Trials of the Abyss

The vast bizarre mist was like an ocean of smoke. It crept slowly over the mountain peaks and filled the expansive horizon.

Under the veil of the bizarre mist, the towering mountain peaks appeared like mere molehills, swallowed by its haze.

Although separated by hundreds of zhangs, as everyone looked at the thick, grayish mist, a sense of foreboding seeped into their souls.

Under the spreading shroud of the bizarre mist, it felt as if all living beings were inexorably heading toward ruin.

The bizarre mist steadily approached.

Pang Jian’s eyes dilated as he stared intently at it, witnessing this terrifying phenomenon that sent shivers down the spine of all living beings.

"Pang Jian, I’m willing to accompany you into the bizarre mist. If we come out alive, can you promise me one thing?" Luo Hongyan looked straight at Pang Jian’s sharply defined face, seemingly oblivious to Zhou Qingchen and the others present. She said softly, "The bizarre mist is terrifying but I’m willing to risk my life with you. You only need to promise me one thing!"

Hearing her words, Zhou Qingchen and Han Duping could not help but stare blankly at her.

Su Meng was even more shocked, her hand instinctively flying to cover her mouth to stifle a gasp. Her bright eyes shimmered as she stared in disbelief.

Over the few days she followed Luo Hongyan to harvest spirit plants, Su Meng realized that Luo Hongyan’s perspective of the world and her knowledge about spirit plants had reached an exceptionally profound level. Few could match her in the Fourth World.

It was not only Luo Hongyan’s knowledge of spirit plants but also her remarkable understanding of cultivation techniques and unique insights into the geography of the upper world that had earned Su Meng’s admiration.

This also made her feel indignant on behalf of her Sister Ning.

Despite Ning Yao’s sincerity and good intentions toward Pang Jian, he never responded or treated her well in return.

"There’s no need for that," Pang Jian coldly refused.

A tinge of bitterness crept onto Luo Hongyan’s face as she added, "I have some knowledge about the bizarre mist. Whatever your plan is, I can help you."

Pang Jian shook his head and said, "No!"

Su Meng muttered softly, "Big Brother Pang, Sister Ning is actually very nice. She—"

"Shut your mouth!" Luo Hongyan interrupted with a cold snort.

Su Meng lowered her head, heart full of grievances.

Zhou Qingchen cleared his throat.

"Ning Yao, to be honest, I used to look down on you. Your cultivation talent was average, and your aloof, arrogant demeanor made me view you as nothing special. However, your recent actions have earned my respect," he praised generously. "To boldly open up and gamble with your life to secure a promise from Pang Jian..."

Zhou Qingchen gave Luo Hongyan a big thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, Han Duping patted Pang Jin on the shoulder and winked. "Kid, you have some real skill. If I had half your skills, I would’ve already won over a woman like Shangguan Qin."

He truly admired him.

Han Duping recalled how an intoxicated Pang Jian had asked for a jar of liquor before entering the Divine Spirit Pagoda. Soon after, he leaped from the window, clothes disheveled.

While intoxicated, he could have taken advantage of the young lady, but still would not commit to her.

After sobering up, he maintained his cold and indifferent demeanor. He left the young lady with no choice but to stake her life in a daring gamble, demanding a promise from him publicly, only to be mercilessly rejected.

In Han Duping’s mind, Pang Jian was a heartless man who discarded others once his appetite was sated.

Despite that, the young lady stubbornly refused to show any sign of anger or resentment, instead maintaining a remarkably humble demeanor.

"I must confess, I’m thoroughly impressed." Han Duping shook his head with a newfound understanding that he should not rely solely on his seniority to assert superiority. Instead, he now strived to take a page from Pang Jian’s book and learn his methods of charming women.

"The bizarre mist is approaching. If you guys don’t leave soon, it will engulf us all," Pang Jian warned, brows knitted.

Pang Jian knew that the evil woman was inhabiting Ning Yao’s body. Pang Jian only hoped that she would depart shortly. He had no intention of venturing into the bizarre mist alongside her.

Everyone was lost in thought when a horrifying scene unfolded before their eyes.

The bizarre mist drifted over the clustered mountain peaks and closed in on Black Orchid Lake.

The towering mountains suddenly crumbled like sand.

There was no thunderous crash of mountains collapsing. Each peak was flattened as solid rocks turned to fine powder, and trees were reduced to mere dust.

It all happened in absolute silence.

Pang Jian and the others stared in disbelief as the towering mountains disintegrated.

A chill ran down everyone’s spine!

The terrifying power of the encroaching bizarre mist had exceeded their realm of comprehension. They could not fathom a force that could so casually erase mountains thousands of zhang tall!

And to erase them in complete silence!

Pang Jian’s scalp tingled with fear. He now understood why his father forbade him from venturing to the northernmost region of the Solitary Mountain Range, and why he was not allowed to come into contact with the bizarre mist.

The dangers of Blackwater Pond, Central Lake Island, and Insect Valley were nothing compared to the immense terror of the bizarre mist.

"Pang Jian, I have always treated you as my brother, but I simply cannot risk my life for you!" Zhou Qingchen’s teeth clattered and his legs felt weak. Facing the terrifying bizarre mist was incomparable to confronting Hong Tai of the Shadow Specter Sect. "Pang Jian, I implore you once more, don’t venture into the bizarre mist. Please, whatever you do, don’t go in!"

