88: Chapter 88 The Secrets of the Abyss, Words That Shock the World

Lin Ye followed Master Lingxiao a few paces behind with steady steps. He kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, appearing respectful, but in reality, the basic cultivation routes of the "Ice Soul Sword Art" and "Great Sun Golden Flame Technique" were already quietly running within his body. The Ice-Fire Taiji hovered in his Dantian, ready to unleash its strongest power at any moment. The "Lingyun Sword Intent" seed at the center of his brow emitted a faint light, protecting his Divine Soul and enhancing his perception. The yan jun token in his right hand, though dim, was connected to his mind, ready for a final desperate struggle.

At the same time, he quietly activated his "Fiery Golden Eyes." Deep within his pupils, golden flames and ice stars swirled imperceptibly as he scanned the dark tunnel.

The tunnel was not naturally formed; its walls were smooth and carved with even more ancient and complex dark golden runes. They were of the same Origin as the patterns on the "command token of ten thousand ghosts," but were more vast and profound. These runes seemed to flow slowly, emitting an Aura of suppression, sealing, and, at the same time, seeming to "nurture" something. The further down the tunnel they went, the clearer the heart-palpitating pressure originating from deep underground became. It was not the violence of Devilish Qi, nor the harmony of Spiritual Qi, but a more ancient, more primordial, grand will that seemed to represent "death," "ending," and "Reincarnation."

This place was likely the true core Forbidden Ground of the Sword Tomb, and perhaps even the entire Lingyun Sword Sect. It might even be... the ultimate place suppressing some existence even more terrifying than the Demonic Heart!

Master Lingxiao, walking in front, seemed to turn a blind eye to all this, simply holding the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" with a calm pace. The Aura on his body, in Lin Ye's perception, became increasingly profound and obscure. The majestic Sword Intent and Nascent Soul pressure that originally belonged to the Sect Master of the Lingyun Sword Sect seemed to be covered by a layer of more introverted, more ancient, and slightly "commanding" Aura. Especially his hand holding the "command token of ten thousand ghosts"—it seemed to be one with the token, as if the token was no longer an external object, but an extension of his body.

This was definitely not as simple as just refining the token! It was more like... the token had awakened or completed something within him?

Lin Ye became increasingly vigilant in his heart.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the path ahead suddenly opened up.

At the end of the tunnel was a vast underground space, so large it was impossible to describe, as if the entire mountain peak had been hollowed out. The top of the space was not rock, but an endless, slowly rotating dark vortex resembling a nebula, emitting an Aura that devoured all light. The bottom of the space was an endless, mirror-like black "water surface." Beneath the water, it was bottomless, and occasionally, huge, indescribable shadows swam slowly by.

In the center of the "water surface" stood a giant lotus platform, completely carved from crystal-clear black crystal, standing a hundred zhang high! The lotus platform was divided into nine layers, and each petal was carved with dark golden runes of the same Origin as those on the tunnel walls. At this moment, the lotus platform was emitting a soft and mysterious black light, forming a perfect energy cycle with the dark vortex above and the black water below.

Where was this? It was never mentioned in the Sect's records!

Master Lingxiao stopped at the edge of the "water surface," looking up at the black crystal lotus platform. His eyes revealed a complex and difficult-to-understand emotion, as if he were reminiscing, sighing, or perhaps even feeling a trace of... relief?

"This place is the 'Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform,' and it is also the place that my Lingyun Sword Sect—no, the 'Gatekeeper' lineage of this world—has guarded for generations." Master Lingxiao finally spoke, his voice echoing in this empty, dead-silent space, carrying a desolate, ancient tone.

Gatekeeper? A place to guard? Lin Ye's heart trembled violently; this was completely different from what he knew!

"Guarding what?" Lin Ye couldn't help but ask.

Master Lingxiao turned slowly, his gaze falling on Lin Ye. That gaze seemed to penetrate his body and look directly at his Soul Origin.

"What is being guarded is the... only passage connecting this world to the 'Nine Nether Realm'." Master Lingxiao's words exploded in Lin Ye's mind like thunder!

