As Ao Lie's words fell, the entire altar area fell silent for a moment.
The Dragon Clan members wore ugly expressions.
Ao Yin's gaze was so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water.
"Uphold Abyss's rules?"
"Good. Very good."
"The Blackwater Dragon Palace raised you for years, gave you bloodline resources, gave you the Dragon Clan's inheritance."
"And now, for the sake of a few minor Abyss clans, you dare stand in my way as I seize a treasure."
"Ao Lie, you are betraying the clan!"
The moment the words "betraying the clan" were spoken, Ao Lie's eyes shifted slightly.
The Dragon Clan members all looked toward him as well.
In the past, Ao Lie would certainly have flown into a rage.
Yet at this moment, he was unexpectedly calm.
He glanced at Lady Mingzhu, then at Lan Shuang, Han Jue, Ancestor Xuan Jia, and the Abyss Guardian Team cultivators behind him.
At last, his gaze returned to Ao Yin.
"The Blackwater Dragon Palace raised me. I remember that."
"I also remember the Dragon Clan's inheritance."
"But do you remember the young turtles of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe?"
Ao Yin's expression darkened.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Ao Lie continued, "Do you remember the young and strong members of the Cold Sand Clan who died in the water manor after being conscripted?"
Ao Yin said coldly, "Weak clans should be grateful to serve the Dragon Clan."
"What about the Sea Spirit Clan?"
"And the Mystic Clam Tribe?"
"What about those minor clans you treated as blood food, slaves, and materials for refining artifacts?"
Ao Yin shouted furiously, "Ao Lie!"
Ao Lie's voice turned cold as well.
"Over the years I guarded Dragon-Suppressing Pass, I saw many things."
"Those runaway slaves you speak of grow Spirit Fields in Abyss, repair formations, teach children cultivation, and uphold the rules."
"They are not numbers in the Dragon Clan's ledgers."
"They want to live too."
A strange light flashed through Feng Li's eyes at those words.
Lin Yue also revealed a thoughtful expression.
Han Jue could not help laughing.
"That sounded like something a Abyss man would say."
Ao Lie did not turn around.
His gaze remained fixed on Ao Yin.
"I once trespassed into Abyss and was punished by the Emperor with guarding Dragon-Suppressing Pass."
"At the time, I felt humiliated."
"But over these years, I have at least come to understand one thing."
"If rules only protect the strong, then they are shackles."
"Only when rules can protect the weak do they have meaning."
"Today, Abyss obtained the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl according to the rules."
"You, Ao Yin, tried to seize it by force. That means you broke the rules."
"I guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass. These are the rules I guard."
By this point, Ao Yin's fury had reached its limit.
"What a fine defense of the rules."
"Then today, I will clean house for the Blackwater Dragon Palace!"
Ao Yin stepped forward.
The aura of the Supreme Unity Golden Immortal Peak erupted completely.
The Blackwater Long Halberd in his hand carried surging dragon aura as it shot straight for Ao Lie's heart.
Ao Lie's expression grew grave.
His cultivation was inferior to Ao Yin's.
The gap was not small.
But at this moment, he did not retreat.
Blackwater dragon aura surged from within his body.
The formation seal of the Outer Gate of Dragon-Suppressing Pass appeared on his brow.
Though he had been punished with gate duty all these years, the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation, the Northern Sea-Calming Stele Fragment, and Abyss Water Aura had all subtly transformed his magical power.
He was no longer the Dragon Clan prince who had once barged into Abyss.
Boom!
The Blackwater Long Halberd collided with Ao Lie's dragon claws.
Ao Lie was sent flying at once.
But he quickly steadied himself and once more stood in front of Lady Mingzhu.
Ao Yin frowned.
He had not expected Ao Lie to withstand that strike.
"The formation seal of Dragon-Suppressing Pass?"
"Abyss actually gave you the formation seal?"
Ao Lie said coldly, "I told you. I guard the outer gate."
A flash of jealousy crossed Ao Yin's eyes.
