The three-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.
Over those three days, the Heavenly Star Pavilion's operations had begun to fall into order. In the valley Ye Ling had purified, greenery had spread several feet farther, and the spiritual energy seeping from the spring had grown a little richer. Though still faint, it was quietly changing the atmosphere of all Black Wind Mountain. Under Ye Yun's training, the dozens of newly recruited disciples had also begun to show some discipline. Their eyes held less of the ferocity ingrained in cultivators of the Wasteland and more hope for the future.
The Blood Skull Steward was especially diligent, neatly compiling inventories, personnel registers, and intelligence on neighboring factions before submitting them. Ye Chen gave them a cursory look. The Blood Skull Stronghold had indeed amassed a considerable stockpile over several hundred years, with mountains of materials containing blood baleful intent and yin energy, but scarcely any caught his eye. After all, the gulf between their levels was simply too great.
Inside Chen Hall, Ye Chen, Emperor Xuanwu, Ye Yun, Shi Meng, Mo Yu, Ye Ling, and Ye Xiaoshan gathered.
Ye Xiaoshan spread his finalized map of the Demon-Burying Abyss across the stone table. Lines in different colors marked three routes, along with various areas where dangers might lurk. A conspicuous blood-red skull covered the core region.
"Young master, judging from the fragment's resonance and all the information we've gathered, this blue route is relatively the 'safest.' Most threats along it are ferocious creatures mutated by demonic aura, with few spatial rifts, but it's a long detour. The red route is the shortest, but it passes through an unstable Shattered Space Zone and is extremely dangerous. The green route is a compromise, but it passes through the Soul-Maze Ravine, where remnants of ancient restrictions may still linger," Ye Xiaoshan explained in detail.
Ye Chen's gaze swept over the map before settling on the blood-red skull. "The destination is here. The route doesn't matter."
His tone was calm, yet carried absolute confidence. Before absolute strength, many so-called dangers were merely scenery along the way, or... stumbling stones that needed to be trampled flat.
"Young master, let us accompany you!" Ye Yun cupped his fist and volunteered. Shi Meng and Mo Yu also stepped forward, their gazes resolute.
Ye Chen shook his head. "This journey is no ordinary undertaking. True Person Yunhe spoke the truth. The core region has a strange spatial structure, and the demonic aura corrodes the soul. Bringing more people would only make complications more likely. Uncle Xuan must remain here to guard against the unexpected. Each of you has your duties. Protecting the Heavenly Star Pavilion will be a great contribution in itself."
He looked at them, his tone allowing no argument. "I'll go alone."
"Young master!" Shi Meng said urgently. "That place is sinister as hell. Going alone..."
"Shi Meng." Ye Chen interrupted him, looking at him calmly. "Do you know why fierce tigers always walk alone, while cattle and sheep need to gather in herds?"
Shi Meng froze, then scratched his head. "Because... tigers are strong?"
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "That's one reason. More deeply, only by walking alone can you keep your mind free of distractions and discern even the finest autumn hair. Only by walking alone can you bring your strength to its utmost without worrying about others. Walking alone also means bearing every risk and making every choice yourself. It is a form of tempering, and also a kind of... realm."
His gaze swept over them. "I understand your concern. But some roads are destined to be walked alone. Rest assured, there may be places in this Primordial Realm that can keep me from leaving, but the Demon-Burying Abyss is certainly not one of them."
His words carried an absolute pride born of his bloodline and strength, along with the composure and insight of one tempered by endless ages. Though they remained worried, they no longer insisted. They knew their young master's temperament well, and understood the chasm-like gulf between his strength and theirs.
Emperor Xuanwu nodded slightly. "Take care in all things, young master. With this old servant here, the Heavenly Star Pavilion will remain safe."
Ye Chen nodded. Naturally, he had complete confidence in Emperor Xuanwu.
"While I'm away, Uncle Xuan and Ye Yun will decide the pavilion's affairs together. Ye Ling will continue purifying the land. Xiao Shan will continue studying the fragment and intelligence from all sides. Shi Meng and Mo Yu will handle surveillance and perimeter security," Ye Chen instructed at last.
"Yes, young master (master)!" they answered in unison.
With the arrangements settled, Ye Chen delayed no longer. He took one step out of Chen Hall, and his figure was already atop Black Wind Mountain's main peak. There was no earth-shaking presence, no dazzling radiance. He simply stepped forward, and his figure seemed to merge into the void, blurring in an instant. The next moment, he appeared several miles away. Another flicker, and he became a tiny black speck, heading toward the Demon-Burying Abyss, where demonic aura surged into the sky.
Shrink Earth to an Inch, almost spatial teleportation!
Below, the members of the Heavenly Star Pavilion gazed up at the figure vanishing into the distance in an instant, their hearts filled with shock and awe.
"The young master's cultivation grows ever more unfathomable," Ye Yun murmured.
Shi Meng smacked his lips. "If I ever get even a tenth of the young master's ability, I'll be able to swagger wherever I please!"
A trace of worry lingered in Ye Ling's eyes as she clasped her hands and silently prayed.
Emperor Xuanwu gazed in the direction Ye Chen had disappeared, a flicker of remembrance and gratification crossing his clouded old eyes. The young master really has grown up. He is no longer the child who needed our constant protection, but a mighty lord who can stand on his own, even look down upon an entire realm.
The Demon-Burying Abyss lay in the deepest reaches of the Black Wind Mountains. Even before drawing near, one could feel an oppressive weight that made the heart tremble. The sky grew darker here, as though shrouded in eternal twilight. Dense black demonic aura, like tangible smoke, poured endlessly from an immense fissure stretching across the earth, churning upward and blotting out the sun. The shrill howl of wind rose from the abyss, mingled with faint demonic roars and wails that bewitched the mind.
An ordinary cultivator arriving here would likely not even need to venture deeper. The demonic aura and mental corrosion pervading the mouth of the abyss alone would suffice to break their Dao heart and reduce them to a demonic beast that knew only slaughter.
Ye Chen appeared at the edge of the Demon-Burying Abyss. He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes utterly still in the howling demonic wind. The primordial chaos purple qi flowing naturally around him easily repelled and purified the demonic aura that tried to corrode him.
He looked down. Below lay a sea of darkness, his gaze unable to penetrate the impenetrably dense demonic mist. He could only sense the unsettling chaos, deathly stillness, and an exceedingly ancient, exceedingly powerful remnant will within.
The Nameless Fragment against his chest grew scorching hot, and its resonance with the Black Iron Piece became stronger than ever before. It pointed unmistakably toward the deepest reaches of the abyss!
"So it really is here," Ye Chen murmured. Rather than fear, an even stronger desire to explore kindled in his eyes.
He chose none of the routes Ye Xiaoshan had marked. Instead, he stepped straight out, his figure plunging like a falling meteor as he cast himself without hesitation into the dark abyss that seemed capable of swallowing everything!
The instant the demonic aura engulfed him, the purple qi around his body flickered softly, like a lone lamp lit in endless darkness. Though faint, it advanced unwaveringly toward the unknown depths.
Alone he ventured into the hidden depths, straight into the demonic abyss!
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