The Purgatory Calamity
Chapter 760 - 722 Gazing Across the Space_1

Chapter 760: Chapter 722 Gazing Across the Space_1

In the depths of Mysterious Fog, above the heart-shaped Fragment Land, Pang Jian’s expression was distant.

He turned a deaf ear to the requests made by the Stone Eater.

He had long known that Purgatory was a gigantic prison, incarcerating all beings, forcing those born in this world, both humans and the Demon Race, to struggle bitterly in search of a way out.

Yet, he had not anticipated that all the paths he had taken, his past destiny, were actually laced with traces of human manipulation.

Closing his eyes, he felt as if he could sense a Black Phoenix with wings spanning the heavens and earth, coldly observing his every move.

At specific moments, with just a light flutter of its wings, the Black Phoenix could define his life trajectory.

This feeling of having his destiny controlled by someone else was suffocating and deeply frustrating for Pang Jian.

"Even a fallen Sovereign like Him, it’s a trifle to alter the fate of a small being," he mused.

Seeing the turmoil in his heart, the Stone Eater, with tone devoid of emotion, said, "You have stepped out of Purgatory already. With your current cultivation and insight, isn’t it easy for you to use the bewitching arts of the Heaven Demon on those weaker beings in Purgatory, making them think it’s their own true thoughts?"

"Only when you’re strong enough to truly sense His presence can you hold fast to your inner heart."

"Pang Jian, sometimes being used by others, having your fate arranged at specific moments, can be a stroke of luck. Especially when the one using you is a Sovereign."

"It proves you have great value; it proves you’re not a waste. Otherwise, the Sovereign’s gaze wouldn’t fall upon you."

"You shouldn’t be disheartened or give up on yourself. What you need to do is strive to change it all."

"After all, He is only just starting on the road to Nirvana rebirth after His fall. You still have time to prepare, to face whatever may come next."

As a Twelfth Level Alien Spirit, in its own territory, it was encouraging Pang Jian in its own way.

Pang Jian remained silent.

After a long time, he suddenly said, "I have the ability to let you see the so-called Heavenly Tribulation Pillars that stand in the Fifth Realm of Purgatory."

The Stone Eater’s expression changed and it said, "Show me!"

"Whoosh!"

A long, narrow, bright rift filled with brilliant flowing lights suddenly condensed behind the Primordial Spirit of Pang Jian.

Within that rift, the first image to flash was of another Pang Jian.

Then came a surprised Pu Zhaotian, Yin Ji, and Su Wenrou; following them were the Ghost Mother, Li Wang, and Jiang Fan, with a stunned Zhu Ji coming in last.

Separated by a spatial rift, and through the fleeting, dazzling lights, the two parties gazed at each other.

"Purgatory."

With a soft exclamation, the Stone Eater curiously peered into the rift, observing the Fragment Land within, wanting to see more concrete scenes and matter.

It was intensely curious about Purgatory, having heard numerous descriptions related to it, and felt familiar with that world.

Yet it had never been to Purgatory, nor had it ever seen it with its own eyes, which it always regretted.

Today, the Purgatory World God of the new era, with the Realm God Card and True Body, had opened a gateway for it to catch a glimpse inside Purgatory.

...

In the Fifth Realm, on the Fragment Land, Li Wang was the first to rise.

This leader of the True Gods approached the opening in the rift, looking at the Stone Eater with its Stoneman figure, and asked, "Pang Jian, who is this?"

He had always known there was another Pang Jian drifting outside in the Misty Sea, and the Primordial Spirit of Pang Jian in the rift confirmed it.

But the Stone Eater was unfamiliar to him.

A stoneman whose eyes were "rolling" curiously, looking around.

The scene was slightly bizarre.

"A Twelfth Level Alien Spirit, with power and rank equivalent to High Gods like Zimo and He Motian," Pang Jian introduced with his Primordial Spirit while his True Body in Purgatory gestured towards Pu Zhaotian, Li Wang, Zhu Ji, and others, saying, "These are all True Gods of the Human Race, currently in the Fifth Realm, planning to infiltrate the Seventh Realm."

"A Twelfth Level Alien Spirit!"

"The power of a High God!"

Fascinating lights flickered in the eyes of Li Wang, Jiang Fan, Pu Zhaotian, and the others as they scrutinized the Stone Eater through the spatial rift.

This chance to face an exotic intelligence from beyond their world was one they might never have again, and none of them wanted to miss it.

"Shoo!"

The Ghost Mother, who had been silent all this while, had countless ghost symbols suddenly emerge on her loose azure Magical Robe, with untold number of ghosts of the dead wailing softly, granting her a sudden surge of Divine Power.

She turned into a pale green streak of light, attempting to break through the spatial rift, to escape from the world of Purgatory.

The internal strife within Purgatory, the game between two Sovereigns, the path to the heavens for the Alien Tribes of the Fifth Realm, and the movements of the Ancient Demon Clan—as to whether the Human Race could survive any of it, she could not care less.

What she sought was clear—to successfully break free from Purgatory and soar in the Outer Star River.

"Bang!"

It was as if mosquitoes and flies had crashed into an invisible glass barrier; the streak of light that the Ghost Mother had transformed into was blocked just outside the space crevice.

The body and soul of the Ghost Mother suddenly showed many tiny cracks.

