Trials of the Abyss

The man at the door was named Su Li, the disciple of the Sword Pavilion's Great Elder Jiang Ran.

He was in the mid-stage of the Soul Wandering Realm and was much older than the other disciples of the Sword Pavilion.

His high cultivation realm meant he stood out among the Sword Pavilion's inner disciples, and he took advantage of it to suppress Qi Qingsong when they met.

Su Li also placed little importance on the other disciples of the four elders, such as Zhuang Yuyan, Duan Jing, and Zheng Yulan.

The only person Su Li secretly paid attention to was Li Zhaotian's second disciple, Hu Yuanfei.

As Su Li leaned against the doorframe, he mocked, "Have you all turned mute?"

Qi Qingsong's expression was gloomy as he tried to think of a way to respond.

The others dared not look directly at Su Li and silently hung their heads.

Pang Jian did not know who Su Li was, so he wisely kept silent as well.

"Senior Brother Su, we were just telling Junior Brother Pang about the hierarchy in our Sword Pavilion," she calmly said. "Pang Jian has only just arrived at the Sword Pavilion and isn't familiar with anyone yet. We were concerned he would not recognize your master when they met, so we were simply offering him some guidance."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Su."

"Senior Brother Su, please don't take offense!"

"We wouldn't dare offend the Great Elder!"

The others hastily backed Zhuang Yuyan up.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

Duan Jing and the others hurriedly circulated their spiritual power to purge the alcohol from their bodies.

"Pang Jian..." Su Li was stunned, only noticing the black-clad Pang Jian after Zhuang Yuyan mentioned him.

Those standing behind Su Li quietly reminded him, "Senior Brother Su, that's him. He pulled out the Abyssal Demon Sword after arriving at the Sword Pavilion today."

Su Li glared daggers at Pang Jian.

"The Abyssal Demon Sword is not a sword that our Sword Pavilion forged. You earned great merit in Absolute Heaven, but you shouldn't have chosen such an accursed item for your reward," he reprimanded. "If you fail to control that sword, it'll give birth to another abomination and disgrace our Sword Pavilion."

Pang Jian calmly replied, "I can control it."

"How arrogant! Even Mo Nan of the Demon Sword Sect could not tame the sword. What makes you think you can?" Su Li sneered.

Having stood up at Su Li's abrupt entrance, Pang Jian simply shook his head in response before sitting down heavily.

He had not bothered to expel the alcohol from his system and his cold, stern face was still flushed with a hint of red.

Paying no attention to the disciple of Great Elder Jiang Ran, he poured himself another cup of wine and drank in silence.

"A personal disciple of the Pavilion Master, huh? Putting on airs on his very first day at the Sword Pavilion. Look at him, he's already ensuring everyone knows his status." Su Li gave him a long, meaningful look. "We'll have plenty of time to get acquainted in the future."

With that parting remark, Su Li turned and left.

The inner and outer disciples of the Sword Pavilion accompanying Su Li shot Pang Jian a surprised glance before quietly filing out.

After closing the door, Qi Qingsong quietly erected a pole with a triangular banner and infused it with spiritual power to isolate sound.

Frowning, he said, "Senior Sister Zhuang, did you notice? Many outer sect disciples from noble families were following Su Li around."

Zhuang Yuyan lightly nodded. "I noticed."

"There's been a rumor circulating in the sect since we returned. I don't know if any of you have heard it." Qi Qingsong's gaze swept across the room. "They say that the Pavilion Master has taken a liking to Pang Jian and intends for him to one day lead the Sword Pavilion.

"With the critical situation in the Abyss, the Pavilion Master plans to attempt to ascend to the True God Realm soon.

"If he succeeds, the Sword Pavilion could return to the ranks of the top sects of the First World.

"If he fails…"

Qi Qingsong took a deep breath.

"The Pavilion Master's single-minded pursuit of the Dao of Sword and his fiery temper means that, if he fails, he'll likely perish on the spot! He never gives anyone a second chance, not even himself!

"If he fails to ascend to the True God Realm, the balance of power within the Sword Pavilion will shift and the Great Elder could return to take the position of Pavilion Master."

The small group inside the private room were all disciples of the four elders allied with Li Zhaotian and they could not help but feel heavy-hearted at Qi Qingson's words.

"I've heard that rumor too. It seems like someone's deliberately spreading it to pressure the Pavilion Master into ascending," Song Zihe said softly.

"Ascending to the True God Realm is no easy task. Seven or eight out of ten fail," Zhuang Yuyan said with a bitter smile. "Three peak Immortal Realm cultivators from the Demon Sect have already died attempting to ascend to the True God Realm."

Qi Qingsong sighed. "The Pavilion Master has no choice."

"Mm, the Abyss has opened, and an Outer God has descended in its true body. It's said that every continent in the Fifth World has at least one being in Rank Ten," Zhuang Yuyan said worriedly. "Seven powerhouses with Rank Ten bloodlines—each one possessing the strength of a True God—and there's also Luo Hongyan on top of that."

The other members of the group also voiced their concerns

"The higher-ups are under immense pressure."

"Our Sword Pavilion has always been known for its formidable combat prowess. If the Pavilion Master becomes a True God, he'll become one of the human race's strongest cultivators."

"His ascension could turn the tides. It doesn't matter whether or not he wants to ascend, the higher-ups will force him either way."

The group continued to discuss the matter.

Pang Jian thought of Li Zhaotian's imposing figure.

