su Xiao invested the remaining 「Soul Energy Crystals」 into the 「Azure Steel Shadow」 ability. When only 65 「Soul Energy Crystals」 remained, the Azure Steel Shadow ability reached its limit. Thus, his Azure Steel Shadow system was fully complete, or rather, it had reached the limit this system could achieve. To continue, he would need to advance himself.
As for how to advance, it wasn't difficult. Su Xiao's current system was a whole. If he continued to enhance his Supreme Attributes, his various Law Destruction Shadow system abilities would also increase in intensity as he grew stronger.
Any subsequent enhancement of a Law Destruction Shadow ability would cause its core to undergo a wonderful and natural upgrade. Su Xiao's task was to record these upgraded Law Destruction system abilities on the Awakening Stele. This way, future generations mastering this ability would naturally have a higher-cap version.
This was also why mastering Law Destruction system abilities had a "little" bit of danger. Of course, for abilities like Azure Steel Shadow and Azure Shadow King, Su Xiao would not touch them. Sometimes, higher ability caps weren't always better; it was necessary to ensure that new Law Destroyers could master these abilities.
【Tip: Because your Azure Steel Shadow ability has reached its limit, its 「Defense Form·Proud Song」 has become a separate ability. Currently:
「Proud Song (Passive)」, can generate crystals of any form to defend against enemy attacks. Crystal strength is proportional to the Azure Shadow King energy consumed. The single-use Azure Shadow King energy cap is 10% of the current 「Azure Shadow King Energy Cap」. It possesses one of the most top-tier defensive strengths to date.】
【Azure Steel Shadow: Lv.EX (Active/Passive Skill·Fully Awakened State)】
Usage Condition: After activating the Azure Steel Shadow ability, consume 1000 Azure Shadow King energy per minute.
Active Effect: Each melee attack will burn 50% of the enemy's maximum mana (or other body energy) and deal true damage equal to 3.25 times the burned mana, i.e., at least 15 life cores' worth of true damage. The enemy will suffer "severe pain" and "body/soul imbalance" from the mana burn.
Tip: When the enemy's body energy is completely burned, Azure Steel Shadow energy will enter 「Intense Burning」. It can burn energy without needing the enemy's body energy. Subsequent slashes with Azure Steel Shadow ability will add true damage capable of destroying at least 30 life cores' strength.
...
The Azure Steel Shadow ability had undergone a qualitative change. Setting aside its current formidable power, the previous Azure Steel Shadow was useless once the enemy's body energy was depleted. Now, after the enemy's body energy was exhausted, the damage doubled. On second thought, this was normal because activating Azure Steel Shadow now consumed 「Azure Shadow King Energy」.
One of Azure Shadow King's characteristics was that the more the enemy's body energy was consumed, the greater the damage dealt. Now, with Azure Steel Shadow, after the enemy's body energy was depleted, the true damage doubled, which was only natural.
As for damage intensity, Su Xiao had a habit of judging enemies based on himself. This time, fighting the Lord of the Abyss, given the Abyss's nurturing characteristics, it was very possible that the Lord of the Abyss had more life cores than him. In that case, a slash dealing 30 life cores' worth of damage wasn't that exaggerated. However, the problem was that his slash carried not only Azure Steel Shadow's killing effect.
If not mistaken, both Su Xiao and the Lord of the Abyss had extremely high attack power, thick health and defense, and all kinds of abilities maxed out.
It could only be said that it was fortunate this battle was within the Abyss; otherwise, who knew how much damage it would cause to the Star Realm. Also, although Su Xiao entered the Abyss alone to fight the Lord of the Abyss, he wasn't worried about being surrounded. After the fight began, to put it bluntly, any peak-level being within the blast radius would die after a few impacts.
Su Xiao took out a communicator. It connected after a few minutes, and the other side said:
"My dear friend, any good news?"
"Tomorrow morning, you can make your move."
"My dear friend, let's meet at the Void base camp."
"Alright."
Su Xiao hung up the communication, took Bubu Wang and Beini, and left the Exclusive Room. Beini, who was eating ice cream, hurriedly finished it in a few bites. But as the teleportation began, Beini's little face wore a pained expression. The ice cream made from extremely cold shaved ice, eaten too quickly, made Beini's little head buzz.
When the teleportation ended, Beini was still holding the pose with steam rising from her head. Su Xiao looked around. Although there were still wounded, the situation in the base camp was okay, but the atmosphere was very oppressive and tense. The huge countdown above represented that the world owned by Tuanzhang was about to collapse.
Speaking of Tuanzhang, since the last Abyss campaign, all his accumulations, besides restoring his Supreme combat power, had been used on 「Past Reappearance」 and 「Unkillable Realm」. It seemed Tuanzhang had never moved on from that last Abyss campaign. In that campaign, besides Tailier, he had lost everything. Even the surviving Law Destroyer friend had become a Blade Demon, no longer recognizing him.
Su Xiao arrived at the second underground floor of the base camp, where the participants had spontaneously formed a trade market. It was bustling with noise. Everyone was converting their gains into combat power, but most were resource exchanges since they had no Space-Time Power.