Nine Nether Realm? The legendary final destination of the dead, the place of Reincarnation?!

"In ancient times, a war of gods and demons that swept through all the heavens and worlds broke out in this world. After the war, living beings were devastated, and the cycle of Reincarnation collapsed. An ancient mighty figure used supreme Divine Ability to set up the 'Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform' in this world, sealing the passage to the Nether Realm to prevent the Death Qi and chaotic Laws of the Nether Realm from eroding this world, while also maintaining the fragile Order of Reincarnation in this world. The founding ancestor of my Lingyun Sword Sect, 'Sword Immortal Lingyun,' was one of the 'Gatekeeper' successors left behind by that ancient mighty figure."

The amount of information was too large; Lin Ye found it difficult to digest for a moment. The Lingyun Sword Sect actually bore such a world-shaking mission?!

"Then the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts'..." Lin Ye looked at the pitch-black token in Master Lingxiao's hand.

"The 'command token of ten thousand ghosts,' the 'yan jun token,' and the 'reincarnation seal' that you have not yet seen are the three 'keys' to open, maintain, or close this passage." Master Lingxiao said slowly, "He who holds the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts' can control the ghosts of the Nether Realm and to a certain extent influence Death Qi and the Order of Reincarnation. He who holds the 'yan jun token' can master the Supreme Yang True Fire, purify Death Qi, and stabilize the Seal of the passage. He who holds the 'reincarnation seal'... can decide the opening and closing of the passage and master part of the authority of Reincarnation."

"The three tokens were originally one, refined by the ancient mighty figure and held by three 'Gatekeeper' successors, balancing each other to jointly guard this passage. However, over ten thousand years, the inheritance was lost, and the three tokens were scattered. The 'yan jun token' fell into the outside world and was obtained by the Flame Lord. After his Dao fell, it was passed down to you. The 'command token of ten thousand ghosts' was coveted and partially seized by 'Demon Lord Yinming,' who infiltrated this world in ancient times. Based on this token, he founded the Yinkui Sect, attempting to completely control this passage, summon the demon army of the Nether Realm, and subvert this world."

"As for the 'reincarnation seal'... it has long been lost without a trace."

Master Lingxiao's account finally connected many fragments. The Flame Lord, Demon Lord Yinming, Yinkui Sect, Lingyun Sword Sect, Sword Tomb, the Demon-Suppressing Underground Palace, the Demon Heart in Meteor Demon Valley (perhaps formed by the combination of Death Qi and demonic thoughts leaking from the Nether Realm?) ... Everything revolved around this passage to the "Nine Nether Realm"!

"Then, Sect Master, you..." Lin Ye looked at Master Lingxiao, the terrifying guess in his heart becoming clearer.

"Me?" Master Lingxiao smiled self-deprecatingly, "I am both the Sect Master of the Lingyun Sword Sect, Lingxiao, and... the successor of the 'Gatekeeper' of this generation. However, my inheritance is incomplete; I only have part of the 'Gatekeeper' memories and powers, and I encountered problems during my early cultivation, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang in my body and deep-seated hidden dangers. The Yinkui Sect learned of this secret from somewhere and plotted against me with the 'Soul-Locking Curse,' wanting to use my body as a medium to channel the Death Qi of the Nether Realm, completely transforming me into a Puppet controlled by the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts,' thereby opening the Seal of the passage."

"Fortunately, you arrived by chance carrying the 'yan jun token,' and with your unique Physique and Sword Intent, you triggered the abnormality of the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts,' and at the last moment, used the power of the two tokens to strike the core of the Soul-Locking Curse. By some stroke of luck, not only was the Soul-Locking Curse broken, but the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts,' which had fallen outside and been polluted by the Demon Lord, sensed the 'Gatekeeper' Aura (me) again, and due to its short resonance with the 'yan jun token,' it purified part of the Demon Lord's residual marks and temporarily recognized me as its master."

