Chapter 721: The Collapse of Belief

Pang Jian froze.

Those fortunate enough to enter the Seventh World of the Abyss and catch a glimpse of the Black Empyrean Phoenix could be counted on one hand.

As far as Pang Jian knew, he, the Primordial Demon, Luo Hongyan, and the Black Dragon King were the only ones aware of its existence.

The Rock Devourer's inquiry left Pang Jian reeling in shock.

How does the Rock Devourer know about the Black Empyrean Phoenix?

"You've been to the Abyss?" he asked.

The Rock Devourer shook his head, though an expression of nostalgia appeared on its face.

"I've never been there myself, but your mother has. She told me everything I know about the Abyss," the Rock Devourer said wistfully. Hatred suddenly contorted its features. "She was worried about the Abyss despite having no connection to it. It was all because of Pang Qi!"

A dull ache quietly rose in Pang Jian's heart. "You said that you'll tell me about her once I break free from your restraint. I want to know how she died."

Pang Jian had asked around the Abyss, but Li Wang, Gui Mu, and Long Xiao could not provide him a clear answer. None of them knew much about his mother. This left him with no choice but to ask the Rock Devourer.

"I'll tell you the cause of her death if you make it out of the Nether Abyss alive," the Rock Devourer dismissed. "Is the World Tree at Rank Ten?"

Pang Jian gave a half-hearted nod, disappointment welling within him. All he wanted at this moment was to learn the cause of his mother's death. The Abyss and its inhabitants seemed far less important in comparison.

"The Sovereign of the Fey Race needs the World Tree so its vitality can one day be ignited. What else has been reborn? Let me guess, the Bee Sovereign?" the Rock Devourer asked.

The Rock Devourer's words piqued Pang Jian's interest. "That's right."

"Once the Nether Abyss Spirit Bees mature, they can help the Black Empyrean Phoenix reignite its soul," the Rock Devourer said with a nod. "What else?"

"A dragon with a bloodline that is naturally attuned to the Dao of Darkness and a black turtle proficient in the Dao of Earth."

Pang Jian named all four beings reborn through the essence of the Celestial Phoenix and the World God Pendant.

He had long suspected that the appearance of the Celestial Phoenix's remains in the Solitary Mountain Range was no coincidence, especially since the bones had seemingly targeted the four beings specifically. The Rock Devourer's words only confirmed that it was the work of that enigmatic Sovereign of the Fey Race.

"The Black Dragon King is the perfect vessel for storing the Black Empyrean Phoenix's divine power. If I'm not mistaken, it would've already used the essence of the Black Empyrean Phoenix to ascend to godhood," the Rock Devourer said.

Pang Jian recalled the Black Dragon King's descent from the Sixth World, the strange transformation of its soul, and the abrupt severance of their connection upon its arrival in the Seventh World.

There was likely truth to the Rock Devourer's words. Pang Jian became increasingly certain that the Black Empyrean Phoenix had influenced the Black Dragon King's descent.

It was likely that the Black Dragon King was aiding the Black Empyrean Phoenix in the battle against Luo Hongyan and the Primordial Demon in the Seventh World!

"Xiao Hei may have already ascended as a mid-ranking God," Pang Jian softly muttered.

"Very well, let's talk about that black turtle, the one proficient in the Dao of Earth," the Rock Devourer said with a cold smile. Its jade-like face shifted subtly with its mood. "That black turtle is probably quite renowned in your Abyss. Don't worry. It will certainly become a mighty Fey God, just like the Black Dragon King."

"What does the Black Empyrean Phoenix need the black turtle for?" Pang Jian asked, puzzled.

The World Tree could replenish the Black Empyrean Phoenix's vitality, the Nether Abyss Spirit Bees could rekindle its soul, and the Black Dragon King served as its reserve of divine power. Following this pattern, the black turtle undoubtedly served a significant purpose as well.

"Once the black turtle advances to a certain rank, he'll be able to destroy the seven continents even with the Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars still rooted in place." The Rock Devourer snorted. "This will break the Black Empyrean Phoenix's final layer of restriction, allowing it to escape the Seventh World and attain true freedom after its nirvanic rebirth."

Pang Jian was stunned.

The black turtle's comprehension of the Dao of Earth far surpassed that of the Rock Bear. If he were to regain his former strength, he would indeed have the power to collapse the seven continents. After all, breaking landmasses was an innate ability that he was born with.

"Wait, no!" Pang Jian frowned. "A Rock Bear in the Abyss has already ascended as a Fey God through the Dao of Earth with the help of the black turtle. The uniqueness of Fortune means the black turtle can't ascend to godhood as long as the Rock Bear is alive due to their shared Heavenly Dao!"

"Is the black turtle voluntarily offering his help?" the Rock Devourer asked calmly.

"Yes."

"If he couldn't ascend using Fortune, then what about Corruption, the essence of the Black Empyrean Phoenix?" The Rock Devourer stared straight at Pang Jian. "The black turtle can always ascend using the essence of the Black Empyrean Phoenix. That would forge an even stronger bond between them.

"I suspect the Black Empyrean Phoenix also influenced the black turtle's decision to help the Rock Bear."

