C1962 The Old Debt

The Abyss Gate.

A mountain range constructed from a multitude of dazzling prismatic crystals cascaded down onto the colorful sea's surface, unleashing a breathtaking display of radiant light.

Each prismatic crystal, unique in hue, gleamed with a crystalline brilliance, with divine lightning rainbows weaving through them, embodying the profound principles of all life.

This enigmatic and wondrous inverted mountain range had become a remarkable spectacle atop the Abyss Gate, inspiring awe and reverence in those who beheld it.

Any sentient being in this world who managed to reach this place and witness the inverted range of prismatic crystals would feel their bloodlines stirred, and their hearts would instantly resonate.

This was the form of Yu Yuan as the Yang God.

In this guise, he assimilated the Life Seeds from the Desolate Realm, gaining insight into its life forms and the myriad creatures that had emerged there.

A compulsion to depart from the Abyss Gate, to pursue and invade the creatures of the Desolate Realm, was fermenting within him.

He understood that this impulse originated from the Origin Blood.

...

Time passed, unmarked.

Whoosh!

The prismatic crystals underwent a sudden transformation, reshaping into Yu Yuan's visage and stature.

He bowed his head, gazing into the unfathomable darkness below.

It had been an age since the Evil Gods of the Abyss had convened, nor had they attempted another assault.

No Extreme Intelligence had emerged through the Abyss Gate either, suggesting a newfound restraint within the Abyss.

Yu Yuan surmised that the intelligent beings from the other side of the Abyss had learned discretion, ceasing their futile resistance.

But now...

An elusive shadow flickered into existence beneath the vibrant sea. It lacked the enormity of the Evil Gods that had previously collided with him, instead moving in a persistent, elusive manner that conveyed a sense of stealth to Yu Yuan.

He watched warily as the shadow flitted about, seemingly evading something.

Eventually, the shadow drifted from its initial location to a desolate corner.

A subtle and hidden intent then emanated from the ever-shifting shadow.

This intent penetrated the Abyss Gate, yet it was evidently thwarted by the gate's sealing force, unable to break through.

"Hmm!"

Yu Yuan, vigilant of the shadow's movements, sat above the colorful sea, proactively reaching out with the blood and soul of his Yang God form to connect.

His blood had the power to seep into the Abyss Gate, attempting to reach out to the consciousness stirring below to determine who was causing trouble.

"It's me, Beilstein. Hold off on opening the Abyss Gate. I still have things to do in the Abyss, so wait a bit longer."

The consciousness vanished abruptly.

The Abyss Gate, crafted during the zenith of the Titan era and refined with the intricate bloodlines of numerous Starry Behemoths, had worn away his thoughts, preventing them from lingering.

Yet, Yu Yuan had received a clear message.

Moments later, colossal figures comparable to Starry Behemoths swarmed beneath the Abyss Gate, converging as if in pursuit from every direction.

"Beilstein!"

Yu Yuan couldn't see clearly, but he sensed that the Evil Gods of the Abyss had picked up on Beilstein's trail.

Consequently, the Evil Gods banded together to hunt down Beilstein.

They appeared perpetually vigilant around the Abyss Gate, unwilling to allow Beilstein to emerge.

"It looks like you're alright; Andrea was worried for nothing. But you also said to hold off on releasing it."

Yu Yuan spoke softly, lost in thought.

Previously, the Supreme Demon Phoenix from the Vast Ocean had made a special visit, expressing a wish for him to continue guarding the Abyss Gate a while longer to craft more Beast Gods for this realm. Now, Beilstein, who had sunk into the Abyss, had added his voice to the chorus.

Beilstein, who had been absent for an extended period, had sent a message urging him not to open the Abyss Gate.

Why?

If the Abyss Gate were shattered, the Great Demon God Beilstein could escape the Abyss and reclaim the Demon Body he had perfected.

As an Outland Devaputra, Beilstein had arrived with only his Devil Soul; his Demon Body remained in the Origin Realm.

Only by merging his Devil Soul with his refined Demon Body could the Great Demon God's power reach its peak.

He chose to linger in the Abyss, reluctant to return to the Origin Realm, and now he was instructing Yu Yuan not to fracture the Abyss Gate and prevent the Evil Gods from emerging. But for what purpose?

