The Origin of the Abyss, Forging

Jiang Wulin's blood-red eyes flickered as he whispered to himself.

Over these past four years, he had once sensed an incredibly formidable spiritual force sweep past. He was certain that this spiritual force had transcended the mortal realm and entered the god-level, specifically the Divine Origin Realm.

Because when this spiritual force swept across the seventy-sixth level, the entire level had fallen into absolute silence.

Jiang Wulin guessed that the owner of this spiritual force was none other than the Spirit Monarch, who ranked second in the Abyss and acted as the overseer of the Abyss Plane on behalf of the Abyssal Sage King.

Within the entire Abyss Plane, aside from the Abyssal Sage King, he was the only one whose spiritual force had broken through to the god-level.

Fortunately, he had submerged his Shadow Legion underground that time and kept his Monarch Domain constantly expanded; otherwise, this shadow of his and the Shadow Legion would have been destroyed right then and there.

During these four years, this shadow of his had also been continuously extracting the feedback from his Shadow Soldiers, allowing his cultivation to break through to the Soul King level.

If it weren't for the fact that he dared not hunt high-level Abyss Ants on a large scale, and that higher cultivation levels required more energy, this shadow of Jiang Wulin's would have reached an even higher level.

After all, how could self-cultivation ever compare to the speed of devouring?

Moreover, situated within the Abyss Plane, he didn't have the luxury of time to develop slowly.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"

Just as Jiang Wulin was deep in thought, a group of dark shadows in the distance carried over a massive Abyss Ant that was missing limbs.

The Shadow Soldiers within the group gestured excitedly toward Jiang Wulin.

"Not bad, not bad. From now on, we shall follow these three principles."

Jiang Wulin nodded slightly, offering a word of praise.

This group of dark shadows consisted of Shadow Soldiers he had carefully selected, those capable of retaining a sliver of consciousness. While following his commands, they could also coordinate to launch attacks.

The three principles he had instructed them to follow were: first, strike the legs to prevent escape; second, strike the head to prevent resistance; and third, strike the mouth to prevent pleas for mercy.

It wasn't that the Shadow Soldiers couldn't strike faster; it was simply so Jiang Wulin could see clearly.

"To follow me is your honor; there is no need for any further futile struggle."

Jiang Wulin raised his hand and brought his blade down, ending the life of the Abyss Ant. As it transformed into a mass of black light attempting to dissipate, Jiang Wulin had already raised his right hand, and the power of darkness instantly coiled around it.

Perhaps due to the inherent nature of abyssal creatures to return to their source, and the vast gap in cultivation between them and Jiang Wulin, the black light still struggled slightly.

But Jiang Wulin remained completely unperturbed. On the back of his right hand, the mark of a purple-gold Ant Emperor, roaring at the heavens, flickered with light. An indescribable pressure instantly crashed down upon the mass of black light.

In an instant, the black light ceased its struggle, and a massive shadow was successfully extracted by Jiang Wulin.

"This Abyss Plane truly has a rigid hierarchy."

After absorbing the feedback energy, Jiang Wulin stroked the mark on his right hand and sighed softly.

This Ant Emperor Mark had appeared four years ago when his Shadow Legion surpassed one hundred members. After some time spent researching it, he had gradually come to understand what it was.

Compared to the Douluo Plane, the Abyss Plane was not a complete plane; it was merely a predator within the galaxy and universe.

The one hundred and eight levels of the Abyss Plane were, on the whole, a single entity, yet each level possessed its own abyssal essence, and a large portion of this essence resided within the kings of each race.

Just as when Tang Wulin had used the Golden Dragon Spear to slay two Abyssal Kings during the Abyssal Tide, the level of the Abyss Plane where those two kings resided had collapsed immediately after he absorbed their essence energy, and those two abyssal races had been completely wiped out.

Beyond the essence held by the Abyssal Kings of each race, the remaining essence was divided into countless tiny fragments, hidden within every single abyssal creature.

This was the reason why every abyssal creature could return to the Abyss Plane after death and be continuously recycled and recreated.

