180: Dark Abyss

Chen Nian's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable, icy majesty.

Like chains forged of frost, it instantly seized the throats of the Shadow Demon Lord and the Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable.

These two Holy Envoys held prestigious positions and formidable strength within the Demonic Evil race.

Yet now, like stray dogs, they lay slumped on the cold, viscous ground, trembling uncontrollably.

Chen Nian's indifferent gaze swept over them, as if it could pierce through their twisted Souls to see their deepest fears and secrets.

"Speak," Chen Nian said again, the majesty in his tone clearly audible.

The light and shadow around the Shadow Demon Lord's body distorted and fluctuated violently, as if they might dissipate at any moment.

It was the first to answer in a trembling, distorted voice, "Re... Reporting to Your Lordship! We... we are not native spirits of this realm!"

"We come from the 'Gloomy Abyss,' a plane that is attached to this main world yet relatively independent!"

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable also hurriedly chimed in, fearing that a moment's delay would lead to the same fate as its companion:

"Yes, yes! Your Lordship is most wise! We are messengers chosen by the will of the 'Abyss Master'!"

"Abyss Master?" Chen Nian's brow twitched slightly as he caught the keyword. "Tell me in detail, what is this 'Abyss Master'? And what was that heart about?"

Sensing a hint of interest in Chen Nian's tone, the two Demonic Evils acted as if they had caught a lifeline, scrambling to explain.

The Shadow Demon Lord spoke at a rapid pace:

"The Abyss Master is the supreme Dominator of the Gloomy Abyss, an ancient existence born from the Origin of endless darkness and chaos!"

"His power is vast and boundless, and His will shrouds the entire abyss!"

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable added:

"We were ordered to traverse the planar barriers and descend into this realm specifically to execute the Abyss Master's 'Seeding Plan'!"

"Seeding?" Chen Nian's gaze turned slightly cold.

"Yes!" the Shadow Demon Lord explained hastily. "The Abyss Master yearns to devour broader worlds, but the powerful world barriers prevent His true body from descending directly."

"Therefore, He separated a portion of His power—the 'heart of the abyss' you just destroyed—and entrusted us to bring it into this realm."

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable took over, its voice laced with fear:

"Our mission was to find suitable 'soil'."

"Meaning places like the Black Mountain Forest Area, which are rich in Spiritual Qi yet relatively secluded."

"To plant the heart of the abyss and accelerate its growth with secret techniques!"

"The heart of the abyss spontaneously absorbs energy from its surroundings and emits a special 'Abyssal Aura'."

"It attracts, corrodes, and transforms native creatures, turning them into loyal Abyssal servants."

"Those are the Demonic Evils you've seen..."

The Shadow Demon Lord continued:

"Once the number and power of the servants reach a certain level, the heart of the abyss can absorb their faith and strength to grow continuously."

"Ultimately, it will tear through space, channeling more of the Abyss Master's power or even allowing His true body to descend, completely transforming this area into a new Abyssal territory!"

Having reached this point, its voice began to tremble:

"Your Lordship, we are merely pawns following orders!"

"Everything is the will of the Abyss Master; we had no choice!"

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable also kowtowed like a woodpecker:

"Yes, yes, yes! We deserve ten thousand deaths, but we are willing to abandon the darkness for the light! We are willing to atone for our crimes with service!"

"We will surely be of use to you. We beg Your Lordship to spare our lives!"

The two Demonic Evils were in tears, pouring out everything they knew in hopes of securing a sliver of hope for survival.

Their hearts were filled with regret and fear.

Had they known such a terrifying existence existed in this human world...

...they would have rather struggled at the bottom of the abyss than dare to accept this so-called Holy Envoy mission!

After listening to their confession, Chen Nian's face remained impassive, but he understood everything instantly.

As expected.

Yet another extra-dimensional evil god attempting to corrode the real world.

The so-called "Seeding Plan" was essentially a more covert and deceptive method of invasion.

First, plant a "seed" to let it grow on its own, attracting native forces to serve as nourishment, and finally, coordinate from within and without to open an invasion channel.

This method was more insidious and harder to detect or eradicate than the direct summoning used by the Evil God Cult.

If he hadn't happened to come and clear it out, given time, this Black Mountain Forest Area might have truly become a massive malignant tumor, potentially even spreading throughout the whole of Dragon Country!

As for these two Demonic Evils' talk of abandoning darkness for light and atoning for their crimes... Chen Nian sneered inwardly.

Those who are not of my race are bound to have different hearts.

Moreover, these were Abyssal creatures whose very nature was evil, driven by instincts of consumption and destruction.

Their submission was nothing more than a desperate attempt to survive in the face of absolute power; there was no loyalty to speak of.

Keeping them would not only be a potential threat but also an insult to his own intelligence.

However, he didn't dwell on these trivialities and continued to ask, "The 'Gloomy Abyss'—where is the entrance?"

This was the key.

The true body of an evil god-level entity would inevitably contain a massive amount of points.

"We... we don't know..."

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable was so terrified it almost curled into a ball.

"We are only the lowest-level pathfinders, brought to this realm through fixed Abyssal Rifts to cultivate the 'heart of the abyss'."

"Connection with our Master can only be established once the 'heart of the abyss' matures to a certain stage, at which point we would passively receive His guidance."

"Now that the seed is destroyed, the connection is likely severed..."

The Shadow Demon Lord also whispered:

"Your Lordship, that is all we know."

"In light of our honesty, we only beg you to spare our lives!"

They prostrated themselves on the ground in an extremely humble posture, presenting their last bit of value.

All for a single chance at survival.

However, a cruel arc curved on the corner of Chen Nian's mouth.

"Do you really have nothing to hide? Nothing else to say?"

Hearing this, the two Demonic Evils trembled, the fear in their eyes deepening instantly.

But they continued to kowtow and beg for mercy, completely devoid of their former pride as Holy Envoys.

The Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable said hurriedly, "Truly, there is nothing more. We have told you everything we know."

The Shadow Demon Lord echoed, "Yes, Your Lordship, we haven't concealed a thing."

Chen Nian smiled contemptuously and said flatly:

"Very well."

"Then your mission is complete."

"You can die now."

Upon hearing this, the pupils of the Shadow Demon Lord and the Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable were instantly filled with boundless despair.

"No—!!"

"Your Lordship, we are still useful! We can—"

However, they hadn't even finished their plea for mercy.

Chen Nian no longer had any interest in listening.

He simply waved his hand.

"Bang! Bang!"

With two muffled explosions, the bodies of the Shadow Demon Lord and the Thousand-Faced Poison Venerable directly burst into two clouds of blood mist.

No screams, no struggle.

The two Holy Envoys from the Gloomy Abyss were wiped from this world without even being able to resist.