Chapter 697: The Commotion Caused by Long Xiao

A massive azure dragon wreathed in blinding lightning soared into the clear, sunny sky from the Sacred Soul Continent.

Pei Yishan, one of the True Gods, suddenly appeared before the ancient Thunder Dragon, standing atop a battered shield. An illusory realm radiating desolation and stillness slowly unfolded behind him.

"Elder Long, I'll have to ask you to explain your intentions in leaving the Sacred Soul Continent," Pei Yishan said calmly, his tone neither deferential nor arrogant. Holding a stone ruler in his left hand, he added, "Before Li Wang descended to the lower worlds, he instructed me to keep a close eye on your every move."

Long Xiao cackled wildly. "Pei Yishan, it doesn't matter where I'm going, you can't stop me!"

"Dong Shangqing is already on his way," Pei Yishan said, unfazed, like an ancient boulder weathered over ten thousand years. "Liu Fu has died under unexplained circumstances. We still haven't identified the one responsible."

"That has nothing to do with me!" Long Xiao hastily defended, trying to distance himself from the matter.

While he had already resolved to leave the Abyss, the Dragon Lair Sect and the Fey Race remained. If Pei Yishan pinned Liu Fu's death on him, his descendants would surely suffer.

"What I meant to say is, if Liu Fu were still alive, he would've come as well. Li Wang made it clear to us that you're free to leave the Sacred Soul Continent, but we have to know what you intend to do," Pei Yishan explained.

Long Xiao's voice boomed like rolling thunder as he declared, "I intend to break through the barrier and soar into the starry skies beyond!"

When he made his agreement with the Fifth World, he received assurance from their Sovereign that the Outer Gods stationed above would not hinder him if he chose to leave. In other words, so long as he successfully broke through the barrier, he would be free to leave without interference.

"If that's the case..." Pei Yishan stepped aside, and the illusory realm behind him quietly faded away. "I wish you a smooth journey, Elder Long."

Long Xiao bared his fanged maw in a twisted chuckle, the sound of his laughter alone enough to make hearts tremble. "Pei Yishan, we shall meet again in the starry skies! If Li Wang and the others in the lower worlds still have not returned at this time, chances are that they've already met a grim end.

"You, on the other hand, are still at your peak strength. Perhaps you could consider breaking through the barrier and fleeing as well.

"The human race is doomed, but you could probably find a path to survival out in the starry skies. Don't you agree?" the ancient Thunder Dragon suggested with feigned concern.

Pei Yishan remained unmoved. "You can escape without drawing the wrath of the Outer Gods, but I can't. If I try, I'll be hunted down without mercy. I don't believe I could survive if the high-ranking Gods pursued me."

"Then I suppose this is where we part ways for good," the ancient Thunder Dragon replied.

As he ascended into the sky, Long Xiao cast a lingering glance toward the Resolute Expanse. His altitude and the clear skies meant he could see the massive fragmented land slowly drifting toward the First World.

"It's the black turtle. Shall I meet him one last time before I leave? He hasn't returned to his former peak, and his memories haven't fully awakened. There are things he's forgotten..."

Long Xiao hesitated, but after some thought, decided not to complicate things further.

He flew straight toward the First World in a burst of lightning.

***

In a secluded valley filled with hundreds of blooming flowers in the Pure Land Sect on the Western Loam, Pang Lin sat beside a quietly flowing stream, exchanging idle conversation with Wu Sujin.

"There's been no word since Master and Li Wang descended into the lower worlds," Wu Sujin said, her brows knitted with concern. "No one knows what's going on. Something seems to have happened to Liu Fu, but the Primeval Pillar Divine Kingdom is keeping everything tightly under wraps. No one knows the details.

"And the Li Family..."

Wu Sujin lowered her voice and glanced in the direction of the Divine Treasure Sect.

"One of their soul lamps has gone out. They say that particular lamp was lit long ago, using the divine soul of a True God from the Li Family."

Pang Lin looked puzzled. "Are you saying that Senior Li Yuanli has fallen?"

"I'm not certain, but the atmosphere within the Li Family lately hasn't been good. Li Yuqing was ordered to descend and hasn't been heard from since. The True God of the Li Family went down with Li Wang, and now his soul lamp has gone out. It's not a good sign. I just hope that Master is safe and sound." Wu Sujin sighed, her beautiful face marked with deep concern.

"I hope Master, my brother, Senior Li, and all the others are safe and sound," Pang Lin prayed softly.

Suddenly, rays of multicolored light erupted across the Pure Land Sect.

"The Glazed Purification Divine Array!"

"Who activated the array?!"

"Senior Sister Wu, please head to the array center at once! And bring Pang Lin with you!"

A chorus of panicked voices echoed from Wu Sujin's bangle and beyond the secluded valley. The Spirit Beasts dwelling in the Pure Land Sect and the members of the Pure Land Sect alike were thrown into chaos.

"Long Xiao, the ancient Thunder Dragon of the Dragon Lair Sect, has left the Sacred Soul Continent. He's headed straight for the First World! Sect Master isn't here, nor are any of the True Gods. We're worried he could be coming for the Pure Land Sect!"

"Senior Sister Wu, there's a chance he's planning to break into our Pure Land Sect and target Pang Lin!"

"The only chance we have against that ancient Thunder Dragon is with the Glazed Purification Divine Array! We have no choice!"

Panic spread throughout the Pure Land Sect. No one could find it in themselves to maintain their calm.

Wu Sujin and Pang Lin headed to the center of the Glazed Purification Divine Array, though Pang Lin could not help but hesitate when she heard the ancient Thunder Dragon could be coming for her.

After a brief pause, she shook out a golden bee from her sleeve.

"The ancient Thunder Dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect appears to be headed for the Pure Land Sect," she said to the golden bee.

"Junior Sister, who will that golden bee deliver the message to?" Wu Sujin asked anxiously.

"To the Bee Sovereign," Pang Lin replied softly, "And to my brother."

***

A sleek flying vessel from the Demon Races drifted silently through the bizarre mist of the Second World. Dong Tianze and Wu Yuan respectively stood at the bow and stern of the ship, each occupying opposite ends of the flying vessel.

From time to time, they exchanged insights on the True God Realm.

Though the two did not get along, their shared practice of forbidden cultivation methods and statuses as heretical True Gods gave them some common ground.

Golden bees buzzed around them, harvesting souls from the corpses adrift in the bizarre mist.

The two harbingers of death had left a trail of corpses in their wake, and the remains of warriors from the Ghost Race, the Demon Races, the Celestial Race, and the Titan Race floated throughout the bizarre mist.

With the two of them stationed here, any foreign race warriors attempting to enter the Abyss were destined to meet only one end: Death.

"I'm starting to look forward to a Rank Ten powerhouse showing up," Dong Tianze said, licking his lips as red flickered in his eyes. "If no stronger foes appear soon, I'm heading back to the Abyss."

At that moment, one of the golden bees abruptly said, "Pang Jian's sister just sent a message. The ancient Thunder Dragon from the Dragon Lair Sect is charging toward the First World. The Pure Land Sect suspects that he's going after Pang Lin!"

"Long Xiao!" Dong Tianze snorted coldly, immediately soaring up on his Bloodthirsty Sword.

"Wait for me!" Wu Yuan called out as he unhesitatingly followed.