When he extracted the shadows of these abyssal creatures, their essence was extracted along with them by the Shadow Monarch. Unlike the direct devouring of the Golden Dragon Spear, the Shadow Monarch converted the essence and fed it to this shadow of his.

"By controlling the vast majority of the essence, one can manipulate the entire Ant Emperor abyssal race. While expanding the number of Shadow Monarchs, I must also gradually approach the Ant Emperor."

Jiang Wulin recalled his plan, weighing his options carefully.

The Ant Emperor possessed the most essence by far, likely over half of it. He had to take it down and convert it into his own Shadow Soldier, or perhaps even a Legion Commander.

Only in this way could he reap the benefits without causing this level of the Abyss Plane to collapse, allowing him to control the seventy-sixth level of the Abyss silently and imperceptibly.

"A Title Douluo... the grand plan is not yet complete; I must continue to work hard."

Encouraging himself, Jiang Wulin prepared to return his consciousness to his main body.

But just then, a segment of special memory from the shadow he had just extracted appeared before him.

"This is an Abyssal Dark Lotus!"

In the memories of that massive Abyss Ant, he saw a black-and-white lotus floating in a secluded spring. The black-and-white lotus radiated a strange, ghostly glow, and it had twenty-four petals, clearly divided between black and white.

Although the Abyss Plane could not compare to the Douluo Plane, it was at least a separate plane, and thus it contained various treasures of heaven and earth. This Abyssal Dark Lotus was one of them.

"Oh ho, and it's guarded by the Ant Emperor's men? Then I have no choice but to snatch it."

After browsing through the entire memory, a faint excitement stirred in his blood-red eyes.

This Abyss Ant was considered a peripheral guard for the Ant Emperor and had previously been sent along with other Ant Emperor experts to guard this Abyssal Dark Lotus.

The Ant Emperor intended to use this Abyssal Dark Lotus to continue its breakthrough. After all, the rankings of the one hundred and eight abyssal races were not fixed; they could improve their race's ranking through special forms of combat, and an improved ranking meant the entire race would grow stronger.

No race king would refuse such a temptation—except, of course, for the Spirit Monarch in second place. If he wanted to improve further, he would likely have to go up against the Abyssal Sage King.

"Next time I come, I must find a way to take it."

Jiang Wulin made a firm resolution in his heart. The further his shadow progressed, the more energy it required for breakthroughs. This Abyssal Dark Lotus was perfect for him. Furthermore, if he allowed the Ant Emperor to break through, it would be even harder for him to take over the seventy-sixth level.

Without further hesitation, Jiang Wulin withdrew the Shadow Legion into the Monarch Domain, and his consciousness slowly returned.

Inside Jiang Xiu's room.

"Hoo!"

Jiang Xiu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through his purple irises as he rose from the bed.

He now possessed a slender build and a handsome face, his purple eyes hinting at a subtle air of nobility. Coupled with his unique, haughty aura, he carried the distinct charm of a spirited, dashing youth.

"Creeeak!"

The door opened.

"Jiang Xiu, you've broken through?!"

Hearing the door open, Na'er immediately hopped off the wooden stool, exclaiming in pleasant surprise.

"Mn, I've broken through. Next, it's time to go obtain my second soul spirit."

Jiang Xiu looked at Na'er before him, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile.

"Jiang Xiu, I feel like someone has set me up."

At this moment, Na'er suddenly stepped in front of Jiang Xiu, speaking in a cautious tone.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Jiang Xiu raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in a deep voice.

"You've already broken through to become a Soul Venerable, but I'm still only level twenty-nine. We cultivate together and study forging together every day, yet I haven't broken through yet. Isn't this proof that someone is secretly rigging things against me?"

Na'er lifted her pretty face, speaking as if it were only natural.

"..."

"Na'er, I don't know if you've been set up, but if you haven't finished the tasks I assigned you yesterday, you're done for."

Before Jiang Xiu could answer, a thin figure appeared behind them, followed by a faint, dry cough.

Upon hearing that voice, Na'er's pretty face froze. She turned her head as slowly as a machine, and the moment she saw the person behind her, a single thought instantly flooded her mind.

"I'm doomed!"