Chapter 714: The Rock Devourer

"How much do you know about the Bronze-Masked God?" Pang Jian asked cautiously.

"Not much, only that his skill in forging divine artifacts is extraordinary," the envoy of the Nether Abyss replied. "Actually, the Rock Devourer knows more about him than I do."

"The Rock Devourer?"

"The Rock Devourer is the master of those fragmented lands ahead," the envoy explained. "It's a Rank Twelve Aberrant Spirit, meaning it has the strength of a high-ranking God."

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Pang Jian pressed further and soon learned that Rank Ten Aberrant Spirits corresponded to low-ranking Gods, and Rank Eleven Aberrant Spirits matched the power of a mid-ranking God.

Pang Ling, known in the starry skies as the World Tree, had reached Rank Ten after her breakthrough in Misty Swamp and had the strength of a low-ranking God.

The Rock Devourer, on the other hand, was a Rank Twelve Aberrant Spirit. Even high-ranking Gods like Zi Mo and He Motian would find themselves at a loss against it. Only with one of the four Sovereigns could they be certain of victory.

"Is the Rock Devourer in conflict with the Bronze-Masked God?" Pang Jian asked curiously.

"I'm not sure about the details. They used to be on good terms. The Bronze-Masked God acquired many of his materials through it," the envoy said, the glow in his eye sockets flickering with uncertainty. "In any case, the Rock Devourer killed the Nether God that the Bronze-Masked God sent. No reason was ever given.

"This left our leader somewhat displeased. He's planning to speak with it soon. For now, my advice is simple. Avoid the Rock Devourer and those fragmented lands if possible."

The envoy clearly intended to steer Pang Jian away from this dangerous place before the Rock Devourer decided to make a move.

At that moment, the cluster of fragmented lands moved, surging through the bizarre mist.

A dozen or so fragmented lands of varying size and shape shimmered with a faint radiance that scattered the bizarre mist as they shot toward Pang Jian.

"I smell the presence of an old friend." A deep, resonant voice came from the center of the largest fragmented land. "The scent of the World Tree...has she been reborn?"

The massive fragmented land split apart, a figure emerging from within to approach Pang Jian.

Its body was entirely composed of rock. Although it had no flesh or organs, a strange jade-like marrow flowed through it like veins of blood.

An oppressive force radiated outward with every step it took. The crushing pressure of a thousand mountains bore down upon Pang Jian. It was as if the space around him was filled with invisible rocks, leaving him unable to take even a single step.

Its appearance stirred the Outer Gods on the fragmented lands behind it.

"The Rock Devourer!" they exclaimed, floating up to watch from above.

These Outer Gods hailed from a variety of lineages, from the Ghost Race, the Demon Race, the Titan Race, the Flame Race, the Celestial Race, and more.

Despite their diverse origins, these Outer Gods coexisted peacefully under the Rock Devourer's rule. None dared challenge its authority or fight among themselves.

"That's the Rock Devourer!" Ghostly blue flames flickered uneasily in the envoy's eyes. Raising his voice, he called out, "Rock Devourer! This guest is someone our leader wishes to meet. Do not take whatever grievances you have with the Bronze-Masked God out on him! Our leader expects to meet a living man, not a corpse!"

The envoy wasted no time invoking the authority of his superior, fearing the Rock Devourer would impulsively strike Pang Jian down on sight.

The Rock Devourer completely ignored the Nether God beside Pang Jian.

"Where is she? You carry her scent. Is she still alive?" the Rock Devourer asked. Though no taller than an ordinary person, the pressure he exuded was suffocating. Rocks slowly rotated in his eye sockets, locking onto Pang Jian as he continued, "I can sense it. You carry her power."

Pang Jian's Immortal Divine Soul could barely move a muscle when faced with the Rock Devourer's terrifying presence. The radiance emanating from the Aberrant Spirit seemed to interfere with the perfect harmony he had with the bizarre mist.

The Rank Twelve Aberrant Spirit left him feeling helpless, as if trapped in the palm of its hand.

"She's been reborn in the Abyss," Pang Jian replied, uncertain of how much he should reveal.

"The Abyss!" the Rock Devourer growled. His rocky eyes narrowed as he looked Pang Jian up and down. "You're human?"

"A human!" The Outer Gods on the fragmented lands behind the Rock Devourer stared at Pang Jian with strange expressions.

Pang Jian felt a chill run down his spine. The Rock Devourer was already suppressing him. If those Outer Gods decided to act, he feared he would not even have the chance to flee.

"That's right. I'm a human," Pang Jian admitted through clenched teeth. Then he quickly added, "She, the World Tree, only recently reached Rank Ten under my care. Are you two acquaintances?"

Pang Jian's heart churned with apprehension as he subtly observed the Outer Gods behind him.

Surprisingly, the Outer Gods showed no hostility at his admission. It looked like being a True God of the human race did not automatically make him a target here.

"Yes, I do know her." The Rock Devourer nodded before turning to the envoy of the Nether Abyss. "I want to speak with him before he meets your leader. Don't worry. I won't kill him. He'll enter the Nether Abyss alive."

"Good. That's good to hear," the envoy said with a breath of relief. Turning to Pang Jian, he explained, "The Outer Gods dwelling in this region are all considered outcasts in the starry skies, like our Nether Gods and your True Gods.

"The Outer Gods occupying the Hall of Gods labeled us as heretics. The fact that you're a human won't be a problem on the Rock Devourer's territory."

The envoy paused.

After a beat, he added, "You can treat this cluster of fragmented lands as an open marketplace. The Outer Gods from the abysses often find life difficult in the starry skies after breaking free and will often come here to stay for a while.

"The bizarre mist cannot invade the Rock Devourer's territory. It's a power innate to him."

Pang Jian immediately studied the cluster of fragmented lands. Sure enough, not a single wisp of bizarre mist lingered around them. Each fragmented land gave off a faint glow that quietly dispelled the bizarre mist.

The bizarre mist could not touch the Outer Gods living on the Rock Devourer's territory, meaning they were safe from its corrosive effects.

"What's your name?" the Rock Devourer suddenly asked.

"Pang Jian."

"Come with me, Pang Jian."