He raised the pitch-black token in his hand, his eyes complex: "Now, I hold this token and can temporarily suppress the Yinkui Sect, close the cracks in the passage, and stabilize the Reincarnation of this world. But the hidden danger has not been removed; the problem of Yin-Yang imbalance in my body has become more serious due to the Soul-Locking Curse and this incident. And the 'reincarnation seal' is still nowhere to be found. Although Demon Lord Yinming has been temporarily blocked, he may still have other plans in the Nether Realm."

So that was it! Lin Ye realized, but more questions arose. The Sect Master seemed to be the same Sect Master, just bearing more astonishing secrets and responsibilities. But the change in his Aura and his control over the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" still made Lin Ye feel a bit uneasy.

"Sect Master, telling me these things..." Lin Ye asked tentatively.

"Because you are very likely the key to solving all of this." Master Lingxiao looked at Lin Ye with burning eyes, "You carry the 'yan jun token,' have obtained the inheritance of the Flame Lord, and possess the Great Sun Golden Flame, which is the key to stabilizing the passage and restraining Death Qi. You have also been recognized by the Sword Intent of Ancestral Master Lingyun and have a connection with the Sword Tomb and this place. More importantly..."

He paused, and said word by word: "Your Physique, with Ice and Fire aiding each other, implicitly matches Yin and Yang. Furthermore, in the Nether Ravine, you triggered the Soul of the Demon-Slaying Sword Formation, which shows that your Divine Soul is special, and you may be able to bear part of the power of the 'Gatekeeper' inheritance, and perhaps... have the qualifications to try to find the lost 'reincarnation seal'."

"Me?" Lin Ye felt a shock in his heart.

"Correct." Master Lingxiao nodded, "But this matter is of great importance and is full of crises. The Yinkui Sect will not give up, the attitude of Golden Flame Valley is ambiguous, and there may still be traitors within the Sect. And I... need to enter seclusion immediately to use the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts' to reconcile the Yin and Yang in my body, stabilize my cultivation, and attempt to initially close the cracks in the passage. During this period, the Sect needs someone to preside over the overall situation, investigate the traitors, and deal with the counterattack of the Yinkui Sect."

He looked at Lin Ye, his gaze filled with scrutiny and expectation: "Lin Han, I intend to appoint you as 'Acting Sect Master' to temporarily manage the Sect's affairs. I grant you full authority to investigate the Yinkui Sect and search for clues regarding the 'reincarnation seal'. Do you dare to accept this heavy responsibility?"

Acting Sect Master?! Lin Ye was completely stunned. This burden was heavier than the heavens! As a Qi Refining ninth-stage Disciple (though his strength far exceeded that), how could he command respect? How could he face the coming storm?

But he also understood that the Sect Master truly needed to enter seclusion at this moment, and after such great turmoil, the Sect needed an "outsider" who possessed sufficient "legitimacy" and "ability" to temporarily consolidate power. Holding the yan jun token, possessing the Sword Tomb Legacy, and having just "awakened" the Sect Master, establishing an unparalleled achievement, he was indeed the most suitable candidate for now—at least, the most suitable and trustworthy candidate in the eyes of the Sect Master.

Accept, or not accept? Accepting meant placing himself at the forefront, becoming the target of all overt and covert attacks. But it would also grant him the highest authority in the Sect, allowing him to mobilize all resources, investigate the truth, search for the 'reincarnation seal', deal with the Yinkui Sect, and even... investigate the secrets of his own Transmigration and the ancient ring within his body.

Not accepting might temporarily ensure his safety, but the Sect might fall into internal chaos again, the Yinkui Sect's conspiracy might succeed, and if the Sect Master met with an accident during seclusion, this realm would be in danger. He could not stay out of it either.

"Disciple... has low cultivation and fears I cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility," Lin Ye said in a deep voice.

"Cultivation can be raised, prestige can be established. I will bestow upon you a token and announce it to the entire Sect. Supreme Elder Tianxuan, Elder Liu, and others will also assist you with all their might," Master Lingxiao said. "This is no child's play; it is a heavy responsibility concerning the common people of this realm. Are you willing to shoulder this Karma for the sake of the world?"

