Chapter 137: Three Visits to the Abyss

After making some arrangements, Jiang Yuan set off once again in search of more help.

Feilian did not accompany him; Jiang Yuan had assigned him to the front lines. It would be a waste for a combatant of Daluo Golden Immortal caliber to simply trail behind him. Moreover, given the nature of the tasks Jiang Yuan demanded, he suspected Feilian wouldn't be thrilled to stay by his side anyway. After all, Daluo Golden Immortals were not exactly found on every street corner.

Feilian decided that even at the front, he would remain unseen. He would hide in the shadows, waiting for opportunities to ambush those Daluo Golden Immortals and capture them for Jiang Yuan. Feilian felt this was an incredibly profitable trade for him, and Jiang Yuan certainly didn't feel like he was losing out either. After all, the Tyrant Points gained from killing ten Daluo Golden Immortals would surely be enough to cover the cost of helping Feilian ascend to the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm. Since Feilian was not someone who had just reached the Daluo stage, the amount of Tyrant Points required for his further advancement would likely be even less. Such a win-win situation was something Jiang Yuan was more than happy to facilitate.

At the Heavenly Abyss, the Shang Dynasty’s army camp.

Two figures appeared out of thin air. It was Jiang Yuan’s first time experiencing the speed of a Semi-Saint. When he and Zhang Kui had first traveled here, it felt like they had flown for an eternity. Now, brought here by the great demon Bai Ze, it had taken only a few breaths. Jiang Yuan couldn't help but sigh, wishing the duration of his "Semi-Saint Experience Card" could be longer. He hadn't even had a proper chance to savor the marvels of the Semi-Saint realm, all thanks to that wretched Heavenly Emperor who had forced him into such a disadvantageous position, wasting over a thousand of his hard-earned Tyrant Points.

He really wanted to experience the power of a Semi-Saint a few more times; it might have been beneficial for his own cultivation. However, he simply couldn't afford the cost; a few more times and he would be bankrupt. The feeling of immense power was truly intoxicating.

"Senior, do you know what lies at the bottom of the Heavenly Abyss?" Jiang Yuan asked Bai Ze. Shennong had refused to tell him, but Jiang Yuan could not suppress his curiosity, so he decided to ask the all-knowing Bai Ze.

Bai Ze was quite interested in this question. In truth, he had never visited the Heavenly Abyss himself. However, as they passed by just now, he had sensed an unusual power. He had already begun to divine the origins of the Abyss, wanting to see how it had been formed. Seeing Bai Ze slowly close his eyes, Jiang Yuan tactfully refrained from disturbing him.

Some soldiers in the camp noticed them and recognized Jiang Yuan, preparing to come over and offer their respects, but Jiang Yuan stopped them with a gesture, signaling them to remain silent. Since Bai Ze was in the middle of a deduction, and Jiang Yuan was also deeply curious about the Abyss, he naturally didn't want the process interrupted. In reality, Jiang Yuan was being a bit too cautious and had underestimated Bai Ze. As a great demon of the Semi-Saint realm, while there was a risk of interruption during a deduction, it certainly wouldn't be by a random soldier.

After a short while, Bai Ze opened his eyes again. A hint of confusion crossed his face as he met Jiang Yuan’s expectant gaze.

"I do not know what lies at the bottom of the Heavenly Abyss either," Bai Ze said calmly. "I only know that a great war took place here in the ancient times."

Jiang Yuan was somewhat disappointed by this answer. He already knew as much; the debris at the bottom of the abyss was proof enough of a past battle. "There are things that even you, Senior, do not know?" Jiang Yuan asked, puzzled. He had almost begun to view Bai Ze as an infallible oracle. He hadn't expected Bai Ze to be stumped by the mystery of the Heavenly Abyss.

Bai Ze, however, did not seem bothered. He gave a faint smile and said, "There are many things Bai Ze does not know. Although my innate divine abilities are decent, I am not a Saint. This world still imposes certain limitations upon me."

"I see," Jiang Yuan replied, understanding. When he had briefly become a Semi-Saint, he couldn't do whatever he pleased either—he still had to endure the Heavenly Emperor's beatings. If even Saints couldn't act entirely as they wished, let alone a Semi-Saint like Bai Ze, then even the most heaven-defying abilities had their limits.

"Shall I take you down to have a look?" Jiang Yuan asked, deciding to postpone his meeting with Grand Tutor Wen. To establish a more equal standing between himself and Bai Ze, he decided to let the demon meet his "backers." He might not be able to see Father Suiren, but he could certainly see Father Shennong. Perhaps once they reached the bottom, Bai Ze would be able to deduce more.

Bai Ze looked at Jiang Yuan with surprise. "Since I could not divine the nature of this Abyss, it must hold some profound mysteries. I cannot guarantee that I can reach the very bottom, so the Human Emperor should prepare himself."

Jiang Yuan waved his hand with a mysterious air. "You won't need to lead me down this time; I can take you to the bottom." After all, I have someone backing me, don't I? Jiang Yuan thought, feeling rather proud.

"Oh?" Bai Ze looked at him with astonishment. He hadn't expected Jiang Yuan to be so confident about descending into an abyss that even he, a Semi-Saint, found daunting.

Jiang Yuan seemed to have anticipated this reaction. He explained with a composed expression, "I have actually been to the bottom of the Heavenly Abyss twice. Going down is not difficult; the challenge lies in knowing its secrets."

"What is at the bottom?" Bai Ze found his own curiosity piqued.

"Nothing much. It is simply where the past generations of Human Emperors of my race stand guard. To me, the bottom of this abyss is like home," Jiang Yuan said, with a hint of boastfulness.

Bai Ze had a sudden realization. So that was it! No wonder he hadn't been able to divine the depths of the abyss. If Senior Shennong was sitting down there, how could he possibly divine anything? He was lucky not to have suffered a backlash. He felt a sense of relief that Shennong was broad-minded.

"Would you like to come down with me? Since we are already here, I was planning to pay a visit to Senior Shennong anyway," Jiang Yuan smiled.

"If the Human Emperor believes Senior Shennong will not mind, I would be honored to pay my respects," Bai Ze replied with a light smile. In truth, Bai Ze was certainly older than Shennong, but as a demon beast, his path to enlightenment had been slower. By the time Shennong became a Saint, Bai Ze had not yet achieved his true form; thus, calling him "Senior" was appropriate, especially now that Shennong’s cultivation level surpassed his own.

"Rest assured, Senior. Both Senior Shennong and Senior Suiren are my godfathers. With me bringing you down, there will naturally be no issues," Jiang Yuan said confidently.

Bai Ze looked at him with a strange expression. So the boy wasn't just bragging to the Heavenly Emperor? Shennong and Suiren were actually his godfathers? No wonder he was so bold. He clearly hadn't misjudged his man!

"That would be excellent. I shall trouble you then, Human Emperor," Bai Ze smiled thinly.

Jiang Yuan turned to the soldier and said, "Inform the Grand Tutor that I will come to see him later to discuss important matters." The soldier had not heard the conversation with Bai Ze and was unaware of their destination or even the identity of the demon, but he obeyed the King’s orders without hesitation.

"As you command!"

Watching the patrolling soldier depart, Jiang Yuan and Bai Ze took to the air and began their descent into the depths of the Heavenly Abyss.