Sensing the faint, chilling aura emanating from Zhang Ruochen, the two blood beast kings trembled, involuntarily retreating and lowering their heads to the ground in submission.
Qiu Yichi was equally startled, keenly aware of Zhang Ruochen’s formidable presence. The impact on her psyche was no less than when she faced Yan Wushen’s benevolent form, perhaps even greater.
The Blood Queen gazed at Zhang Ruochen tenderly, “Dust, Mother didn’t mean to deceive you. I only wanted to keep you from danger. Chi Kunlun is my grandson, how could I not care for him?”
No matter what, the Blood Queen didn’t want this matter to widen the fragile bond she had begun to rebuild with Zhang Ruochen.
Everything she did was to atone for her debts to him, hoping he would accept her and call her “Mother.”
Zhang Ruochen gradually restrained his aura, his expression softening.
He wasn’t unreasonable; with a moment’s thought, he understood her intentions.
Back at Peacock Manor, during his battle with Shang Ziyue, he had only just broken through to the Dao Domain Realm, his strength barely comparable to the third tier below Great Saint. Challenging Yan Wushen then would have been like an egg striking a rock.
“I’ll handle Chi Kunlun’s matter. No one can harm him,” Zhang Ruochen said.
The Blood Queen stepped forward, “Yan Wushen is the Hell Realm’s greatest genius of this era, not easy to deal with. To rescue Kunlun, Blood Demon and Yan Liren can assist you.”
“No need. I’ll resolve this myself,” Zhang Ruochen replied.
After a pause, he continued, “If possible, I hope you can release Yan Liren’s cocoon body. He is, after all, the master of the Heavenly Astral Pavilion of the Dragon Protection Court.”
“Very well, as long as it makes you happy, Dust, Mother will comply,” the Blood Queen smiled warmly.
It was rare for Zhang Ruochen to make a request of her, and she would do her utmost to fulfill it, no matter what it was.
After a brief pause, Zhang Ruochen said, “I want to see Lanyou.”
Coming to the Endless Abyss, seeing Kong Lanyou was a major reason. He wanted to personally deliver treasures from True Dragon Island, especially the Quasi-Emperor Grade Pill formed from the Dan Emperor’s true body.
“In a secret place in the second tier of the Endless Abyss, there’s an opportunity for Lanyou to reforge her Immortal Saint Body. She’s already entered and can’t meet you yet,” the Blood Queen said.
Zhang Ruochen wasn’t surprised. Kong Lanyou had stayed in the Endless Abyss for this very opportunity.
“Take me to that secret place. I want to see her with my own eyes,” Zhang Ruochen said.
“Of course, Mother will take you,” the Blood Queen nodded.
She released a force that enveloped Zhang Ruochen, transforming into a streak of light, leaving the peak.
Withered Extinction Valley, one of the most mysterious places in the second tier of the Endless Abyss, held secrets even the Blood Queen hadn’t fully explored.
In the blink of an eye, she brought Zhang Ruochen to the valley’s entrance.
From the outside, Withered Extinction Valley seemed small, with nothing particularly notable.
But, as the Blood Queen explained, it contained its own vast universe, incredibly deep, like a passage to some mysterious, unknown realm.
The valley was filled with grey, misty gases that greatly obscured vision.
Standing at the entrance, Zhang Ruochen couldn’t see Kong Lanyou or sense her presence.
He stepped forward, intending to enter.
The Blood Queen quickly stopped him, “Don’t act rashly. The valley is filled with dense Withered Extinction Qi that erodes life force. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. At its core, even gods might not withstand it.”
“Lanyou hasn’t ventured too deep, only cultivating at the edges.”
*Swish.*
With a casual wave of her hand, the Blood Queen dispersed the grey mist.
About a hundred feet from the entrance, a slender figure appeared, dressed in white with white hair. Who else but Kong Lanyou?
However, Kong Lanyou’s condition was poor. She was much thinner, her skin dry and lustreless, tinged with a dull grey.
She sat cross-legged, still as if petrified, her state unknown.
Seeing her lifeless appearance, Zhang Ruochen’s heart ached, yet he was powerless.