"I’ll prepare the bamboo raft, we’re leaving immediately!" Han Duping was done with the idle chatter. Unwilling to spend any more time on Central Lake Island, he warned, "If the bizarre mist continues to spread, the Solitary Mountain Range, and perhaps the entire Northern Qi, could vanish! If you don’t leave, you may very well be reduced to dust!"

Pang Jian had initially planned to venture into the bizarre mist. However, after witnessing its terror, he hesitated.

His eyes narrowed as he stared intently at the bizarre mist. It seemed impervious to any obstacles and steadily drew closer.

He watched for movement in the bizarre mist.

As long as there was a single living being, it meant there was a way to survive in the bizarre mist. Pang Jian could then proceed with his exploration with renewed determination.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, his gaze could not penetrate the thick haze of the bizarre mist and he could not see what was happening inside it.

The bizarre mist crossed over the flattened mountain peaks.

The crumbled mountains vanished into the depths of the bizarre mist, becoming a part of the eternal silence and desolation within.

The bizarre mist finally made contact with Black Orchid Lake.

Solid ice stretched across Black Orchid Lake. It was as if the extremely cold energy from the bizarre mist had permeated the water and swiftly froze the entire lake!

"Old Han, come back!" Zhou Qingchen’s face instantly paled. Shocked by the horror of the bizarre mist, he shouted, "Don’t touch the bamboo raft!"

Meanwhile, Han Duping had reached the northern shore of the island, unaware that the Black Orchid Lake’s water was freezing over.

"What’s wrong?" he called back.

"Come back quickly!" Zhou Qingchen yelled anxiously.

Han Duping had known Zhou Qingchen for a long time and rarely saw him in such a panic. Hearing the urgency in Zhou Qingchen’s voice, Han Duping unhesitatingly abandoned the bamboo raft and hastily headed back to the small hill.

Looking down at Black Orchid Lake from the small hill, he finally understood the reason for Zhou Qingchen’s anxiety.

In a short time, half of Black Orchid Lake, from the northernmost point where the bizarre mist approached up to the northern edge of Central Lake Island, had frozen solidly from surface to floor!

The bamboo raft Han Duping had intended to move was now frozen in solid ice. It was now stuck like a locust in an amber.

If Han Duping had been standing on the bamboo raft and had come into contact with the unknown energy, he might have turned into an ice sculpture.

The Black Orchid Lake continued to freeze at a weird yet rapid pace.

Turning around, Pang Jian noticed the water south of the island was also starting to freeze.

"It’s too late," Pang Jian said, knitting his brows. It seemed that they could no longer escape. "I hope this island will remain unaffected."

Meanwhile, Luo Hongyan felt increasingly irritated by the bizarre mist and said, "If the extreme cold only affects the lake water, we’ll be able to hold out on this island for a while. The spread of the bizarre mist is actually quite slow. We still have time to figure out a way to escape."

Everyone subconsciously glanced down at the island beneath their feet.

"Moreover, not all living beings entering the bizarre mist will instantly turn to dust like those mountains," Luo Hongyan reassured. She calmly explained, "As far as I know, only those who attempt to reach the source of the bizarre mist, the boundary wall, will be obliterated."

The bizarre mist originated from the boundary wall. The closer to the boundary wall, the thicker the bizarre mist became. Furthermore, the boundary wall encircles the entirety of the world.

According to Luo Hongyan, as long as they did not attempt to reach the boundary wall, they would not encounter the most terrifying aspect of the bizarre mist.

The mysterious woman from the upper world took the initiative and said in a raised voice, "All of you, take out all your spirit stones. Purity doesn’t matter. The Sinister Soul Temple’s Divine Spirit Pagoda is our only hope to escape from this island.

"Pang Jian did not destroy the Ancient Cloud Thunder Array on the ground floor. He merely exhausted the spiritual power of the spirit jades. If we replace the spirit jades with spirit stones, we might have enough power to get off the island."

With that said, she led the way to the Divine Spirit Pagoda.

Su Meng did not hesitate to follow Luo Hongyan. She said, "Sister Ning, let me help you. Although they contain impurities, I still have a lot of spirit stones."

"Hm, it could be of use."

"Old Han!" Zhou Qingchen retrieved his spatial bracelet from his sleeve and gave it to Han Duping, "All of my spirit stones are inside. Take it to Ning Yao and monitor her closely!"

"Alright!" Han Duping received the spatial bracelet from Han Duping and headed straight toward the Divine Spirit Pagoda, not daring to waste any time. nøvel.com

Only Pang Jian and Zhou Qingchen remained on the top of the small hill.

As Zhou Qingchen watched the bizarre mist’s steady approach, nervousness rippled behind his composed exterior. Eager for a distraction, Zhou Qingchen turned to Pang Jian and said, "Ning Yao isn’t that bad. Your standard is too high. Could it be that you have someone else in mind?"

Pang Jian shook his head. "No."

As they conversed, the entirety of Black Orchid Lake had frozen solid, transforming it into a massive, translucent crystal of ice.

The frozen lake glistened brightly and in stark contrast to the depressing terrain.

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