Lu Chen looked at the system options, his feelings complicated.
"Detected that the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe has come to pledge allegiance as an entire clan. Please choose, Host."
"First, accept the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe and grant them an inner-gate residence within Dragon-Suppressing Pass. Reward: completion of the second level of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method."
"Second, reject the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe and avoid becoming entangled in Turtle Clan karma. Reward: one bottle of Turtle Breath Pills."
"Third, absorb the Fortune of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe and strengthen the Black Tortoise True Form. Reward: evolution of the Black Tortoise bloodline."
Lu Chen's gaze fell upon the first option, and he could barely look away.
Completion of the second level of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method.
This reward was far too crucial.
He had previously obtained several fragmented sections, and the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method had gradually become more complete.
Yet the further this divine ability progressed, the more complicated it became.
The entanglements between the Old Shell, the true body, karma, Merit, and destiny far exceeded those of ordinary escape arts.
If the second level were completed, his control over shedding his shell and escaping would improve tremendously.
When facing the Heaven-Mending Death Tribulation in the future, he would have a little more confidence as well.
The second reward, Turtle Breath Pills, sounded entirely ordinary.
As for the third option, absorbing the Fortune of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe, Lu Chen dismissed it outright.
He might fear death, but he was not so deranged that he would devour the Fortune of his own kind.
Besides, the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had been forced into a dead end by the Dragon Clan. If he devoured them now, how would he be any different from the Dragon Clan?
"I choose the first."
"Congratulations, Host. You have received completion of the second level of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method."
The system's voice fell silent.
A massive stream of profound Dao patterns surged into Lu Chen's Primordial Spirit.
Joy instantly rose in his heart.
With the second level complete, the operation of the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method became far clearer.
The first level merely allowed him to nurture new life beneath the Old Shell.
The second level allowed him to gradually transfer part of his karma onto the Old Shell.
This step was immensely important.
If Nuwa truly came to slay the Black Tortoise in the future, what she cut down would be the Old Shell that bore part of his karma.
Lu Chen's true body, meanwhile, would have a chance to quietly escape through the Abyssal Womb Membrane.
Of course, this was still far from enough.
A Saint's karma was too weighty.
Heaven-Mending Merit was too vast.
Relying on the second level alone, it was still unrealistic to completely escape Nuwa's grasp.
But the path ahead was becoming clearer and clearer.
Lu Chen was in an excellent mood.
The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had arrived at exactly the right time.
Still, this form of address, "ancestor," had to be corrected.
Outside Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
Ancestor Xuan Jia remained kneeling in the Blackwater.
Behind him stood several thousand members of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe.
The young turtles of the tribe were protected in the very center.
Most of these young turtles had not yet taken human form. They lay on their elders' backs, their round eyes watching Dragon-Suppressing Pass with curiosity and nervousness.
Ancestor Xuan Jia's heart was far from calm as well.
He had lived for a very long time.
Long enough to personally witness the rise and fall of countless Northern Sea races.
Yet he had never seen such a mysterious great expert of the Turtle Clan.
Sleeping within Abyss.
Not contending with the three clans.
A single Dharma Body had driven back the Blackwater Dragon King.
He had even established the Book of Cause and Effect, protecting a path to survival for all races.
If such a being did not count as an ancestor of the Turtle Clan, then who did?
At that moment, the Black Tortoise Dharma Body slowly condensed above Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
The instant Ancestor Xuan Jia saw that Dharma Body, his entire body shook violently.
That ancient, weighty, boundless aura made even his bloodline tremble.
The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe cultivated the path of tortoise-shell defense.
The deeper one's bloodline, the more clearly one could sense the Black Tortoise Origin contained within Lu Chen's Dharma Body.
In Ancestor Xuan Jia's eyes, that was no ordinary Black Tortoise.
It was a shadow at the very end of the Turtle Clan's Great Dao.
Tears streamed down Ancestor Xuan Jia's aged face as he directly knocked his head against the seabed.
"Unworthy descendants of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe greet our ancestor!"
The thousands of Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe members behind him all kowtowed in unison.
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
Their voices echoed beyond Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
Lu Chen got a headache.
He knew this would happen.
"I am not your ancestor."
Upon hearing those words, Ancestor Xuan Jia became even more excited.
"Ancestor does not wish to oppress others with his bloodline. This junior understands!"
Lu Chen: "..."
What exactly did you understand?
I really am not!
Ancestor Xuan Jia continued, "This junior knows that an existence like you, Ancestor, has long transcended the narrow divisions of ordinary clans."
"But my Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe has been oppressed by the Dragon Clan, and our young turtles nearly became offerings to be refined into armor."