Pang Jian was in disbelief. "Are you saying the Black Empyrean Phoenix influenced the black turtle to help the Rock Bear to deliberately cut off its path to godhood through Fortune? Just so he would ultimately be forced to choose Corruption instead?"

"That's what I suspect." The Rock Devourer nodded.

Pang Jian's grasp of reality was steadily being upended. Existing in the same world as a Sovereign was truly a tragic and helpless fate. It was like his future was no longer his own. Even his thoughts and views could be quietly shaped without his knowledge.

"How would the Black Empyrean Phoenix have influenced the black turtle?"

"The black turtle was probably reborn through the Black Empyrean Phoenix's blood." The Rock Devourer chuckled darkly. "It wouldn't be difficult for the Black Empyrean Phoenix to manipulate the black turtle with it.

"If it could influence the black turtle to assist the Rock Bear, it could just as easily get the black turtle to ascend to godhood through its essence. With both the Black Empyrean Phoenix's blood and essence within it, the black turtle could achieve multiple breakthroughs in a short span of time.

"That would also result in the Black Empyrean Phoenix's hold over the black turtle growing stronger. By the time the black turtle descends into the Fifth World, he will obediently do everything in his power to help the Black Empyrean Phoenix destroy the seven continents."

The Rock Devourer paused thoughtfully.

"Let's assume none of this happens and the Rock Bear dies. Even if the black turtle were to ascend through Fortune, the Black Empyrean Phoenix could simply request his aid in shattering the seven continents. Do you really think the black turtle would refuse the Sovereign of the Fey Race?"

"He probably wouldn't," Pang Jian admitted bitterly.

The Black Empyrean Phoenix's existence as a Sovereign automatically elevated the Fey Race's standing in the starry skies to new heights, just as the presence of a Sword God allowed the Sword Pavilion to return to the First World.

Fey Gods were typically stronger than other divine beings of the same rank. If the Black Empyrean Phoenix succeeded in its nirvanic rebirth, the status of the Fey Race among the starry skies would instantly rise.

The black turtle was a member of the Fey Race, and the Black Empyrean Phoenix's existence in the Abyss was the reason for his birth. If his primogenitor were to make a request, the black turtle would have no reason to refuse, regardless of whether the Black Empyrean influenced it.

The black turtle was devoted to the survival and prosperity of the Fey Race. If he learned about the Black Empyrean Phoenix's rebirth, he would no doubt offer his full support without hesitation.

"The Nether Abyss Spirit Bees are also members of the Fey Race. They dwell within the Soulstream of the Nether Abyss and have absorbed some of its peculiarities, allowing them to help the Black Empyrean Phoenix reignite its soul," the Rock Devourer calmly added.

Pang Jian's mind swam. He previously believed himself responsible for the rebirth of the black turtle, the Black Dragon King, the Bee Sovereign, and the World Tree. However, it seemed this had all been part of the Black Empyrean Phoenix's plan.

Aside from the World Tree, the other three were part of the Fey Race, which made it easy for the Black Empyrean Phoenix to manipulate them, whether through its essence or their shared background.

Pang Jian did not know what to think anymore. He had struggled tirelessly to become worthy of being the World God of the new era, even escaping the Abyss to roam the bizarre mist and traverse the starry skies. After learning this, he could not help but wonder if his efforts held any meaning at all.

The Rock Devourer sighed. "You were the Black Empyrean Phoenix's greatest helper."

These words were a heavy blow to Pang Jian. The Rock Devourer was right. He had personally nurtured the black turtle, the Black Dragon King, the Bee Sovereign, and the World Tree.

He gathered seeds and saplings the World Eater Vine needed to flourish and stepped in to protect it when Li Yuqing stumbled upon it.

When the black turtle needed barrels of blood and high-grade meat from the Fifth World to push its bloodline rank to new heights, Pang Jian traded with the foreign races for it. He even brought back the Frozen Land and the Forbidden Land of the Thunder God from the bizarre mist, providing the black turtle with the foundations it needed for its growth.

In Absolute Heaven, Pang Jian devoured the divine consciousness within the Outer God Puppets to foster more bees and accelerate the Bee Sovereign's development. He also relocated the beehive to Absolute Heaven, using the environment there to spur the birth of even more bees.

Even with the shaky start between him and the Black Dragon King, he still ended up aiding its eventual ascension to godhood.

The Rock Devourer was not exaggerating in calling Pang Jian the Black Empyrean Phoenix's greatest helper. He had truly done the heavy lifting for it.

Pang Jian had worked tirelessly and endured countless hardships to raise the black turtle, the Black Dragon King, the Bee Sovereign, and the World Tree.

The Giant Abyssal Serpent had transformed into the Black Dragon King, the World Tree had reached Rank Ten, and the black turtle and the Bee Sovereign stood at the threshold of breakthrough.

Learning that everything he had done was orchestrated to serve someone else's grand design made him feel as though his world was collapsing around him.

"I also contributed to the construction of those seven Heaven Ascension Tribulation Pillars. Some of the materials came from me," the Rock Devourer added, paying no heed to Pang Jian's unraveling. "Pang Qi asked me for them. You're the new World God of the Abyss. Tell me, do you have the ability to show me those seven pillars?"