78: Chapter 78 The Immortals' Yearning for "Hell," and the First "Tourist Visas" for the Abyss
The Immortal Realm, Tianmen Forbidden Ground.
Ever since the Heavenly Gate was completely sealed off by Li Mo using "Rule Cement" and a "Demon God's Buttocks," this place had become the largest refugee camp in the Immortal Realm... no, wait, it was the largest "Lower Realm Window."
Countless Immortals squatted by the cracks in the cement every day (even though their vision was mostly blocked), attempting to use their Divine Sense to spy on the happenings in the Lower Realm.
Just moments ago, they had witnessed with their own eyes that terrifying "World-Ending Flood" pouring back into the Abyss.
They had thought the Abyss would be completely destroyed.
However, as that white torrent dissipated, peering through that thin spatial barrier, they saw a scene that caused the Dao Hearts of all the Immortals to crumble.
"This... this is the Abyss?"
Qingyun (the Immortal Realm agent for the Tianhe Group) was sprawled against the crack, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
Looking down at the 77th floor of the Abyss, where was there even a hint of its former gloomy and terrifying appearance?
The ground was paved with flawless white jade, and the rivers flowed with fragrant Holy Water (actually diluted disinfectant). Pink clouds floated in the sky (pigment residue left over after the original miasma was purified).
And those originally hideous demons...
"Is that a succubus? How does she look even more holy than the Fairies of the Guanghan Palace?"
"Is that a Flame Demon? Why is it radiating a soft white light and helping an old lady cross the street?"
"Is this freaking Hell? This is clearly the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss!"
An old Immortal cried bitter tears, "I've lived in the Immortal Realm for thirty thousand years and I've never seen a floor so clean! Compared to that place, my Immortal Cave is practically a pigsty!"
An emotion called "jealousy" quickly spread through the Immortal Realm.
On what grounds?
On what grounds do those filthy demons get to live in such a nice place?
While the noble Immortals have to squeeze into this broken place where resources are depleted and they even have to fight over spicy strips?
"I want to go there!"
Someone shouted, though it was unclear who.
"I want to go too! I want to go to the Abyss to breathe oxygen! I want to go to the Abyss to purify my soul!"
"I heard it's managed by the Tianhe Group now? Quick! Contact Director Hao! We need to apply for visas!"
...
The Lower Realm, Heavenly River Sword Sect.
The second floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
Li Mo looked at the "Immortal Realm Immigration Applications" flying in like snowflakes, and the smile on his face gradually became more capitalized.
"This is the 'Siege' effect."
"People outside (Immortals) want to get in, and the people inside (demons)... well, the people inside are busy with renovations and don't want to come out."
"Mr. Li."
Director Haotian (the former Immortal Emperor) pushed the door open and entered with a strange expression. "Those old guys up there have gone crazy. Led by the God of Wealth, they say they're willing to give up the 'Treasure Basin' of the God of Wealth Temple just to exchange it for a 'Permanent Residence Permit' to the Abyss."
"And then there's Taishang Laojun, who says he's lacking oxygen for Alchemy in the Immortal Realm (because the Heavenly Gate is blocked) and wants to establish a 'Second Alchemy Factory' in the Abyss."
"Do we agree to their requests?"
Li Mo put down the applications, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.
"Agree? Why would we just agree?"
"No one treasures things that are easily obtained."
Li Mo stood up and walked to the massive "Abyss Planning Map."
"We're going to use... 'Hunger Marketing'."
"Send out the word."
"Tianhe Group is officially launching the first phase of the 'Abyss · Cloudtop Heavenly Palace' property viewing tour."
"Quota limit: 100 people."
"Ticket price: One High Grade Immortal Artifact (no refunds, no exchanges)."
"And..." Li Mo paused, then added, "Tell them that because the Abyss is now an 'Advanced Purification Zone,' to prevent the 'Turbid Qi' (actually the stench of poverty on those deities) of the Immortal Realm from polluting the environment, an 'Asset Verification' must be conducted before entry."
"Anyone with a net worth lower than ten thousand Immortal Crystals is forbidden from entry."