Reforging an Immortal Saint Body was akin to defying fate, requiring immense resolve and opportunity, nearly impossible to achieve.
The Blood Queen said softly, “Withered Extinction Valley can unlock all of Lanyou’s potential while eliminating the effects of her shattered Immortal Saint Body. Only then can she hope to reforge it.”
“I explained everything to Lanyou beforehand, but she chose to seize this chance for a hopeful future.”
Reforging an Immortal Saint Body was incredibly difficult, with few succeeding throughout history. Even prodigies often met tragic ends.
Zhang Ruochen knew that, despite the treasures from True Dragon Island, including the Quasi-Emperor Grade Pill, the odds of helping Kong Lanyou succeed were still slim.
It was like a curse, nearly unbreakable without a heaven-defying opportunity.
Given such a chance, Kong Lanyou’s character would compel her to risk everything, even annihilation.
“Dust, if you don’t want Lanyou in danger, I can retrieve her, but that would cost her this opportunity. Re-entering later would be a hundred times harder,” the Blood Queen said.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, “No need. This is her choice. I can’t stop her, and I believe she’ll succeed.”
He understood Kong Lanyou’s resolve and could only support her.
Glancing at the Blood Queen, Zhang Ruochen felt deeply conflicted, unsure how to face this mother from the Hell Realm’s Immortal Blood Clan.
If she were a cold, bloodthirsty demon, he could easily define their relationship.
Even their past as mother and son wouldn’t sway his will.
Yet, the Blood Queen wasn’t like that.
After lingering outside the valley for a long time, Zhang Ruochen chose to retreat, sighing deeply and turning to leave. Many matters awaited him outside.
Before departing, he entrusted the Quasi-Emperor Grade Pill to the Blood Queen for Kong Lanyou, should the need arise.
Returning to the first tier of the Endless Abyss, Zhang Ruochen paused, not rushing to leave.
With a thought, the Sunken Abyss Ancient Sword flew from his brow, its black blade flickering with strange light.
“Sunken Abyss, are you ready?” Zhang Ruochen asked softly.
The sword glowed faintly, revealing a handsome black-clad youth with sword-like brows and starry eyes, resembling Zhang Ruochen slightly, the sword spirit of Sunken Abyss.
“My foundation was already sufficient. With your swordsmanship reaching Great Perfection in the Saint King Realm, our fused sword intent has strengthened my origin. I’m fully confident in passing the Heavenly Tribulation,” the spirit said.
“Then transform into a Monarch Weapon here,” Zhang Ruochen said.
Besides Chi Kunlun and Kong Lanyou, another reason for coming to the Endless Abyss was to let Sunken Abyss face its Monarch Heavenly Tribulation.
Whether through growth or direct forging, becoming a Monarch Weapon required surviving the Heavenly Tribulation and earning universal recognition.
Having refined countless sacred artifacts, Sunken Abyss had reached the pinnacle of Ten Thousand Pattern Sacred Artifacts, ready for the tribulation, though it had suppressed itself to build a stronger foundation for certain success.
Zhang Ruochen’s perfected swordsmanship was the catalyst for its transformation.
Sunken Abyss was immensely significant to him, surpassing even Supreme Sacred Artifacts, growing alongside him and perfectly embodying his swordsmanship.
Once it became a Monarch Weapon, his sword techniques would gain immense power.
Sunken Abyss flew into the air, no longer suppressing itself, revealing all 129,599 inscriptions.
A new inscription formed, reaching the perfect number of one yuan.
Instantly, all inscriptions began transforming, evolving from ordinary to monarch-grade.
At that moment, the universal rules stirred.
*Boom.*
Above the Endless Abyss, intense energy fluctuations erupted, with vast universal rules and sacred qi converging.
In moments, a massive black vortex formed, exuding terrifying pressure and a destructive aura, suffocating in its intensity.
Such a commotion elsewhere would have drawn many powerhouses.
This was why Zhang Ruochen chose the Endless Abyss for the tribulation, avoiding interference and keeping Sunken Abyss’s transformation secret.
