Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 497: Reshaping the Resolute Expanse

Lei Kun was one of the more formidable figures among the scattered rogue cultivators in Hollow Yin.

He, Han Ting, and several others had retreated from the Dark Abyss Continent with Chen Weihuang.

When they arrived in the Second World, Chen Weihuang had departed alone, heading to Eternal Crossing without further concern for those he had escorted.

Chen Weihuang largely kept to himself, and Lei Kun had not dared to initiate conversation.

After Chen Weihuang had taken his leave, Lei Kun and the others chose a random fragmented land to temporarily settle in.

Many in their group decided to make their way to Hollow Yin after hearing word of Dong Tianze and other members of the Sinister Soul Temple being relocated there.

Dong Tianze had saved their lives before, forging a modest connection between them. More importantly, he was powerful enough to protect them.

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, Dong Tianze and Zhou Qingchen had already left, and Hollow Yin was in chaos.

The members of the Red Mountain Sect, the Sinister Soul Temple, and a few noble families from the Third World remained, but most of them were below the Profound Abode Realm.

The leaders of these sects and families—cultivators in the Profound Abode Realm and the Spirit Condensation Realm—had almost entirely perished in the Third World.

With no leaders to maintain order, the fragmented land descended into chaos as low-level cultivators clashed over territory and resources.

Many on the fragmented land despaired at the grim reality that they lacked the qualifications to ascend to the First World. Hope only dwindled further with every passing day as they became increasingly aware that the murky energy could rise at any moment.

Desperation soon gave way to self-indulgence and moral decline.

Violence and plundering grew rampant on the lawless fragmented land, and death became a common occurrence.

Those who had brought them up from the Third World only cared about finding them a place and did not remain to ensure their survival, while those capable of keeping order had fallen in battle.

The survivors from the Third World let the darkness within them take hold as they struggled to survive and live more comfortably.

When Lei Kun arrived, the valley belonging to the Sinister Soul Temple had been under siege, with the noble families nearly overwhelming the low-level disciples.

Order was only restored when the infamous Dong Tianze returned to Hollow Yin.

Dong Tianze was known for his ruthlessness and was in the Soul Wandering Realm. These facts alone were enough to intimidate those intending to stir trouble.

"Lei Kun, why are you bringing up Pang Jian?" Dong Tianze asked from where he sat beneath a tree.

The damp valley left him displeased.

His thoughts drifted to the Pure Land Sect, a sanctuary of blooming flowers, mist-like spiritual qi, and flowing streams.

The Cloud Wilderness in the Resolute Expanse was also a great place that was rich in spiritual qi.

However, whenever he thought of Pang Jian's early gestures of goodwill and unwavering support—clearly aimed at shaping him into the strongest guardian for Pang Lin—his chest burned with frustration.

"I was wondering if Pang Jian could help me find a place on the Cosmic Skies Continent," Lei Kun said with a faint smile. "My son is now an inner disciple of the Sword Pavilion and is bound to surpass me one day.

"I've reached my limit and will probably die in the battles against the foreign races. I just want to spend what little time I have left with my son before he's sent to the First World."

Some of the more influential clans and families in the Second World had already started quietly relocating their kin to the First World.

Lei Kun knew his cultivation realm and age meant he would be left behind to fight and die. His son, on the other hand, was still young, and the Sword Pavilion would likely spare him.

Thus, he wanted to spend as much time with his son as possible before that day came.

As a rogue cultivator, Lei Kun had no connections and stood no chance of reaching the Cosmic Skies Continent without help.

If he could reach Pang Jian and ask for a favor, Pang Jian could potentially arrange for him to be placed near Trimcloud Town.

"I don't know where he is," Dong Tianze replied coldly.

Even as he said this, his mind immediately conjured images of the Resolute Expanse.

The Resolute Expanse was several times larger than Hollow Yin, and with far denser spiritual qi.

Its volcanic regions provided ideal grounds for fire-attribute cultivators, the lush vegetation of the Cloud Wilderness was perfect for wood-attribute cultivators, and the lakes dotting were well-suited for water-attribute cultivators.

Even though the Thunder Pool was no longer in the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God, that area still retained traces of lightning deep within the ground. Moreover, the Frozen Land was a paradise for cold-attribute cultivators.

Most importantly, the Resolute Expanse could move!

It had flown from the Third World to the Second, and could certainly reach the First.

The words of his master, Han Zhiyuan, echoed in his mind.

Tianze, all I ask is that you look after the disciples of the Sinister Soul Temple.

Dong Tianze's expression darkened as his eyes swept over the low-level disciples of the Sinister Soul Temple.

