"Jiuzhi, your soul has been trembling non-stop. Whatever is on your mind, set it aside for now," came the calm yet firm voice of Dian Jiuzhi's father, the Boundless Divine Regent. The words carried both guidance and subtle admonition, cutting through the turmoil brewing within his son.
Dian Jiuzhi blinked, startled slightly by the reminder. Slowly, he nodded, acknowledging his father's advice. For a long while, his gaze had been fixed on the Heaven Breaker Kingdom's direction, unwavering and filled with unspoken emotions. Yet, the person he was looking at had never once turned back to meet his eyes.
"Thank you for your reminder, Father," he said softly, his tone steady yet weighed with suppressed emotions. With great effort, he finally tore his gaze away, though the lingering heaviness in his heart remained.
As he shifted his focus forward, his mind struggled to bury the thoughts that had consumed him. But the faint tension in his posture betrayed that, even now, forgetting was easier said than done.
Everyone gathered in the hall harbored their own thoughts. For some, this was a familiar experience, having been here before. For others, it was their first time coming in this ancient and imposing place. Yet, regardless of who they were or what occupied their minds, they quickly dispelled their thoughts, suppressing any distractions.
All attention turned forward as they waited patiently for the one who embodied the absolute authority of the Abyss.
It wasn't long before he arrived after a short hour. No one saw when or how it happened—there was no sound, no spatial fluctuation. Yet, without warning, a man who appeared no older than thirty suddenly sat in the previously empty seat. His arrival was so seamless it felt as though he had always been there, as though time itself had bent to his will.
His facial features were gentle, like the calm flow of spring water, yet his handsomeness was so overwhelming it bordered on terrifying. He looked like an angel descended from heaven—majestic and ethereal, yet his presence was anything but comforting. Despite the beauty of his appearance, his arrival sent a ripple of fear and reverence through every heart in the hall.
He neither released power nor spoke a single word, yet the atmosphere changed entirely. The world seemed to hold its breath, ready to bend to his will should he so desire. His presence alone demanded absolute respect, his silence louder than any roar of divine power.
Yun Che's gaze fixed on the man, unblinking, as if trying to commit every detail to memory. He looked exactly like the projections recorded millions of years ago. There was no mistaking him—Mo Su, the Heaven Punishing Crown Prince, the son of the Heaven Punishing Creator God Mo E. Time had not touched his appearance, but his eyes… those eyes told the story of an eternity.
"We greet the great ruler of the Abyss!" The High Priests spoke in unison, bowing their heads deeply. Their voices carried an almost sacred reverence. Following their lead, the Seven True Gods lowered their heads as well, their absolute submission clear. The rest of the hall, from the mightiest to the weakest, quickly followed, bowing in unison to the man who embodied the very pinnacle of existence.
"I hope I didn't keep you all waiting," Mo Su said with a light smile, his tone calm and unhurried, yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority. His gentle gesture, signaling for everyone to raise their heads, felt like the turning of the heavens—a command so natural that it left no room for hesitation.
"No, no, not at all, Grandpa Abyss... your majesty," Hua Caili spoke out, her clear voice breaking the silence. She sat behind Hua Fuchen and Hua Qingying, her posture relaxed yet respectful. Among the many gathered here, Hua Caili stood out as one of the few who spoke to the Abyssal Monarch with familiarity. Her years of living in the Pure Land had given her a unique bond with Mo Su.
Mo Su's gaze shifted to her, his faint smile deepening ever so slightly, as if her bold yet endearing demeanor amused him.
"No one would dare blame your majesty," Hua Fuchen added, his voice steady and full of reverence, "even if we had to wait day and night—or even years. Much less for such a brief moment, your majesty."
His words carried an unmistakable sincerity, reflecting the depth of reverence he held for the Abyssal Monarch. As Hua Fuchen spoke, Hua Qingying nodded subtly in agreement, her expression composed.
The hall was silent for a moment, the weight of Mo Su's presence palpable. He neither spoke nor moved beyond his initial gesture, yet his aura seemed to fill every corner of the vast hall, pressing down on all who were gathered. Though his appearance was serene, there was an undeniable force behind it—a reminder that this man, seemingly gentle and composed, was the absolute ruler of the Abyss, a being whose power transcended the comprehension of even True Gods.
Mo Su's gaze swept over the assembly, pausing briefly on each of the key figures present. His faint smile remained, but there was a subtle shift in his eyes—a glimmer of something ancient, as if he were measuring the worth of those before him. Even the Gods, beings accustomed to commanding entire kingdoms, felt a subtle tension under his gaze.
Beside them, everyone else voiced their agreement in unison, the hum of acknowledgment filling the hall. The Chief Priest raised his hand, and with that single gesture, the room fell into an expectant silence. All eyes turned forward, waiting for their lord to speak.
