Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 495: Daily Routine

Dear Brother Dong.

I admit, I knew my sister inherited the Celestial Phoenix legacy, and that you were destined to follow and protect her as her Divine Guard. It's why I selflessly aided you early on.

However, even if I hadn't known this, I believe we would've still ended up as we are now. Pang Lin inheriting the Celestial Phoenix legacy only accelerated the development of our relationship.

I truly never intended to use you. I recognized your potential and abilities.

My sister will likely have to face that ancient Thunder Dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect in the future. When I thought about it, you—Dong Tianze—were the only person who seemed capable of helping her.

I'll be in the Resolute Expanse for a while longer. You're welcome to come and find me if you're feeling upset.

After penning a lengthy letter, Pang Jian sent it through the Ghost Altar and anxiously waited beside it.

He genuinely felt guilty and regretted not explaining things to Dong Tianze earlier.

When Pang Jian first learned about Pang Lin's inheritance, Dong Tianze was still a disciple of the Sinister Soul Temple. Although the two were no longer sworn enemies at the time, they also had not exactly been friendly either.

Pang Jian had his concerns and so chose to keep this information to himself, not expecting Dong Tianze to resent him for having ulterior motives when the truth eventually came out.

After carefully reflecting on the situation, he realized his approach had indeed been improper. Thus, he penned a lengthy letter, hoping to ease the misunderstanding and dissolve the resentment in Dong Tianze's heart.

A piece of paper flew out from the Ghost Altar just moments later.

Pang Jian eagerly grabbed it, only for embarrassment to wash over him when he unfolded it.

Brother, he's already departed from the Pure Land Sect and deliberately left the Ghost Altar behind with me.

Brother, I didn't expect you to write such a long letter. I thought you'd still be as stubborn as ever, knowing you were in the wrong but refusing to admit it.

Pang Jian could practically see the corners of Pang Lin's lips curling into a smile as he read the delicate handwriting.

Pang Lin could have projected her image onto the Ghost Altar but instead wrote a letter to spare him the embarrassment.

"You brat." Pang Jian chuckled fondly.

Another letter quietly floated out.

Brother, he treasures this Ghost Altar. He used to guard it fiercely, not even letting me touch it out of fear that I'd break it.

He didn't take the altar with him when he left, not because he was so angry he didn't want to bring it along, but so the two of us could stay in touch.

Brother, he has a cold exterior but a warm heart.

Don't worry too much. He just needs time to figure things out. You two will be back to how you were sooner or later.

Reading the letter warmed Pang Jian's heart. His little sister had truly grown up.

Pang Jian found the days that followed to be the most relaxed and happy since leaving Northern Qi.

He and Pang Lin kept regular contact through the Ghost Altar. Sometimes, they spoke directly through projection, other times they exchanged brief notes.

Pang Lin told him that the Pure Land Sect treated her exceptionally well and spared no effort in nurturing her.

The Pure Land Sect diligently gathered rare lightning-attribute cultivation methods, treasures, and precious ores from across the Abyss. They even arranged for her to enter secret realms known to few.

They invested everything they had into her growth, and over time, Pang Lin inevitably felt a sense of belonging to the Pure Land Sect.

She occasionally mentioned Sun Bin, the foul-mouthed white crane, and a few other names unfamiliar to Pang Jian.

The smile in her eyes made it clear to Pang Jian that Pang Lin was living well in the Pure Land Sect.

After learning that her brother was alive and had become Li Zhaotian's personal disciple, she seemed to have no more worries.

The Pure Land Sect... Pang Jian felt a surge of goodwill toward this sect in the First World.

Regardless of their reputation, the fact that they cared for his sister so well—allowing her to live a carefree life and develop into the person he always knew she could be—meant everything to him.

For that, Pang Jian was deeply grateful to the Pure Land Sect.

***

Lately, Pang Jian had been slacking in his cultivation, instead spending his days casually chatting with his sister.

One day, an unfamiliar young woman appeared in the Ghost Altar.

The young woman wore a perfectly tailored teal dress. Her skin was as smooth as jade and she had a noble demeanor.

Her eyes, however, brimmed with anger.

"Pang Jian? Are you just idling around all day?

"Little Lin hasn't had a single day of proper cultivation since reconnecting with you! Do you have any idea what she'll have to face in the future?

"You're not focusing on your own cultivation either! Instead, you just keep bothering Little Lin. I really don't know how you can call yourself her brother!" the young woman scolded. "I'm confiscating this Ghost Altar!"

With that, she vanished.

From that day onward, none of Pang Jian's messages received any response, like stones sinking into the sea.

Pang Jian had grown accustomed to regularly chatting with his sister, and the sudden silence felt like an unbearable void in his life.

Using his sword token, Pang Jian contacted Hu Yuanfei. "Senior Sister Hu, I need to ask you about someone. She's a young woman from the Pure Land Sect. She wears a teal dress and has a dignified manner to her."

"Don't know her! Little Junior Brother, where are you? Why haven't you returned to the Sword Pavilion?" Hu Yuanfei asked sharply. "What's going on over at the Demon Abyss Continent?

"I heard that the higher-ups of the Demon Sect, from Xiang Shengwei to several Immortal Realm elders, have all fallen onto the demonic path.

"Where's Master? Was he with you?"

"Did he rub off on you after you met him? Why are you neglecting your responsibilities to instead ask about women? How did you meet this young woman from the Pure Land Sect? Is she another female confidante of yours like Li Yuqing?"

What had begun as a simple inquiry left Pang Jian thoroughly exasperated. He rubbed his temples in frustration and tossed his sword token aside.

Half a day later, the Resolute Expanse trembled as the hulking black turtle teleported back from the Sacred Soul Continent using Pang Jian as a marker.

The fragmented land's absorption of spiritual qi surged exponentially.

Deep beneath the surface, the spirit and mineral veins pulsed with renewed vitality at the black turtle's return.

"Young Rock Bear has ascended to Fey God. My mission is complete," the black turtle informed Pang Jian. "I've reclaimed my long-lost Black Turtle Shield Armor from Young Rock Bear as well.

"Now that I have it with me, this fragmented land will undergo a tremendous transformation and I, too, can use the Resolute Expanse to elevate my bloodline to Rank Nine in a short period.

"I care not of ascending to Fey God again. Regardless, a Rank Nine bloodline will allow me to better protect both myself and this fragmented land.

"Pang Jian, I'll need to enter a deep sleep for a while."

After leaving some instructions, the black turtle donned the Black Turtle Shield Armor and entered a dormant state.

The Rock Bear is now a Rank Ten Fey God!"

Pang Jian was still reeling over this news when he spotted a familiar figure striding toward him from beyond the clouds through the fragmented land's perception.

It was Yuan Qi in human form.

When Yuan Qi arrived at the clouds, he found Pang Jian already waiting for him.