"An array capable of sealing a second-level god—no wonder you have such confidence."
Ning Rongrong expanded her perception and could sense that the great array had been pieced together using ten-thousand-year cold marrow.
It bore some resemblance to the original seal that had once sealed Wind and Snow Valley. Even a second-level god would need some time to break it open.
"This thing… it couldn't have been prepared for Xue Di, could it?"
It didn't seem entirely impossible.
Xue Di had apparently fought the Abyss Holy Lord once, been severely wounded, and then fled.
"Xue Di didn't come, so I got stuck with it instead?"
Wasn't this a bit too outrageous?
Inky-black energy seeped out from the Abyss rift and quickly coalesced into human form.
A young man clad in a black long robe, with lustrous, translucent white hair cascading down, fair-skinned and strikingly handsome. His black eyes lacked sclera, resembling bottomless abysses.
He slowly raised his right hand and gave a light grip. The Sea God's Trident, which had been hidden at the edge of the Abyss passage rift and clinging to the wall, flew into his grasp. It rapidly transformed, becoming the Heavenly Saint Splitting Abyss Halberd.
It seemed he had used some special projection method to alter the weapon's form.
"As expected, this thing doesn't feel right to use," the youth murmured.
The four Abyss Lords swept past Ning Rongrong and knelt on one knee in unison:
"We respectfully welcome the descent of the Holy Lord. We are willing to serve before and behind you, without hesitation."
"Rise."
The Abyss Holy Lord raised his free hand gently. A profound power emanated, and the four Abyss Lords involuntarily stood up.
"The progress is a bit slow. Even my weapon has been projected over, yet you've still suffered losses of troops and generals."
"This… is our incompetence. We have failed to live up to Your Holiness's grace."
"Forget it." The Abyss Holy Lord sighed. "When devouring a plane, it's not strange for various accidents to occur."
The Holy Lord slowly raised his head. The moment he saw Ning Rongrong, his pupils contracted.
"So it's you, Ning Rongrong."
"It seems the memories from last time are still fresh in your mind. Abyss Holy Lord, if possible, could you have your subordinates all withdraw? I don't care what you do about devouring the plane."
"But I hope you won't come causing trouble on the Douluo Continent."
"Hehe, hahahaha." Before Ning Rongrong could finish, the Abyss Holy Lord burst into laughter. "The Abyss passage has persisted for tens of thousands of years, and the resources we've expended are astronomical."
"If we cannot take this plane, how am I supposed to explain it to my subordinates?"
"So, may I ask you to die?"
The Abyss Holy Lord transformed into a black curtain of light and flashed "whoosh" behind Ning Rongrong in an instant. Ning Rongrong seemed not to have reacted.
"It's over!"
The Heavenly Saint Splitting Abyss Halberd shimmered with powerful energy ripples, carrying an icy chill as it swept across Ning Rongrong's neck. Yet it felt as though it had struck nothing—the weapon passed through without pause.
"What!" The Abyss Holy Lord was startled and hurriedly pulled back.
The figure of Ning Rongrong standing there turned into specks of light and vanished.
"Why did you think you could take me out so easily?"
"Just because of that projection of yours that can't unleash full power?"
Ning Rongrong's voice echoed throughout the entire area, but no matter how the Abyss Holy Lord scanned back and forth, he could not find any trace of her.
"Ah—"
"Aaah—"
Screams rose one after another.
The four Abyss Lords who had remained here had their necks severed and simultaneously turned into black smoke that dissipated.
"You… you…"
The Abyss Holy Lord burned with rage. Just as he was about to speak, Ning Rongrong's figure appeared from nothing into existence, not far from the Abyss Holy Lord, quietly watching him.
"You're good. Very good!" The Abyss Holy Lord laughed in extreme anger.
Did he know how difficult it was to project quasi-god-level Abyss Lords over here?
How many resources it consumed?
And yet she had cut them down like vegetables. Good—truly excellent!
"Abyss Holy Lord, leave the Douluo plane, and we will mind our own business." Ning Rongrong said calmly.
"You killed my subordinates and now talk about minding our own business? Do you think such a thing is possible?"