"Do you truly think a Abyss Formation Seal lets you contend with me?"
He attacked again.
This time, the Blackwater Long Halberd split into nine halberd shadows.
Each carried a Dragon Clan secret art capable of tearing apart the Primordial Spirit.
Ao Lie defended with all his strength.
Blackwater dragon aura condensed into a dragon-scale barrier before him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The nine halberd shadows crashed down one after another.
The dragon armor on Ao Lie's body continually shattered.
The blood at the corner of his lips grew more and more obvious.
Yet he still did not step aside.
Han Jue frowned at the sight.
"This guy won't be able to hold out much longer."
Lan Shuang immediately said, "Realm Guard, form the formation!"
Han Jue had been waiting impatiently for this.
"Form the Black Tortoise Formation!"
Three hundred elite Realm Guard members swiftly spread out.
Rather than charging Ao Yin head-on, they formed a defensive formation around Ao Lie.
A phantom Black Tortoise appeared, enveloping Ao Lie within it.
The pressure on Ao Lie immediately eased.
He turned back and glanced at Han Jue.
"Who told you to help me?"
Han Jue sneered.
"If you die, who will guard the Outer Gate of Dragon-Suppressing Pass?"
Ao Lie gritted his teeth.
"Mind your own business."
Han Jue raised his spear.
"Enough nonsense. We can argue after the fight."
Ao Yin's expression grew even darker as he looked at the Abyss Guardian Team.
"A bunch of ants dare meddle in the Dragon Clan's internal affairs?"
The Book of Cause and Effect opened in Lan Shuang's hands.
Black-and-white radiance shone upon Ao Yin.
Within the water mirror, scene after scene emerged.
Young turtles of the Black-Shelled Turtle Tribe being escorted away.
The young and strong of the Cold Sand Clan being forcibly conscripted.
Spirit pearls of the Mystic Clam Tribe being seized.
Several weak clans being casually erased by the Blackwater Dragon Palace.
Though many of these acts had not been personally committed by Ao Yin, as the Second Elder of the Blackwater Dragon Palace, he had participated in issuing the orders and tacitly allowed their execution. Karma still bound him.
The radiance of the Book of Cause and Effect descended upon him.
Ao Yin's aura immediately sank.
"This damned thing again!"
Lan Shuang's voice was icy.
"Ao Yin, karma reflects upon you."
"Today, you failed to seize the treasure and now seek to kill Abyss's guardian general."
"Suppressing you is in accordance with Abyss's rules."
Ao Yin laughed angrily.
"With just you?"
Ancestor Xuan Jia slowly stepped forward.
"And this old man."
The aura of the Great Luo emerged.
Ao Yin's expression finally changed.
He feared Ancestor Xuan Jia.
Previously, with the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul present and the three clans restraining one another, he had still dared launch a sneak attack.
Now that Sea Devourer had become a soul pearl, the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl had been secured, and Abyss's people had freed their hands, he would gain nothing by continuing the fight.
But if he retreated now, he would lose all face.
At the instant Ao Yin hesitated, Ao Lie seized the opportunity and charged out.
Blackwater dragon aura and the Abyss Formation Seal erupted at the same time.
He transformed into a half-dragon form and slammed a claw hard into Ao Yin's chest.
Boom!
Ao Yin staggered back dozens of yards.
Though the injury was not severe, the meaning of that strike was entirely different.
The Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace had driven back the Second Elder of the Blackwater Dragon Palace before the experts of the three clans.
Ao Yin's face flushed red.
"Ao Lie!"
Ao Lie stood in midair, his body stained with blood, yet his eyes shone brightly.
"Ao Yin, go back and tell my father."
"My term of punishment has not ended, so I will not return to the Dragon Palace yet."
"If the Dragon Clan invades Abyss again, I will still guard Dragon-Suppressing Pass."
"If the Blackwater Dragon Palace wishes to punish me for my crimes, then once my term ends, I will return to accept it."
Ao Yin stared at him fiercely.
"You will regret this."
