Chapter 428: Entering the Black Abyss, Linya's Transformation

"Now, is the Jiang family still poor?"

Qi Yuan, clad in a blood-red robe, descended gracefully, his appearance unparalleled.

His looks left Jiang Ruhua stunned.

Why hadn’t he realized before just how astonishingly handsome Qi Yuan was?

"With Senior here, the Jiang family is not poor!" Jiang Ruhua replied without blinking, his face calm.

But recalling how he had fervently pursued the Blood-Robed Sword God, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Luckily, the Blood-Robed Sword God didn’t care.

Otherwise, if Qi Yuan had merely released a fraction of his aura back then, Jiang Ruhua would have been doomed.

At this moment, Qi Yuan’s gaze swept across the city.

Once an ordinary town, where even finding cultivators of the Purple Mansion stage was rare.

Now, with just a simple scan, he could sense over a dozen Yin Gods.

Suddenly, a thought struck Qi Yuan.

"You’ve all been living in the underworld, and in a way, I’ve been keeping you all as livestock. It must have been hard for you."

In the past, these people had been trapped by the Great Catastrophe, their lives and deaths controlled by it.

Now that the Great Catastrophe had fallen, the threat of Taihuang Palace remained.

These people were unable to leave the Canglan Realm, nor could they ascend to the Upper Realm.

In a certain sense, it was as though the owner of the "pasture" had merely changed—from the Great Catastrophe to Qi Yuan.

"Livestock? I’ve been living just fine here in the Canglan Realm!" Jiang Ruhua replied without hesitation.

After all, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch, his life in the Canglan Realm hadn’t changed much from before.

The surrounding Yin Gods, hearing Qi Yuan's words, turned pale.

"Senior saved our lives and gave us a new chance. How could we possibly harbor any resentment?"

These Yin Gods were terrified, worried that Qi Yuan’s words hinted at something.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan remained calm.

Was this the legendary “accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger”?

He had only made a casual remark, but these people were all overthinking, being overly cautious. seaʀᴄh thё Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Senior’s will is the will of the Canglan Realm, and it is our will as well," one of the Yin God lords said respectfully, as though they were ready to carve the word “loyalty” onto their foreheads.

"Don’t be like that. I’m a democratic person. I have no ambition to be a tyrannical emperor.

"After all, being an emperor is exhausting. You can’t even go to a brothel to listen to music—it’s not suitable for someone as socially awkward as me."

With Qi Yuan’s current strength, if he returned to Earth, being a chieftain or even an emperor wouldn’t be a problem.

But if someone asked him to do it, he’d refuse.

Moreover, he didn’t want to “lift people out of poverty.” Back on Earth, he couldn’t even win an argument on the internet.

If he saw one of his "bros" driving a Range Rover, he’d probably explode in anger.

The Yin God lords glanced at each other, puzzled by Qi Yuan’s words, trying to decipher their meaning.

Over the past period, they had been privately discussing the personality and character of the Blood-Robed Sword God.

After all, he was the Lord of the Canglan Realm, a towering figure looming over them.

But despite all their discussions, they couldn’t reach any clear conclusions.

In the end, they came to a terrifying realization:

The Blood-Robed Sword God’s behavior was bizarre…

And possibly… mentally unstable!

But how could a Yang God of such high standing be mentally unstable, acting erratically?

After all, someone of his stature, even if he did something odd, surely had a profound reason behind it, as if setting up a grand strategy.

So, they reached the best conclusion possible: flatter him, appease him, and handle him according to the "madman" persona that the Blood-Robed Sword God seemed to have constructed.

"Emperors are despots who oppress the people—they don’t deserve to be compared to Senior!" The Palace Lord of Dao-Seeking Palace immediately chimed in with flattery.

"Indeed, the title ‘emperor’ is not worthy of being used to describe Senior."

The other Yin Gods continued to flatter.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan felt elated.

No wonder ancient emperors loved flatterers so much—these words were really pleasing to the ear.

"Ahem, that’s a bit exaggerated. Aren’t all people equal? Why can’t an emperor be compared to me?"

