Chapter 1361: The Master of the Abyssal Sea

In this Sacred Realm, there exists a forbidden land known as the “Abyssal Sea.”

The Abyssal Sea occupies roughly one-tenth of the entire Sacred Realm. Yet, within its depths is imprisoned a single Hunyuan prisoner—the most terrifying being in the entire Sacred Realm. His colossal size alone takes up more than half of the Abyssal Sea! The suppression of the Sacred Realm’s laws is incredibly severe, yet he can maintain a form that spans most of the Abyssal Sea—a testament to his overwhelming power.

“Whoosh~~~”

At the center of the Abyssal Sea, a massive vortex of dark energy churns endlessly, stirring the entire sea.

Beneath this vortex, deep within the waters, sits an enormous humanoid figure in a meditative posture. Even while seated, his head is merely ten thousand miles from the surface. If he were to stretch out his arms, he could easily touch the shores of the Abyssal Sea. To cultivators, this is the Abyssal Sea. But to this imprisoned Hunyuan prisoner, it is nothing more than a tiny cage—barely larger than his own body.

His every breath stirs the terrifying vortex above.

He is the strongest Hunyuan prisoner confined within the Sacred Realm! Even if he were to leave the Abyssal Sea, the increasing suppression and punishment would weaken him, shrinking his size. By the time he reached the walls of the five great cities, the combined forces of an entire city’s cultivators would only barely be able to resist him.

“Hmm?”

The ‘Lord of the Abyssal Sea,’ seated in meditation, had wild, seaweed-like hair. His dark eyes suddenly snapped open.

“That brat from the Silent Ice Mountain… is dead?” The Lord of the Abyssal Sea frowned slightly. Even while meditating at the bottom of the sea, he could sense every presence across the entire Sacred Realm. The number of Hunyuan prisoners here was small, and though they had only just reached the level of ‘High-Level Hunyuan Lifeforms,’ they were still far weaker than him. Yet, he regarded them as comrades.

The Lord of the Abyssal Sea was one of the strongest among High-Level Hunyuan Lifeforms, his noble bloodline granting him terrifying power.

“With his strength and thousands of guards, this shouldn’t have happened.” The Lord of the Abyssal Sea was puzzled. He immediately sent a mental command to his subordinates.

Swish, swish, swish.

Within the Abyssal Sea, numerous humanoid creatures with tentacles stirred. These beings had legs but no arms—instead, sixteen writhing tentacles took their place. Cultivators referred to them as ‘Abyssal Attendants,’ the loyal servants of the Lord of the Abyssal Sea.

“My King.”

Five Abyssal Attendants bowed respectfully, awaiting orders.

“Take your forces to the Silent Ice Mountain. Investigate how its master died.” The Lord of the Abyssal Sea turned slightly, the sound of clanking chains echoing as he spoke in a deep, rumbling voice.

“As you command, my King.”

The five Abyssal Attendants immediately obeyed.

Soon, they led five hundred subordinates out of the Abyssal Sea, heading swiftly toward the Silent Ice Mountain.

“Another comrade has fallen.” Cold fury flickered in the Lord of the Abyssal Sea’s eyes before he closed them again, enduring the endless torment in silence.

—

While the Abyssal Attendants were en route to the Silent Ice Mountain, Dongbo Xueying and his group of cultivators had already returned to Chiyun City after a little over two days.

The journey back was far more relaxed. Dongbo Xueying repeatedly employed his Illusory Realm techniques, allowing the group to hunt down numerous Hunyuan Lifeforms along the way.

Upon arrival, the cultivators first gathered at Chiyun Hall to briefly distribute their spoils.

“Hahaha, forgive me for not hosting a feast, brothers. I’ve waited far too long for this moment—I can’t hold back any longer. Today, I shall enter seclusion immediately,” the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor declared loudly. “I ask for your understanding.”

“Brother Nine-Heads, we all understand! Go and focus on your breakthrough. It’s been far too long since anyone in our five cities has ascended to the Hunyuan level.”

“Indeed! We’re counting on you, City Lord Nine-Heads. Perhaps we’ll even benefit from your success!”

The cultivators laughed heartily.

After all—

Everyone in this world sought to break free from their shackles and reach the higher state of existence: the Hunyuan Lifeform. They all understood Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor’s urgency.

“Thank you, brothers. Brother Flying Snow, accompany me back to my abode. We shall divide the remains of the Silent Ice Mountain’s master,” the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor said.