Ao Lie said calmly, "Perhaps."
"But today, I do not regret it."
Ao Yin ultimately did not attack again.
Ancestor Xuan Jia had already locked onto him.
Feng Li and Lin Yue were also watching from the side.
If they continued fighting, the Dragon Clan would certainly suffer.
Ao Yin snorted coldly and turned away with the Dragon Clan members.
After the Dragon Clan departed, Lin Yue did not continue competing for it.
The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl was already in Abyss's hands.
The Sea Swallower Remnant Soul had also transformed into a soul pearl.
If they kept fighting, they would only completely tear relations with Abyss apart.
Now, Abyss had Ancestor Xuan Jia holding the line, and Feng Li's relationship with Abyss had clearly eased.
It was not worth it for the Qilin Clan to act alone.
Lin Yue glanced at Lan Shuang.
"Abyss obtained its treasure today. That was your ability."
Lan Shuang gave a slight nod.
"You let us have it."
Lin Yue left with his team.
But Feng Li remained behind.
She looked at Lan Shuang and said softly, "Fate Overseer Lan Shuang, there is something I wish to ask."
Lan Shuang looked at her.
Feng Li slowly spoke.
"If the Frost Phoenix Lineage wishes to enter Abyss to evade calamities."
"Would Abyss accept us?"
Everyone's expressions changed.
A branch of the Phoenix Clan wanted to join Abyss as well?
Han Jue's eyes instantly lit up.
Ao Lie glanced at Feng Li, thoughtful.
Lan Shuang did not agree immediately.
She merely said, "Those who enter Abyss will be seen by the Book of Cause and Effect and must abide by Abyss's rules."
"If the Frost Phoenix Lineage is willing to accept this, you may come to Dragon-Suppressing Pass."
Feng Li nodded.
"I understand."
"Once I return to discuss it with my clan, I will certainly give Abyss an answer."
With that, she left with the Frost Phoenix Lineage.
The Northern Dark Water Palace gradually fell quiet.
Lady Mingzhu held the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl and let out a long breath.
"We finally got it."
Lan Shuang looked at the others.
Ao Lie was severely wounded.
Han Jue and the Realm Guard had expended no small amount of strength.
Ancestor Xuan Jia was unharmed, but he had kept the defenses raised the entire way.
The journey had been dangerous, but the gains were immense.
The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl.
The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl.
And Feng Li's expressed intention to join Abyss.
Abyss's first expedition had truly made its name.
Lan Shuang gave a slight bow in Abyss's direction.
"Emperor, we have not failed our mission."
Deep within Abyss.
After hearing the entire account, Lu Chen's feelings were extremely complicated.
He had told them to run if they could not obtain it.
They had obtained it.
He had told them to retreat when they encountered powerful enemies.
They truly had not fought a Great Luo to the bitter end.
He had told them not to announce his name.
Yet the Sea Swallower Remnant Soul had recognized the aura of the Abyss Black Tortoise on its own.
This really could not be blamed on Lan Shuang.
But why did new troubles crop up every time?
The Frost Phoenix Lineage of the Phoenix Clan wanted to come too?
The Sea-Swallowing Soul Pearl wanted to see him as well?
And Ao Lie had even fought a Dragon Clan elder on the spot?
Lu Chen silently sighed.
"Forget it."
"At least we got the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl."
The system's voice rang out at that moment as well.
"The Abyss team has completed the Northern Dark Water Palace trial."
"Ao Lie upheld Abyss's rules and repelled a Dragon Clan elder."
"The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Pearl has been acquired."
"The solidity of the Abyss Dharma Body has increased."
"The Abyssal Womb Membrane is about to undergo aquatic evolution."
Lu Chen's eyes lit up.
The Abyssal Womb Membrane was evolving?
That was good.
As long as the Inner Realm of the Abyss continued to grow, his chances of successfully evading calamities would continue to rise.
As for those troubles...
Lu Chen looked into the distance.
"Bring the pearl back first."
"We'll talk about everything else after I wake up."