The common people? Karma? Flashes of his journey passed through Lin Ye's mind, from Earth to Tianxuan, from a chore Disciple to today. He had originally only wanted to seek longevity and control his own destiny, yet unknowingly, he had been swept into this massive vortex engulfing the entire realm. Perhaps, this was his Dao, his Karma.

He took a deep breath, his gaze gradually becoming firm. He bowed to Master Lingxiao: "Disciple Lin Han is willing to exhaust all efforts to temporarily manage the Sect, investigate the Yinkui Sect, search for the 'reincarnation seal', protect our Sect, and safeguard the peace of this realm!"

"Good!" A sharp light flashed in Master Lingxiao's eyes. He took out a purple-gold token that was neither metal nor jade, engraved with the Lingyun Sword Sect insignia and special runes, as well as the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" (borrowed temporarily?), and handed them to Lin Ye.

"This is the 'Sect Master Token'. Seeing this token is like seeing me; you can command the entire Sect and mobilize all resources. Keep the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts' for now; its resonance may help you track the Yinkui Sect and clues regarding the 'reincarnation seal'. But remember, although I have initially purified this token, the Demonic Lord's mark still remains. You must use it with caution, and absolutely do not let it fall into the hands of the Yinkui Sect."

"I am entering seclusion immediately, for as short as a few months or as long as a few years. All matters, inside and outside the Sect, are for you to decide. If there is an emergency, you may bring the token and come here to find me. But unless it is a matter of life and death, do not disturb me."

"Disciple obeys!" Lin Ye solemnly accepted the two tokens, feeling them as heavy as a thousand jun.

"Go. First, handle the aftermath in the underground palace and stabilize the Sect. Remember, trust those who can be used, but also be wary of everyone. The true traitor may be hidden deeper than you imagine," Master Lingxiao advised in closing. He then turned, took a step, and appeared at the very top of the black crystal lotus platform. He sat cross-legged, holding the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" (was the one in Lin Ye's hand a copy?), and closed his eyes. The black light of the lotus platform flared intensely, enveloping him and merging him with the entire space of the "Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform".

Lin Ye knew the Sect Master had begun seclusion. He took one last look at the mysterious and magnificent "Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform", then looked at the "Sect Master Token" and "command token of ten thousand ghosts" in his hand. A surge of indescribable heroic spirit and pressure welled up in his heart. From today on, he, Lin Han, was the Acting Sect Master of the Lingyun Sword Sect! The road ahead was destined to be filled with thorns, conspiracies, and blood and fire. But, having stepped onto it, there was no turning back. Only by forging ahead, hacking through the brambles, could he live up to this life, this token, and this... common people of the world.

He turned and strode away along the path he had come. His silhouette gradually elongated in the dark passage, yet it seemed to stand tall between heaven and earth.

Returning to the underground palace, he saw that Su Waner and Gui Li had already initially brought the situation under control. The two traitorous Elders and the Yinkui Sect Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator had been subdued and were on the verge of death. Of the eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators who were maintaining the Formation, three were dead, four were severely injured, and only one was captured with light injuries.

Seeing Lin Ye walk out holding the "Sect Master Token" and the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" which emitted a faint black light, everyone was stunned. They immediately sensed the vast and majestic Aura on the token (Sect Master Token) and the heart-palpitating demonic might (command token of ten thousand ghosts), as well as the completely different, composed Aura on Lin Ye. Their hearts were shaken violently.

"By the decree of the Sect Master!" Lin Ye held the "Sect Master Token" high, his voice echoing throughout the underground palace. "The traitor Youquan has been executed, and the internal traitors have been captured! The Sect Master is in seclusion to heal, and I, Lin Han, am temporarily acting as Sect Master to handle all affairs of the Sect! Do any of you have any objections?"

His voice carried Spiritual Qi and was further bolstered by the "Sect Master Token", making it incomparably majestic. Su Waner was the first to react, bowing without hesitation: "Disciple Su Waner pays respects to the Acting Sect Master!"

Gui Li also hurriedly knelt: "Gui Li pays respects to Master... pays respects to the Acting Sect Master!"