Director Haotian listened, dumbfounded.
Treating deities like country bumpkins to be guarded against? Even looking down on deities for being dirty?
This move... was so freaking satisfying!
"Understood! I... this Director will get right on it!"
...
Half a day later.
Above the Heavenly Gate, an unprecedented "auction" was taking place.
It wasn't an auction for treasures, but for spots to "go to Hell."
"Spot number one! Starting price: one High Grade Immortal Artifact!"
Director Haotian's voice, projected through a megaphone, penetrated the cement layer and resounded through the Immortal Realm.
"I'll give two! That's my pension! Nobody fight me for it!" The Barefoot Immortal waved two pairs of top-tier Cloud-Stepping Boots.
"I'll give three nine-revolution golden cores! I want to immigrate with my whole family!"
"I'll put up the Beast Taming Sect's Guardian Divine Beast as collateral! Let me go first!"
The scene spiraled out of control for a time.
The Immortals, who once stood high above and viewed the Lower Realm like ants, were now fighting tooth and nail just to be a "refugee" in the Abyss.
In the end, the one hundred spots were snatched up within half an hour.
The Heavenly River Sword Sect's warehouse gained several hundred more top-tier Immortal Artifacts.
...
"Alright, since the money is in place, the service must follow."
Li Mo looked at the list and snapped his fingers.
"Open the 'VIP Exclusive Channel'."
"Note, don't use that 'Buttocks Gate' anymore; it's too crowded."
"We'll go through... the 'Sewer'."
Li Mo manipulated the Heavenly River Sword Sect's flow-induction array, temporarily converting the pipe originally used to discharge "disinfectant" into a "Sightseeing Slide."
"Distinguished VIP customers, please line up, put your hands behind your heads, and slide down."
And so.
One hundred top-tier figures of the Immortal Realm dropped down like dumplings through a massive, slippery pipe from the sky.
"Wahoo—!!!"
Accompanied by bursts of thrilling screams (though they desperately tried to maintain their ethereal, Immortal poise).
Plop! Plop!
They landed precisely in the... "Welcoming Holy Water Pool" (formerly the disinfectant puddle) on the 77th floor of the Abyss.
"We're here?"
The God of Wealth was the first to crawl out of the pool, wiping the water from his face.
Hisst— such pure energy!"
He took a deep breath and immediately felt a refreshing coolness in his lungs. "The air here... is actually sweet?"
"Welcome!"
Just then, two rows of voices spoke in unison.
Two rows of succubi wearing tailcoats and sporting white wings (after being bleached) stood by the shore, holding trays and smiling pleasantly.
"Our distinguished guests have had a long journey."
"This is the 'Abyss Special Drink · Lemon-Flavored Holy Water' and 'Welcome Snack · Mini Spicy Strips' prepared for you."
"Please follow me; Marshal Ji is already waiting for you at the 'Cloudtop Sales Office'."
Looking at these demons who were more polite than fairies and more holy than angels.
Then looking at that magnificent "Sales Center" in the distance, which had just been constructed from Immortal Realm scrap materials.
The hundred Immortals were completely won over.
"This is no Abyss..."
The God of Wealth tremblingly accepted the cup of Holy Water, his eyes brimming with tears.
"This is clearly the... home we lost so long ago!"
...
And outside the world.
The "Surgeon" who were preparing to launch the second wave of "Devastating Strikes" looked at the readings on their instruments and fell into deeper self-doubt.
[Warning...]
[Target Area (Abyss)... Civilization Index is skyrocketing.]
[Detected a large number of 'High-Dimensional Lifeforms' (Immortals) migrating in.]
[This area has automatically upgraded to... an 'Ecological Protection Zone'?]
The Surgeon' hands, holding their scalpels, hung in mid-air, unable to cut down.
Cut away a "Protection Zone"?
That would be a violation of the "Universal Ecological Protection Law"!
"Suspend the surgery."
The lead surgeon sighed.
"First... let's observe for a while."
"Let's see what these viruses... actually want to evolve into."