Cosmic Professional Gladiator

762 Entering the Abyss
In the midst of the chaotic void, Thearch Dragon Island Lord stood alone, gazing into the distance.

All his friends were there, and he couldn’t help but feel a mixture of emotions.

His master’s relatives had twisted minds, which had led to a vile and disorderly environment. His master had even silently condoned some of their actions. The once limitless dominion had become a battleground for the master’s family.

Thearch Dragon Island Lord pondered, If I return under the guise of aiding Wu Ming, Master will surely keep his relatives from meddling in Wu Ming’s affairs.

He truly feared his master’s relatives—their degenerate and corrupt minds. Yet, they were the beings his master cherished most.

I’ll go back one last time. I’ll see for myself how those people live. With that thought, the Thearch Dragon Island Lord took a step and vanished. That distant place was the home he held dear, where he had lived since he was a mere low-dimensional being.

The South Pavilion 3609 Dominion was too remote, so much so that his karmic senses were faint and he couldn’t reach his friends. Only his third-realm master could contact him.

And now, he was going back.

******

In the blink of an eye, a century had passed since Xu Jingming reached the precipice of the third realm.

Secluded within his study on Myriad Star Island, he devoted himself to researching the Abyssal Void and the Nine Annihilations Stratagems. As he approached the half-step third realm, his mind had grown sharper, and his insights deeper.

I can feel the Abyssal Void nearing the half-step third realm, Xu Jingming mused, furrowing his brow.

The Abyssal Void was a complete third-realm legacy, one that originated from the illusory realm lineage.

With just a little more understanding, he would ascend to the half-step third realm.

He excelled in the three primary disciplines of the Heart Realm.

For the Heart Realm weapon lineage, he had recently deciphered the third move of the Golden Halberd, using this breakthrough to reach the half-step third realm. Unlocking the more profound fourth move would require further effort—it couldn’t be rushed.

As for the Red Lotus Fire, he needed to see the Abyss Red Lotus, so progress was temporarily stalled.

Xu Jingming eagerly anticipated delving deeper into the illusory realm, as he sensed rapid growth whenever he studied the Abyssal Void’s illusory realm lineage. As he examined his own timeline, he discovered that his progress in the illusory realm skyrocketed.

Focusing on the psychic weapon with the illusory realm as support, he realized the Red Lotus Fire held the least potential.

“Brother Wu Ming.” A voice echoed from afar, carried by karmic currents.

“Hahaha, indeed. Weren’t you searching for the Abyss Red Lotus?” Ancient Tree World Lord said. “I’ve collected quite a bit of relevant information.”

The power of the Red Lotus Fire was secondary; what he truly sought was Karma Severance.

“The Abyss is boundless and layered beyond count. Naturally, there are many Abyss Red Lotuses growing,” Ancient Tree World Lord explained. “There are two locations relatively close to our South Pavilion 3609 Dominion where the lotuses are nearing maturity.”

“The first is in the Abyssal Space of the seventh branch’s Black Bone 339,166th layer. The Abyss Red Lotus there is expected to fully mature and bloom in 500 to 600 years.”

“The other is in the seventh branch’s Blood Jade 735,293rd Abyssal space layer. That Abyss Red Lotus is estimated to mature in 300 to 400 years.”

Ancient Tree World Lord relayed the information he had gathered. “Since they’re close to maturing, the Abyss Red Lotuses in these locations… are claimed by powerful Abyss Overlords. If you want to observe or even pluck them, you’ll need a plan.”

“Understood,” Xu Jingming replied, elated. “Thank you, Brother Ancient Tree.”

Ancient Tree World Lord had lived for nearly 100 Abyssal Eras and had far more connections than Xu Jingming. It was challenging for half-step third-realm powerhouses, who could spend 100,000 to a million years in seclusion, to make such connections.

“I merely collected some intel,” Ancient Tree World Lord said. “But be warned, Brother Wu Ming, every Abyssal space is teeming with hundreds of Overlords, and there may even be Abyss Sovereigns. An Abyss Sovereign might overlook an Abyss Red Lotus, but Overlords certainly won’t. Those who monopolize the Abyss Red Lotus… are undoubtedly the cream of the crop.”

“I understand.” Xu Jingming’s comprehension was evident, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Extreme calm bred the desire for action!

The moment had come to venture into the Abyss.

Ancient Tree World Lord proceeded to transmit an intricate map, rich with detail.
…

That day, Xu Jingming arrived at the intersection between the Abyssal space and the South Pavilion 3609 dominion, armed with over ten clones and five psychic spears.

Infusing each psychic spear with three Heart Spirit Beads was a breeze. After reaching the half-step third realm, Xu Jingming had modified eight psychic spears in just a decade.

He didn’t create more because the third move of the Golden Halberd, Dawn Piercer, exerted immense mental strain. Even with his enhanced body, Xu Jingming could only use this move simultaneously with six clones.

The Abyss. Xu Jingming gazed into the distance. The last time I pursued Natuo’s clone, I teleported from the Heart Realm, killed him, and left. I never had the chance to explore the Abyss.

Whoosh.

With a single step, Xu Jingming entered the Abyssal space of this layer.