“Very well.” Dongbo Xueying’s heart burned with anticipation.

Whoosh, whoosh.

After bidding farewell to the others, the two swiftly departed, soon arriving at the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor’s residence. They descended into an underground hall within the abode.

“Brother Flying Snow, wait a moment.” The Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor waved his hand, summoning forth the massive corpse of the Silent Ice Mountain’s master—a six-thousand-meter-long behemoth, its body riddled with cracks and wounds, though the chains that once bound it had mysteriously vanished.

“I shall retrieve its heart first.” With that, the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor transformed into a streak of light, flying into the corpse’s gaping maw.

Dongbo Xueying waited patiently.

Nearly half an hour later—

Whoosh!

A streak of light shot out from the corpse’s mouth, reforming into the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor. “The heart is secured. Now, for the blood—this part is simpler.” He extended a hand, and an invisible force seeped into the massive body. From every wound, mouth, and nostril, streams of deep blue blood emerged, each drop seemingly containing infinite voidspace.

“Truly worthy of a High-Level Hunyuan Lifeform.” The Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Finally, he ceased his extraction. “Brother Flying Snow, roughly ten percent of the blood remains. The corpse is now yours.”

“Brother Nine-Heads, I wish you the greatest success in your seclusion.” Dongbo Xueying smiled as he waved his hand, attempting to store the corpse—only for his expression to freeze.

Boom!

The spatial treasure he had used shattered instantly. Fortunately, it had contained nothing else.

“Hahaha!” The Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor burst into laughter. “I made the same mistake earlier!”

“I’ve never stored a High-Level Hunyuan Lifeform’s corpse before,” Dongbo Xueying admitted wryly.

“Here, take this.” The Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor tossed him a peculiar yellow sack—the same one he had used earlier.

“Thank you.”

Though Dongbo Xueying possessed many storage treasures, none had been tested against such a formidable corpse. He unfurled the sack, channeled his will, and—whoosh—the corpse vanished into the bag, which he then securely tied.

“Brother Nine-Heads, I take my leave.”

“I shall enter seclusion now. May you too soon reach the Semi-Hunyuan Lifeform stage, Brother Flying Snow.”

With that, Dongbo Xueying departed.

The Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor sealed the underground hall, cutting off all contact as he began his closed-door cultivation—his final attempt to break through to the Hunyuan level. At his stage, the path of brute force was beyond reach, but ‘Ultimate Awakening’ was something he understood deeply. By integrating Hunyuan bloodlines into his body, he had already achieved the Semi-Hunyuan Lifeform stage.

His body could harmoniously contain nine different Hunyuan bloodlines—a feat of control beyond imagination. The bloodline of the Silent Ice Mountain’s master was the key he believed would finally push him over the threshold.

—

“Nine-Heads has entered seclusion.”

Fengyun Yiye sat alone in his own underground hall, deep in meditation.

Two days prior, he had received word that the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor’s group had successfully slain the Silent Ice Mountain’s master.

“With Flying Snow Emperor’s assistance, the thousands of guards became far less of an obstacle. Nine-Heads had failed multiple times before, even when he sought my aid. Yet this time, it was effortless.” Fengyun Yiye sighed inwardly. “Nine-Heads… may you succeed in your Ultimate Awakening.”

If he failed this time, who knew how long it would be before the Nine-Headed Serpent Ancestor had another chance?

This was his closest brush with success yet.

—

Meanwhile, as Dongbo Xueying returned to his own abode, he found Liexi Emperor waiting outside.

“Emperor Flying Snow.” Liexi Emperor smiled. “As we agreed, we shall study together for a hundred million years.”

“Of course. I keep my promises. With your insights, perhaps I’ll reach the Semi-Hunyuan Lifeform stage even sooner.” Dongbo Xueying grinned.

“I, too, seek to further my cultivation. Forgive my intrusion.” Liexi Emperor bowed slightly, a hint of guilt in his tone. After all, true cultivation was usually a solitary pursuit.

“Brother Liexi, I could study for billions of years. But you? You only have a hundred million. Best not waste time.”

“Indeed, indeed.” Liexi Emperor chuckled as they entered the abode together.

That very day, Dongbo Xueying closed his doors to all visitors. He and Liexi Emperor immersed themselves in studying the Silent Ice Mountain master’s corpse, occasionally debating their findings with fervor.