Chapter 2135: Abyssal Sword Crosses Tribulation
Feeling the faint, icy aura emanating from Zhang Ruochen, the two blood beasts couldn't help but tremble, involuntarily retreating, lowering their heads completely, and prostrating themselves on the ground.
Qiu Yichi was also deeply shocked, truly sensing Zhang Ruochen's power. The impact on her mind was no less than when she had faced Yan Wushen's good incarnation, and perhaps even surpassed it.
Xue Hou looked at Zhang Ruochen with a gentle gaze and said, "Chen'er, your mother didn't mean to deceive you. I just didn't want you to take risks. Chi Kunlun is my grandson; how could I not care about him?"
Regardless, Xue Hou did not want this matter to cause the distance she had finally managed to narrow with Zhang Ruochen to widen again.
Everything she did was to make up for the debt she owed Zhang Ruochen, hoping he would accept her and call her "Mother."
Zhang Ruochen slowly restrained his aura, and his eyes became much softer.
He was not an unreasonable person. After a moment's thought, he understood Xue Hou's intentions.
Back when he fought Shang Zihong at the Peacock Manor, he had only just broken through to the Dao Domain realm. His strength was at most comparable to the third level below Great Saint. If he had recklessly gone to find Yan Wushen, it would have been like throwing an egg against a rock.
"I will handle Chi Kunlun's matter. No one can harm him," Zhang Ruochen said.
Xue Hou stepped forward and said, "Yan Wushen is considered the most outstanding genius of this Eon in the Hell Realm. He is not easy to deal with. To rescue Kunlun, we could have Xue Mo, Yan Liren, and the others assist you."
"No need. I will handle this myself," Zhang Ruochen said.
After a pause, Zhang Ruochen continued, "If possible, I hope you can spare Yan Liren's cocoon body. After all, he is the master of the Heavenly Dipper Pavilion of the Dragon-Protecting Pavilion."
"Alright, as long as it makes you happy, Chen'er, I will do as you wish," Xue Hou said with a gentle smile.
It was rare for Zhang Ruochen to make a request of her, so Xue Hou would do everything in her power to fulfill it, whatever it might be.
After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Ruochen said, "I want to see Lanyou."
One of the main reasons he had come to the Endless Abyss was to see Kong Lanyou. He wanted to personally hand over some treasures he had obtained from True Dragon Island, especially the quasi-Emperor-grade pill formed from the true body of the Pill Emperor.
"In a secret realm on the second gradient of the Endless Abyss, there is an opportunity for Lanyou to rebuild her Indestructible Saint Body. She has already entered it and cannot come out to see you for now," Xue Hou said.
Zhang Ruochen was not surprised by this. Kong Lanyou had originally chosen to stay in the Endless Abyss for this very opportunity.
Zhang Ruochen said, "Take me to that secret realm. I want to see her with my own eyes."
"Alright, I'll take you there," Xue Hou said with a nod.
Immediately, Xue Hou released a surge of power, enveloping Zhang Ruochen, and they transformed into a streak of light, leaving the mountaintop.
Kumie Valley was one of the most mysterious places on the second gradient of the Endless Abyss. Even Xue Hou had not fully explored its secrets.
In the blink of an eye, Xue Hou brought Zhang Ruochen to the entrance of Kumie Valley.
From the outside, Kumie Valley did not appear large, and there was nothing particularly special about its surroundings.
However, according to Xue Hou, the valley contained a vast and profound inner world, like a passage leading to some mysterious, unknown place.
Within Kumie Valley, a grayish, hazy gas filled the air, greatly obstructing vision.
Zhang Ruochen stood at the valley entrance, unable to see Kong Lanyou or sense her aura.
He took a step forward, intending to enter the valley.
Xue Hou immediately stopped him, saying, "Don't act rashly. Kumie Valley is filled with a dense aura of withering that can erode the life force of living beings. The deeper you go, the more terrifying it becomes. At the very depths, even gods might not be able to withstand it."
"Lanyou hasn't gone too deep into Kumie Valley. She is only cultivating at the edge."
"Swoosh—"
As she spoke, Xue Hou casually waved her hand, and the grayish gas inside the valley scattered.
About a hundred zhang from the entrance, a slender figure appeared, dressed in white robes with white hair. Who else could it be but Kong Lanyou?
However, Kong Lanyou's condition was not good. She had become noticeably thinner, her skin dry and lusterless, taking on a dull, grayish hue.
She sat there quietly, as still as stone. No one knew what state she was in.
Seeing Kong Lanyou's lifeless appearance, Zhang Ruochen's heart ached, but he was helpless.
Rebuilding an Indestructible Saint Body was akin to defying fate. Without immense perseverance and extraordinary fortune, success was impossible.
Xue Hou said softly, "Kumie Valley can unlock all of Lanyou's potential while eliminating the effects of her shattered Indestructible Saint Body. Only then does she have a chance to rebuild it."
"I explained everything to Lanyou beforehand, yet she still chose to fight for a future full of hope."