This vast, gloomy Abyssal space nurtured many high-dimensional lifeforms. Born as high-dimensional beings, they struggled to survive in the Abyssal space. Amidst endless slaughter, only a few reached the Eternal realm.

Nearly every Abyss Eternal excelled at Abyss Sacrifice. Growth without killing and sacrifice was impossible.

Outsider? A coiled snake opened its gray eyes and stared at Xu Jingming, who had appeared in the sky far away.

The snake launched an invisible attack, intending to freeze Xu Jingming entirely.

But in the Abyss, killing came as naturally as breathing.

The invisible spacetime freeze targeted Xu Jingming, but as a formidable half-step third-realm lifeform capable of infiltrating all spatial layers, he was unshakable.

Xu Jingming looked at the snake, black flames igniting in his eyes.

Instantly, the snake was consumed by black flames. Under the Nine-leaf Black Lotus Realm’s fire, it was reduced to ashes without a chance to scream.

This snake is really poor. Xu Jingming waved his hand dismissively and eyed the remains. It’s not even worth 0.1 drops of Abyssal Mother Blood.

Right. True powerhouses in the Abyss retain their rationality despite the corruption. Cunning and ruthless, they are nothing like this foolish snake that attacked me without a second thought. Xu Jingming took a step and moved on.

He pressed forward.

Using the Heart Realm’s teleportation, he traversed the Abyss far quicker than Thearch Dragon Island Lord and the others. In just a few steps, he entered a new Abyssal layer.

The Abyssal space consisted of countless layers, its size unknown. It existed in any timeline, dominion, or parallel spacetime.

I should have explored the Abyss sooner. After half a month in the Abyss, Xu Jingming was astonished. Although he had crushed a few naive Abyssal creatures, his most significant discovery was…

The third-realm legacy, Abyssal Void, constructs an illusory Abyss using the illusory realm. Xu Jingming was overjoyed. I should have visited the Abyss and witnessed it firsthand much earlier.

The Abyss seen with one’s own eyes differed from the legacy’s guidance.

Xu Jingming felt immensely rewarded.

I’m certain that after eight to ten years in the Abyss, I’ll step into the half-step third realm with the Abyssal Void legacy. Xu Jingming brimmed with confidence.

Xu Jingming didn’t travel at full speed. Instead, he carefully examined each Abyssal space layer, observing their differences and generating ideas for constructing an illusory Abyss.

After more than half a month in the Abyss, he finally arrived at his destination—the seventh branch of the Abyss, Blood Jade 735,293rd Abyssal Space layer.

I’ve arrived.

In this layer of the Abyssal space, the sky resembled a layer of blood-colored crystal jade. Light filtered through the crimson crystal jade, casting a mesmerizing glow.

Guided by the information from Ancient Tree World Lord, Xu Jingming reached the area where the Abyss Red Lotus grew.

Huh? He squinted into the distance. The murky water before him surged powerfully, engulfing the vast expanse ahead!

Xu Jingming’s Nine-leaf Black Lotus Realm fire could resonate with the hidden Abyss Red Lotus deep within that area.

An Abyss Red Lotus lies beneath the water. He sensed and confirmed its presence.

Boom! Boom!

A nine-eyed visage emerged from the turbulent water, fixing its gaze on Xu Jingming. “Who are you? How dare you trespass on my territory?”

Armed with Ancient Tree World Lord’s detailed information, Xu Jingming recognized over 600 Abyss Overlords in this layer of Abyssal space.

“Overlord Yandi,” Xu Jingming greeted respectfully. “I am Wu Ming. I ventured into this layer of the Abyssal space, hoping to witness the Abyss Red Lotus bloom. I don’t seek any materials from it; I simply wish to observe it once.”

“Wu Ming?” The nine-eyed figure appeared impatient. “Never heard of you! But since you’re polite, get lost now.”

“Brother Yandi.” A withered tree figure materialized within the churning water. “This is Wu Ming, a renowned half-step third-realm powerhouse of the Heart Realm lineage from Feather Fire City. Ancient Tree World Lord is his close friend.”

“Ancient Tree means nothing to me,” scoffed the nine-eyed figure.

“Wu Ming is famous because many half-step third-realm powerhouses predict that his future branch is almost certain to become an invincible half-step third realm,” the withered tree figure explained. “It’s best not to antagonize him.”

The nine-eyed figure eyed Xu Jingming in surprise, then laughed. “Interesting! An invincible half-step third realm?”

“So what if he’s destined for greatness? Why should I care if I offend him?” The nine-eyed figure smirked. “I wouldn’t even give a damn about a Sovereign, let alone a foreigner who might become invincible in the future.”

“Brother Yandi…” The withered tree figure grew anxious but felt powerless. This was his boss’s temperament, and there was nothing he could change.

“I’ll count to ten. If you don’t leave, I’ll devour you.” The nine-eyed figure grinned menacingly.

“Overlord Yandi.” Xu Jingming attempted to speak.

“Ten!” the nine-eyed figure abruptly shouted. “I’ve already counted to ten, but you haven’t left. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”

His voice eerily reverberated within Xu Jingming’s body.