C1875 The Respect from the Abyss

The Mindscape, ethereal as a dream, surged from the distance, clearly on the brink of merging with the Origin Realm.

Yu Yuan, try as he might, couldn't perceive the ghosts within the Mindscape like Jihui could, nor could he discern Youyu's movements. Yet, he was aware that Youyu had utilized an Origin Gate within the Wraithlands to establish a conduit between the Mindscape and the Origin Realm.

This Origin Gate, a relic of the Origin Deity, was beyond Jihui's ability to destroy, as he had not ventured into the Wraithlands.

"If you fail to control the Origin Realm, we will all depart," declared the Realm Devourer, sensing the encroaching Mindscape. "Our souls require security; without it, the Origin Realm loses its purpose."

Realm Devourer let out a sly chuckle, adding, "The Abyssal Gate is on the verge of collapse. Should our real bodies be able to traverse to that world, we would no longer be dependent on the Origin Realm."

To the abyssal creatures and the souls of another world, the Origin Realm was merely a bridge. Its significance would wane with the shattering of the Abyssal Gate, for they would be able to personally journey to the other world and engage directly with its formidable inhabitants.

"Lord Jihui, did you also extend an invitation to Yu Yuan from the Ashlands to engage with the Abyss?" Awkwafina of the Shadowkin blurted out amidst the silence, seemingly with the Dreadlord's tacit approval and provocation.

"The Ashlands?"

"The domain of the Titan Spinosaurus?"

"What's his relation to that savage evil dragon?"

The Evil Gods of the Abyss, barely settled, were once again thrown into turmoil at the mention of the Titan Spinosaurus—a name that sparked fury and resentment, a taboo and a source of disgrace and nightmares for all abyssal clans.

The revelation of Yu Yuan's connection to the Ashlands only intensified their discontent, casting a shadow over Jihui.

"He now rules the Ashlands," Jihui stated, his gaze icy as it swept over Awkwafina, the warning clear in his eyes.

"What do you know?" The Dreadlord, who had previously silenced Awkwafina, now urged her to speak the truth.

With her head bowed, not daring to meet Jihui's gaze, Awkwafina confessed, "Yu Yuan from the Everlands disrupted the well-known plan of the Origin Deity in the Ashlands. But most crucially, it was Bertain's appearance that inflicted grave injuries upon the Origin Deity."

She disregarded Jihui's warnings and recounted in detail the events that had transpired in the Ashlands.

After she finished speaking, the Evil Gods from the Abyss were immediately filled with malice toward Yu Yuan.

"Boulderdawn, the rising elite of the Boulderdawn Sect!"

The Realm Devourer emitted a piercing screech, and a gaping hole appeared in the center of the enormous leaf he had become, resembling a vast, open maw. "Jihui, you were once part of the Boulderdawn, even a God-King among them!"

He began to challenge Jihui.

"The ruler of the Mindscape is Youyu, the leader of the Bloodbrawlers. Long ago, the Bloodbrawlers and Boulderdawn were the staunchest of allies." Awkwafina, backed by the Dreadlord, clearly knew much and was stirring up strife.

The partially descended Evil Gods grew increasingly cautious and unfriendly toward Jihui.

"Since this young upstart Yu Yuan has thwarted our grand scheme and indirectly inflicted a grave injury upon the Origin Deity, I believe..." the Realm Devourer, who had taken a dislike to Yu Yuan, screeched, "Jihui, you should erase him! Eliminate his Lunar Spirit first to demonstrate your severance from the Boulderdawn."

"He is my guest in the Origin Realm!" Jihui declared sternly.

"You should never have invited such a character!" retorted the Realm Devourer.

Yu Yuan gave him a cold stare. "Realm Devourer, you're eager to enter our world?"

"For many years, I have!"

"Among the Evil Gods relentlessly battering the Abyssal Gate, is there one named Realm Devourer?"