"Now, within the Northern Sea, only Abyss can offer my tribe a sliver of hope."
"I beg Ancestor for mercy and permission for my tribe to enter Abyss."
Lu Chen fell silent for a moment.
He truly did not want to keep arguing over the title of ancestor.
Because he had already realized that the more he explained, the more muddled things became.
It had been the same with Lan Shuang.
And it was the same with Ancestor Xuan Jia.
So he simply stopped explaining.
"You may enter Abyss."
"You must submit to the scrutiny of the Book of Cause and Effect."
"You must obey Abyss's rules."
"You may not cause trouble outside in my name."
Ancestor Xuan Jia did not hesitate in the slightest.
"This junior obeys!"
The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe began undergoing the scrutiny of the Book of Cause and Effect.
This clan truly carried relatively little killing karma.
They had long lived in seclusion at Northern Sea Black Armor Ridge. They were not skilled at combat, and more often bore the responsibilities of repairing water veins and defending against sea beasts.
When they did kill, it was mostly to protect their clan.
The radiance of the Book of Cause and Effect descended, swiftly producing a result.
"The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe may enter Abyss."
"Ancestor Xuan Jia, Early Great Luo Golden Immortal. Skilled in defense, formations, and sea-suppression arts."
"May guard Abyss's outer gate or inner gate."
Lan Shuang's eyes lit up at the sight of those lines.
Ancestor Xuan Jia was a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
What Abyss lacked most right now was precisely this kind of top-tier combat power.
There was naturally no need to mention the Emperor.
But the Emperor spent all year in seclusion and could not possibly show himself for every matter.
If Ancestor Xuan Jia could guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass, Abyss's defenses would increase severalfold.
Lan Shuang immediately sought Lu Chen's instructions.
"Emperor, Ancestor Xuan Jia is well suited to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass."
Lu Chen thought so too.
The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had strong defenses and steady temperaments. They looked far more reliable than hot-blooded youngsters like Han Jue.
With Ancestor Xuan Jia helping guard the gate, he could enter seclusion with greater peace of mind.
"Approved."
Upon hearing the Emperor personally grant permission, Ancestor Xuan Jia excitedly kowtowed once again.
"This junior is willing to guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass for generations and protect Abyss's gate for the Emperor."
Hearing the words "for generations," Lu Chen's eyelid twitched slightly.
There was no need to be so dramatic.
But Ancestor Xuan Jia had already begun expressing his gratitude, and Lu Chen could not be bothered to say anything more.
News of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe entering Abyss quickly spread throughout the inner realm.
The various Abyss clans were shaken.
This was the first Daluo-level expert to voluntarily seek refuge in Abyss.
And the entire Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had come as well.
This meant that Abyss was no longer merely a refuge for weak clans.
Even a major clan with a Daluo ancestor was willing to rely on the Emperor.
After Han Jue learned the news, he rushed to Dragon-Suppressing Pass at once.
He watched Ancestor Xuan Jia from afar, battle intent beginning to burn in his eyes again.
Ao Lie glanced at him.
"You want to challenge him?"
Han Jue answered seriously, "I can't beat him for now."
Ao Lie sneered.
"It's rare for you to have such self-awareness."
Han Jue looked at him.
"I can't beat him, but sooner or later, I'll beat you."
Ao Lie gave a cold laugh.
"Talk again after you reach Taiyi."
The two continued trading barbs as usual.
But soon, they discovered that after Ancestor Xuan Jia took up residence in Dragon-Suppressing Pass, something felt rather off.
Ancestor Xuan Jia found Ao Lie deeply displeasing.
The reason was simple.
The Dragon Clan had forced the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe to offer up young turtles to be refined into armor.
Though that debt was primarily pinned on the Blackwater Dragon Palace, Ao Lie was also the Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace.
The first time Ancestor Xuan Jia saw Ao Lie, he gave a cold snort.
"A Dragon Clan prince is worthy of guarding Abyss's gate?"
Ao Lie's dragon eyes turned cold.
"A turtle that fled in defeat dares act insolently before this prince?"
The atmosphere at Dragon-Suppressing Pass instantly grew tense.
Han Jue immediately perked up.
He loved watching powerful experts clash.
Leaning on his dark-black cane, Ancestor Xuan Jia slowly walked before Ao Lie.
"This old man fled in defeat to protect his clan."
"You were punished to guard the gate because you trespassed into Abyss."
"When it comes to dignity, you have less of it than this old man."
Ao Lie was so furious that he laughed instead.
"Your Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe depended on the Dragon Clan for years, yet now you turn around and seek refuge in Abyss. You certainly make it sound grand and righteous."
Ancestor Xuan Jia's expression darkened.
