Chapter 31: The Lord of the Abyss
The name "Reisgem" was etched clearly in Linley’s memory.
Back when he had been testing his "Earthwalk" technique in the Amethyst Mountains and fell into the clutches of that violet beast, the creature had announced its name with pride, claiming to be a Lord of the Abyss, intending to intimidate Linley. Unfortunately, Linley had no idea what the Abyss was, nor did he grasp the meaning of "Lord of the Abyss."
"Sssss." Countless streams of black energy, tough and unyielding, completely bound Linley. Even with his immense strength, the rate at which he shattered the black energy couldn’t keep up with its regeneration.
"Kid, don’t even think about using that drop of Sovereign power. It would be wasted if you did." The low, gentle voice continued.
Linley turned his head in surprise. Fortunately, the black energy hadn’t enveloped his head. He could clearly see the red-haired, muscular man in ancient armor, standing in the void with a heavy hammer in hand.
"What do you want?" Linley sneered. "What, planning to take control of my soul?"
"You even know about that?" The lord of this Hendsey Castle said in surprise.
Though the two were conversing, the lord had activated his "Divine Domain," completely sealing off their words. The onlookers in the distance couldn’t see or hear a thing.
"Come with me. Let’s talk properly." The lord turned and flew downward.
"Go with him?" Linley hesitated.
Seeing Linley unmoving, the lord glanced back and said with a faint smile, "With your soul’s level as a mid-level God, you’re far from my match. Controlling you would be effortless for me. There’s no need for me to play tricks."
"If that’s the case, then let’s talk right here," Linley said.
The lord looked at him in surprise, then chuckled and nodded. "Fine, I’ll listen to you." Over the years, few had dared speak to him like this. So the lord and Linley began their conversation in the air above Hendsey Castle.
"First, let me introduce myself. I am Mosi & Bagshaw! The current lord of Hendsey Castle." The lord wore a faint smile.
This lord was also a member of the Bagshaw family!
Linley noticed that this lord, who fought with such boldness, spoke in a low, gentle tone and had a warm smile, far from the impression of a rough brute. Linley replied, "I am Linley."
"Can you tell me, what is your relationship with Reisgem? That he would craft a soul-protecting artifact for you?" the lord, Mosi, said with a faint smile.
"Reisgem? Craft a soul-protecting artifact for me?" Linley was stunned.
"Isn’t that the case?" Mosi said with a faint smile. "I’ve heard of your achievements—killing so many High-level Gods, defeating Paslow. At the very least, your soul defense must be strong. But you’re a mid-level God. How could your soul defense be that powerful? A mid-level God’s soul, in terms of quality, is far inferior to a High-level God’s!"
"That’s right. I do have a soul-protecting artifact. So what?" Linley dared not admit he had a soul-protecting Sovereign artifact, or else the Mosi before him might succumb to greed.
"That explains it." Mosi smiled. "Crafting a soul-protecting artifact is extremely difficult. It requires a profound understanding of the soul. Throughout the entire Infernal Realm, very few can forge such artifacts, and Reisgem is one of them."
"You can use his signature move, the ‘Amethyst Space,’ which means he must have taught you. So, I say your soul-protecting artifact was made by him." Mosi said with confidence.
Linley shook his head. "I did learn the Gravity Space from him, that’s true. But the soul-protecting artifact wasn’t made by him."
"Oh?" Mosi looked at Linley in surprise, then laughed. "I have to say, you’re quite the mysterious one. Your body is so powerful that even among the Four Divine Beasts clan, it’s rare. You have a soul-protecting artifact, and you’re connected to Reisgem..."
Linley frowned.
What was this Lord Mosi trying to achieve by talking so much? But for now, it seemed the other party had no killing intent.
Seeing Linley’s expression, Mosi smiled reassuringly. "Kid, relax. Even if only for Reisgem’s sake, I won’t kill you. I just find you interesting and wanted to chat."
Linley felt a wave of relief.
"So it was because of that violet beast that I escaped this ordeal." Linley believed Lord Mosi’s words. After all, if the man wanted him dead, he wouldn’t need to lie.
"How can you be so sure I’m a mid-level God?" Linley countered.
"Haha..." Mosi burst into laughter. "Kid, in the entire Infernal Realm, or even across the four Higher Planes and seven Divine Planes, there are no more than ten people whose soul cultivation surpasses mine. But even if they’re slightly better, they can’t fully hide their strength from me."
Linley was inwardly shocked.
Across the four Higher Planes and seven Divine Planes, fewer than ten surpassed him in soul cultivation.
That meant...
In the Infernal Realm, Mosi ranked in the top three in terms of soul power. The Infernal Realm had existed for countless eons, with countless experts. The position of "Asura" changed hands frequently, and many former Asuras had retired into obscurity.
Experts were as numerous as clouds!
Yet Mosi ranked in the top three in soul cultivation—terrifying!
"Of course, there’s another possibility," Mosi said with a smile. "Unless you’re a Sovereign. Only then could you hide it from me." As he spoke, Mosi willed the black energy to retract.
Now free, Linley felt a growing fondness for Mosi. "Lord Mosi, may I ask, what is your relationship with Reisgem?"
"Him?" A flicker of confusion passed through Mosi’s eyes, as if recalling many past events. Then his gaze steadied, and he sighed. "Reisgem and I are both Lords of the Abyss."
"Indeed!" Linley was now certain that the "Lord" Gamontin had mentioned was Mosi.