He had not expected Li Zhaotian to be under such great pressure, nor had he imagined that Li Zhaotian held him in such high regard and intended for Pang Jian to shoulder the future of the Sword Pavilion.

"Alright, that's enough talk."

"That killjoy has really ruined the mood."

The group's enthusiasm for conversation petered out, and they gradually started to leave, starting with Zhuang Yuyan.

Soon, only Pang Jian and Qi Qingsong were left in the room.

A still-tipsy Qi Qingsong suddenly said in a cold voice, "I almost died at Su Li's hands once!"

Pang Jian was shocked.

"Before the trial in Eight Trigrams City, the Sword Pavilion organized a hunt for Vicious Beasts in a restricted area. It was near the Sacred Soul Continent, in a fragmented land called Fate's Cradle, and Su Li was one of the organizers.

"The Vicious Beasts had relatively low ranks and the hunt was meant to temper the combat skills of the inner disciples.

"At that time, I wasn't even an inner disciple anymore.

"Su Li, as one of the organizers, assigned my party to a region. We were all in the Marrow Cleansing Realm, yet we encountered several Rank Four Vicious Beasts.

"Everyone in my party died except for me.

"I survived only because my master had given me a life-saving treasure, even though I had been demoted to an outer disciple. Later, I found out Su Li had known the Vicious Beasts in that region were far beyond what we could handle.

"Pang Jian, remember this—internal strife in the sect is far more dangerous than any Vicious Beast. Your people could betray you at any time.

"Su Li, his senior brother Zhou Wenhao, and their master Jiang Ran will be your hurdles while in the Sword Pavilion.”

Pang Jian nodded.

***

The next morning, Pang Jian arrived early at the Sword Honing Peak where the gray stone buildings labeled the Scripture Pavilion, the Artifact Pavilion, and the Pill Pavilion were lined up.

Pang Jian headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion, presented his sword token, and stated his purpose, "I'm looking for the second half of the Grand Providence Sacred Body and the Qi Nurturing Divine Cauldron Art after the Spirit Condensation Realm."

"Let me check that for you!" said the receptionist of the Scripture Pavilion, Pan Zheng.

Recognizing Pang Jian, he quickly got to work, using his sword token to search through the floors of the Scripture Pavilion.

Pan Zheng's expression turned strange.

"The second half of both manuals can be accessed together for just ninety merit points, which allows you to view them for a day," he said hesitantly.

Seeing his hesitance, Pang Jian asked in confusion, "Are my merit points not enough?"

"You have more than enough. It's just...the second half of both manuals were taken for study on the same day you arrived at the Sword Pavilion," Pan Zheng said helplessly. "To be exact, four hours before you arrived, and by the same person.

"Manuals cannot be removed from the Scripture Pavilion. Most people can memorize them in just a few hours, but that person is still here.

"For now, it's best if you go back and wait. When he comes out, I'll send someone to notify you immediately," Pan Zheng said courteously.

"Can you tell me his name?"

"Bai Chuan, an inner sect disciple. His master is Lu Xiaolin."

"Understood."

Pang Jian turned and left, explaining the situation to Qi Qingsong through the sword token as he traveled back to his residence.

"Lu Xiaolin is an elder without real authority and is aligned with Great Elder Jiang Ran. Bai Chuan is nothing more than Su Li's lackey." Qi Qingsong cursed, "He knew you were coming and exactly what you wanted!

"Nobody gave those two manuals much attention before, and the merit points required for them were always low. I should've known he would block your path!"

Pang Jian's mood darkened.

After several days, Pan Zheng still had not sent anyone over, prompting Pang Jian to return to the Scripture Pavilion to ask again.

The answer he received was the same.

Bai Chuan was still in the Scripture Pavilion, and the two manuals Pang Jian urgently needed remained out of reach.

***

In a cave residence on the Elusive Peak, Pan Zheng reported with a troubled expression, "Bai Chuan claims a demonic influence invaded his mind while studying the Qi Nurturing Divine Cauldron Art, leading to cultivation deviation.

"In his moment of madness, he destroyed the second half of both the Qi Nurturing Divine Cauldron Art and the Grand Providence Sacred Body."

"Cultivation deviation?" Guang He scoffed, flicking the sleeves of his scholar's robe.

"Yes," Pan Zheng replied with a bitter smile.

Guang He and Pan Zheng's master both belonged to the Elusive Peak and had a close relationship, so Pan Zheng did not hold back.

"Those two manuals were exactly what Pang Jian was seeking when he came to the Sword Pavilion," he added.

Guang He asked, "When did Bai Chuan request the manuals?"

"Just before Pang Jian arrived."

"Bai Chuan is one of Su Li's men." Guang He sighed. "In the past, the Great Elder managed all the affairs of the Sword Honing Peak. The destroyed manuals were just copies—the originals are still in the Great Elder's possession.

"He claims to be constantly traveling as an excuse to remain beyond our control, so getting hold of those two manuals will be troublesome.

"It's obvious they're aiming for Pang Jian." Guang He snorted.

"Never mind the manuals, the real issue is Bai Chuan's claim that Pang Jian can't control the Abyssal Demon Sword and that its demonic power is secretly at work." Pan Zheng sighed. "That's the real trouble."

Guang He was taken aback.

"There will be more incidents targeting Pang Jian in the future," Pan Zheng said, rubbing his tired eyes. "You'll see soon enough."

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