*Swish.*
Countless gusts of wind surged from the vortex, sweeping toward Sunken Abyss.
Formless yet razor-sharp, the winds tore space apart, creating countless dark cracks.
This was the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, undeniable even in the unique Endless Abyss.
Instantly, Sunken Abyss was engulfed by the violent winds, striking its blade with crisp sounds.
The sword didn’t resist, allowing the winds to temper it, strengthening its form.
Despite the onslaught, Sunken Abyss stood firm, its inscriptions transforming faster.
“The winds aren’t weak; Sunken Abyss’s essence is just too strong. Forged entirely from Creation Divine Iron, it’s nearly indestructible, and its spirit, a perfect Dao Body, rivals ordinary Monarch Weapon spirits,” Zhang Ruochen thought.
“Records say the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation has four stages: wind, fire, water, and thunder, each more terrifying. Most pass the first three but fail the last. With Sunken Abyss’s foundation, it should be fine.”
The success rate for the tribulation was only one in ten.
No interference was allowed, or the tribulation would grow fiercer.
“The tribulation can temper a Monarch Weapon and perhaps help me immortalize my organs faster,” Zhang Ruochen’s eyes gleamed.
Without hesitation, he drew a small amount of stray tribulation energy into his body.
Only someone as bold as he would dare such a reckless act; a misstep could reduce him to ash.
Running the *Nine Heavens Bright Emperor Scripture*, he integrated the tribulation energy into his organs, tempering them repeatedly.
“It’s working. My organs’ strength is slowly increasing,” Zhang Ruochen thought, pleasantly surprised.
He focused, carefully absorbing stray tribulation energy, avoiding interference with Sunken Abyss’s tribulation.
Immersed in cultivation, Zhang Ruochen saw the tribulation as a rare opportunity.
Three hours later, the wind tribulation ceased. Sunken Abyss was unscathed, its hue deeper and more restrained, bearing a natural wind mark imbued with profound mystery.
Then, endless heavenly fire surged, like roaring dragons, pouncing on Sunken Abyss.
The fire formed a cosmic furnace, enveloping the sword, attempting to burn it to ash.
Under the intense heat, the black blade turned fiery red, as if melting.
Yet, Sunken Abyss didn’t resist, actively absorbing the fire to purge impurities.
Having refined many sacred artifacts, its power was somewhat mixed, and the tribulation helped refine it.
The fire tribulation lasted three hours, followed by the water tribulation.
Fire and water were critical for tempering artifacts in the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation.
Over time, Sunken Abyss passed the wind, fire, and water tribulations, becoming flawless, its inscriptions fully monarch-grade.
Only the final thunder tribulation remained to become a true Monarch Weapon.
*Boom.*
A 10,000-foot thunderbolt struck from the vortex, hitting Sunken Abyss.
*Hum.*
The sword trembled, eagerly absorbing the thunder.
As it did, a faint thunder mark formed on its blade.
Without pause, a second, stronger thunderbolt struck.
One after another, the thunderbolts seemed determined to destroy the sword.
Even the stable space of the Endless Abyss shattered, forming chaotic spatial currents.
Each absorbed thunderbolt made the thunder mark clearer and more intricate.
*Boom.*
The black vortex collapsed, its energy forming the most terrifying thunderbolt.
*Bang.*
The destructive thunderbolt struck Sunken Abyss like an ancient divine mountain, forcing it downward, trembling as if unable to bear the force.
“Absorb it!” the sword spirit roared.
Sunken Abyss glowed brilliantly, its over 100,000 monarch-grade inscriptions fully emerging, enveloping the thunderbolt.
This ninth thunderbolt, far stronger than the previous eight combined, could shatter an ordinary Immortal Saint Body.
Sunken Abyss exerted all its strength, taking time to fully absorb it.
Finally, the intricate thunder mark appeared vividly on the blade, brimming with life-like spirituality.
The oppressive pressure over the Endless Abyss vanished, all returning to calm, as if nothing had occurred.
Thus, the Monarch Heavenly Tribulation ended, and Sunken Abyss successfully became a Monarch Weapon.