"My clan relied on the Dragon Clan, offered spirit mines, repaired water veins, and guarded the Northern Sea. We never fell short on tribute."
"But your Blackwater Dragon Palace wanted my tribe's young turtles refined into armor."
"I'm afraid I cannot accept such a favor."
Ao Lie fell silent for a moment.
He had heard of this before.
At the time, he had not paid it much mind.
It was commonplace for the Dragon Clan to conscript subordinate minor clans.
But now, standing at Dragon-Suppressing Pass and hearing Ancestor Xuan Jia say it himself, it felt entirely different.
He wanted to argue, but could not find the right words.
Because there was indeed no justification for it.
Yet he was unwilling to lower his head before Ancestor Xuan Jia.
So he said coldly, "That was an order from the Blackwater Dragon Palace. It has nothing to do with this prince."
Ancestor Xuan Jia sneered.
"You bear the Ao surname, so it has everything to do with you."
Ao Lie's dragon body shuddered.
Blackwater dragon aura surged around him.
The heavy mysterious light of Ancestor Xuan Jia's turtle shell also lit up behind him.
The two auras collided outside Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
The cultivators atop the pass walls immediately grew tense.
But Han Jue's eyes lit up.
Fight.
Fight.
One was a Dragon Clan prince.
The other was Ancestor Xuan Jia.
Such a scene was rarely seen.
When Lan Shuang received the news, her face darkened.
The Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe had only just entered Abyss. How had they already clashed with Ao Lie?
She immediately sought the Emperor's instructions.
Deep within Abyss.
After hearing the report, Lu Chen only felt a headache coming on.
A dragon and a turtle fighting over a gate?
What kind of mess is this?
He had only wanted to find a few reliable people to guard the gate.
Yet the people guarding it had started arguing first.
The system's voice rang out at that moment.
"Detected that Ao Lie and Ancestor Xuan Jia are competing for the guardianship of Dragon-Suppressing Pass. Please choose." "First: favor Ao Lie and receive Dragon Clan formation experience." "Second: favor Ancestor Xuan Jia and receive Black Shell defensive divine abilities." "Third: establish a dual-guardian system for mutual checks and balances. Reward: Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment."
When Lu Chen saw the third option, it immediately pleased him.
A dual-guardian system.
It sounded quite fitting.
Ao Lie was familiar with the Dragon Clan. Guarding the outer gate, he could monitor the Dragon Clan's movements.
Ancestor Xuan Jia had strong defenses. Guarding the inner gate, he could reinforce Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
The two already disliked each other, so they could keep watch on one another. Neither would dare act recklessly.
Perfect.
"Choose the third."
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment."
Lu Chen's voice reached Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
"Dragon-Suppressing Pass will be divided into an inner gate and an outer gate."
"Ao Lie will guard the outer gate and monitor the Dragon Clan's movements."
"Ancestor Xuan Jia will guard the inner gate and oversee Abyss's defenses."
"Whoever dares engage in private combat will be punished with a thousand years of meditation in the Abyss Sea Eye."
Ao Lie and Ancestor Xuan Jia both stiffened at once.
A thousand years of meditation in the Abyss Sea Eye?
Even a Golden Immortal's Primordial Spirit would be ground raw with pain in that place.
Who would be willing to sit there for a thousand years?
The two immediately restrained their auras.
"We obey the Emperor's decree."
The next moment.
A fragment of a black stone stele flew out from the depths of Abyss and landed in the center of Dragon-Suppressing Pass.
The instant the stele fragment touched the ground, the entire Dragon-Suppressing Pass suddenly sank.
The formation patterns on the pass walls lit up.
The Blackwater Abyss Power was suppressed even more steadily.
When Ancestor Xuan Jia saw that stele fragment, his eyes widened.
"The Northern Sea-Calming Stele?"
Though it was only a fragment, it contained an immensely powerful force capable of calming the sea.
Such a treasure had actually been casually bestowed by the Emperor to suppress the pass.
Ancestor Xuan Jia felt even greater reverence in his heart.
Ao Lie also stared at the stele fragment for a long time.
He became increasingly certain that Abyss's foundations were unfathomably deep.
After hearing the Emperor's arrangement, Lan Shuang also came to a realization.
Ao Lie guarded the outside.
Black Shell guarded the inside.
One dragon and one turtle, mutually restraining each other.
If the Dragon Clan came, Ao Lie would be the first to know.
If chaos broke out within, Ancestor Xuan Jia would be the best at stabilizing it.
With a single word, the Emperor had transformed conflict into balance.
This method was indeed profound.
Lu Chen listened to Lan Shuang's admiration with complete calm.
Profound?
No.
He was merely afraid they would fight and tear down the gate.