The two blood beasts flapped their wings, swiftly descending into the Endless Abyss, vanishing into the darkness.
“The rules of heaven and earth here are entirely different from the outside. The Endless Abyss is indeed extraordinary. I wonder how it was formed,” Kong Lanyou murmured.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, “As the Kunlun Realm revives, the Endless Abyss grows stranger, its suppression of outsiders increasing.”
This was his third time entering the Endless Abyss, so he could keenly sense its changes.
Compared to before, the Abyss now exerted stronger suppression on saintly energy and spiritual power, limiting them to less than one percent of their usual strength.
Only physical power remained unaffected, as it was an internal force, independent of external elements.
The Abyss’s rules were immensely powerful, as if it existed apart from the Kunlun Realm.
Even with Zhang Ruochen’s Nine-Step Saint King cultivation, he felt a lingering unease, his mind seemingly at risk of being devoured by the Abyss at any moment.
The dark, devouring force within was so potent that even cultivators of the Dark Path would likely tread cautiously. Typically, even Great Saints would steer clear, avoiding the Abyss unless absolutely necessary.
The blood beasts descended rapidly, soon reaching the first gradient.
Zhang Ruochen recalled how Yan Liren had wielded the Blood God Mace, obliterating all blood beasts in the first gradient with a single strike.
Yet now, he sensed numerous blood beasts here again, though for some reason, they hadn’t ventured outside. Otherwise, the Blood God Sect would have faced serious trouble.
“No need to worry, Your Highness. Without orders, these blood beasts won’t leave the Abyss,” Qiu Yichi said with a charming smile.
Zhang Ruochen turned to her, his tone cold, “What exactly are you doing with these blood beasts?”
“Just some experimental subjects,” Qiu Yichi replied lightly.
Zhang Ruochen frowned, “What kind of experiments?”
Qiu Yichi only smiled faintly, offering no further answer.
Seeing this, Zhang Ruochen’s mind raced with possibilities, vaguely connecting to some ideas, though he couldn’t confirm them.
Given Qiu Yichi’s demeanor, she likely wouldn’t answer any more questions.
To uncover the truth, he’d need to reach the second gradient and meet the one behind her.
“Rumble.”
Abruptly, the Abyss’s space trembled violently. A vast expanse of blood-red light surged from the bottomless chasm, bathing thousands of miles in a dark crimson hue. Thick blood clouds formed, and a pungent, bloody stench filled the air.
Zhang Ruochen had witnessed this during his first visit to the Abyss.
But back then, the blood-red light spanned only a few hundred miles, far smaller than this eruption.
Legend held that this blood energy came from the Blood Empress, erupting periodically, and was key to transforming savage beasts into blood beasts.
Though he’d never approached that area, Zhang Ruochen deduced it was likely the entrance to the second gradient.
The former Blood God Sect leader, Yan Liren, and the undead Blood Demon had all passed through there to the second gradient, their fates unknown.
As expected, the two blood beasts flew swiftly toward the chasm spewing blood energy.
Upon entering, Zhang Ruochen’s vision was completely obscured by the blood light. Even with his Divine Seal Eye, he couldn’t see his surroundings.
After a while, the blood light faded.
“This…”
Zhang Ruochen and Kong Lanyou were stunned.
The second gradient was nothing like they’d imagined.
They had expected it to be darker and more desolate than the first.
Instead, it was a bright, vibrant world, teeming with life.
Looking down, they saw sprawling mountains covered in dense, lush vegetation. Some trees towered higher than the peaks, their branches sprawling, blotting out the sky.
Qiu Yichi chuckled, “Surprised, aren’t you? When I first came here, I wore the same expression. Unless you see it for yourself, no one would believe the Endless Abyss hides such a place.”
Zhang Ruochen was genuinely shocked, feeling as if he’d left the Kunlun Realm and entered another world.
The landscape stretched endlessly in all directions, its vastness unimaginable.
He noticed a peculiar energy in this world, distinct from the external saintly energy, highly beneficial for strengthening the body.
If word of this spread, it would cause a sensation.
“So many powerful blood beasts,” Kong Lanyou whispered.
A casual glance revealed thousands of blood beasts, many at Saint King level, lurking in the forests, evoking a primal wilderness.
If controlled, these beasts would form a formidable force.
Entering this bright world, the blood beasts accelerated.
Zhang Ruochen subtly activated his Saint Path Rules to probe the world’s nature.
“Time, space, and truth rules still function, but others are heavily suppressed,” he thought.
Time, space, and truth, as Eternal Paths, were unique, unaffected by the Abyss’s peculiarities.
This was also because Zhang Ruochen’s mastery of these paths was profound; otherwise, they’d be nearly useless.
With three Eternal Paths and a near-Great Saint physique, he retained significant power in the second gradient.
“Your Highness, we’re almost there!”
Qiu Yichi’s voice broke his thoughts.
Zhang Ruochen looked ahead.
A towering, cloud-piercing peak, dark red as if soaked in blood, came into view.
At its summit, ancient palaces loomed amid the mist, half-hidden, resembling celestial abodes, shrouded in mystery.
As the blood beasts neared the peak, Kong Lanyou frowned, “Cousin, this peak is eerie. Sticky blood seeps from it—not ordinary blood, but divine blood.”
Zhang Ruochen’s expression grew grave, “Indeed, divine blood. This entire peak was likely dyed by it. What happened here?”