"Alright then, let us cut to the chase and get to the reason why we are here," Mo Su said after a brief pause, his voice calm and measured, yet carrying an undeniable weight that demanded attention. The atmosphere grew even heavier as he continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. "As many of you may already know, we have successfully sent an expedition team to the Eternal Pure Land—my homeland."
Though the Gods had long known of the Eternal Pure Land and the expedition's success, the news was still new to most of the gathered people. For some, it was confirmation of what they had only dared to believe; for others, it was the shattering of their doubts. The murmurs that followed were filled with disbelief, awe, and excitement.
"WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
"The Eternal Pure Land!!!"
"It's true? The expedition really succeeded?!?!"
The reactions of the non-Gods rippled through the hall in hushed exclamations and sound transmissions. Even among the younger Divine Sons and Daughters, the disbelief was palpable. The Eternal Pure Land, long thought of by many as a myth or unattainable legend, was now a proven reality—something within reach.
Though the Gods themselves remained composed, their eyes glimmered with understanding, their expressions betraying the gravity of what lay ahead. The confirmation of this new world was no longer a revelation to them, but it marked the beginning of something far greater—a shift that would reshape the Abyss itself.
"BOOMMM!!!"
Roars of disbelief rang out one after another, the sound reverberating through the hall. Voices filled with astonishment and doubt overlapped in a cacophony that quickly grew out of control. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as the sound of a staff slamming into the ground cut through the chaos. Yet it wasn't just the noise that silenced them—it was the sensation that followed, a tremor that seemed to ripple through their very souls.
It was the Chief Priest who had slammed his staff down, his expression cold and stern. "This is your last warning," he said quietly, his tone sharp as a blade. "When the Lord is speaking, you should only listen." His voice carried no gentleness, only authority—a force that demanded obedience.
The hall fell into immediate silence. Even the faintest whispers ceased as everyone turned their attention back to the Abyssal Monarch. The weight of the Chief Priest's reprimand lingered in the air, a reminder of the respect demanded in this sacred space.
To the Gods, the revelation was not entirely new. They had long known that their expedition team had found the spatial tunnel leading to the Eternal Pure Land. Unfortunately, that tunnel had only remained open for a fleeting moment before it closed again. But despite this, the mission had been a success—the coordinates for the Eternal Pure Land were now in their possession. What lay ahead was no longer a question of possibility but of timing.
To the younger generation and many others gathered here, this was the first time they had ever heard such news. And for them, as it had been for the Gods when they first learned of it, this revelation was world-shaking. It was a truth so profound that it had the power to overturn their understanding of existence itself—a truth that could redefine the world they knew.
How long had it been? How many millions of years had their grand ancestors spoken of a world beyond the Abyss? A place untouched by the suffocating reach of Abyss Dust—a paradise that existed only in the fragments of ancient legends and the dreams of those long gone.
How many generations had come and gone, living and dying without ever seeing that dreamlike place? An Eternal Pure Land, a world of serenity and perfection. A world where Abyss Dust did not exist, where the air was pure, where children could run and laugh freely beneath unblemished skies. A world of eternal peace, where the endless struggle for survival was but a distant memory.
It was the stuff of myths, stories told by hopeful voices that seemed too idealistic to be true. And now, here it was—confirmed to exist, no longer a fleeting dream but a tangible reality. The weight of it bore down on them, shaking even the most composed among them.
Yet, as much as they wanted to express their astonishment, disbelief, or joy, they couldn't. Seated before the ruler of the Abyss, they were compelled to maintain absolute composure. Any outward reaction, no matter how small, would be inappropriate in his presence. Every emotion, every tremor of excitement, had to be buried deep within.
The Abyssal Monarch remained silent as the Chief Priest issued his warning, his calm demeanor unshaken. Only a faint smile graced his lips as he resumed speaking.
"Around forty years from now, when the power to break through the spatial tunnel has been prepared once more," he said, his voice steady and deliberate, "we will journey to the Eternal Pure Land."
His tone was as serene as ever, yet the weight of his words reverberated through the hall like thunder. Since the Abyssal Monarch had appeared, he had spoken little, but every word he uttered carried an impact so profound it shook the very core of those who heard them.
For a moment, silence enveloped the room, yet the tension was palpable. Forty years. The timeline was set, and the reality of the journey loomed closer than anyone could have imagined.
Everyone's hearts churned with turmoil, their minds racing to grasp the magnitude of what they had just heard. The Eternal Pure Land, once thought to be nothing more than a distant dream or legend, was now a destination within their reach. Forty years—an eternity to some and a fleeting moment to others—was all that separated them from stepping into the unknown.
They could feel it in the air, the emotions of those around them—a maelstrom of awe, excitement, and trepidation. Bodies trembled as suppressed feelings threatened to spill over. Even the most disciplined among them struggled to keep their composure.
Yun Che, standing silently behind the Dreamless Divine Regent, was trembling like everyone else in the hall. But unlike the others, his reaction had nothing to do with excitement or awe. His entire body shook for a far graver reason—one that no one else could understand.
Forty years.