Glancing at the two rogue cultivators with connections to Pang Jian—Lei Kun and Han Ting—he finally replied, "We'll talk about it later."

***

Water was channeled from the Frozen Land into massive craters in the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God, forming lakes of varying depths. Seeds and saplings were sown in the surrounding area.

Pang Jian sat on the ground while maintaining his connection with Pang Ling, using himself and the Leaves of Life as conduits to release the wood energy channeled from her.

A thin veil of green energy spread like a faint mist before gently seeping into the ground.

Fresh grass sprouted on the first day.

On the second, saplings took root beneath the soil.

After half a month, the once barren Forbidden Land of the Thunder God had transformed into something resembling the lush Misty Swamp.

Grass and trees blanketed the land, though the trees had yet to gain much height.

"Father." Pang Ling, the World Tree, appeared as a young girl with skin as radiant as water crystals in Misty Swamp. "I can draw strength from the seeds I've given as well.

"If nurtured with spiritual qi, they'll become towering but harmless ancient trees. If grown with murky energy, they'll become dangerous.

"But I can still draw power from them, regardless of how they're grown.

"I can feel it, Father. The spiritual qi in the fragmented land you're in is incredibly rich. The trees grown from my seeds will flourish into a forest in no time, and with that, I'll gain another vast source of energy!

"Father, one day, when the time is right, I'd like to come to your fragmented land," she said with a sweet smile. "Wherever you are feels like home to me."

Pang Jian replied, "That day will come eventually."

"I'd also like to make a small home with you, Father."

***

Beneath the night sky of Divine Fortune, a mountain-sized tree emerged from the depths of Misty Swamp, radiating a brilliant emerald glow.

"Our God has revealed her true form!"

"The World Tree has manifested!"

"She's...grown so much!"

The Wood Race across the two merged fragmented lands wept with joy.

Many Wood Race powerhouses soared into the air, admiring the thousand-zhang-tall emerald tree as it glistened under the night sky.

Pure life energy radiated from the emerald tree and spread across the fragmented lands.

The ocean of vibrant life energy cleaned the bloodlines of the Wood Race, and many dormant talents miraculously awakened one after another.

Members of the Wood Race in Rank Four, Five, and Six all knelt in reverence, with many experiencing breakthroughs on the spot.

The awe-inspiring World Tree that they worshiped had already grown to an extraordinary level without them realizing.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Murky energy was drawn toward the World Tree, and its roots beneath the fragmented land stirred.

The fragmented land rumbled as it drifted through the Fourth World, advancing toward a distant fragmented land in the darkness of the night.

The awe-inspiring World Tree stretched its sword-like branches toward the neighboring fragmented land, clearly intent on claiming it.

"This is her second assimilation! And this time, she's moving the entire fragmented land with her!" the Wood Race exclaimed in astonishment.

Meanwhile, on the Resolute Expanse, the Leaves of Life covering Pang Jian's heart suddenly sank downward and vanished into his dantian.

On the vibrant green expanse of his dantian's fragmented land, a lush emerald valley appeared between the golden mountain of metal energy and the blackish-yellow peaks of earth energy.

The valley overflowed with pure wood energy.

The fragmented land in his dantian now had the golden mountain, the black-yellow peaks, the fiery pool, the ice pool, the lightning vortex, and a verdant valley rich in wood energy.

Of the five main elements–Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—only Water remained. The fragmented land in his dantian was nearing completion.

Pang Jian's cultivation realm surged when the valley appeared, and he advanced from the early stage of the Nirvana Realm to the middle stage without warning.

When Pang Jian established a connection with Pang Ling, the valley brimming with wood energy aligned with her presence. He soon realized he could draw upon an endless stream of wood energy from Pang Ling through the valley.

Rich wood energy poured out of the valley, using Pang Jian's fragmented land in his dantian and his body as conduits to ripple across the Resolute Expanse.

The saplings on the Resolute Expanse grew significantly taller within just a few days, with the tallest trees reaching several zhang high.

A slender figure quietly perched atop a locust tree, her long silver hair cascading down to drape over her body. Her delicate face and dark eyes were filled with astonishment as she took in the unnatural growth of the towering trees in the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God.

This bewitching figure was the White Lynx.

The barren Forbidden Land of the Thunder God had miraculously blossomed into a thriving landscape in just over half a month.

Lakes shimmered, flowers bloomed, and ancient trees grew.

A transformation that typically took decades unfolded in mere days.

Is there anything Pang Jian can't do? she wondered.

Pang Jian had fulfilled his promise to the Ice Armor Eel Dragon and had successfully turned the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God into something even more magnificent than Absolute Heaven.

How will this fragmented land look in the future?

A spark of anticipation flickered in the White Lynx's heart.