Chapter 1616: Persuasion and Coercion

If there wasn’t a mirror separating him and Great Sage Tian Qi, if they weren’t in the abyss passageway right now, Qin Lie would be worried for his own life.

After all, Great Sage Tian Qi was one of the three great Blood and Soul Mentors and one of the few people who was close to transcending rank ten.

From Lieyan Ge, he learned that Lieyan Yuan was the other person with the highest chance to transcend rank ten.

Strictly speaking, both these two fellows chosen by the Imperial Soul Monarch himself had one foot in that final bloodline rank already.

That was why the seniors of the God Race had chosen to support Lieyan Yuan’s Perfect Blood project back then.

Not only was Tian Qi close to stepping into that ultimate bloodline rank, he was well-versed in the power of space.

If he really wished him ill, there was probably nothing Qin Lie could do to resist.

Luckily for him, this meeting was taking place in the abyss passageway after the Galaxy Mirror had entered his possession…

“Speak, what is your business?” Qin Lie asked in a cold voice.

“Did the abyss passageway of the Eight Purgatories come unsealed due to the reappearance of the Galaxy Mirror?” Tian Qi withdrew his smile and said seriously.

“That’s right,” replied Qin Lie.

The old man frowned at him and said, “Your grandfather and I had an agreement with each other. In our original plan, we should have worked together to reopen the abyss passageway of the Nine Hells and Yellow Springs Purgatories half a year later, ensuring our races’ smooth retreat. However, our plan was disrupted because of you, and the abyss passageway opening ahead of time means that both the God Race and the Spirit Race are about to be hit by the greatest tragedy. Now you’ve appeared, and you’ve blocked the entrance to Yellow Springs Purgatory. But… what about Nine Hells Purgatory?”

Qin Lie chuckled once before replying, “You’re the one who threw me into Yellow Springs Purgatory in the first place. You’re not expecting me to help you and close off the passage to Nine Hells Purgatory as well, do you?”

His expression abruptly turned cold as he said, “Why should I help the Spirit Race?”

“Indigo is in Nine Hells Purgatory as well,” Tian Qi said suddenly.

An odd glint appeared in Qin Lie’s eyes.

“The others may not know about the relationship you share, but I do.” Tian Qi hesitated for a moment before continuing, “You are the reason why that girl was able to awaken all four bloodline attributes of our race. Strictly speaking, she is… your child.”

Qin Lie’s expression grew hesitant.

It was true that he and Indigo were tied by blood, or she wouldn’t have been able to become the Spirit Seed of the Spirit Race.

He couldn’t help but worry for her knowing that she was in Nine Hells Purgatory now…

“I need at least three months before I can work together with your grandfather again and help them escape,” Tian Qi said quietly while still frowning. “With you here, the God Race probably won’t run into any trouble, but the same can’t be said for Indigo and my people. When the Abyss Devils all rush into Nine Hells Purgatory, not even Indigo, as strong as she may be, will be able to escape.”

Qin Lie fell silent for a moment before grinning suddenly. “No, I’m sure you can save her at least.”

The reason he said this was because he remembered the Blood Emperor bringing him the Ancient Life Tree from the Frost Desolation Abyss.

This meant that Lieyan Yuan had the ability to deliver one or two people into Yellow Springs Purgatory at least.

Just the same, as the Great Sage of the Spirit Race, Tian Qi was well-versed in the power of space, so he must have mastered a similar ability as well.

This meant that Tian Qi could choose to save a handful of people from Nine Hells Purgatory if the situation really turned critical.

Knowing how much he valued Indigo, Qin Lie was certain that he would take Indigo away to safety.

It was clear that Tian Qi was purposely misleading him into thinking that Indigo needed his help.

He was trying to use his concern for Indigo to save the Spirit Race from Nine Hells Purgatory.

Now Qin Lie knew what he was trying to do.

“Sigh. Why must you do this? Why must you give me no choice but to force you into obeying me?” Tian Qi shook his head and sighed, his antics only getting a silent sneer out of Qin Lie.

It was at this moment Tian Qi extended a hand to the dark passage beside him and made a grabbing motion.

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

A black dot of light abruptly grew into a black hole in an instant.

The figure spinning out of the black hole looked to be in panic and confusion.

“Ling Feng!” Qin Lie shouted.

Ling Feng abruptly crumbled into pieces in Tian Qi’s hand.

Qin Lie could do nothing but watch Tian Qi kill Ling Feng right before his eyes and dropping him into the abyss passageway below.

“One more…”

Tian Qi said indifferently as he grabbed yet another person out of the black hole like he was catching a fish.

“Luz!”

Qin Lie’s eye sockets threatened to crack apart.

The person Tian Qi pulled out of the black hole was none other than the Dark Shadow Race clansman Luz he had encountered at Boluo Realm. Luz had helped him multiple times in the past.

Luz was already covered in blood when he was pulled out of the black hole. He also looked like he was trapped by a restriction.

Luz’s face was covered in confusion. He clearly had no idea where he was, and he was looking left and right to try and determine location.

“Bang!”

The rank nine Luz suddenly exploded into a shower of fleshy bits as well.

“Do you want to see more?”

Tian Qi said calmly and impassively, “These people come from a city called Nether City in Nine Hells Purgatory. It is the territory of the Ling Family’s first miss, Ling Yushi…”

“However, Nether City had fallen when Miss Ling and the Nine Hells Monarch were summoned to the abyss passageway to stop the Spirit Race clansmen from leaving.”

“Heh, I know how Nether City came to be and who these people are to you. That is why I’d kept them all alive.”

Tian Qi stared at him directly at smiled. “Won’t you agree that I gave you a lot of face, Qin Lie?”

“Who? Who else is there?” Qin Lie said through gritted teeth.

“Everyone is in Nether City besides Miss Ling herself. If I remember correctly, there is the girl closest to Miss Ling, Ling Xuanxuan, a man named Gao Yu, and other Ling Family clansmen.” Tian Qi’s smile was warm and genial, but it looked like it was made of ice to Qin Lie.

“Do you wish to see them?” Tian Qi smiled. “That Ling Xuanxuan and Gao Yu’s bloodline ranks are somewhat lacking. I wonder if they’ll be crushed by the spatial pressure of this place if I bring them over? Are you sure you want to see them?”

“No, there’s no need,” Qin Lie said with difficulty before sucking in a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”

“Do unto Nine Hells Purgatory as you did to Yellow Springs Purgatory.” Tian Qi smiled.

“You want me to block off the passage to Nine Hells Purgatory?” Qin Lie asked.

“Correct.”

“I’m not sure if I have the ability to seal two purgatories at once,” said Qin Lie.

“I see. If you’re lacking in ability, then you may abandon Yellow Springs Purgatory or send the God Race away as soon as possible,” Tian Qi said indifferently. It was clear that he didn’t care for the God Race’s survival at all. “All I want to see is the passage to Nine Hells Purgatory closed as soon as possible.”

“I’ll do my best,” Qin Lie said in a rough voice.

Tian Qi nodded slightly before replying, “Well, I’ll ‘do my best’ at Nether City as well. Depending on the results, my treatment of Nether City will change accordingly, so watch yourself.”

After that, he gave Qin Lie one last smile before sinking slowly to the bottom.

Qin Lie noticed that Tian Qi was leaving towards the abyss passageway beneath their feet, and that he left the Galaxy Mirror’s area of coverage very quickly.

This meant that not even the Galaxy Mirror could fully suppress this person.