Chapter 446: Desolation – The Sacred Abyss Continent
The Journey Begins
Northern Abyss Continent, Capital City, Transmission Array
Xiao Tiance stood on the transmission array with Zi Yan and Huaian. Behind them, Medusa held Xiao Baiying, flanked by Xiao Xuan and the others, their faces lined with concern. Xiao Tiance smiled reassuringly before turning to Xiao Tianming.
Catching the cue, Xiao Tianming placed spirit stones into the array's core. Instantly, a column of light shot skyward, enveloping the trio in a strange force that whisked them away.
In mere breaths, they left the Northern Abyss Continent, reappearing at a transmission array thousands of miles away.
"Teacher, we can use another long distance transmission array to go straight to the Western Continent," Zi Yan suggested. "That'll save time and let us meet up with Xiao Yan and Xun'er sooner."
Xiao Tiance nodded and turned to Huaian. "Let's make it quick. Go arrange it while Zi Yan and I find something to eat."
"Yes, Teacher!" Huaian responded respectfully before hurrying off to speak with the local faction managing the array.
While waiting, Xiao Tiance and Zi Yan found a nearby teahouse. After finishing their tea, Huaian returned with confirmation, and the trio continued their journey.
Meeting Xiao Yan and Xun'er
Two days later, they stepped out of the transmission array to find Xiao Yan and Xun'er already waiting.
"Old Ancestor Tiance."
"Uncle Tiance."
The two greeted him respectfully as he approached with Zi Yan and Huaian.
"How long have you been waiting here?" Xiao Tiance asked, waving off their formality.
"As soon as we got word you were coming, we came to wait," Xiao Yan replied, his tone deferential.
Xun'er added with gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle Tiance. With your help, our chances of rescuing my father have increased greatly."
Xiao Tiance interrupted her with a wave of his hand. "No need for thanks. The Dragon Emperor and your father are old acquaintances of mine. Knowing they're in danger, how could I sit idly by?
"Enough talk. You've likely gathered all the information we need. Next, we'll use the Western Continent's array to reach the Sacred Abyss Continent. It's the gateway to the oceanic continent where your father and Zhukun are trapped.
"I'll also need to confirm some details with the people from the Great Thousand Palace."
With that brief explanation, Xiao Tiance led the group toward the next transmission array.
The Sacred Abyss Continent
A day later, they arrived on the Sacred Abyss Continent. The desolation was evident. Though it hadn't yet fallen to the demon clan, the pervasive demonic aura had tainted the spiritual energy of the land.
The air was heavy with death. Aside from cultivators preparing to fight the demon clan, ordinary people were nowhere to be seen.
"This is the Sacred Abyss Continent?" Xiao Yan asked, frowning at the oppressive atmosphere. "It feels lifeless."
Xiao Tiance didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Not far ahead, a group of wounded cultivators hobbled back toward safety. Their injuries, visible even from a distance, showed the telltale signs of demonic aura corruption. If untreated, death was inevitable.
"It's not hard to understand," Xiao Tiance eventually said. "The war between the Great Thousand World and the demon clan has raged for hundreds of thousands of years, dating back to ancient times.
"For both sides, it's a fight to the death. The Great Thousand Palace has managed to gather countless strong warriors from across the world to hold the line here, but only barely.
"The Sacred Abyss Continent is the frontline. Compared to the Northern Abyss Continent, where Bai Yujing is located, the conditions here are far worse."
He paused, then sighed. "Let's not dwell on it. We need to head west to the local branch of the Great Thousand Tower. From there, we'll finalize our plans."
"Understood," Xiao Yan replied, choosing not to press further. He knew the war against the demon clan was a grim reality, and despite his own progress as an early Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign, his strength was still far from sufficient against the demon clan's might.
A Landscape of Suffering
The group continued westward in silence. The further they traveled, the more desolate the land became. Villages and cities lay abandoned, and the wounded outnumbered the able bodied.
