Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 500: The First Fallen True God

West of the Fey Spirit Continent in the Fourth World, the body of a Rank Ten ancient black turtle lay against the boundary wall within the bizarre mist like the remains of a vast fragmented land.

The black turtle's soul had long since burned away. No flesh or blood remained on its body. Even its precious shell had vanished.

All that was left of it was its desiccated skeleton, weathered by time and the bizarre mist.

A burly elder in green robes hovered before the black turtle's remains, his prominent dragon horns gleaming on his forehead. His wide feet were bare, and worlds woven from lightning phased in and out of existence behind him.

He stood in the bizarre mist, looking as though he was reigning over an unrivaled thunderous domain of his own creation.

This man was the master of the Dragon Lair Sect and de facto ruler of the Sacred Soul Continent, the ancient Thunder Dragon dominating the Dao of Lightning for millennia.

"If only you had agreed to my proposal back then. If you, me, the Celestial Phoenix, and the Primordial Serpent had joined forces, we could have overturned the Abyss.

"There weren't as many True Gods of the human race back then. There were also fewer Rank Ten foreign race warriors, and the Outer Gods had yet to meddle excessively.

"If the four of us had worked together, we could've seized the moment when the True Gods and the Rank Ten foreign race warriors perished to reclaim dominion over the Abyss for the Fey Race!

"You were the oldest and most respected among us. When you refused, the Celestial Phoenix followed your lead.

"And what was the result?

"The human race didn't honor their promises to cede continents after the war.

"The Celestial Phoenix made great sacrifices to forge the seven Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars in the Fifth World only to discover that they were suppressing the bloodlines of our Fey Race.

"Did that World God you trusted so much fight for the rights we deserved after the war?

"You sacrificed everything for the sake of one measly Fey Spirit Continent—and a continent in the Fourth World at that," the ancient Thunder Dragon growled in frustration, voice rumbling like thunder. "Your life was worth far more than a single continent! I cannot fathom why you insisted on seeking death!"

The strongest dragon alive poured out his grievances before the black turtle's remains.

Despite his lamentations, his words still carried deep respect.

Though they had differing views, the black turtle had once mentored him during his youth. He knew the black turtle's actions had always been for the Fey Race.

The ancient Thunder Dragon resented the black turtle for siding unwaveringly with the humans in every war under the sway of the World God.

He had personally witnessed the human race's repeated betrayals and was unwilling to be deceived any longer.

The True Gods of the human race never kept their promises. Thus, he instead chose to forge his own path and act alone.

"Everything you did was for the Fey Race. Everything I'm doing now is also for the Fey Race. I'll prove that I'm right."

With that, the ancient Thunder Dragon turned to face a patiently waiting figure.

Crackle!

He returned to his true form, his serpentine dragon body twisting like a river of lightning.

The golden figure's expression shifted.

"Fan Ao, the Ghost Race's worshiped God foresaw that you would come here. I've been waiting here for three months.

"I haven't waited this long just to let you escape back to the Abyss alive."

Blinding bolts of lightning, infused with the essence of Heavenly Dao, filled the misty expanse for thousands of li.

Zi Mo, the Outer God of the Ghost Race, and Wu Bi, the Rank Ten warrior of the Ghost Race, held the line behind Fan Ao.

Fan Ao's fate was sealed.

***

The teleportation array that once stood in Eternal Crossing now rested on an empty field in the Cloud Wilderness on the Resolute Expanse.

Mu Aichuan stood hunched over next to the hexagonal teleportation array, embedding it with unique spirit stones.

When ripples of spatial fluctuations surfaced, he said, "The Sword Pavilion has sent word. They can send people over at any time."

"There won't be any mishaps, right?" Pang Jian asked nervously.

"I personally built this teleportation array. What could go wrong?" Mu Aichuan smirked.

Pang Jian nodded. "Alright, have them send people over."

Mu Aichuan held the sword token, hesitating. After a brief silence, he advised, "This fragmented land is special. It should be divided into different regions. The Cloud Wilderness would be for the ones you trust most.

"The volcanic mines of the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God and the Frozen Land can serve as settlements for the incoming outsiders.

"And then there's..." the elder trailed off with a frown. "What exactly are you planning to do with the Ice Race?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"The Fey Race isn't an issue, but the foreign races...they're a more sensitive issue." Mu Aichuan's eyes narrowed. "Once you bring outsiders in, the secret of this fragmented land will inevitably be exposed. I suggest eliminating the Ice Race to avoid trouble."

"No can do," Pang Jian said firmly.

"Those above may tolerate you harboring Fey Race, but not foreign races," Mu Aichuan warned. "Even if these Ice Race aren't native to the Abyss and bear no grudges against us, those in power will not accept them."

"One day, what I do will not require their approval," Pang Jian said, tone unyielding.

Mu Aichuan studied Pang Jian. A rare smile flickered across his face as he nodded. "You're just like your master, always at odds with the higher-ups.

"As far as I know, we used to allow some foreign races the space to survive in the distant past.