"What is the Abyss, and what does being a Lord of the Abyss mean?" Linley asked curiously.
"The Abyss?" Mosi looked at Linley in surprise. "You don’t even know that?" In Mosi’s view, someone with so many secrets should know about the Abyss.
Still, Mosi answered, "The Abyss is a very special place in the Infernal Realm. It’s filled with experts—many retired Asuras and reclusive powerhouses go there. The number of experts there is staggering!"
"And the Lords of the Abyss?" Linley pressed on.
"There are 108 Lords of the Abyss in total," Mosi said with a smile.
"Also 108?" Linley was surprised.
"Yes. The Infernal Realm has 108 Asuras, and the Abyss has 108 Lords. The Asuras govern a prefecture, while the Lords of the Abyss command armies," Mosi explained.
"Oh. So who’s stronger, an Asura or a Lord of the Abyss?" Linley asked further.
Mosi glanced at Linley. "There’s no clear answer. To become an Asura or a Lord, one must be nearly at the peak of High-level Godhood, each with their own unique techniques. There are plenty of Seven Star Fiends in the Infernal Realm, but the number of Asuras and Lords is fixed. They face constant challenges—lose, and you step down; the stronger one takes over."
Linley nodded.
"However, the 108 Asuras of the Infernal Realm live relatively peacefully, governing their prefectures without much challenge. The Lords of the Abyss, on the other hand, face battles and slaughter as a daily routine," Mosi said with a sigh.
Linley had to admit that in his time in the Infernal Realm, he had seen many Seven Star Fiends, even on Luola Island.
Generally, a High-level God who had fused four types of profound mysteries was considered a Seven Star Fiend.
But above them were those who had fused five, and those close to fusing six.
And then there was the Grand Perfection realm of fusing all six.
Some had "soul mutations," some were divine beasts with innate abilities, some had unique racial talents, some wielded Sovereign artifacts, some had Sovereign power...
To become an "Asura" or "Lord of the Abyss" was no ordinary feat.
"My Gravity Space is already this powerful. If that violet beast used it? And since it’s its innate ability, it would be ten or even a hundred times stronger than mine." Linley remembered the massive Gravity Space spanning hundreds of thousands of miles across the entire Amethyst Mountains.
After their conversation, Linley and Mosi had grown much closer.
"Lord Mosi, I have a favor to ask," Linley said sincerely. Talos and Dylin were surely under soul control. Living without autonomy was worse than death. Linley naturally wanted to help them regain their freedom.
"Oh? Speak," Mosi said.
"I have two friends who are both Hundred Victors. I suspect they’ve been soul-controlled. I hope you can set them free."
Mosi pondered for a moment.
Linley felt anxious. Using soul seeds to control others was a common tactic, and asking someone to give that up was a big request. He hoped Mosi would grant him this favor.
"Alright, tell me their names." Mosi finally nodded.
"One is a High-level God named Talos, and the other is a mid-level God named Dylin," Linley said quickly.
Mosi sighed. "Talos was personally controlled by me. He has great potential. Dylin was likely controlled by one of my subordinates." Mosi paused briefly. "Don’t worry. By the time you return to Luola Island, you’ll find both of them free."
"Lord Mosi, I’m deeply grateful." Linley was truly thankful. If Mosi had refused, there was nothing he could do.
Mosi smiled faintly. He controlled many Seven Star Fiends; Talos and Dylin meant little to him.
"Come now, will you follow me below?" Mosi said.
Linley smiled and followed Lord Mosi as they flew down toward the castle. The broken parts of the castle were being repaired by countless black-armored soldiers carrying black stone, working at incredible speed.
"Teacher (Master)!" Urey and the others respectfully approached.
Lord Mosi nodded to them and continued downward with Linley.
"Who is this Linley?" Urey and the others wondered. In their eyes, their teacher was a true pinnacle figure of the Infernal Realm. That he would treat Linley so kindly was unbelievable.
As Linley and Lord Mosi descended, suddenly—
"Lord! Lord!" An urgent voice rang out.
Linley turned and frowned. Gamontin was flying over anxiously, shouting "Lord."
"Oh, Gamontin." Lord Mosi recognized him immediately. "Gamontin, what happened to your wind-type divine clone?" Gamontin was an old subordinate of his.
Gamontin bowed respectfully, then said angrily, "Lord, my wind-type divine clone was destroyed by him!" He pointed accusingly at Linley.
"Hmm?" Lord Mosi frowned.
"How did you come into conflict with Linley?" Lord Mosi asked.
Gamontin quickly replied, "Lord, I discovered a soul-mutated mid-level God and immediately tried to capture him for you. But that person was Linley’s friend, and Linley stepped in, destroying my wind-type divine clone."
"A soul-mutated mid-level God?" Lord Mosi’s eyes lit up.
Soul mutants had even greater potential than divine beasts.
"Lord Mosi, that soul-mutated mid-level God is my brother," Linley had to say.
"Lord, you must avenge me!" Gamontin urged.
Lord Mosi frowned, silent for a moment. Linley and Gamontin both wondered what he was thinking.
"Leave," Lord Mosi said coldly.
Gamontin froze, his face turning pale. He knew Lord Mosi’s temper well. "Yes, Lord." Without another word, Gamontin bowed and withdrew.
Linley breathed a sigh of relief.
Lord Mosi turned back to Linley and smiled. "Linley, would you like to come to my first secret chamber and watch recordings of battles between experts? There are even recordings of Sovereigns fighting!"