Sowing the Seeds of the Abyss

A single sentence instantly shattered all of Tang Ya's confidence.

The sharpness around her vanished completely. Her eyes reddened at once as she looked at the bewildered Huo Yuhao and said softly, "You're right. The Tang Sect has nothing left now."

"Our sect grounds and the accumulations of generations were all taken from us. Such a great sect now has only Bei Bei and me left. I am the current sect master of the Tang Sect, and Bei Bei is my only disciple."

"Ah?"

Huo Yuhao's eyes widened, filled with disbelief. His beautiful vision of the Tang Sect instantly shattered.

Beside him, Bei Bei pressed his lips together, helplessness flashing through his eyes.

Dilapidated, withered, barely clinging to life.

That was the Tang Sect of today.

Lu Yuan looked at Tang Ya, whose emotions were low and whose heart was filled with resentment.

An arms dealer who refused to keep up with the times deserved to decline.

Lu Yuan's voice carried a uniquely bewitching power as it sank into Tang Ya's heart.

"Do you hate it?"

"Hate the Tang Sect's decline, hate its glory fading away, hate the injustice of the world, hate how a legend that should have endured ended up in such ruins."

Tang Ya's body trembled slightly. Her nails dug tightly into her palms, while endless resentment and unwillingness churned in her eyes.

She raised her head and looked at Lu Yuan. "You... what do you mean?"

Bei Bei frowned deeply. "Xiao Ya?"

Lu Yuan smiled faintly. "Join our Abyss Cult!"

"You should know very well that the Tang Sect should not have ended up like this. Glory that should have lasted for ages was mercilessly crushed by fate, and countless paths that should have existed vanished without a trace."

"There are too many abandoned obsessions in this world, too many futures that never came to pass. People only see the predetermined outcome, yet no one cares about the possibilities that were erased."

"Our Abyss Cult welcomes all those unwilling to settle for the present and unwilling to accept an unjust fate. The things you seek but cannot obtain, the things you lose and can never regain—here, there will always be a chance to find them again!"

Tang Ya fell into deep thought after hearing those words.

Even Huo Yuhao could not help but feel moved.

Those unwilling to settle for the present? Those unwilling to accept an unjust fate?

Wasn't that talking about him?

He hated the White Tiger Duke. He hated the duke's estate!

He had to grow stronger and seek justice for his mother!

But... when had this Abyss Cult appeared?

Why had he never heard of it?

Forget it... he should join the Tang Sect first.

The Tang Sect was at least an ancient sect with ten thousand years of history. Its foundations ran deep, so it could not be wrong!

When Bei Bei saw Tang Ya spacing out, he immediately panicked. He hurriedly stepped forward and stood in front of her, shouting sternly, "Stop spouting nonsense! Xiao Ya, don't listen to him!"

Tang Ya looked at Lu Yuan, pursed her lips, and said softly, "Perhaps you have a point, but... I am the sect master of the Tang Sect. I will not give up!"

Though she said that, a seed had quietly been planted in Tang Ya's heart.

Lu Yuan asked again, "Sect Master Tang, why is it that, of the Tang Sect and Shrek, both founded by the Sea God Tang San, only the Tang Sect declined while Shrek still stands to this day? Why does Shrek have so many powerful figures, yet refuse to lend the Tang Sect a hand?"

Tang Ya froze.

A Tang Sect passed down for ten thousand years had actually been destroyed by an unknown Iron Blood Sect. How absurd.

Shrek only needed to send one or two inner court disciples to easily deal with the Iron Blood Sect, yet they did nothing. They merely sent Bei Bei over as a disciple.

Seeing Lu Yuan continue to beguile Tang Ya, Bei Bei's expression darkened. He shouted, "Enough! Stop talking!"

"Xiao Ya! Yuhao! Let's go. Ignore these three lunatics."

He knew that even the three of them together were no match for Lu Yuan, Gu Qiu'er, and Xiao Xiao. Continuing this confrontation would only leave them at a disadvantage.