"Oh, by the way, the atmosphere in the Canglan Realm isn’t quite right. We need to continue reforming it, and people need to get along harmoniously!" Qi Yuan said seriously. "Otherwise, constantly hearing vulgar and dirty language will affect my mood."

"Understood!"

The other Yin Gods immediately bowed their heads.

As for what Qi Yuan had just said about democracy and not being tyrannical, they chose to pretend they hadn’t heard it.

Wasn’t purging the cultivation world’s bad habits just another form of tyranny?

...

"The Black Abyss is divided into seven divisions. The area where I reside is called the Purple Fate Division," said Bullhorn Sister, dressed in a purple robe, her posture straight and her expression wild and unrestrained.

After picking Qi Yuan up from the Abyss, she began leading him to the Black Abyss headquarters.

"Each division has at least one Grand Supreme Truth practitioner… Is your Black Abyss really that strong?" Qi Yuan was astonished.

After all, the Moon God Palace only had two Grand Supreme Truth practitioners.

Taihuang Palace seemed to have only three.

Yet the Black Abyss had at least seven. How could he not be surprised?

"Hmph! Aside from the Supreme Truth Guild, our Black Abyss has the most Grand Supreme Truth Yang Gods in the Sixth Heaven—a total of nine!" Bullhorn Sister puffed up her chest with pride.

"Doesn’t that mean the Black Abyss is stronger than Taihuang Palace? How about you get someone to help me wipe out Taihuang Palace? Otherwise, I’m under a lot of pressure and can’t sleep at night." Qi Yuan blinked, his eyes twinkling like stars.

Riding on someone else’s coattails and living off others really was the best.

"Cough, cough…" Bullhorn Sister felt awkward. "The ancestors of the Black Abyss aren’t your father—why would they help you?"

In reality, while the Black Abyss had many Grand Supreme Truth practitioners, its overall strength was still weaker than Taihuang Palace.

The master of Taihuang Palace had comprehended the Supreme Truth.

Although the Black Abyss had nine Grand Supreme Truth practitioners, they were no match for someone who had grasped the Supreme Truth.

The grade of the Truth one comprehended directly determined their combat power.

Ordinary Grand Supreme Truth practitioners might have slight differences in the grades of Truth they comprehended, but the gap in strength wasn’t too wide.

While one might defeat another, they couldn’t completely obliterate them.

In the Sixth Heaven, the Grand Supreme Truth realm was the pinnacle.

They were undying, their bodies and souls indestructible.

Even the collapse of stars wouldn’t harm them.

They couldn’t even commit suicide.

Even for those of the same realm wielding Creation Treasures, they could only defeat or suppress one another, never annihilate.

But…

A Grand Supreme Truth practitioner who had comprehended the Supreme Truth could break this rule and kill another Grand Supreme Truth Yang God!

"What if I became their father? Would they help me then?" Qi Yuan pondered aloud.

Bullhorn Sister couldn’t hold back her laughter and fear. "You’re really daring, saying things like that here. Aren’t you afraid the ancestors will hear you? We’re already within the territory of the Black Abyss!"

"Anything is possible. What if… I really am their father?" Qi Yuan laughed heartily.

In this world, anything could happen.

For example, being the father of the ancestors of the Black Abyss could be one of those possibilities.

Bullhorn Sister looked at Qi Yuan with a complicated expression. "How long have you been… like this?"

At first, she had thought Qi Yuan’s personality was unique and interesting.

Geniuses, after all, often had strange temperaments. With such a powerful bloodline, some quirks were normal.

But now, it didn’t seem like a quirk—it seemed like madness!

"What illness? How do you know I’m suffering from poverty? So, are you going to take care of me?" Qi Yuan teased, his eyes blinking innocently.

"Hmph, I’m about to become a Yang God who illuminates the heavens. Taking care of you… is no big deal." Bullhorn Sister boasted confidently.

However, remembering how Qi Yuan had taken Taihuang Palace as his enemy, she added another remark:

"But I’d rather be your concubine." Bullhorn Sister grinned mischievously.