In just forty years, his homeworld—his family, friends, and everything he had ever cared about—would face annihilation. Only he knew the horrifying truth of what would happen when the people of the Abyss reached the Eternal Pure Land. The weakened Heavenly Laws of that world could not sustain the overwhelming power of those from the Abyss. It would be too much. The laws would crumble, and with them, the fragile balance that held the Eternal Pure Land together.
Everything… everything would be destroyed.
Yun Che's mind raced, his thoughts spiraling into chaos. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his teeth grinding with such force that the faint sound of it could be heard. Beside him, Meng Jianxi glanced his way, alarmed by the barely restrained tension radiating from him. He could faintly hear the sound of Yun Che's teeth threatening to crack under the pressure.
As the flames of excitement and anticipation rose among the gathered assembly, the Abyssal Monarch's next words extinguished them instantly.
"Unfortunately, we will not be able to send everyone over forty years from now," he stated, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
His words struck like a cold bucket of ice—no, like a tsunami crashing down on them. The surge of emotions that had swelled within the room was drowned in an instant, replaced by a stunned silence. The Abyssal Monarch's pronouncement was absolute, leaving no room for argument or hope.
"The spatial tunnel that connects our Abyss to the world of the Eternal Pure Land requires an immense amount of energy," he continued, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable weight. "Each time we open the passage, it demands the combined strength of all the Gods… as well as the power of our strongest spatial artifact."
This was no revelation to the Gods. They had known this fact long before, understanding the monumental cost of breaching the spatial barrier. But for the younger generation and the others present, it was an eye-opening truth. The realization of the limitations imposed by this colossal undertaking weighed heavily on their minds.
The room grew eerily quiet. No murmurs or whispers filled the air as the gravity of the situation sank in. Though the Abyssal Monarch's tone remained composed, the storm of thoughts in the minds of those gathered was palpable. Questions, doubts, and even fears swirled within their hearts, yet none dared to voice them in his presence.
"Each time the passage is opened," the Abyssal Monarch continued, his voice calm yet heavy with truth, "it exhausts the full power of our spatial artifact. Even with the combined strength of all the Gods, we can only maintain it for a limited time. That is why, with every expedition, no one has returned—even if they succeeded in reaching the other world."
His words pierced the silence like a blade, their weight bearing down on everyone present. The reality he described was like a trip to heaven, only to be cast into hell. Just moments ago, they had been given the greatest news of their lives, only to have it wrenched away. The Eternal Pure Land, once so tantalizingly close, now seemed farther than ever.
"If we Gods were to enter the spatial tunnel ourselves," the Abyssal Monarch continued, "without anyone maintaining the opening formation, the tunnel might collapse—or close immediately."
The room grew colder, as if the air itself carried the despair creeping into their hearts. Those gathered had only just begun to dream of stepping into paradise, but now the possibility seemed more like an illusion, the cost too great to fathom.
The Abyssal Monarch's next words deepened their despair. "If the passage closes while we are inside," he said, his gaze scanning the crowd, "though those above the Divine Master Realm could survive its destructive power, we may not have the strength to overcome the gravitational forces that would drag us down."
Yun Che listened quietly, his body trembling ever so slightly. Every word the Abyssal Monarch spoke was true—undeniably so. He knew this better than anyone. It's easier to enter the Abyss than leaving it! When he had first arrived in this world, his power had been only around the level of a Peak Divine Master able to descend successfully. How ever, Heaven Smithing Devil Emperor, a being on par with the Creation Gods, she, despite her unparalleled strength, had been wary of the gravitational force that lay within the Abyss. If such a force could instill fear in an existence like the Devil Emperor, what hope was there for these True Gods, who were infinitely weaker by comparison?
His thoughts spiraled, but he maintained his composure, keeping his turmoil buried within.
"Your Majesty, if I may… how will we go about it, then?" A voice finally broke the silence. It was the Boundless Divine Regent who spoke, his tone steady but filled with respectful curiosity. Perhaps it was the right moment to speak, as the Chief Priest made no move to silence him.
The Abyssal Monarch's faint smile returned. "Of course, there are ways to deal with it," he said, his voice carrying a calm certainty. His words immediately sparked hope in the hearts of those present, like a flicker of light in an otherwise suffocating darkness.
But just as quickly as that hope had ignited, his next words dimmed it once more. "But it's not time for you all to know yet," he added, his tone as matter-of-fact as ever.
The tension in the hall thickened again, the flicker of hope reduced to an ember. Disappointment rippled through the crowd like an unseen wave, but no one dared to voice their frustration.
"When the time comes—when the next passage-opening is upon us—I will tell you then," the Abyssal Monarch concluded, his words final and absolute.
"....."
Yun Che's mouth twitched involuntarily. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but High Priest Liu Xiao had quietly stepped forward, placing a delicate teacup before the Abyssal Monarch and calmly beginning to pour hot tea from a polished pot.
Everyone's emotions had been taken on a relentless ride today