Trials of the Abyss-Chapter 511: A Direct Confrontation

"Those two Shadow Specters you refined are quite impressive," Qian Bo said, watching enviously as the Shadow Specters darted through the water. "I would've studied that technique myself if I had known how effective they were."

Yang Ronghao directed the Shadow Specters toward Dong Tianze. "I didn't expect the foreign races from the Fifth World to charge up alongside the murky energy when I started cultivating this technique.

"Only the souls of Ghost Race warriors from the Fifth World can be refined into Shadow Specters, and they have to be at least in Rank Seven.

"In the past..." Yang Ronghao scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, ensuring no one was nearby, before lowering his voice. "Do you know where I used to obtain souls from the Ghost Race?"

Qian Bo shook his head.

"Have you ever heard of a faction called the Shadow Specter Sect in the Fourth World? Back before the murky energy surged upward?" Yang Ronghao asked with a smirk.

"The Shadow Specter Sect in the Fourth World..." Qian Bo's expression shifted. "Don't tell me they have connections to our Ghost Sacrifice Sect?"

Yang Ronghao's eyes glinted coldly. "Their leader was none other than Han Zhiyuan from Sinister Soul Temple.

"The Second Elder of our Ghost Sacrifice Sect had Han Zhiyuan form the Shadow Specter Sect to establish contact with the foreign races in the Fifth World and exchange rare resources.

"The souls of powerful Ghost Race warriors are the best material for refining Shadow Specters. Before the murky energy rose, the Fifth World was fractured and disorganized.

"When powerful Ghost Race warriors died in battle, the foreign races would collect and trade their souls for resources from our upper worlds.

"The Second Elder deliberately named that faction the Shadow Specter Sect as a subtle way to signal certain individuals not to wipe them out.

"Why do you think the factions and sects in the Third World didn't simply eliminate them despite being aware of their shady dealings?

"The Radiant Sun Sect, the Star River Alliance, the Red Mountain Sect, and the Blood Moon Sect also resided in the Third World. Do you really think they feared the Sinister Soul Temple?

"It's because of that name. Everyone knew the Second Elder of Ghost Sacrifice Sect had painstakingly cultivated the Shadow Specter Arts and suspected that he secretly backed the Shadow Specter Sect," Yang Ronghao revealed as the two Shadow Specters closed in on Dong Tianze.

***

The Sinister Soul Blood Halberd resting in front of Dong Tianze pulsed with an intense surge of soul fluctuation when the two green Shadow Specters appeared amid the dense foliage of the lakebed.

The area within a ten-zhang radius around him transformed into a dark, ghostly realm.

Hundreds of Spirit Devils materialized like spectral guards, encircling the two Shadow Specters in a coordinated assault.

Though individually weak, Dong Tianze's spectral army overwhelmed the more powerful Shadow Specters with sheer numbers.

Hundreds of Spirit Devils swarmed the two Shadow Specters, quickly gaining the upper hand.

However, as the Shadow Specters were about to be torn apart, six copper coins abruptly shot into the ghostly domain.

Whoosh!

Soul-Purging Thunderfire erupted from the copper coins and annihilated more than half of the Spirit Devils in the blink of an eye.

The temporary ghostly realm ignited under the Soul-Purging Thunderfire's scorching assault.

Dong Tianze groaned. Blood streamed from his nostrils like twin serpents.

The two Shadow Specters broke free from Dong Tianze's spectral army encirclement and closed in on him alongside the six Thunderfire Copper Coins.

Battered and struggling, Dong Tianze had no choice but to retreat once more.

***

Aboard the Phantom Cloud Ship, Xing Heng stood with his hands behind his back on the deck, squinting as he gazed down at the lake below.

From his vantage point, Qian Bo and Yang Ronghao appeared no larger than specks of dust as they descended into the water.

A voice drifted from the black jade token at his waist.

"Protector Xing."

Xing Heng immediately grasped the token, his expression turning respectful as he replied, "I'm here, Elder."

"Handle it swiftly."

Xing Heng paused for a brief moment before nodding. "Shall I personally descend and capture him?"

The person on the other end simply hummed in affirmation.

"Understood."

Xing Heng gave brief instructions to the crew aboard the Phantom Cloud Ship before descending into the lake below.

The orders he had initially received had instructed him not to act hastily.

He was to pressure Dong Tianze, first sending Soul Wandering Realm cultivators, then those in the Nirvana Realm to force Dong Tianze into constant retreat.

Only when Dong Tianze was utterly exhausted and at his breaking point would Xing Heng act to capture him alive.

This order was the reason Xing Heng had not intervened personally, instead instructing his two Nirvana Realm subordinates to hound Dong Tianze.

He did not know why the higher-up had suddenly changed their plans, but regardless, he had no choice but to comply.

Whoosh!

On the distant horizon, a figure in blue robes soared forward on his sword, leaving a dazzling trail of black-gold light in his wake.

Xing Heng's expression darkened when he saw the sword token hanging from the young man's waist.

"The Sword Pavillion!"

A towering hundred-zhang-tall black flag unfurled behind Xing Heng, radiating an oppressive aura as it billowed.

Roiling black clouds surged like a storm within the flag. The shadows of vicious, ghostly figures could be seen lurking within.

