1289: arrival

Deep within the Second Defense Line, amidst a continuous cluster of palaces.

A figure hurried through the corridor, arriving at the main hall of the central palace.

The entire hall was devoid of any decoration; raw ancient wood served as beams and pillars, and the floor was paved with rough bluestone.

A colossal landscape painting hung on the inner wall of the palace, depicting green mountains shrouded in mist, with faint human figures visible within them.

In front of this landscape painting, a futon was placed, and on it sat an old man with rough linen clothes, dark skin, and a face full of crevices.

His hands and feet were coarse, making him look like an old farmer, but across his crossed legs rested a sheatheless longsword.

The sword body was wide and unadorned, with a vivid red bloodline running from the tip to the hilt. The bloodline's surface glowed faintly red, alternating between bright and dim, as if breathing.

The old man's eyes were tightly shut, his fingers gently caressing the sword body.

“Senior, Wang Xiaotu has entered the Military Merit Exchange Hall.”

The hurrying figure, upon entering the hall, stopped ten steps away from the old man, bowing respectfully as he spoke.

“Mm.”

The old man slowly opened his eyes upon hearing this.

Crack!

Two bolts of lightning seemed to explode in the Void Realm, and brilliant Divine Soul light surged from his eyes before receding.

The person who came to report, seeing this, lowered his head even more respectfully.

Though the old man before him was unremarkable in appearance, his strength was among the top powerhouses in this Realm.

He originated from a large world destroyed by Demon Calamity Monsters. His Real name was long unknown, and he referred to himself as Cangmang Shanren. He was a Peak 12th Stage Grand Sword Cultivator, only slightly weaker than Boundless Sword Immortal Bai Yujing.

“Senior, according to the plan, you should depart now. The Dragon Clan's Second Battle General will accompany you…”

The messenger continued to speak.

But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Cangmang Shanren.

“No need. Ao Dong and I will meet at the target location ourselves.”

“Go back and tell your Sect Master that after I kill Wang Xiaotu, our dealings will be settled. Also, please relay this message for me…”

“Sword Cultivators should always advance fearlessly. Constantly scheming like this, it’s no wonder he still can’t break through the barrier to the Thirteen-Order!”

Cangmang Shanren grasped his sword and rose, leaving only that sentence. Without waiting for the messenger's reply, he tore through space and vanished from the hall.

...

After leaving the Second Defense Line.

Wang Chen immediately set off for the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss.

The Abyssal Meteorite Abyss, as one of the three dangerous lands on the front line battlefield, is located opposite the Samsara Destroying Land he had visited before, one to the east and one to the west, separated by millions of miles.

In the beginning of his journey, Wang Chen could still see traces of many cultivators, but as he continued westward, eventually, he flew for half a day without seeing a single person.

However, this situation gradually changed as he approached the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss.

On the third day after leaving the Second Defense Line, the outline of a deep, dark canyon, stretching endlessly and bottomlessly across the land, appeared before his eyes.

The Abyssal Meteorite Abyss is said to be a dangerous land formed when a star fell to the earth, tearing it apart. Whether this is true is now unprovable, but without a doubt, the entire Abyssal Meteorite Abyss is enveloped in a dense power of stellar annihilation. Myriad lives entering here will be ground into dust.

Even if cultivators can resist the power of annihilation with their own strength, they cannot sustain it. Even 12th Stage powerhouses, staying in the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss for too long, will have their Qi exhausted and eventually turn into withered bones.

“It’s quite interesting, actually. If I had chosen to enter the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss instead of the Samsara Destroying Land when I went adventuring in a dangerous place a few days ago, I wonder if I would have obtained a chronal crystal, or stumbled upon the guy who might have been ambushing here?”

Upon arriving, Wang Chen thought with interest, his gaze sweeping over the entrance of the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss.

He could already see that many cultivators were gathered outside the entrance, in groups of three to five, forming several small factions, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

“It seems these guys were attracted by the news of treasure in the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss, and are unrelated to the Sun Moon Sword Sect or others.”

With a single glance, Wang Chen discerned the strength of everyone present.

The leaders of the several small groups were all 12th Stage, while the others were mostly Late Stage 11th Stage, with a few Peak 11th Stage.

Among these people, many were likely famous figures on the Realm Lord-level military merit Ranking, but Wang Chen merely glanced at them and withdrew his gaze, not taking them to heart at all.

With their strength, even if they all attacked together, they wouldn't be enough for him to defeat with one hand.

“It seems that if there’s truly an ambush, it will be near the killing formation that might hide the chronal crystal, or perhaps the killing formation itself.”

Thinking this, Wang Chen directly stepped towards the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss.

“Someone else is here, and a young face at that?”

At this moment, the cultivators staying outside the entrance clearly noticed Wang Chen, the uninvited guest. Their gazes fell upon his overly young and handsome face, and their expressions became somewhat surprised.

“Tch, anyone dares to come to the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss to seek treasure. A little guy who hasn’t even fully developed, really not afraid of dying in there.”

A gaunt, ugly old man said with a somewhat sour tone.

Although he didn't know the young man's strength, his overly handsome appearance truly made him envious.

“Silence!”

“Old Devil Mu, do you want to get us all killed?”

But as soon as the old man finished speaking, a burly man from his team glared at him fiercely.

“Just a little guy…”

The old man, called Old Devil Mu, raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased.

“Shut up, you’re truly blind. Who do you think this Senior is? Before you speak, weigh your own strength. Outside the Second Defense Line, three Middle-tier Great Yao Gods of the Yao Race had their Divine Souls destroyed. This Senior wants to kill you; it’s easier than crushing an insect.”

Seeing Old Devil Mu about to retort, the burly man waved his hand, setting up an isolation barrier, and said in a menacing tone.

Upon his words, not only Old Devil Mu but also the other surprised individuals, all had their expressions change.

“You mean, this is the Senior Wang who, outside the Second Defense Line, consecutively slew three Middle-tier Great Yao Gods of the Yao Race…?”

Old Devil Mu swallowed, asking with some disbelief.

As he spoke, he wanted to turn his head to confirm, but his gaze ultimately didn't dare to project over.

He wasn't sure if his previous words had been heard. If he were to cause displeasure to the other party by staring, just as the burly man said, he would die more easily than an insect.

“Who else could it be?”

“Next time you go out, keep your eyes open. It doesn't matter if you get yourself killed, but don't implicate others.”

The burly man snorted coldly, his tone grim.

Old Devil Mu dared not retort. He couldn't even breathe loudly, and only when the figure not far away entered the Abyssal Meteorite Abyss did his heart, which had been racing, finally settle.