After a while, Su Xiao saw Kaisa bargaining with a Ninth Rank contractor over 0.199 ounces of Space-Time Power in front of a stall. The more he bargained, the more treacherous his smile became.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang barked. Kaisa looked over upon hearing the sound and stopped bargaining with the Ninth Rank contractor. The old man wiped the sweat off his forehead. For some reason, facing this treacherous little old man with weak combat power, he felt an inexplicable pressure, as if his wallet was about to be lost at any moment.
"My dear friend, do you think we can succeed this time?"
As Kaisa spoke, his smile became even more treacherous.
"Yes."
"Oh? Do you have a sure win?"
"Mm."
"What method? Can you reveal it?"
"If I don't win, I die."
Su Xiao's certainty made Kaisa speechless, then he returned to his usual sneaky little old man expression. His eyes showed a murky yellow light as he said:
"It seems I've gotten a bit lost. Yeah, we both climbed from the bottom to this height. Even if we fall and die, we've seen the scenery at this height."
Kaisa said this, then rubbed his hands sneakily: "Of course, for me, my life is the most important."
Don't be fooled by Kaisa's words. If he were really that afraid of death, he wouldn't challenge the 「Abyss Treasury」. Even someone as greedy for life and afraid of death as Kaisa had things he was willing to risk his life for.
As for the wealth level of the 「Abyss Treasury」, let's put it this way: the 「Abyss Treasury」, accumulated over who knows how many great eras, combined with the extreme wealth of the Abyss, had financial resources beyond imagination.
"My dear friend, if I succeed, I'll support you. I don't want to live in a Star Realm gradually being overlooked by an out-of-control Watcher."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak. He walked toward the exit of the trade market. This meeting with an old friend was very likely their last. So there was nothing particularly important to discuss. As Kaisa said, they had both come from the bottom, walking this path together. Chatting casually at such a moment was purely because of their long-standing friendship.
Just as he returned to the first floor of the base camp, Su Xiao faintly felt the demon spirit within the Dragon-Slaying Flash stir. He looked to his right, where the Blade Demon was approaching. The darkness in the Blade Demon's eyes had receded. He... had found himself.
"This time, is it you?"
The Blade Demon spoke. The Blade Demon, now rational, had a sense of vicissitude. Who wouldn't, with his experiences?
"Yes."
"Alright then."
The Blade Demon tossed over a mechanical structure, an alchemical creation with sharp, angular details. It was about the size of an apple, containing an alternate space inside.
"It belongs to you now. Good luck."
The Blade Demon said nothing more, turned, and walked toward the defense line he had previously guarded. This one had just woken up to a familiar Abyss campaign, almost making him think it was the last one that hadn't ended. The years of Blade Demon memories were just brief delusions after losing consciousness. But looking around, he found it was different. He didn't recognize any of the peak-level beings present. Soon, he realized he had seamlessly connected two Abyss campaigns.
Su Xiao tried to activate the alchemical creation in his hand. It was a very primitive alchemical storage treasure, with a complex storage process. But this old antique had a characteristic: its internal space was extremely stable.
He checked and found inside a poorly cared for but thriving Black Maple Tree. It seemed this was the Black Maple Tree belonging to the Blade Demon, previously located at the bottom of the Black Abyss.
Su Xiao now had three Black Maple Trees. He hadn't heard of any method to synthesize Black Maple Trees. Also, his current combat power was the final strength to challenge the Lord of the Abyss. There were still about 3 hours before the campaign continued. Judging by the Abyss Legion's offensive, there was no time to enhance Supreme Attributes and adapt to the combat power.
Footsteps came. It was a disciple of the Dwarf King he had met before, a small giant blacksmith. The small giant blacksmith panted heavily and respectfully handed over a long wooden box:
"Lord Bai Ye, this is your Seal Demon."
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak, only nodded in thanks. This made the small giant blacksmith smile honestly. Wearing a craftsman's overalls, he scratched the back of his head. Suddenly, he remembered something.
"Lord Bai Ye, this is something I made myself. I don't know if you can use it."
The small giant blacksmith handed over a rough crystal, still smiling awkwardly.
【You have obtained a Whetstone.】
【Whetstone (Origin Level Item): Can be used on slashing items, temporarily increasing their sharpness by 5% (can temporarily break the cap). Effect lasts 12 hours.】
...
Su Xiao looked at the small giant blacksmith. At this point, he finally noticed the other's difference. That dim yet deep causal connection was very similar to the Three Legendary Blacksmiths, but too indistinct. This might be the legendary blacksmith of the Fourth or Fifth Era, inheriting not from the Dwarf King but with a causal feel very similar to the Molten Giant.
However, the small giant blacksmith's causal fluctuation was obscure and dim. This blacksmith would experience many hardships and pains on his future path, but that was fate.
Su Xiao walked toward the teleportation platform. After a few steps, he paused and said, "Your master's achievements are not beyond your reach."
"Lord Bai Ye, I'm so dull... Are you comforting me?"
"..."
Su Xiao didn't speak, only slightly turned his head to look at the small giant blacksmith. The small giant blacksmith immediately felt stupid. How could such a renowned Star Realm god of slaughter comfort others?