A law that presided over Purgatory itself firmly set its sights on the Ghost Mother, who attempted to escape her cage, doling out a minor punishment.

"Why? Why?!" the Ghost Mother snarled in a fierce and ghastly manner, glowering at Pang Jian. She yelled, "Why do you stop me from leaving? It’s their business if they choose to stay in Purgatory. Why drag me down with them?"

"I don’t want to continue wasting away here. I don’t care about anyone’s life or death, nor the outcome of the conflicts between Sovereigns!"

"I just want to leave!"

"My time, my youth, everything I have has been spent in Purgatory! I don’t want to continue wasting away. Why won’t you let me go? Why!?"

Li Wang and Jiang Fan, among others, frowned and remained silent.

In Zhu Ji’s eyes flashed a hint of disdain as he said coldly, "Pang Xuan, we must revere the inherent laws of Purgatory. We are not Realm Gods, and if we wish to leave this world, our only way is through the ’Heaven Forbidden’ above the First Realm. Every True God from the ancient eras left through this route. We cannot be an exception."

Li Wang sighed softly and said, "Pang Xuan, stop making a fuss."

Within the space crevice, the Stone Eater, who was far off near Netherworld Prison, was indifferent to the Ghost Mother’s reckless actions.

Besides Pang Jian’s True Body, He only spared Zhu Ji and Pu Zhaotian a second glance, seeming to find something intriguing about the two men.

As for Yin Ji, Jiang Fan, Su Wenrou, and Li Wang, He glanced at them and then looked away, saying only, "What I want to see are the seven Heavenly Tribulation Pillars, not these human True Gods who are too weak to be worth mentioning."

At these words, Zhu Ji’s face darkened. Staring across the space crevice at the Stone Eater, he scoffed, "Not worth mentioning?"

"In the Fragment Land Group under my control, creatures like you wouldn’t even be able to enter the core area," the Stone Eater said without anger in response to Zhu Ji’s discontent, speaking with a cold tone. "I know that in the Purgatory World, you all are exceptional beings, legends revered by the world."

"Each of you has overshadowed all your contemporaries, shining brilliantly."

"So what?"

"The True Gods of the Human Race who’ve come to my Fragment Land, and the God Spirits of the major Star Domains, aren’t they all titanic figures who dominate their respective Star Rivers?"

"Once you manage to break free from your cages and wander the vast Misty Sea, you will realize how insignificant you are."

"The most recent True God of the Human Race I’ve met was named Du Tianyan. He came to my Fragment Land seeking an audience with me and patiently waited for nearly half a year."

"All of you combined, do you think you can match that Du Tianyan?"

The Stone Eater asked.

"Du Tianyan!"

Zhu Ji gasped, suddenly reining in his sharp edge.

"Du Tianyan." Li Wang took a deep breath, looking excitedly as he said, "How is he doing in the Outer Star River? He is a legend of Purgatory, and I’ve heard of his deeds and accomplishments. He should be... alright, shouldn’t he?"

"Yes, he’s alright—at least he’s still alive," the Stone Eater said, pulling at the corners of his mouth to reveal a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. "He sought out my Fragment Land Group partly to escape from disasters, and also because he was at death’s door and wanted some divine medicines from me to heal himself."

The assembly of Purgatory True Gods fell silent at His words.

Pang Jian, in his True Body, asked, "Who is Du Tianyan?"

"He was once the great founder of the Qi Tian Divine Country in Eastland. In the history of Purgatory before my time, he was the first to fail in advancing to the True God Realm but then succeed on his second attempt," Pu Zhaotian said softly.

Pang Jian showed profound respect.

For those who failed their first attempt at advancing to True God, most would perish in both body and spirit on the second try, with almost no precedent for success.

Du Tianyan was the only legend who had managed to successfully ascend to the True God Realm on his second attempt before Pu Zhaotian’s time!

Surely such a legend should be triumphantly roaming the Outer Star River, flying freely and without restraint, right?

If even Du Tianyan suffered a heavy blow and had to take refuge in the Stone Eater’s Fragment Land Group to avoid catastrophe, waiting half a year just for an audience, what right did they, who hadn’t even broken free from Purgatory, have to question the Stone Eater?

"So, don’t feel too proud of yourselves," the Stone Eater said with a mocking tone, indifferently adding, "Many of the God Spirits who enter my Fragment Land are ancient legends from the world of ’prison’. They are certainly not weaker than you."

"Until you step out and gain stronger powers and realms, you must learn to respect the rules."

Glancing at the dispirited Ghost Mother, He urged Pang Jian, "Now, please show me any one of the Heavenly Tribulation Pillars."

"Very well."

The True Body of Pang Jian floated upwards, reaching the void above the Fragment Land, and opened up the space crevice once more.

From this angle, the Stone Eater on the other side of the crevice could catch sight of the Fifth Continent and also glimpse the Heavenly Tribulation Pillar surrounded by a turquoise glow through the haze.

"Is this the Fifth Realm of Purgatory?" the Stone Eater inquired.

"Hmm." Pang Jian confirmed.

"What about the First Realm, the Second, and the Third Realm?" the Stone Eater asked with curiosity.

Hesitating for a moment, Pang Jian said, "I shouldn’t leave at the moment, otherwise, I could let you look through the space crevice, and give you a view of each world one by one."

"I really want to take a good look at the places She has been," the Stone Eater sighed.

...