"Then, I shall continue my vigil a while longer."

Confounded, Yu Yuan shook his head and resolved to keep watch for some time more.

…

Time passed.

Whoosh!

A Shrouded Tower burst forth from a suddenly split spatial rift, suspending itself in the air above Yu Yuan.

Beneath the dark tower, atop the black jade altar, stood two Tenth Level experts transformed into human form.

The Desolate God, alongside a woman in a white pleated dress—the white python of the Desolate Realm.

The pipe-clutching Desolate God, garbed in coarse hemp clothing, sat upon the altar, his gaze complex as he coldly regarded Yu Yuan. "You didn't keep your promise!" he scoffed.

The fur on the Old Ape's arms and cheeks, a creature who had long dwelled in the Desolate Swamp, was no longer gray-white.

It had turned a lustrous silver-gray, radiating an overflowing sense of vitality and vigor.

Indeed!

The moment Yu Yuan laid eyes on him, he knew the Old Ape had attained immortality and no longer needed to fret over the limits of his lifespan.

"How did you manage to find this place?"

As Yu Yuan spoke, his penetrating gaze seemed to cut through all obstructions, landing squarely on Old Ape's chest, where he glimpsed the beast's heart.

Within Old Ape's heart resided a tiny sapling, unmistakably a Life Keychain.

Yet, this sapling within Old Ape's heart was not the gift of Yu Yuan, unlike those within Zhong Chichen, Loong Jie, and Violent Bear. Old Ape's sprout originated from the King of Desolate Realm!

The chosen representatives of the two worlds' bloodlines both possessed the power to bestow eternal life upon their fleshly beings.

The pattern was identical.

"Should I not come here? You were the one who expelled me from the Gray Domain. Later, you barred me from its entrance," Old Ape inhaled sharply from his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke with a fierce tone. "Before I left the Gray Domain, I was fair to you and the Divine Soul Sect, wasn't I?"

Yu Yuan fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "You were fair to us."

"When you and Han Miaoyuan were at odds, how many of your strong allies found refuge in my Great Swamp? Would the connection between you and the outside world have been so seamless if the Secular Bird's nest wasn't situated within the Great Swamp?"

"And you? Did you ever fulfill your promise to me?"

"Eternal life, and the resurrection of my deceased offspring—you've achieved neither."

Old Ape's face darkened as he dredged up past grievances.

The white python listened intently, its gaze drifting across the colorful sea surface, clearly enthralled.

"You didn't give me enough time."

Yu Yuan gave a bitter laugh and said with a sense of helplessness, "I urged you to leave the Gray Domain because you carried within you the essence of the Vast Ocean. It wasn't a personal attack. Back then, I hadn't fully grasped the power needed to grant you eternal life, so I hoped you could wait. But instead, you joined forces with Han Miaoyuan."

He felt a twinge of guilt toward the Old Ape and had taken the time to explain himself earnestly when confronted.

"At the entrance to the Gray Domain, you were already off. If I'm not mistaken, the Origin had begun to corrupt your mind. Your subsequent actions against Loong Jie and Zhong Chichen suggest the corruption was deepening."

"You, in that state, were clearly unsuited for the Gray Domain, leaving you no choice but to wait."

Yu Yuan shared his predicament.

"Wait? Am I the same as Lvliu? How could I possibly wait?!"

The Old Ape scoffed, "I can sense that Han Miaoyuan has the power to rid me of the Origin. How old do you think I am? Without it, I'd turn to a pile of bones, or even dust, in an instant."

"What else could I do?"

"Other than submitting to Han Miaoyuan's will and dutifully following his orders, what choice did I have?"

The Desolate God bellowed in frustration.

"With the situation as it is, there's little left to discuss. What are you here to do?" inquired Yu Yuan.

"The blood clouds beneath the Abyss Gate are remnants of the Starry Behemoth. You've stood watch over them without ever choosing to absorb them..."

The Old Ape soared from the Shrouded Tower, descending slowly, his attention shifting from Yu Yuan.

It settled on the vibrant sea.

"Yu Yuan, leave this place and cede the Abyss Gate to me. Consider all your promises to me fulfilled."

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