"Then, Lord Bai Ye, I really can?"
"Hahaha, why can't you!"
Baha flew over and landed on Su Xiao's shoulder, along with Amu. Amu was now full of momentum. Not to mention the Abyss system, even the participants on their side were intimidated by it. A few bites could take down a severely wounded ancient Abyss existence. Who wouldn't feel their scalp tingle?
Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, Amu, Baha, and Beini stood together on the teleportation array. Destination: the Underworld.
More than three hours later, with a loud boom, Tuanzhang's 「Unkillable Realm」 collapsed. A long horn sound came. All the participants on their side abandoned their various defense lines, forming a circular ring around the base camp.
Looking from above, after the long horn sound ended, from the five fully opened Abyss Gates, a black tide-like Abyss Legion charged out. Even more terrifying, all the ancient Abyss beings also came out in full force.
One by one, 「Abyss Eyes」 were in the sky, totaling over thirty. And each time one was destroyed, another was filled in. All release-type abilities were suppressed by 99.9%.
Within five minutes of the battle starting, the Void battlefield entered an extremely brutal phase. Not to mention Ninth Rank, Absolute Strength, or Supreme, even peak-level beings were dying at any moment. One could imagine how brutal it was for Ninth Rank, Absolute Strength, and Supreme. The base camp had hundreds of teleportation arrays, continuously teleporting reinforcements without stopping.
At this moment, in the Underworld·Extreme South·Dark Land, the sky was pitch black, filled with black liquid beads of various sizes. The largest Abyss Gate in this world had opened here. Judging by the Abyss Gates in the Underworld, the major forces of the Underworld had indeed been heavily beaten by the Abyss faction.
Near this Abyss Gate, many Abyss races had originally been guarding, but now there were corpses everywhere. Su Xiao stopped in front of the Abyss Gate. The demon spirit, which had come ahead to clear the area, was gathered back into the Dragon-Slaying Flash.
"Woof!"
"Meow!"
Bubu Wang and Beini reached an agreement, but after Su Xiao stared at them for a few seconds, they both wilted, indicating they would return to the Void base camp later and wait for the final news. As for Amu and Baha, they would enter the Abyss with Su Xiao.
"Boss, I never thought we'd have this day, hahaha."
Baha laughed heartily, his heart surging. He landed on Su Xiao's shoulder. Bubu Wang and Beini left using the teleportation device.
Su Xiao walked toward the Abyss Gate ahead, with Amu following behind him. He stepped inside, and a tidal wave of thick darkness greeted him. Climbing all the way to strength, at this moment, he could finally set foot in the Abyss openly.
The original estimate was that after entering the Abyss, he would have to fight all the way through. The actual situation was different. The Abyss Legion was launching a full-scale assault on the Void base camp. This must be the decision of the Abyss Governor·Moyam.
This one knew that the death battle between the Lord of the Abyss and the Law Destroyer was inevitable. Others couldn't even assist; after the battle began, they wouldn't even qualify to get close. So it applied full pressure on the Void base camp. As long as the Void's Supreme dared to leave for a moment, it would annihilate the Star Realm faction's lair.
Once the Void base camp was breached, the Abyss faction would win. At that point, Su Xiao, who was fighting the Lord of the Abyss to the death, would not only face certain defeat but also the boiling dark environment of the Abyss.
Beneath his feet was a bottomless dark sediment like liquid. Su Xiao walked on it as if on flat ground. On his shoulder, Baha, as an intruder, immediately attracted a large number of Abyssal creatures to the vicinity. But upon arriving nearby, they either retreated into the darkness or prostrated on the ground. They feared the Lord of the Abyss, but they also feared the Star Realm's chosen one who had sealed the Supreme.
Amid the rustling sounds on both sides, or fearful low growls, Su Xiao walked along the path cleared by the countless Abyssal creatures. As he advanced, the crowded Abyssal creatures ahead fled in terror, creating a forward passage, until a massive palace appeared ahead.
Baha flew to Amu's shoulder. Darkness flowed over Amu, enveloping Baha. Thus, as long as Amu didn't die, Baha wouldn't die either. And Amu's survivability in the Abyss was currently very strong, provided it didn't enter the palace.
Outside the Abyssal palace stood fully armored Abyssal Knights, each with three arms and a single eye on their chest. They stood in two rows and did not attack. This was clearly the Lord of the Abyss's order.
Su Xiao stopped in front of the palace and pushed open the doors with both hands.
Click, clack~
The heavy doors were pushed open by him. As the dark metal giant doors opened, there were dark, flesh-like strands between them. As the gap widened, the dark flesh snapped.
Su Xiao stepped inside. With a loud boom, the doors closed. Amu stood with its back to the dark giant doors. If any of the Abyssal Knights in front of the palace made a move, Amu's full set of teeth could try to chew them up and swallow them.
In the dim, empty palace, murmurs and whispers seemed to come from unknown places. Su Xiao stopped at the center of the palace, standing on a naturally formed crimson pattern array. He looked at the figure on the throne opposite. His hand pressed on the end of the scabbard at his waist.
The death battle in the Abyss was about to begin.