By the time they neared the Great Thousand Tower branch's defensive line, they had seen countless injured cultivators and even stumbled upon skirmishes between the demon clan and human warriors.
One such battle unfolded as they approached the tower. Without hesitation, they joined the fray. Thanks to their intervention, the demon forces were quickly repelled.
The Weight of Reality
Standing on the city wall, Xiao Tiance watched the demon clan retreat like a receding tide. He was about to give chase when the branch's overseer, Wan Feng, stopped him.
"Lord Tiance, don't pursue them," Wan Feng urged.
Wan Feng's address wasn't a mistake Xiao Tiance's status as the second Demon Slayer King after Qin Tian made him a figure of immense authority.
Xiao Tiance frowned. "Just call me by name. 'Lord' feels strange to me."
Wan Feng chuckled but shook his head. "As the Demon Slayer King of the Great Thousand Palace, your title is well earned.
"The reason I stopped you is that the demon clan is cunning. Pursuing them often leads to ambushes, and we don't have enough manpower to wipe them out completely.
"For countless millennia, this has been our reality. All we can do is defend. If we provoke them too much, none of us will escape their wrath."
Wan Feng's voice carried a tinge of guilt. It wasn't that he didn't want to eradicate the enemy it was simply beyond their capability.
Xiao Tiance nodded grimly, understanding the truth in Wan Feng's words. The Great Thousand Palace and the demon clan had been locked in this stalemate for hundreds of thousands of years. If there were a better solution, it would have been found long ago.
Preparing for the Mission
"Manager Wan, you should have received word by now. I'm here with Xiao Yan and the others to venture into the demon clan's territory and rescue two individuals," Xiao Tiance said after a moment.
Wan Feng's expression turned serious as he replied, "Yes, we've been informed. While I don't doubt your strength, Lord Tiance, I must remind you that the risks are immense.
"The demon clan's territory is treacherous, and their forces are unrelenting. Even with your power, the odds are stacked against you."
Xiao Tiance's eyes remained steady. "I understand the risks, but this mission is necessary not just for the rescue but also for what it means for the future of the Great Thousand World.
"Please assist us in any way you can to ensure our preparations are thorough."
Wan Feng nodded solemnly. "Very well. I'll do everything in my power to support you."
"Message from the Grand Elder"
"We've received a message directly from the Grand Elder. However, Lord Tiance, I must urge you to reconsider carefully.
"Here on the Sacred Abyss Continent, we can still mount some resistance. Even if the Saint Demon Emperor were to arrive personally, we stand a chance of repelling him.
"But once you enter the demon clan's territory, the spiritual energy there has been entirely corrupted by demonic aura. Fighting on their ground is extremely perilous. One misstep, and no one might return alive," Wan Feng warned sincerely.
Xiao Tiance nodded, seeing the genuine concern in Wan Feng's expression. He replied calmly, "I've already discussed this with Senior Lu Tong and Senior Qin Tian. Don't worry, Manager Wan I've made my preparations.
"Moreover, Senior Qin Tian sent word that I'd need your assistance once I arrived on the Sacred Abyss Continent. Without your help, we won't even make it into the demon clan's territory undetected."
Wan Feng nodded in understanding. "That's true, Lord Tiance. Without us drawing the attention of the demon clan's powerhouses, the moment you enter their territory, you'll be discovered.
"If that happens, you'll face an endless wave of attacks from their forces. I suspect that Gu Yuan and Zhukun only managed to slip into the Moon God Palace ruins by chance, during a rare window of opportunity."
The Moon God Palace
"Moon God Palace ruins?" Xiao Tiance asked, puzzled.
Wan Feng explained, "The ruins are located on Haiyue Continent, but its true name is Moon God Palace.
"Thousands of years ago, the demon clan overran Haiyue Continent. The forces of the Great Thousand Palace had no choice but to retreat to the Sacred Abyss Continent.
