Trials of the Abyss
Chapter 768: Decision-Maker

Chapter 768: Decision-Maker

In Su Wanrou's mind, Pang Lin was still that naive and cheerful girl, untouched by the harshness of the world.

Even after everything that had happened, with Pang Lin heading to the Resolute Expanse to advance her cultivation realm beneath the mystical Nine Heavens Thunder Divine Tree, Su Wanrou thought she would reach godhood so soon.

However, hearing Pang Lin's name from Dong Tianze, reality finally struck her. The little girl she had once gone to great lengths to protect had, through a series of extraordinary circumstances, gained the qualifications to ascend to the True God Realm.

Pang Lin was her protege, a part of the Pure Land Sect itself.

"So it's Pang Lin," Su Wanrou murmured, face lighting up with joy.

The expressions of the other True Gods turned to ones of understanding.

No wonder Pang Jian was willing to turn against Li Wang and Zhu Ji to protect Dong Tianze. Dong Tianze had committed the ultimate taboo by assassinating Jiang Fan, but it had been for Pang Lin. Naturally, her brother, Pang Jian, could not stand by and do nothing.

"Is Pang Lin truly ready to ascend to godhood?" Li Wang asked again.

He knew little about Pang Jian's younger sister, largely because Su Wanrou had intentionally concealed her, afraid Long Xiao would set his sights on the girl too early.

Even so, after seeing how exceptional Li Yuqing was, Li Wang could not help but feel that exchanging Jiang Fan for the rise of a more gifted True God could actually be worth it.

"My sister will not only ascend to godhood without any problem, her future accomplishments will undoubtedly surpass that ancient Thunder Dragon," Pang Jian said with a brilliant smile as he flicked his sleeve and took out the Thunder Pool.

The Thunder Pool rapidly expanded, revealing dazzling streaks of lightning and Dao Seals. The majestic palaces within it radiated a world-shattering might that left everyone in awe.

Bolts of lightning from far beyond the barrier were drawn in, converging wildly into the Thunder Pool.

"With the Nine Heavens Thunder Divine Tree in the Resolute Expanse and this Thunder Pool, my sister will have strength that surpasses Long Xiao from the moment she ascends," Pang Jian declared. "She will become one of the strongest Thunder Gods, not just in the Abyss, but even beyond it."

Pang Jian gazed at the colossal bolts of lightning cascading down like waterfalls, piercing through the barrier and pouring into the Thunder Pool.

"Now tell me, do you still think Jiang Fan's death was unjustified?"

Silence fell.

Li Wang, Dong Shangqing, and the others knew Pang Jian was not entirely in the right but they had no words with which to refute him.

"In the future, if there are other rising stars like the Li Family girl or Pang Lin who urgently need a cluster of Fortune, we will settle it through discussion and a vote," Li Wang conceded helplessly. "Give us a chance to break through the barrier and depart for the starry skies, to make way for the next generation."

Zhu Ji, Pei Yishan, and Su Wanrou all nodded in agreement.

"Mm-mm!" At last, Gui Mu managed to make a sound.

Glancing at Pang Jian with a mix of fear and anguish, she quickly lowered her head. Though she could finally voice her opinion, she wisely remained silent.

Zhu Ji had been defeated, and she had experienced the terrifying sensation of being completely suppressed—her soul-related divine techniques rendered useless and unable to speak. After that experience, she dared not challenge Pang Jian any further.

Gui Mu chose to show restraint in the face of his overwhelming power.

"Let's set aside the matter of Jiang Fan for now," Li Wang said, shifting the topic. He frowned and turned to Dong Tianze. "Do you know who could have given you the Blood Vault?"

Dong Tianze thought carefully, then looked toward Pang Jian. "I have a suspicion..."

Pang Jian gave a slight nod. "Go ahead. Speak freely."

Dong Tianze took a deep breath. The thick blood-colored mist surrounding him slowly withdrew, absorbed back into his body through his pores.

"I suspect it was the former Saintess of the Blood Spirit Sect, now known as Luo Hongyan. The Blood God Technique I cultivate comes from the Blood Spirit Sect. I've sensed the same aura on Luo Hongyan before, and she happens to be someone capable of killing Liu Fu."

"Even if she killed Liu Fu and stole the Blood Vault, why would she give it to Dong Tianze?" Li Zhaotian rubbed his temples in confusion. "Dong Tianze is one of the Celestial Phoenix Divine Guards and carries the essence of the Celestial Phoenix in his blood. Logically, that Black Empyrean Phoenix would've wanted to help him so that it could control him in the future."

Pei Yishan and Dong Shangqing were just as puzzled. Though the two of them had not descended to the Fifth World, Li Wang had filled them in on everything that had taken place after his return.

Every True God had the right to know about the two Sovereigns that were waging war over the Abyss.

"What do you think?" Li Wang turned to Pang Jian.

Pang Jian shook his head. "I can't make sense of it either."

"Be very careful," Li Wang warned, casting a sharp glance at Dong Tianze. "Whoever gave you that Blood Vault clearly has ulterior motives. The Blood God Technique you cultivate and that Bloodthirsty Sword in your hand are both serious liabilities."

Dong Tianze responded with a quiet grunt of acknowledgment.

"Let's move on to the next topic," Li Wang said, lowering his head, gaze sweeping across the Third and Fourth Worlds. "Fire God Yan Lie, Sha Jia of the Celestial Race, and other Rank Ten foreign race powerhouses are in the Sixth or Seventh Worlds below.

"The foreign race warriors are left scattered like loose sand with no leaders to unite them. If we descend now, we could swiftly eliminate all the foreign race warriors with Rank Nine bloodlines and wipe out any daring to leave the Fifth World," Li Wang proposed. "What do you all think?"

Pang Jian shook his head. "Killing them is meaningless. They aren't the ones who will determine the course of the greater conflict.

"Many of the fundamental laws of the Abyss are shifting. Outsiders can already enter. Before long, even Outer Gods will be able to enter with their true bodies.

"What would killing those Rank Nine or below foreign race warriors change? The ones capable of truly shaping the future of the human race are the Sovereigns: the Black Empyrean Phoenix and Luo Hongyan.

"These two represent the true peak of power. They're the ones we need to focus on, not those weak foreign races," Pang Jian said with unwavering conviction.

"Very well." Li Wang nodded. "Then we won't act against the weaker foreign races. Next topic."

After Pang Jian made his stance clear, Li Wang no longer sought the opinions of others, even deliberately ignoring Gui Mu despite her clearly wanting to speak.

***

Pang Jian's golden divine soul slowly gathered strength within the unfathomable, blue Soulstream of the Nether Abyss.

"Fortune!" he called with his soul.

Fortune surged up from the depths of the Soulstream in response. Even the clusters inside the barrier of the Nether Abyss stirred.

Pang Jian was startled.

How is this possible?

When he forged his Immortal Divine Soul in the Abyss, he could only draw a single cluster of Fortune. However, here in the Nether Abyss, many clusters of Fortune appeared ready to merge into his divine soul, allowing him to surpass the limits of an ordinary True God from the outset.