"As long as they allied with us and opposed the races in the Fifth World, we permitted them to eke out a living in the upper worlds.

"The Wood Race, the one-eyed giants, and even the Nine Tribes Race coexisted peacefully with us back then.

"It was only after certain True Gods introduced extreme ideologies that we became so xenophobic.

"The Sword Pavilion has never held such extreme views. We've always believed in allowing foreign races to coexist alongside us.

"Unfortunately, there's no fighting against the tide.

"Our Sword Pavilion was forced down to the Second World after the passing of our Sword Gods. No one listens to us anymore.

"Pang Jian, in accepting the Ice Race, you uphold the original principles of our Sword Pavilion.

"I wish you success," Mu Aichuan said sincerely.

He then sent a message through his sword token.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Qi Qingsong, Zhou Qingchen, and Zhuang Yuyan were the first to be sent over from the Sword Pavilion.

As soon as Qi Qingsong landed, he immediately confronted Pang Jian. "Pang Jian! What's this about? Zhou Qingchen is your brother, but I'm not? How come he and Dong Tianze know about the Resolute Expanse and have been here, but I haven't?"

"Junior Brother Pang, do you have something against us?" Zhuang Yuyan chimed in jokingly.

The two had been shocked to learn that Pang Jian had a fragmented land of his own. Their curiosity only grew stronger when they heard about its mysterious nature.

Zhou Qingchen had informed them that he and Dong Tianze had already spent some time on the Resolute Expanse.

This naturally left the two feeling displeased.

"They know because the Red Mountain Sect and the Sinister Soul Temple were all but wiped out," Pang Jian said bluntly. "They had nowhere to return to after leaving the Sacred Soul Continent, so I brought them here instead."

The dissatisfaction in their hearts disappeared at his explanation.

"Also, this fragmented land includes the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God and the Frozen Land, so it's not like you two haven't been here before."

Pang Jian rose into the air, pointing at the remodeled Forbidden Land of the Thunder God and the desolate volcanic region in the distance as he gave them a detailed rundown of the land.

"Big Brother Zhou, I also brought the Red Mountain Sect disciples from Hollow Yin here for you," Pang Jian added. "The Zhou Clan and the other Red Mountain Sect disciples can settle in the newly built town within the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God—"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before Pang Jian could finish explaining, Qi Qingsong and Zhuang Yuyan soared into the sky, eager to explore the fragmented land.

***

The Sword Pavilion, or more precisely, Pang Jian's master, Li Zhaotian, provided unwavering support for the Resolute Expanse.

Not long after the Zhou Clan and the Red Mountain Sect arrived, Elder Liu Junhong of the Sword Pavilion led a group of skilled craftsmen to the Resolute Expanse to plan towns and build settlements.

According to Liu Junhong, Pang Jian was destined to succeed Li Zhaotian as the next Pavilion Master, which meant the Resolute Expanse was part of the Sword Pavilion.

Thus, it was only natural for the Sword Pavilion to provide support and resources.

Liu Junhong brought in builders, array experts, and managers to fill the void in the fragmented land's talent pool. They worked like a well-oiled machine across the fragmented land.

Towns and villages took shape all across the Resolute Expanse, aside from the Frozen Land, which Pang Jian requested to remain untouched.

Some areas had river water diverted to form lakes, while others had parts of the forests cleared to create medicinal fields capable of growing potent spiritual herbs.

The areas designated for towns, lakes, forests, and mines were carefully mapped out.

The regions selected for the sect's mountain gate, vassal families' towns, mining areas, and medicinal fields steadily took shape.

With each passing day, the Resolute Expanse transformed. New groups of people migrated over in waves.

While the rest of the Second World lived in fear and uncertainty, the Resolute Expanse thrived.

It quickly became a hidden sanctuary known to only a select few.

***

One day, the Giant Abyssal Serpent suddenly contacted Pang Jian after a long silence.

"That rebellious bastard, he finally remembered me after hiding out in the Fey Spirit Continent for so long," Pang Jian grumbled to himself.

As he peered through the Giant Abyssal Serpent's vision, he saw a colossal dragon enveloped in a sea of thunder and lightning soaring above the Fey Spirit Continent.

"The ancient Thunder Dragon of the Dragon Lair Sect!"

"The leader of our Fey Race!"

"Why is he coming from the bizarre mist?"

Many awakened Rank Eight Great Feys and Rank Seven Fey Race cheered when they saw the ancient Thunder Dragon.

They all naturally carried a sense of reverence and awe for the strongest of their kind.

The Thunder Dragon's appearance inevitably sent the Fey Spirit Continent into a frenzy.

The gazes of all the Fey Race were fixed on the sky when a resounding dragon roar erupted from the massive Thunder Dragon's maw.

An image appeared on the Thunder Dragon's underbelly, showing True God Fan Ao's Dharma Idol shattering and lightning obliterating his divine soul.

"The Thunder Dragon has slain True God Fan Ao!"