"Elders from various sects, look at this! This is the true face of the River of Styx Sanctuary. They clearly violated the Arena rules, yet they dare to make false accusations. How shameless!"
A Dark Palace disciple even began to rally other sects, attempting to tarnish Black Abyss’ reputation. Not stopping there, he also targeted Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Simu.
"Brothers from the Abyssal Clan, look closely. One of these girls is a Human Clan cultivator, and the other seems to be from the Demon Clan. Neither is a native Underworld cultivator."
"Before this, there was no sign of them in the Mandala Arena!"
"These two girls are clearly outsiders, brought in by the River of Styx Sanctuary to deal with our young lord!"
The Dark Palace disciple’s deliberate provocation struck a chord with many Abyssal Clan cultivators, who were already biased against outsiders. Many cast wary, hostile glances at Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Simu.
"It is said that the Mandala Arena holds the oldest inheritance of the Underworld. Such a valuable inheritance must not be contaminated by outsiders!"
"Everyone, that girl is clearly receiving an inheritance right now. We cannot let the River of Styx Sanctuary do this!"
"Hand over the outsiders! The Dark Palace vows to protect the Underworld’s inheritance and never let it leak!"
The Dark Palace disciple continued to sow discord, trying to win over more people. Shockingly, many factions believed him, moving toward Zhe Liang and the two girls with hatred and greed in their eyes.
"Kill them, and the inheritance belongs to the Underworld!"
One person near the Dark Palace shouted, and those greedy souls prepared to act.
At that moment, Zhe Liang suddenly opened his eyes. His pupils, black and white like an underworld, revealed that although his soul had been wandering, he had heard everything clearly.
In an instant, the Spirit-Slaying Blade appeared in his hand, and a surge of Black Abyss flames engulfed his entire body, making him look like he was clad in black armor, burning with intense black fire.
"You… are seeking death!"
From waking to action, Zhe Liang moved in an instant. Before anyone could react, those who had surrounded him were all taken down by him. Covered in Black Abyss flames, his power had doubled.
Already at the peak of the Saint Stage, Zhe Liang could contend with ordinary Imperial Realm practitioners. Now, his strength had further increased, making those below the Imperial Realm no match for him.
Among the attackers was the very disciple who had been rallying support. Zhe Liang showed no mercy, cutting him down as well.
"Scoundrel, how dare you!"
A Dark Palace elder shouted, but it couldn’t stop Zhe Liang. Seeing his disciple lying in a pool of blood, the elder trembled with rage. He glared at Zhe Liang with murderous intent, then shifted his gaze to the River of Styx Sanctuary elders.
"Daring to kill a Dark Palace disciple, does your River of Styx Sanctuary truly wish to start a war with us?"
As he spoke, he swiftly launched a magical weapon at Zhe Liang—a silver needle. It was a sneak attack, a distraction masked as negotiation, revealing his true intent.
The Dark Palace elder, an Imperial Realm expert, blatantly attacked someone much weaker, causing an uproar. Such despicable tactics! The silver needle flew toward Zhe Liang, who didn’t dodge. In his current state, he could avoid the attack, but he couldn’t risk it as Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Simu were behind him. He had to take the hit.
Though he had never faced a direct strike from an Imperial Realm expert, Zhe Liang felt no fear. Having just obtained the inheritance of the Ten Kings’ apparitions, he was ready to test their power. Just as he prepared to activate the apparitions, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
"Zhe Liang! You are the Holy Son of Styx River. In situations like this, it’s the sanctuary’s duty to handle it, not for you to risk your life."
"Heh heh!"
The person who appeared next to Zhe Liang was none other than Black Abyss. He sneered coldly, extended his palm, which expanded like a black hole and swallowed the silver needle artifact.
In the next moment, Black Abyss tossed the black hole as if throwing a stone, aiming directly at the Dark Palace elder.
Boom!
The sudden change caught the Dark Palace elder off guard. He had initially intended to launch a sneak attack, not expecting the River of Styx Sanctuary to respond so swiftly. With his artifact taken and no time to deploy another, he had to rely on his defensive technique, only to be sent flying by the violent explosion’s shockwave.
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Upon landing, he spat out a mouthful of blood. This wasn’t just from the explosion but also from the backlash as his silver needle artifact was destroyed within the black hole.
He had suffered a significant loss this time. Glaring at Black Abyss with rage, he fumed.
"Zhe Liang! Well done! Heh heh!"
Black Abyss ignored the Dark Palace elder, instead beaming at Zhe Liang and the girls behind him, Gu Xiaoqi and Gu Simu. He recognized Gu Xiaoqi from the human realm, and Gu Simu’s aura felt somewhat familiar.
When the three appeared, he had already guessed that Zhe Liang had faced danger in the Arena, prompting the high master from the Earthly Realm to send help. It all made sense if that master intervened.
Black Abyss’s initial doubts were dispelled. The Mandala Arena’s barriers could block many strong individuals but were insignificant to that master.
"Black Abyss! Do you really want to start a war with my Dark Palace!?"
By now, all the Dark Palace members had gathered around the elder, including several other elders whose strength rivaled Black Abyss. The strongest among them glared coldly at Black Abyss.
In the past, Black Abyss would have evaded or cowered, recognizing the power dynamics. But now, he stood tall. He had backup—Zhe Liang, Gu Xiaoqi, and especially Gu Simu, whose resemblance to the high master from his memories was striking.
As long as he stood up for these three, the master from the Earthly Realm wouldn’t ignore it. Black Abyss understood this lifeline clearly.
"Bring it on! Do you think I fear your Dark Palace?"
"If you have the guts, make a move. Anyone who doesn’t is a thousand-year-old turtle egg from the Styx River!"
"Heh heh!"
With hands on his hips, Black Abyss adopted the arrogant stance of Niu Laosan. This feeling—surprisingly satisfying!
Zhe Liang was stunned. He had spent years with Black Abyss, considering him both a mentor and a friend. His innate talent, the Black Abyss Flame, was named after him. This was the first time he saw Black Abyss so uninhibited.