Bei Bei hurriedly supported the distraught Tang Ya, brought along Huo Yuhao, who had yet to recover his senses, and swiftly turned to leave the forest.

Only after the three figures had completely disappeared did the forest become quiet again.

Gu Qiu'er curled her lips. "What a lack of backbone. They couldn't stay after just a few words."

Lu Yuan watched their retreating backs and said, "Forget it. Leave them alone. Let's go."

The three left the Star Dou Forest. After asking for directions at a village, they headed toward the Dou Ling Empire.

Two days later.

The three arrived at Wutan City, the provincial capital of Gama Province in the Dou Ling Empire.

The closer they got to the city gates, the more Xiao Xiao's face took on the gentle, well-behaved warmth of someone returning home.

"Brother Lu Yuan, Sister Qiu'er, my home is just ahead."

Xiao Xiao's tone could not hide her joy and anticipation.

After entering the city, they found its streets bustling and orderly, with shops lining both sides and crowds moving about in an organized flow.

After passing through several main streets, a grand aristocratic residence with tall walls came into view.

The Xiao Family guards on duty at the entrance recognized Xiao Xiao at once. Their faces filled with wild joy as they hurriedly bowed and reported her return.

"Miss! You're back!"

The news swiftly reached the estate. Moments later, a dignified, steady middle-aged couple with gentle temperaments hurried out. They were Xiao Xiao's parents.

"Xiao Xiao! My precious daughter!"

Madam Xiao hurried forward and pulled Xiao Xiao into her embrace.

Xiao Xiao obediently leaned against her mother, softly comforting her for a few moments. Then she straightened up and solemnly introduced Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er to her parents.

"Father, Mother, these are my friends, Brother Lu Yuan and Sister Gu Qiu'er. They have protected me all these years and are now accompanying me as I train and cultivate."

Master Xiao carefully examined Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er.

They looked young, yet their auras were unfathomably deep. They were far beyond ordinary young Soul Masters.

Thinking of Xiao Xiao's mysterious Titled Douluo teacher, Master Xiao immediately understood.

The identities of these two young people were undoubtedly unfathomable.

"Thank you, young friends, for keeping Xiao Xiao safe. My Xiao Family is endlessly grateful!"

Master Xiao solemnly cupped his hands in greeting, his manners impeccable and his gratitude sincere.

Madam Xiao also hurried forward to welcome them warmly, respectfully ushering all three into the estate.

Within the main hall, fine tea and exquisite delicacies were laid out in full.

Xiao Xiao nestled beside her parents and carefully recounted her experiences from this period.

At last, she spoke seriously and revealed her plans.

"Father, Mother, my teacher has allowed me to travel and cultivate freely. Next, I plan to follow Brother Lu Yuan and Sister Qiu'er as we continue traveling across the continent and venture in all directions."

"Training while cultivating... blah blah..."

Master and Madam Xiao listened quietly, their hearts filled with relief and pride.

They knew that their daughter possessed extraordinary talent: Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls. Keeping her trapped in Wutan City would only bury her gifts.

With companions as extraordinary as Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er by her side, it was a hundred times better than having her remain at home cultivating behind closed doors.

Master Xiao nodded slightly. "You've grown up and have your own cultivation plans. Your mother and I will support you."

"Cultivate well and gain experience properly while you are outside. There is no need to worry about home. The Xiao Family is safe and secure now, and no one dares bully us. You need only cultivate wholeheartedly with them and steadily grow stronger."

Madam Xiao gently offered a few reminders, nothing more than to stay safe outside, treat others with humility, and never recklessly force herself into danger. Her words were filled with affection and trust.

Over the next two days, Lu Yuan, Gu Qiu'er, and Xiao Xiao enjoyed themselves in Wutan City.

The Xiao Estate treated them thoughtfully and with great ceremony. At the same time, no one rashly inquired into the identities or origins of Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er, maintaining just the right degree of respectful distance.

After two days of rest, the three bid farewell to the Xiao Family.

Xiao Xiao reluctantly said goodbye to her parents, then followed Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er onto the road once more.