As Yu Yuan inquired, he suddenly turned to Awkwafina of the Shadowkin, saying, "It appears I erred in allowing you to leave the Ashlands alive. No matter, you are bound by the soul of the Origin Realm. Until the Abyssal Gate breaks, you cannot reach the Abyss."

Awkwafina's phantom quivered as she gazed upon the Dreadlord's visage within the massive prism.

She knew full well the extent of Yu Yuan's dreadfulness; whether in the Ashlands or across other Astral Domains, Yu Yuan possessed the power to end her existence.

"Don't worry. The Abyssal Gate is on the verge of breaking," the Dreadlord reassured.

"It's not about whether you can break it; it's about whether I will allow it."

Yu Yuan, having descended as a Lunar Spirit, fearlessly faced the assembled Evil Gods and declared arrogantly, "Unless I permit it, you shall never cross the Abyssal Gate! And..."

His gaze then settled on the Realm Devourer, who had consumed the entirety of Brugeth, and he continued, "Perhaps it won't be long before I reach the Abyss in my real body to confront you, Realm Devourer!"

He was boldly challenging the Evil Gods before him!

"Arrogant fool, by what right do you speak such words?"

"Reach the Abyss in your real body? Even Bertain has not achieved that. What makes you think you can?"

"Jihui, this little one you've brought is truly courting death."

The Evil Gods murmured among themselves, their manifested phantoms clawing and writhing as if eager to seize Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit and devour it.

"I am Grimes, known as Soulreaver in the Abyss, one of its many Evil Gods."

Suddenly, the Evil God resembling a grotesque tumor drifted towards Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit. His Lunar Spirit, tiny as an ant in comparison, seemed vulnerable to the corrosive venom seeping from the spirited body of the Evil God. Yet, Grimes's tone was unexpectedly reverent.

"Grimes, is such an insignificant fellow really worth the honor of your name before you strike? He doesn't deserve your personal attention!" the Realm Devourer taunted.

The Evil God believed Grimes was provoked and intended to make Yu Yuan's demise a lesson, hence he introduced himself first.

"No!"

The grotesque Evil God, known as Soulreaver, continued to descend. A massive, pale green eye emerged from his repulsive, tumor-like body.

With this eye, he regarded Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit and inquired, "Are you the one who sits atop the Abyssal Gate?"

At his question, a hush fell over all the Evil Gods present. The Dreadlord within the great prism, her face a sculpted visage of femininity, frowned and turned to Awkwafina.

Awkwafina shook her head, perplexed, "I've never been to the Abyssal Gate; I'm unaware of it."

The Realm Devourer, once the most vociferous and desperate to escape the Abyss, fell silent.

Beneath the Abyssal Gate stood Grimes, the leader. His question suggested he had discovered something significant.

Yu Yuan paused, then instead of replying, he posed a question, "Among those giants that rammed the Abyssal Gate, were you one of them?"

"I am their leader," Grimes admitted.

A flicker of hesitation passed through Grimes' pale green eyes before he continued, "At this very moment, my real body remains beneath the gate. You, perched above, certainly possess the power to destroy the Abyssal Gate. It seems you're weighing your options and have even made attempts."

"Why have you withdrawn?" Yu Yuan asked, his brow furrowing.

With that, Grimes was convinced that the formidable presence at the Abyssal Gate was none other than Yu Yuan, who had arrived in the Origin Realm as the Lunar Spirit.

"We hold powerful beings like you in high regard!"

Grimes spoke with increased reverence and chastised the Realm Devourer, "The Origin Deity is powerless; no one else is to blame! This esteemed visitor, Yu Yuan, is a true force to be reckoned with in another world! He's not wrong—so long as he remains there, the Abyssal Gate cannot be shattered."

With a whoosh, a phantom-like figure materialized in the ethereal Mindscape before him. His face turned rigid as soon as he arrived.

"Yu Yuan, it's you!"

"Youyu!"

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