The difficulty of rebuilding an Indestructible Saint Body was immense. Throughout history, very few had succeeded. Even the most gifted individuals often ended in failure.
Zhang Ruochen knew that even with the many treasures he had obtained from True Dragon Island, including a quasi-Emperor-grade sacred pill, the chances of helping Kong Lanyou rebuild her Indestructible Saint Body were still minuscule.
It was like a curse—without heaven-defying fortune, it was nearly impossible to break.
With such an opportunity before her, given Kong Lanyou's personality, even if it meant the risk of complete annihilation, she would undoubtedly fight with all her might.
"Chen'er, if you don't want Lanyou to be in danger, I can reach out and pull her out. But if I do, she will lose this opportunity here, and re-entering later will be a hundred times more difficult," Xue Hou said.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head slightly and said, "No need. This is Lanyou's own choice. I cannot stop her, and I believe she will succeed."
He understood Kong Lanyou's determination. He could only support her, not hinder her.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Xue Hou beside him, his heart deeply conflicted. He had no idea how to face this Undying Blood Clan mother born in the Hell Realm.
If Xue Hou were a completely evil demon of the Hell Realm, a cold, blood-sucking monster, Zhang Ruochen could have handled their relationship easily.
Even if they were once mother and son, it would not sway his will.
But Xue Hou was not that kind of person.
After standing outside Kumie Valley for a long time, Zhang Ruochen ultimately chose to temporarily escape. He let out a long sigh and turned to leave. There were still many things waiting for him outside.
Before leaving, Zhang Ruochen handed over the quasi-Emperor-grade pill formed from the true body of the Pill Emperor to Xue Hou, to keep for Kong Lanyou in case of need.
Returning to the first gradient of the Endless Abyss, Zhang Ruochen stopped and did not rush to leave.
With a thought, the Abyssal Ancient Sword flew out from between his brows. On its black blade, a flickering, strange light bloomed.
"Abyssal, are you ready?" Zhang Ruochen asked softly.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword emitted a faint light, revealing a handsome black-clad youth with sword-like brows and starry eyes, bearing some resemblance to Zhang Ruochen. This was the sword spirit of the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
The Abyssal sword spirit said, "My accumulation was already sufficient. Now that your Sword Dao has reached the Great Perfection of the Saint King realm, our sword intents have merged, strengthening my origin. I am fully confident I can cross the Heavenly Tribulation."
"Then let this be the place where you transform into a Monarch Sacred Artifact," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhang Ruochen had come to the Endless Abyss not only for Chi Kunlun and Kong Lanyou but also to let the Abyssal Ancient Sword undergo the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation.
Whether through gradual growth or direct refinement, to become a Monarch Sacred Artifact, one must undergo the baptism of Heavenly Tribulation and gain the recognition of the world's rules.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword had refined a large number of precious sacred artifacts and had already reached the pinnacle of a Ten-Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifact, meeting the conditions for crossing the tribulation. However, it had been suppressing itself, allowing its accumulation to become even more profound, ensuring a one hundred percent chance of success.
Zhang Ruochen's cultivation of the Sword Dao to the Great Perfection realm had become the catalyst for the Abyssal Ancient Sword's essential transformation.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword held immense significance for Zhang Ruochen, far beyond that of even a Supreme Sacred Artifact. It had grown alongside him, allowing him to perfectly express his Sword Dao.
Once the Abyssal Ancient Sword advanced to become a Monarch Sacred Artifact, Zhang Ruochen's Sword Dao techniques would be greatly enhanced.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword flew into midair, ceasing its suppression. It fully manifested all 129,599 of its inscriptions.
In the next moment, a brand-new inscription condensed, reaching the number of a single cycle.
Immediately, all the inscriptions began to undergo a strange transformation. Their essence changed, evolving from ordinary inscriptions into King-grade inscriptions.
At that moment, the rules of the unseen responded.
"Boom, rumble."
Above the Endless Abyss, violent energy fluctuations occurred as a vast number of world rules and sacred qi converged.
In the blink of an eye, a massive black vortex formed, releasing an extremely terrifying pressure. A destructive aura spread, suffocating.
Such a commotion, if it had occurred elsewhere, would have alarmed many powerful beings.
This was another reason Zhang Ruochen had chosen the Endless Abyss as the site for the tribulation—to avoid interference and to keep the secret of the Abyssal Ancient Sword's advancement to Monarch Sacred Artifact.
"Whoosh."
Countless blades of astral wind flew out from the black vortex, sweeping toward the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
The astral wind was formless but incredibly sharp. Wherever it passed, space was torn apart, revealing countless black fissures.
This was the power of the Heavenly Tribulation. No matter how special the Endless Abyss was, it could not negate it.
In an instant, the Abyssal Ancient Sword was engulfed by the violent astral wind. Blades of wind continuously struck the sword's body, producing crisp sounds.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword did not resist. It allowed the astral wind to attack, using it to temper itself and become stronger.
No matter how fiercely the astral wind struck, the Abyssal Ancient Sword remained unmoved. Instead, the transformation of its inscriptions accelerated.