The Abyss Holy Lord's gaze was cold and sharp, showing clear signs that he might attack again at any moment.
"Quasi-gods and Divine Origin realm Abyss creatures are indeed rare, but for someone like you—a being comparable to a first-level god, the Abyss Holy Lord—you probably wouldn't care much. Besides, you have a half-step god-king mother behind you."
"Hmph, sharp-tongued little brat."
The Abyss Holy Lord remained vigilant toward Ning Rongrong. This was the second time in recent days he had been this cautious on the Douluo plane.
The first time had been against Xue Di, who wielded the Ice Palace. If not for her relatively lower strength, he might not have won.
Now, it was this human from the Douluo plane—yes, a human.
Ning Rongrong's strength was comparable to god level, yet she lacked any divine aura.
She also seemed different from the ordinary soul masters of this world who cultivated soul power.
The Abyss Holy Lord pondered for a moment before speaking: "My mother indeed does not care much about them, but they are not subordinates we can afford to lose casually."
At this point, the Abyss Holy Lord sized up Ning Rongrong, his tone rising:
"I am also a merciful being. How about this—if you are willing to become my wife, I will immediately withdraw all Abyss creatures from the Douluo plane. This plane can be yours to rule. What do you say?"
"At that time, I will fully support you and make you the master of the entire Douluo plane."
Continuing to fight like this had no meaning. His true body could not come over in the short term.
If he stepped into a higher level, even without the Douluo plane, there were other planes.
As long as the other party became his wife, then…
Wouldn't all the forces here still belong to him?
He was a peak first-level god who had never taken a wife. It was impossible for him to be unworthy of her.
In terms of both reason and emotion, this met the basic requirements of mutual benefit.
"Huh?"
Compared to the Abyss Holy Lord's deep scheming, Ning Rongrong was completely dumbfounded.
What the hell?!
"I asked you to withdraw your troops because I'm worried the Divine Realm will notice and come down to cause trouble."
"And you fucking want to screw me?!"
You want to eat me clean and take the entire Douluo plane as a packaged deal—who do you think you are!
Long Aotian? Or Ye Liangchen?
Moreover, this Rong has an unshakable Dao heart—how could she be swayed by external things?
Wait… I seem to be male. Male… uh, formerly.
That's not important. What's important is, if I'm going to look, I'm looking for girls.
Behavior like the Abyss Holy Lord's—according to Tang San's words—was "already courting death."
"Phew—" Ning Rongrong took a deep breath to calm her emotions.
"Holy Lord, I must decline your suggestion."
"Why refuse? You are very strong, and I am quite fond of you." The Abyss Holy Lord sounded genuinely surprised. "And I, a dignified first-level god—could I possibly wrong you?"
"Sorry, but I have no interest in taking a partner."
In Ning Rongrong's hand condensed a fake Glazed Holy Sword. After all, at this level, weapons could still be conjured from thin air, though they couldn't compare to the real thing.
"Abyss Holy Lord, withdraw your troops! Otherwise, I can only fight until you do."
"Besides, aren't you worried that such actions will draw the attention of the Divine Realm?"
"Devouring the plane, heh…"
As expected, upon hearing Ning Rongrong's words, the Abyss Holy Lord's expression changed. But moments later, he laughed again:
"You know quite a lot, and you're quite interesting. No wonder my mother values you so highly."
"But you've overlooked one thing: for some unknown reason, the Divine Realm is currently unable to interfere with—or even be aware of—matters in the mortal realm."
"This is intelligence my mother only recently confirmed."
"The Divine Realm has been isolated by some kind of rule." The Abyss Holy Lord paused briefly before continuing,
"As long as my mother and I reach god-king realm before the isolation on the Divine Realm is broken, everything will fall into place."
"Do you think, at that point, they would still tear faces with us Abyss creatures?"
"Status and recognition are fought for with strength." The Abyss Holy Lord said. "If not for the fact that coming directly to the Douluo plane is too far, we would not have chosen this method."
His voice deepened:
"Submit to me, become my wife, and we shall share joy together. Otherwise, we will surely flatten the Douluo plane!"
(End of chapter)