"Yes, my lord!"
Perhaps because he had just been praised by Jiang Yan, the Electro Abyss Mage looked visibly delighted.
Although Jiang Yan had no idea where this so-called Abyss City actually was, that didn't matter in the slightest.
After all—he might not know, but the Electro Abyss Mage certainly did!
"Then let's go."
Jiang Yan said casually, randomly picking a direction and taking off into the air.
"Um… m–my lord, Abyss City is actually that way…"
The Electro Abyss Mage weakly pointed in the exact opposite direction from where Jiang Yan was flying.
Behind the mask, the corner of Jiang Yan's mouth curved slightly upward.
See? Now I've got the general direction, don't I?
"Are you questioning me?"
Jiang Yan glanced at the Electro Abyss Mage indifferently, as Conqueror's Haki.
That abyssal, ocean-deep pressure instantly made the Electro Abyss Mage's body tremble violently as it hurriedly lowered its head.
"I wouldn't dare!"
"Since you remember the route so clearly, then you'll lead the way."
Jiang Yan spoke flatly.
"Consider this punishment for your earlier disrespect."
"Thank you, my lord! To guide you is this subordinate's greatest honor!"
The Electro Abyss Mage bowed deeply, speaking in an ingratiating tone.
Success!
Jiang Yan was practically laughing inside.
Honestly speaking, Violet Thunder's identity as an Abyss Lector was absurdly useful.
As long as he didn't run into someone a rank higher—like an Abyss Baptizer—Jiang Yan had nothing to fear with this status.
Soon after, the Electro Abyss Mage walked ahead to lead the way, while Jiang Yan followed behind.
Along the journey, through careful probing and roundabout questioning, Jiang Yan finally figured out what the so-called Tide-Calling Ritual actually was.
Simply put, the Tide-Calling Ritual was a grand ceremony the Abyss conducted once every thousand years.
According to the Electro Abyss Mage, when the ritual began, the "Lord" would communicate with power from beyond the world, allowing the energy contained within the subterranean Abyss to increase by at least an entire level.
And that energy was precisely the opportunity for everyone to advance to the next stage.
Abyss Mages could evolve into Abyss Heralds.
Abyss Heralds could evolve into Abyss Lectors.
And Abyss Lectors could evolve into Abyss Baptizers.
However, the process carried a significant failure rate.
Once someone failed, they would be completely annihilated—body and soul.
Even so, massive numbers of Abyssal creatures still chose to participate.
Because this ritual was their only chance to climb higher.
And the last time the Tide-Calling Ritual had taken place, not long after it ended, the Archon War had erupted.
Exactly one thousand years had passed since then.
Jiang Yan secretly rejoiced.
What timing—early arrivals lose to perfect timing!
The Tide-Calling Ritual, power from beyond the world, and even that mysterious "Lord" would all appear in Abyss City.
Perhaps, once he met that so-called "Lord," every doubt in Jiang Yan's heart would finally be answered.
…
No one knew how long they had traveled.
This stretch of the journey was honestly visual fatigue for Jiang Yan.
Along the way were endless pillars supporting "heaven and earth," and countless Abyss Mages and Abyss Lectors heading toward Abyss City as well.
This put Jiang Yan completely at ease, allowing him to maintain his lofty demeanor.
After all, the Abyss Lectors around him all carried that same arrogant, aloof, and taciturn air.
Naturally, Jiang Yan couldn't afford to slip up.
Posturing? Who can't posture?
When it came to acting cool, Jiang Yan was a professional!
After traveling for a bit longer, as more and more Abyssal creatures gathered around them, Jiang Yan finally saw the Abyss City the Electro Abyss Mage had spoken of.
Before him stood a purple city.
At its very center was an enormous pool of liquid, with a towering spire standing silently in the middle.
The pool looked like a moat, tightly encircling the tower.
Atop the tower hovered a gigantic black sphere of energy.
The more Jiang Yan looked at it, the more it resembled the energy sphere he himself had once condensed from demonic god resentment and explosive aftershocks.
But his cosmic perception clearly told him it wasn't the same thing.
Because that energy sphere was still drawing in black energy from its surroundings.
And the source of that black energy came from the moat-like pool beneath it.
The pitch-black liquid in the pool continuously emitted black smoke.
Jiang Yan felt an inexplicable sense of dread after only a few glances.
It was as if that thing didn't belong to this world at all.
From Jiang Yan's perspective, the entire city glowed faintly with purple luminescence, illuminating the black sphere at its center.
Eerie. Unfathomable.
"So this is… Abyss City."
Jiang Yan murmured inwardly.
The shock Abyss City gave him far surpassed even the sight of those countless pillars he had seen upon first arriving in the Abyss.
If nothing unexpected happened, this Abyss City was undoubtedly the core of the entire subterranean Abyss.
Yet Jiang Yan's gaze never left the pool filled with black liquid.
What exactly was that thing?
Why did it give him such a strong sense of dread?!
Lost in thought, Jiang Yan followed the crowd of Abyssal creatures down into the city.
At this moment, the city was already packed with Abyssal beings from all over.
Here, Abyss Mages were as common as dogs, Abyss Lectors walked everywhere, and—
Jiang Yan could barely take a few steps without encountering an Abyss Baptizer.
One could easily imagine just how many monsters had gathered in Abyss City.
Jiang Yan even felt that if this were a game, he could just use Kazuha—one dash, a Chihayaburu, followed by a Plunging Slash: Fallen Leaves—
—and effortlessly wipe out an entire crowd.
Just imagining that scene…
Tsk tsk tsk.
Incredibly stress-relieving.
"My lord, this subordinate will take his leave first."
"I still need to report on the status of the ritual."
The Electro Abyss Mage who had guided Jiang Yan spoke respectfully.
"Mm. Go."
Jiang Yan's hoarse voice echoed from beneath his mask.
"Thank you for your understanding, my lord!"
The Electro Abyss Mage bowed deeply and quickly departed.
"Then I'll wander around a bit myself. Looks like there's still some time."
Jiang Yan scanned his surroundings. Just as he was about to stroll off—
"Violet Thunder!"
A loud shout rang out.
Jiang Yan turned his head.
He saw Abyss Flame enthusiastically waving at him, trotting over with obvious excitement.
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