The Abyss Sea stretched to the horizon.
Towering waves rolled across its surface, black clouds blotted out the sky, and sunlight never broke through.
Legend says this was the very origin of the world.
When the war of the gods shattered the realm, the land fractured and scattered, leaving only this boundless, abyss-like ocean to uphold the world's rules.
It is said a gravely wounded god slumbers in the depths of the Abyss Sea.
The lingering will of that deity keeps the world's rules stable and prevents total collapse.
Of course, it's only a legend—no one knows if it's true.
To the Survivors of the Underworld, even the gatekeeper of the Abyss Sea—a World BOSS—is headache enough.
Aside from a mysterious stranger a century ago, no one has ever managed to venture deep into the Abyss Sea for an investigation.
"Hey, it's Blood God Hall's turn to challenge the World BOSS today, right? I heard they paid a steep price this time—invited the City Lords of both Tian Gang City and Tian Kui City to help out. Looks like they're determined to win!"
"Yeah, and I heard the real power behind Blood God Hall sent two powerhouses from a Hell Level Underworld as well. This time… they might actually kill a World BOSS and score huge rewards!"
"Sounds like Blood God Hall is going all-in. If luck's against them and no world fragment drops, won't they be crying their eyes out?"
"Keep your voice down! If someone from Blood God Hall hears you, you'll be dead meat!"
On the outskirts of the Abyss Sea, inside a settlement built by Survivors, everyone was heatedly discussing Blood God Hall's upcoming World BOSS attempt.
In the center of the settlement stood a group of people.
All wore crimson robes and a blood-red ring on the index finger of their right hand.
At their forefront stood a man and a woman in scarlet armor, their auras towering above the rest.
Beside the robed members, two women stood: one blazing like fire, the other cold as frost, covertly vying with each other, neither willing to yield.
"We must win this battle!"
The man in red armor said gravely, "The front line is at a critical moment; we, the rear support, need to provide vital strategic resources."
"world fragments are the key!"
"So I want everyone to give their all!"
"Understood?"
"Understood!!!"
The Blood God Hall members answered in unison.
The two women beside them, however, frowned slightly and said nothing.
"City Lord of Tian Gang City, City Lord of Tian Kui City."
The woman in red armor looked at the two women and said solemnly, "I hope both of you will go all-out. After we succeed, we'll double the crystals payment promised earlier."
"Truly?"
The fiery woman's eyes lit up, her tone turning eager.
"Absolutely true. The two hundred crystalss we gave you before were only a deposit; after success, we'll give you another two hundred each."
The red-armored woman, expressionless, stated.
"Two hundred in total, or two hundred each?"
The icy woman, who had kept silent, spoke coolly.
The red-armored woman frowned, exchanged a glance with the red-armored man, nodded, and said, "Two hundred each—satisfied?"
"Fine."
The icy woman replied indifferently and fell silent again.
"Sister Yao, your Tian Gang City is rich in resources and you don't lack crystals—could you give your share to me…"
"No."
The icy woman cut her off coldly.
"Sister Yao, I really…"
"Shut up, or I'll withdraw from this operation."
"Fine… I won't stoop to your level!"
The fiery woman clenched her teeth, shot the icy woman a fierce glare, then puffed her cheeks and turned away, saying no more.
The red-armored man waited until they quieted, then continued, "We have sixty challenge tokens in total—enough for three full raids on the World BOSS."
"And repeated attempts can target the same BOSS, so on our first try we should drain as much of its strength as possible."
"Unless a perfect chance appears, don't waste stamina trying to kill it."
"Let me be clear up front: we only have three attempts. If all three fail… don't blame me for purging the entire Blood God Hall."
"As for you two…"
The red-armored man turned his gaze to the City Lords of Tian Gang and Tian Kui, his tone equally icy: "If you fail, you'll pay the price as well."
"Hmph."
The cold woman snorted, utterly unbothered by the red-armored man's threat.
"Oh, relax! We're professionals! You pay, we deliver—we'll give it everything we've got!"
The enthusiastic woman beamed, completely unfazed by the red-armored man's warning.
"Final three minutes—check your gear and items. We move out immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Blood God Hall members answered in unison.
Though they were elders inside the hall, each boasting over 30 million Combat Power, they dared not defy the two Epic Level envoys sent from above.
Rumor had it both surpassed the billion mark!
Even with the world's rules cutting their strength in half, they could still crush everyone present.
Thus, the elders obeyed without complaint.
"Blood Spirit… do you think we can secure a world fragment?"
While they waited, the red-armored man glanced at the woman beside him and asked with a frown.
"No idea."
Blood Spirit shook her head. "Blood War, you and I may each have over a billion Combat Power, but our Spirit limits keep us stuck at Epic Level one-star."
"The City Lords of Tian Gang and Tian Kui barely break the hundred-million mark; they haven't set foot into Epic."
"Even with the Blood Slaughter Array, plus the hall's elders, we can only handle the weakest tier of World BOSS."
"If an Epic two-star World BOSS shows up, our odds drop sharply."
"And from past experience, world fragments aren't guaranteed drops—so we'll need luck on our side."
Blood War's frown deepened. "Three chances feels too few. Should we try to buy more challenge tokens from others?"
After hearing Blood Spirit's analysis, Blood War was visibly torn.
Failure on this mission—assigned directly by their superiors—was not an option.
If they messed up, the consequences would be dire.
"Blood War, you're being naïve."
Blood Spirit gave a bitter smile. "Do you think other factions will agree?"
"We've got plenty of allies!"
"Allies? Just a loose bloc against outsiders. When internal profits are at stake, they won't lift a finger."
Blood Spirit sighed. "For years our vampire race has been nothing but hired muscle—never allowed on the real stage."
"Blood Spirit… do you even realize what you're saying?"
Blood War's face darkened, anger creeping into his voice.
"Of course I do—and it's the truth."
"Go ask your so-called allies if they'll trade you even one token."
A self-mocking smile curved her lips. "Give up the fantasy, Blood War. In their eyes we're just dogs who clean up their messes—throw us a bone and we're supposed to be grateful!"
"Want meat? Keep dreaming."
"Blood Spirit! Stop that talk, or I'll report you to the organization—even if it's you."
"Do as you please. I'm exhausted; after this mission, success or failure, I'm leaving the clan to live alone."
"You—"
"Time's up. Let's move."
Smiling, Blood Spirit ignored the fuming Blood War, waved lightly, and led the way out of the gathering point.
Blood War's face was gloomy, but he swallowed his anger and led the group toward the Abyss Sea.
From afar, Lin Bei watched the departing figures and casually cleaned his ear.
"I just… overheard something rather interesting."
"Seems the alliance of other camps isn't as solid as it looks. If I can exploit that… heh, the future looks bright."
Lin Bei murmured, grinned, and quickened his pace to follow them.