"Today, Haiyue Continent is occupied by a prominent demon clan faction. Their leader is a mid stage Heavenly Demon Emperor, and they command about ten other Demon Emperors. It's a formidable group.
"However, what puzzles me is how the two people you're looking for neither of whom have reached the Heavenly Sovereign level managed to make it to the Moon God Palace ruins unscathed."
Xiao Tiance gestured for Zi Yan to step forward and introduced her to Wan Feng. "Manager Wan, one of the two is a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, whose unique bloodline ability allows them to ignore barriers and traverse space freely."
Wan Feng's eyes widened in realization. "Ah, that explains it. I was wondering how they managed to evade detection while traveling such a great distance to Haiyue Continent.
"The Ancient Void Dragon Clan, huh? Their talent reminds me of the long lost Lingxu Dragon Clan, a race that disappeared from the Great Thousand World tens of thousands of years ago. Their innate abilities were quite similar. It wouldn't be surprising if the two clans were related."
Xiao Tiance neither confirmed nor denied this speculation. After all, it was plausible. The Heavenly Phoenix Clan originated in the Great Thousand World, so the Ancient Void Dragon Clan might have as well.
The Plan to Enter the Demon Clan's Territory
"Enough about that, Manager Wan. Let's focus on the matter at hand how can we avoid detection by the demon clan and safely infiltrate their territory?" Xiao Tiance asked, cutting the conversation short. He had noticed the worry written all over Xun'er and Zi Yan's faces.
Wan Feng nodded and pulled a map from his storage bag. Unfolding it, he pointed to a large island on the map.
"This is Haiyue Continent, where the Moon God Palace is located. It's over 100 million miles from the Sacred Abyss Continent.
"To reach Haiyue Continent, you'll need to pass through several smaller demon clans' territories and the domain of the Devourer Demon Clan, one of the thirty two major demon clans.
"The Devourer Demon Clan is one of the more intact and powerful factions of the demon clan. They once had five Heavenly Demon Emperors, and their strongest rivaled the Saint Demon Emperor himself.
"Additionally, they have dozens of Profound and Nether Demon Emperors under their command, as well as countless Demon Generals. If you're discovered, escape will be nearly impossible."
Wan Feng sighed and continued, "All I can do is draw away the demon clan powerhouses stationed here on the Sacred Abyss Continent. Once you cross into their territory, I can't guarantee your safety. If you wish to turn back, it's not too late."
Xiao Tiance raised his hand to stop him. "No need to persuade me further. Just help us get into the demon clan's territory. The rest will be up to us.
"If something happens to us, all I ask is that you inform Senior Qin Tian and Senior Lu Tong. Please have them provide additional support to Bai Yujing in my absence."
Wan Feng sighed heavily. "Very well. Since you've made up your mind, I won't argue further.
"But let me warn you: if you make it to Haiyue Continent, you must seal off the entire island. With your expertise as a Grandmaster of Immortal Grade Spirit Arrays, this should be within your ability.
"The demon clans are tightly connected. If word of your presence reaches them, reinforcements will swarm you, leaving no chance of survival."
Xiao Tiance nodded solemnly. "Understood. Thank you for the warning, Manager Wan."
The Final Preparations
Wan Feng handed Xiao Tiance a copy of the map. "This map outlines the topography of the demon clan's territory. It's a rare but not irreplaceable item. Take it it may be helpful."
Xiao Tiance accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Manager Wan."
"Don't mention it. However, the demon clan only retreated recently. To properly draw their attention, you'll need to wait three days.
"Based on their usual behavior, they'll launch another attack on the Sacred Abyss Continent in three days. At that time, I'll coordinate with other powerhouses here to hold them off. That will be your chance to slip into their territory undetected."
"Understood," Xiao Tiance said, bowing slightly in gratitude.
Wan Feng sighed again. "I wish I could do more. May fortune favor you all on this journey."
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