The second gradient raised more questions, its secrets far exceeding his expectations.
Finally, the blood beasts landed on the peak’s plaza.
Zhang Ruochen and Kong Lanyou leapt down.
A gaunt, gray-robed elder approached, bowing to Zhang Ruochen, “Dragon Protection Pavilion’s Heavenly Gang Pavilion Master pays respects to Your Highness.”
The elder was none other than the Tenth Emperor from 800 years ago, the Blood God Sect’s Supreme Elder—Yan Liren.
“Supreme Elder, it’s been years. Seems you’ve been living well,” Zhang Ruochen said coolly.
Yan Liren looked pained, “Please forgive me, Your Highness. I had no choice.”
“Where’s Lingxi?” Zhang Ruochen asked immediately.
Yan Liren replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness. I brought her here but haven’t harmed her.”
Zhang Ruochen relaxed slightly, trusting Yan Liren wouldn’t lie.
After all, Yan Liren was the Heavenly Gang Pavilion Master of the Dragon Protection Pavilion. He believed Emperor Ming hadn’t misjudged him.
“Your Highness, please.”
Qiu Yichi appeared on the plaza, gesturing invitingly.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression remained calm, his gaze fixed on the nearby palaces. He stepped forward, one step at a time.
Kong Lanyou followed without hesitation, determined to stand by him, no matter the danger.
Eight hundred years ago, she couldn’t stop Chi Yao, watching helplessly as Zhang Ruochen died by her sword.
Now, she’d never let that happen again, even if it cost her life.
Yan Liren shook his head slightly and followed. Many things were beyond his control.
Entering the palaces, Zhang Ruochen and Kong Lanyou showed faint surprise. The layout mirrored the Saint Ming Palace from 800 years ago, evoking a sense of returning to that era.
The gardens and scenery felt so familiar, stirring their memories.
“What a pity, nothing can go back,” Zhang Ruochen sighed softly.
If he could, he’d return to 800 years ago, living as the Saint Ming Crown Prince, with Emperor Ming present, no ties to the Immortal Vampires, and Chi Yao not his enemy… everything so perfect.
But that was impossible, merely a fleeting fantasy.
“Pay respects to Master.”
Suddenly, Qiu Yichi bowed deeply, her demeanor solemn, all charm gone.
Zhang Ruochen turned. A tall figure approached slowly from the distance.
She was a stunningly beautiful woman, appearing no older than twenty, yet her eyes held a profound depth, marked by the weight of ages.
Dressed in an ink-green palace robe, her blood-red hair was pinned with a jade phoenix hairpin. Every gesture exuded regal authority, unapproachable and noble.
As she drew near, her gaze settled on Zhang Ruochen, meeting his eyes.
Zhang Ruochen focused his mental resolve, staring at her. He sensed no power fluctuations, yet an invisible, overwhelming pressure bore down, challenging even his steadfast mind.
Undoubtedly, the gap between them was vast. Even if his strength grew tenfold or a hundredfold, it couldn’t bridge it.
“Chen’er, you’re finally here. It’s been no small feat for your mother to see you,” the woman smiled, her gaze softening, reaching to touch his cheek.
Zhang Ruochen stepped back, keeping distance, staring deeply. After a pause, he said, “The Blood Empress of the Immortal Vampires—I’m not worthy.”
The woman sighed long, retracting her hand.
“I’ve come to the Endless Abyss. Release Mu Lingxi and Chi Kunlun. Whatever you want, come at me, not those around me,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Mu Lingxi is my daughter-in-law, Chi Kunlun my grandson. How could I harm them? Bringing them here was only to meet them. Why so angry?” the woman replied, her tone still gentle.
Zhang Ruochen insisted, “I’ll say it again: I have no ties to the Immortal Vampires.”
“You hate them that much?” the woman frowned.
“Yes. How could I feel anything but contempt for a race that only destroys? Once they’ve ruined others, they’ll destroy themselves. The Immortal Vampires shouldn’t exist,” Zhang Ruochen said.
He’d witnessed the slaughter of Kunlun Realm’s beings, their blood drained by the vampires, fueling his rage to eradicate them.
“Your views are too extreme. The Immortal Vampires exist for a reason. Just as light exists with darkness, everything is relative. Losing one side would disrupt the universe’s balance, causing catastrophe,” the woman said meaningfully.
“Balance? Isn’t what the Immortal Vampires do breaking that balance? It’s not me being extreme—it’s you being self-righteous,” Zhang Ruochen retorted.
The woman sighed helplessly, shaking her head, “There’s no point discussing this now. You’ll understand in time. I’ve prepared some dishes myself. Join me.”
“Did you think I came to eat your food?” Zhang Ruochen countered.
The woman turned, walking away, “Want to see Mu Lingxi? Follow me.”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed. He hated being led by the Blood Empress, but for Mu Lingxi, he had to compromise.
Clenching his fists, he exhaled deeply, striving for calm.
He noticed that meeting the Blood Empress had made him agitated, losing his composure—a dangerous state.
“Cousin, hold your heart steady. She’s your mother, after all. I believe she won’t harm you,” Kong Lanyou advised.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at her, nodding lightly, “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
With that, he and Kong Lanyou followed the Blood Empress.
Whatever her intentions, they could no longer back down.
