One hour before the events in the Endless Abyss divine realm (using a standardized abyssal time, due to varying flows across dimensions).
Deep within the Endless Abyss, in the forbidden origin of eternally corrupted souls—the residence of the Abyss's consciousness—Chu Hao sensed the arrival of Magnus's army.
As he prepared to envelop the approaching legion with the abyssal aura, a sudden anomaly struck him.
The aura within the Endless Abyss began to evaporate.
In an instant, the entire scale of the abyss increased—imperceptibly, yet truly.
The Endless Abyss trembled, as if time itself had momentarily frozen.
Many planes that could previously only be observed in a purely mental state now manifested for a fleeting moment.
Though slight, this dimensional elevation was real.
Chu Hao immediately recognized the significance.
Even though he had created the framework of the Endless Abyss and fully mastered it, he was not omniscient.
The mysteries of the abyss might demand a lifetime to fully comprehend.
And now, instinctively, he perceived that Magnus's army had indeed impacted the true structure of the abyss.
This alone was enough to warrant utmost attention toward this twenty-thousand-strong force.
With a thought, Chu Hao projected his consciousness, via the will of the abyss, onto the Wanyuan Plains—the dimension where Magnus had just appeared.
"Ah… a faith-supported army, I see."
From the black-red vortex, Chu Hao's eyes were icy cold.
Merely under his gaze, several soldiers of the 13th Legion felt a pang of dread, deep in their souls.
This fear arose from the darkest corners of their hearts, places they had never illuminated nor allowed to boil.
However, as Chu Hao's gaze swept past, the emblems on their uniforms emitted invisible pulses, neutralizing the stare of the abyss.
Soon, the human soldiers regained composure.
"Unbelievable luck… to get a faith-infused army for this assessment."
Chu Hao remained calm—neither alarmed nor overly pleased.
He inhaled deeply, reclaiming the violent malice and hatred that had temporarily substituted for the Abyss's will, and issued his command.
A dark, invisible abyssal order spread swiftly across every plane:
"Children born of my Endless Abyss…
Eliminate the intruders!"
And that was all.
Chu Hao only needed to issue a single command.
As the master of this divine realm, the Endless Abyss would act autonomously.
He would quietly observe, curious to see whether these human warriors, immersed in a world destined for corruption, could maintain their faith.
---
Meanwhile, Magnus and the 13th Legion prepared for battle.
The army split into ten battalions of two thousand each, forming proper battle formations under Magnus's command.
"Field priests! Release your blessing magic!"
Magnus pointed to the central, crucial priest battalion.
"Target: our heavy cavalry!"
Immediately, the priests—numbering in the thousands—radiated unwavering faith, even within the twisted environment of the Endless Abyss.
They effortlessly cast divine spells bestowed by the blood of angels:
Weapon Blessing! Angelic Horn! Radiant Enchantment!
The heavy cavalry at the forefront, led by Magnus, touched their emblems, receiving the blessings.
In an instant, light from the mid-to-high dimensional source illuminated the Wanyuan Plains within the Endless Abyss.
The abyssal creatures, born to corruption, went into a frenzy, enraged by this beauty and purity.
They howled, charging at the detested 13th Legion.
Before they could reach the line, Magnus coldly bellowed, donned his helmet, and shouted:
"Cavalry! Charge with me!"
Leading the charge, the heavy cavalry collided with the abyssal creatures.
Within moments, tens of thousands of abyssal beings were crushed.
The angelic blessings on their armor, combined with weapons designed to purify darkness, presented the last vision these creatures would see.
Other heavy soldiers swiftly followed, smashing every aberration in their path.
The field priests' spells further illuminated this dark world, creating a radiance unique to this army.
In a single wave of charge, Magnus's 13th Legion annihilated most of the living forces on the Wanyuan Plains.
Ahead lay the pit to the second layer of the abyss.
Passing through it, they would advance deeper.
Their speed surpassed that of the Dragonblood Legion by several times, and their casualties were minimal.
---
"Hmph… so it's a layered dimensional world?"
Magnus looked up at the black-red vortex above.
"Below lies your core, right? Ready yourself."
Raising his flaming greatsword, he challenged the will of the Endless Abyss.
Yet, no response came.
Only a pair of deep, mocking eyes stared back.
It was as if the abyss whispered:
"Come…"
Magnus's fury surged, and he shouted to his troops:
"No matter how many planes I must cross, I swear to the angels I serve—I will destroy your core and purify this world!"
With that, Magnus led the 13th Legion toward the second layer of the Endless Abyss.
Little did he know…
This would mark the beginning of an irreversible descent into the abyss.