It was not that the wind tribulation was weak, but that the Abyssal Ancient Sword's essence was too strong. It was forged entirely from Creation Divine Iron, nearly indestructible. Its sword spirit had also been shaped into the most perfect Dao body, with profound accumulation, already comparable to the spirit of an ordinary Monarch Sacred Artifact.
"According to the records in the scriptures, the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation consists of four stages: Wind, Fire, Water, and Lightning. Each stage is more terrifying than the last. Most can cross the first three stages but fail to withstand the last. However, with Abyssal's accumulation, there should be no problem," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
The probability of successfully crossing the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation was very low, only about ten percent. In other words, out of ten sacred artifacts undergoing the tribulation, only one would succeed.
During the tribulation, no one could interfere, or the tribulation would become even more terrifying.
"The Heavenly Tribulation can temper a Monarch Sacred Artifact. Perhaps it can also help me accelerate the immortalization of my internal organs," Zhang Ruochen's eyes suddenly lit up with a strange gleam.
With this thought, Zhang Ruochen did not hesitate. He immediately acted, drawing a small amount of the scattered tribulation power into his body.
One could only say that he was truly bold and skilled. Such a crazy act could easily turn him into a pile of tribulation ash.
Zhang Ruochen fully activated the "Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture," allowing the tribulation power to merge into his internal organs, repeatedly tempering them.
"It's working. The strength of my organs is slowly increasing. Continue," Zhang Ruochen thought with some surprise.
He calmed his mind and continued to absorb the tribulation power.
Of course, he was very careful, only absorbing the scattered power to avoid interfering with the Abyssal Ancient Sword's tribulation.
For a time, Zhang Ruochen was completely immersed in cultivation. To him, the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation was a significant opportunity.
After a full three hours, the wind tribulation ceased. The Abyssal Ancient Sword was unharmed, its color becoming deeper and more restrained. A strange wind mark appeared on its surface, naturally imprinted by heaven and earth, containing an incredibly profound artistic conception.
Next, a vast amount of heavenly fire emerged, like countless fire dragons roaring as they pounced on the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
In the next moment, the heavenly fire transformed into a heavenly copper furnace, enveloping the Abyssal Ancient Sword. It fiercely refined it, attempting to burn it to ashes.
Under the intense heat of the heavenly fire, the black sword body gradually turned fiery red, as if it were about to melt.
Even so, the Abyssal Ancient Sword did not choose to resist. Instead, it actively absorbed the heavenly fire, extracting impurities from itself.
During its growth, the Abyssal Ancient Sword had refined too many sacred artifacts, making its power somewhat mixed. Now, it could use the tribulation power to sort things out.
Similarly, the fire tribulation also lasted three hours, after which the water tribulation descended.
As the saying goes, refining a weapon requires the hottest fire and the coldest water. Thus, in the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation, the water and fire tribulations were particularly important for tempering a sacred artifact.
As time passed, the Abyssal Ancient Sword successfully crossed the wind, fire, and water tribulations. It had become pure and flawless, with all its inscriptions transformed into King-grade inscriptions.
As long as it crossed the final lightning tribulation, it would become a true Monarch Sacred Artifact.
"Boom."
A bolt of lightning ten thousand zhang long suddenly struck down from the black vortex, directly hitting the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
"Hum."
The Abyssal Ancient Sword trembled slightly, frantically absorbing the lightning.
As the lightning was absorbed, a faint lightning mark slowly formed on the sword's body.
Without any pause, a second bolt of lightning struck down, far more powerful than the first.
One after another, bolts of lightning struck down, as if determined to destroy the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
Even the stable space of the Endless Abyss was shattered by the lightning, creating terrifying spatial turbulence.
With each bolt of lightning absorbed, the lightning mark on the Abyssal Ancient Sword's body became clearer and more complex.
"Boom, rumble."
The black vortex violently collapsed, all its power converging into a single, most terrifying bolt of lightning.
"Bang."
The destructive lightning struck the Abyssal Ancient Sword, like an ancient divine mountain pressing down, causing the sword to plummet rapidly. Its body trembled, as if it could not withstand the force.
"Absorb it all!"
The Abyssal sword spirit shouted.
Instantly, the Abyssal Ancient Sword emitted a dazzling sword light. Over a hundred thousand King-grade inscriptions all appeared, enveloping the destructive lightning.
This was the ninth bolt of lightning, the most terrifying of all. Its power surpassed the combined might of the previous eight. Even an ordinary Indestructible Saint Body would likely be destroyed upon contact.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword used all its abilities, spending a considerable amount of time before finally fully absorbing it.
At that moment, the profoundly complex lightning mark finally appeared clearly on the sword's body, looking incredibly spirited, as if it possessed life.
The terrifying pressure that had enveloped the Endless Abyss vanished. Everything returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
Thus, the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation came to an end. The Abyssal Ancient Sword had successfully advanced to become a Monarch Sacred Artifact.