One-Year Countdown

The next morning

Lin Chen was meditating in the Guest Courtyard, his Soul Power slowly circulating in his meridians, when the Ultimate Bracelet suddenly vibrated, and the azure gemstone began to flash rapidly.

Lin Chen opened his eyes in surprise, and then heard Zero's voice ring out in his mind. "Lin Chen, what I'm about to say concerns the fate of this planet."

Lin Chen sat up straight, nodded, and listened attentively.

"Tartarus used the energy fluctuations generated when I descended upon the Douluo Continent to weaken the Dimensional Barrier of your planet."

"This has caused cracks to appear in the dimensional space that would have taken several years to loosen. The Abyss Plane is seeping through these cracks, and based on the timeline within your planet, it will officially invade reality in about a year."

Lin Chen clenched his fists, his brows furrowing instantly. He was only level 64 now; how far could he possibly go in just one year?

Zero seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and his tone softened slightly. "After the Spatial Rift opens, I will try my best to control its size to prevent your planet from completely collapsing."

"And if Tartarus really does launch a large-scale invasion with the Abyss Plane, I will step in to help you protect this planet."

"I understand." Lin Chen took a deep breath and said gratefully, "Thank you, Zero."

Zero laughed and said, "No need for thanks, just focus on getting stronger. As for Tartarus, leave him to me!"

As Zero's voice slowly faded away, the Ultimate Bracelet returned to its calm state.

Lin Chen sat there, pondering the complex thoughts in his mind, and then prepared to find Qian Daoliu to explain the matter of the Abyss Plane in detail.

But he had only taken a few steps out of the Guest Courtyard when Qian Daoliu's guards came looking for him, saying that the Great Enshrined had invited him to the Worship Hall.

Lin Chen nodded and followed the guard.

Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu sat in the main seat, with several offerings arranged on either side. Qian Renxue was also summoned and nodded slightly to Lin Chen when she saw him enter.

Lin Chen had just stood still and hadn't even had a chance to speak when Qian Daoliu said with a smile, "I called you all here today because I have something to announce."

He glanced at Lin Chen, then at Qian Renxue, his smile more amiable than usual, "From today onwards, I hereby officially announce that Xue'er and Lin Chen are engaged!"

Upon hearing this, the other worshippers applauded, and the entire Worship Hall immediately became lively.

Lin Chen's mind went completely blank. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but not a single word came out.

The Abyss Plane, the shattered Dimensional Barriers, and the one-year countdown to the Abyss invasion—all these things were swept to the back of my mind by this one sentence.

Qian Renxue's face flushed instantly. She turned her head sharply to look at Qian Daoliu, her lips moved, and then she looked at Lin Chen beside her. Her face grew hotter and hotter.

"Grandpa, I... I still need to prepare for the Angel's Fourth Test... so I'll head back now!"

After saying that, Qian Renxue turned and ran, her long golden hair whipping behind her, and her figure quickly disappeared outside the palace gate.

Lin Chen stood there stunned, unable to come to his senses for Jiujiu.

Seeing his expression, Qian Daoliu shook his head with a smile and said, "What's wrong? Are you so happy you've gone crazy?"

"No... Great Enshrined, I..." Lin Chen finally found his voice, but his mind was still a mess.

"Alright." Qian Daoliu waved his hand casually, "You and Xue'er just need to get along well, don't hurt her feelings. This matter is settled."

Lin Chen took a deep breath, forcibly pulling his thoughts back. He could think about the engagement later; there were more important things to do now.

"Great Enshrined, I've actually come today to discuss something else."

Seeing his serious expression, Qian Daoliu also stopped smiling and calmly said, "Speak."

Lin Chen nodded, and then recounted the message that Zero had sent him in detail.

The Dimensional Barrier has been weakened, Abyss Plane is about to invade. One year countdown.

Then he explained the situation of the Abyss Plane in detail: 108 layers of the Abyss, each with Abyss Emperor in charge, and the first 36 layers are occupied by Titled Douluo.

The middle 36 levels are occupied by Titled Douluo of level 95 and above, the last 36 levels are occupied by Peerless Douluo of level 99 and above, and the last 18 levels are occupied by demigod-level powerhouses, as well as the Abyss Sovereign, who is Half-Step God King.

Qian Daoliu's expression grew increasingly somber after hearing this news.

The worshippers exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn. The atmosphere in the hall, which had been relaxed moments before, suddenly became heavy.

"Are you sure this information is accurate?" Qian Daoliu asked in a deep voice.

Lin Chen nodded and said seriously, "Every word is true. This information was all told to me by Zero."

"Dozens of Peerless Douluo, demigod-level powerhouses, and one Half-Step God King." Qian Daoliu repeated these numbers and said in a deep voice, "The Spirit Hall currently only has a few dozen Titled Douluo."

As for the Peerless Douluo, in the entire Douluo Continent, apart from myself, Bo Saixi, Tang Chen, and Bibi Dong, there is no one else.

He turned around and looked at Lin Chen: "I will discuss this matter with the Worship Hall and with Bibi Dong. No matter how big the differences are between the Spirit Hall and the Pope Hall, they must be put aside for now in the face of this matter."

Lin Chen nodded and added, "Zero said that if the Douluo Continent were truly facing annihilation, he would not stand idly by."

"Furthermore, the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul has a suppressive effect on the Abyss Plane. If you, Great Enshrined, were to use Angel Divine Power, you would definitely not be weaker than those demigod-level powerhouses."

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu's expression softened slightly. "I understand. Go back and rest now. Focus on your cultivation during this time; the Spirit Hall will spare no effort to nurture you."

Lin Chen nodded, cupped his hands in greeting to Qian Daoliu and the other elders, and then turned and left the Worship Hall.

On the way back to the Guest Courtyard, Lin Chen was still pondering the matter of the Abyss Plane.

In the coming year, he needs to improve his strength as quickly as possible, at least to have the ability to protect himself before the Abyss invades.

After walking a few steps, Lin Chen returned to the courtyard. As he casually pushed open the Courtyard Gate, he saw Qian Renxue, who had already left.

At this moment, Qian Renxue was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, her hands on her knees, her head down. When she heard the door open, she looked up, the blush on her face not yet completely gone.

Lin Chen stood at the Courtyard Gate, and the words Qian Daoliu had just said in the Worship Hall flashed through his mind, causing his face to turn red.

"You... why are you here?" Lin Chen walked into the courtyard, sat down on the stone bench, and stood half a table away from Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, her fingers clenching on her knees, before she spoke softly, "The engagement..."

She paused, her face flushing again. "If you're not willing, I can talk to Grandpa and ask him to break off the engagement."

After saying this, Qian Renxue lowered her head again, her long golden hair falling down to cover half of her face, her ear tips burning red.

She said, "We can break off the engagement," but her knuckles were white as she gripped her knees.

Upon seeing this, Lin Chen smiled gently.

He reached out and grasped Qian Renxue's hand, uttering the answer he had already decided in his heart.

"Of course I would."