A sinister aura spread from the flag, causing the sky itself to morph into a spectral underworld.

"The Ghost Sacrifice Sect!"

Rogue cultivators across the northern region of the Imperial Dominion all caught sight of the black flag unfurling high in the sky.

They immediately recognized that the wielder of the flag was undeniably a high-ranking cultivator from the Ghost Sacrifice Sect.

Soon after, those watching the flag noticed a streak of black-gold sword light cutting swiftly across the horizon.

"The Sword Pavillion!"

Many high-level rogue cultivators grew visibly excited and rushed toward where the sword light and flag converged.

These thrill-seeking rogue cultivators knew that the Ghost Sacrifice Sect had been pursuing Dong Tianze in the northern region of the Imperial Dominion.

Some among them were veterans of past battles in the lower worlds and were naturally aware of the bond between Dong Tianze and Pang Jian, Li Zhaotian's prized personal disciple.

Anticipation spread among the rogue cultivators. They were eager to witness the impending clash between the powerhouses of the Sword Pavilion and the Ghost Sacrifice Sect.

***

Whoosh!

Pang Jian abruptly halted above the lake, pupils shifting to a dark golden hue as he peered down.

Six copper coins and two spectral entities weaved through the water in relentless pursuit of Dong Tianze.

Two Nirvana Realm cultivators from Ghost Sacrifice Sect were rapidly closing in to assist their summoned minions.

A towering hundred-zhang-tall black flag fluttered violently above the lake, and higher in the sky loomed the Phantom Cloud Ship.

"Xing Heng, an Immortal Realm cultivator," Pang Jian muttered, gaze locking onto the descending figure of the Ghost Sacrifice Sect protector.

At that moment, Xing Heng's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Li Zhaotian's personal disciple... Pang Jian?"

Pang Jian ignored the question. "You must be Xing Heng of Ghost Sacrifice Sect."

"That's right."

Xing Heng descended to match Pang Jian's altitude and briefly glanced at the lake below. "Dong Tianze of Sinister Soul Temple has secretly cultivated forbidden techniques from the Blood Spirit Sect. He's already strayed from the righteous path.

"His talent is exceptional, and his methods are ruthless and decisive. If left unchecked, he'll undoubtedly become a key pawn for the Outer Gods.

"Pang Jian, surely you've noticed how many evil factions have surfaced across the Second World recently. This is clearly part of the Outer Gods' machinations.

"My Ghost Sacrifice Sect has taken responsibility for purging the remnants of the Blood Spirit Sect. Dong Tianze is at the top of that list. I assume you're here to put righteousness above friendship?"

As Xing Heng spoke, the massive black flag behind him abruptly expanded a thousandfold before descending to cover the lake in a shroud of darkness like an enormous lid.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts writhed across the surface of the black flag. Ghostly palaces and temples appeared alongside them with a grim and foreboding presence.

A sinister kingdom had seemingly materialized atop the flag, an oppressive weight.

The lake, with Dong Tianze and the two Nirvana Realm cultivators from the Ghost Sacrifice Sect within it, was crushed beneath the weight of this spectral dominion.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Scattered rogue cultivators gathered nearby. Some perched atop tree branches while others floated on magical artifacts to observe the confrontation from a distance.

Huang Qi and Lin Miaojin remained far back, watching from the highest treetop.

Perched quietly atop a modest pine tree even further behind them was the hook-nosed old man.

Ordinary cultivators could not see the lake from his vantage point and distance, but the old man had no issue whatsoever and could monitor the scene with perfect clarity.

***

"I'm here to take Dong Tianze," Pang Jian declared, unaware of what was unfolding beneath the black flag. He drew the Abyssal Demon Sword in a casual motion. "Move the flag."

Xing Heng's voice turned cold. "Pang Jian, was I not clear enough? Dong Tianze is a member of the Blood Spirit Sect. He's been secretly cultivating their forbidden techniques."

"Move the flag," Pang Jian repeated.

Xing Heng's eyes flashed coldly, and his lips curled into a mocking smile. "Are you seriously trying to strong-arm me? And by extension, the Ghost Sacrifice Sect?

"I've heard the stories, Pang Jian. I know of your deeds and achievements in the lower worlds. I know how much you've contributed to the war against the foreign races.

"But this is a different matter altogether.

"Dong Tianze is a member of the Blood Spirit Sect. He's destined to fall into depravity, becoming a vessel for the Outer Gods. His talent only amplifies the threat.

This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.

"I—"

Pang Jian slashed at the black flag with his sword before Xing Heng could finish.

A dazzling sword light flared, woven with the brilliance of the sun, moon, and stars. It was as though the boundless starry skies beyond the Abyss had been condensed into a single swing of Pang Jian's sword.

An unsettling sensation filled the spectating rogue cultivators, both near and far. They felt like they had left the Abyss and were soaring through the dark expanse of the starry skies, marveling at the profound nature of the celestial bodies.

Rip!

A sharp sound jolted them back to reality.

The sword light had sliced through the conjured kingdom and vengeful spirits, slashing through the black flag in a single strike!

"My Witchghost Flag!" Xing Heng's face contorted in rage.

He had not expected Pang Jian to strike before he had even finished speaking, let alone without uttering a single word of explanation.

Moreover, he had not anticipated the sheer destructive force of Pang Jian's sword!