"You’re beautiful, but your thoughts are just as wild!" Qi Yuan sighed, exasperated.

"You don’t actually think you’re going to take down Taihuang Palace, do you?

"And besides, I’m about to become a Yang God! That’s a Yang God! If a Yang God offered to be your concubine and keep your bed warm, and you’re still not satisfied—what’s your cultivation level?" Bullhorn Sister asked, clearly displeased.

Qi Yuan was left speechless, feeling a bit ashamed.

"I’m… in the Purple Mansion stage."

He replied dejectedly.

Yes, he was merely in the Purple Mansion stage.

The top Purple Mansion cultivator of the Shenguang Sect.

That title sounded quite impressive—enough to swagger around in the land of a hundred nations, where even kings, queens, and emperors wouldn’t dare offend him.

But in the Upper Realm, it seemed rather weak.

"Seriously? What’s the point of pretending to be weak? Your real cultivation isn’t just at the Great Lord stage, right?" Bullhorn Sister grumbled.

Qi Yuan felt even more ashamed hearing this.

He had been presenting himself at the Great Lord stage just to blend in with the cultivation world.

He had originally wanted to enjoy the privileges that came with being superior.

But now, even as a Great Lord, he was still getting mocked.

Unfortunately, he was indeed only in the Purple Mansion stage, leaving him with no grounds to argue.

In the end, he sighed helplessly. "Sigh, the cultivation world’s atmosphere is terrible. Isn’t everyone supposed to be equal? How can you discriminate against me just because I’m in the Purple Mansion stage?"

Unable to win with power, Qi Yuan could only try to gain the moral high ground.

"I don’t have time to argue with you," Bullhorn Sister said, her mood now quite good.

After all, this might be the only time she’d get to bully someone like the Blood-Robed Sword God.

Given his bloodline talent, once Qi Yuan entered the Black Abyss, he would surely receive treatment far better than hers.

In fact, he might even become a Grand Supreme Truth practitioner in the future—perhaps even something higher.

"Alright, we’ve arrived at Purple Fate Heaven. Come on, don’t say anything reckless. If the ancestors hear, we’ll be in serious trouble!" Bullhorn Sister said softly, before disappearing from view.

At the same time, beyond the skies of Purple Fate Heaven, two pairs of eyes pierced through countless layers of space, observing Bullhorn Sister and Qi Yuan.

"Old Six, is this the new recruit you brought in? He looks pretty ordinary."

The speaker was the Third Elder of the Black Abyss, one of the nine elders, his entire body shrouded in darkness, with only his eyes visible.

Within the darkness, the power of the Great Dao swirled, Supreme Truth inscriptions flowed, and a single glance into his eyes could draw others in—something that should not be looked at directly.

"His bloodline is far from ordinary. His potential could reach our level—he could become a Grand Supreme Truth practitioner," said the Sixth Elder, the Purple Fate Ancestor, with a look of pride in his eyes.

"A Grand Supreme Truth practitioner…" The Third Elder’s gaze deepened. "Indeed, this is a fine seedling."

Such a bloodline was already among the top tier in the Black Abyss, enough to excite even the Black Abyss Ancestors.

"It seems fate is on our side," the Purple Fate Ancestor mused, his eyes filled with awe. "In the main bloodline, Black Sword’s… bloodline is even more incredible."

"He’s our master’s most cherished disciple. The Black Abyss will rely on him to deal with Linya’s Transformation." The Third Elder’s face turned serious as he mentioned this.

His master was the First Elder of the Black Abyss, one of the seven ancestors, and the foremost figure in the Black Abyss.

"Linya’s Transformation…" The Sixth Elder’s face shifted, growing more and more somber. "Even forces as powerful as Taihuang Palace and the Moon God Palace can’t fully resist Linya’s Transformation. Can Black Sword handle it?"

"At the very least, if he comprehends the Supreme Truth, we’ll have some confidence when facing Linya’s Transformation, won’t we?" The Third Elder said, though his tone carried a sigh. "The Supreme Truth Conference is about to begin, and Black Sword will be attending.