The captured lightly injured Foundation Establishment Cultivator and the others looked at each other. But seeing that the "Sect Master Token" could not be fake, and with Youquan dead, Lin Ye's Aura like a rainbow, and the mysterious "command token of ten thousand ghosts" in his hand, how could they dare to have any objections? They all bowed: "Pay respects to the Acting Sect Master!"

"Very good." Lin Ye's gaze swept over the crowd. "Su Waner, Gui Li, you are responsible for escorting these captives, cleaning up the underground palace, and completely sealing this place. Without my hand-written Order, no one is allowed to approach."

"Yes!" the two replied.

"Additionally, immediately send word to Supreme Elder Tianxuan, Elder Liu, Elder Xing, Chu Yun, and the Masters of each peak. One hour from now, we will convene at Lingyun Hall. I have important matters to announce."

"Understood!"

Lin Ye said no more and turned to walk out of the underground palace. He needed some time to digest the information he had just received and think about every step to come.

However, just as he was about to step out of the underground palace archway, the Jade Slip in his pocket, which he had heard about from Chiyang Zi of the Golden Flame Valley regarding clues about the "soul-stabilizing bead", suddenly became slightly warm. At the same time, the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" in his hand also seemed to sense something; the dark gold patterns on its surface flickered slightly toward an inconspicuous corner of the underground palace.

That was the spot where Master Youquan had sat cross-legged to preside over the ritual, with some miscellaneous items and Formation Flags scattered nearby. Lin Ye's heart stirred, and he walked over. Carefully probing with his "Fiery Golden Eyes", he finally discovered a palm-sized secret compartment covered by dust beneath a toppled Formation Flag.

He brushed away the dust and opened the secret compartment. There was no "soul-stabilizing bead" inside. There was only a jade pendant—with an archaic style, neither metal nor jade, entirely milky white, and emitting a gentle, tranquil Aura? And a folded, ancient, yellowed... map fragment that seemed to be made of some kind of animal skin?

The jade pendant felt warm and smooth in his hand, as if it had the effect of calming the Divine Soul, but it was not of the same Rank as the "soul-stabilizing bead". The map fragment was very blurry; one could only make out what seemed to be a depiction of continuous snowy mountains and a blurry palace marker located at the peak of the snowy mountains. Next to the marker were two ancient Seal script characters that were almost unrecognizable. Lin Ye focused carefully and managed to identify them: "Bei... ming?"

Beiming?! Lin Ye's pupils shrank instantly! Beiming Cold Abyss?! That other great Forbidden Ground of the Tianfeng Kingdom, as famous as the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, the legendary frigid land of the far north, which even connected to the legendary "Beiming"?! Could it be... that the clues to the "reincarnation seal", or the "soul-stabilizing bead" itself, were hidden in the Beiming Cold Abyss?!

Furthermore, why did the Aura of this jade pendant have some similarity to Su Waner's "soul-calming ancient lamp"? Could they be a set? The clues seemed to be pointing toward the more distant north, that icy Forbidden Ground known as the restricted zone of life.

Just as he was holding the jade pendant and map fragment, lost in thought, another transmission talisman in his pocket suddenly began to vibrate urgently. It was an urgent message from Chu Yun!

"Junior Brother Lin! Return to Lingyun Peak immediately! Something major has happened! Outside the Sect gate, the Valley Master of Golden Flame Valley has arrived in person, bringing three Golden Core Elders, claiming they want to seek justice for their Elder Chiyang Zi and demanding that the Sect hand over the 'command token of ten thousand ghosts' and... you! Otherwise, they will raze my Lingyun Sword Sect to the ground! Supreme Elder Tianxuan has already stepped out to negotiate, but the other party's attitude is tough, and the situation is on the verge of breaking out!"

The Valley Master of Golden Flame Valley arrived in person? Three Golden Core Cultivators? Demanding the "command token of ten thousand ghosts" and himself? Lin Ye's eyes turned cold instantly. It seemed that before the seat of "Acting Sect Master" had even warmed up, the first test had already smashed into him so fiercely! Internal troubles were not yet cleared, and external enemies had already arrived! Good, very good. Then let this Golden Flame Valley become the... first whetstone on my, Lin Han's, path as Acting Sect Master!