Before that, we eight elders will gather to help him refine his blood and elevate his enlightenment, so that he can comprehend the Supreme Truth as soon as possible!"

The Sixth Elder nodded. "Agreed."

Refining blood and elevating enlightenment required creating a special pill, which would drain even a portion of their vitality.

But for the sake of nurturing a future Grand Supreme Truth practitioner who had comprehended the Supreme Truth, the sacrifice was worth it.

"Your new recruit isn’t bad either. If there are any leftovers from the blood refinement, we can give him the scraps. Once he becomes a Grand Supreme Truth practitioner, he can serve Black Sword and be protected by him," the Third Elder said lightly.

The Sixth Elder didn’t seem pleased to hear this. "Blood-Robed is at least the Demon Son of our Purple Fate Heaven. Why should he settle for scraps? No, he should receive the same treatment as Black Sword! His potential is also at the level of a Grand Supreme Truth practitioner—why should the difference be so vast?"

"There are differences even between Grand Supreme Truth practitioners," the Third Elder replied calmly.

"It’s not enough. Scraps won’t do. If that’s all, I won’t participate in the pill refinement! At most… I’ll give up my share of the Black Abyss Ancestor Blood for this millennium!" The Sixth Elder yelled, showing no semblance of a dignified Yang God.

The Third Elder glanced at the Sixth Elder in surprise.

Black Abyss Ancestor Blood was extremely precious to beings like them.

Suspicious, the Third Elder’s face darkened as he asked, "Old Six, tell me honestly—is his bloodline potential more than just that of an ordinary Grand Supreme Truth practitioner?"

Otherwise, given Old Six’s notorious stinginess, why would he willingly give up his share of millennial Black Abyss Ancestor Blood?

"Heh, no, he’s just an ordinary Grand Supreme Truth practitioner—far inferior to Black Sword," the Sixth Elder grinned, his expression shameless.

The Third Elder narrowed his eyes, his aura deepening.

His gaze pierced through the heavens, landing on Qi Yuan within the Purple Fate Heaven, as if trying to see through him.

But soon after, he shook his head.

"Purple Fate Heaven is your territory. I can’t see anything. By the time he leaves, you’ll have masked his aura well enough, I’m sure… Sigh." The Third Elder sounded unwilling. "It seems you really did strike gold. Perhaps… he’s only slightly weaker than Black Sword."

"Indeed, he is weaker than Black Sword," the Sixth Elder said, though with a tone that seemed slightly dissatisfied.

"Hmph! Only slightly weaker than Black Sword, and you’re still not satisfied? He’s likely to surpass us nine elders, and among all the talents of the Sixth Heaven, he’d rank in the top ten," the Third Elder’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.

There were only a handful of Grand Supreme Truth practitioners in the Sixth Heaven who had comprehended the Supreme Truth.

The Third Elder’s expression grew more serious. "Indeed… we must keep this secret. If news of this leaks out… If the Black Abyss produces two Grand Supreme Truth practitioners who’ve comprehended the Supreme Truth…"

"You’ve done well to conceal this," the Third Elder said approvingly. "Once word spread of Black Sword, many eyes turned toward the Black Abyss. If Blood-Robed…"

"During the blood refinement process, I’ll be in charge. I’ll secretly withhold a third of the essence—don’t tell anyone. And as for the Black Abyss Ancestor Blood, I won’t leave any for you."

"A third isn’t enough!"

"Hmph, Black Sword’s talent is the greatest in the Sixth Heaven. Even if Blood-Robed is strong, he’s likely at the level of Shenluo Heaven’s top talents, far below Black Sword.

Unless you want him to challenge Black Sword, if he wins, I’ll secretly give him two-thirds of the essence. How about that?"

"You—" The Sixth Elder was furious. "He’s only a Great Lord, and you want him to challenge a Yang God? Have you no shame?"

"This is settled!" The Third Elder said, before his figure vanished.

Beyond the sky, only a shadow remained.

After a long time, a gleam of light flashed deep within the Sixth Elder’s eyes.

He murmured to himself.

"The greatest in the Sixth Heaven?"

"Old Three, you really should open your eyes and see the world."