Enlightenment in the Abyss

Abyss Sovereigns possessed incredibly high realms from the start. They were favored by the will of the Abyss and experienced growth in all aspects of strength. Naturally, they utilized the resources granted by the Abyss to enhance themselves.

Some among them had also cultivated the Heart Realm lineage and possessed numerous clones.

Why is Wu Ming so powerful? I’ve chosen the wrong path this time! Xu Jingming swiftly eliminated an Abyss Sovereign of the Heart Realm lineage, who had over a thousand clones, by manipulating spacetime and karma.

There was another Abyss Sovereign—hailing from the Mother Stream lineage—who delved into the depths of the Mother Stream. I must run, flee as far as possible! If I can distance myself enough, the transmission of strength will greatly diminish, increasing my chances of survival. Wu Ming lacks proficiency in the Mother Stream lineage, preventing him from reaching the true depths achievable by my lineage.

Whoosh.

The Mother Stream stretched out limitlessly. As one ventured deeper, the infiltration became more arduous. This particular Abyss Sovereign displayed remarkable skill in navigating the Mother Stream lineage. Continuously penetrating the depths, each advance through spacetime brought about an increase in depth.

Flee! Flee! Push forward! Despite the difficulty, the Abyss Sovereign persisted in diving deeper. In the distance, faint beams of light came into view. Am I nearing the bed of the Mother Stream?

“Pfft.”

An imperceptible force—guided by karma—shattered the barriers of spacetime, obliterating the clone completely.

Xu Jingming’s power reached the third realm, transcending time and space. No matter how far the Abyss Sovereign was, escape was impossible. The hindrance of the Mother Stream held no sway over him.

…

“Great Master of Antinight, I have faithfully served in the Nightdream Army. Please grant me a chance to live,” pleaded the clone of an invincible half-step third realm powerhouse, adrift in the boundless dominion as he arrived in the territory of Master of Antinight. Having been expelled from the Nightdream Army earlier today, he now kneeled before the towering edifice, beseeching Master of Antinight.

A sturdy figure, clad in black metal, emerged from the door of the towering structure. Observing the kneeling invincible half-step third realm entity, he spoke icily, “Master of Antinight merely expelled you. If you persist in pestering him, you shall face complete annihilation.”

“General Meteor Nine, we have known each other for so long. Please grant me a chance to live,” implored the invincible half-step third realm entity.

“I cannot assist you. Depart swiftly, for if you remain, you risk incurring the wrath of Master of Antinight, leading to your demise!” The black metal figure glanced at him before turning back to reenter the towering building. General Meteor Nine was in a foul mood, having managed to gain entry into the palace within the Ultimate Land but failing to condense a divine rune.

The invincible half-step third realm being gazed at the structure before him, unwilling to waste any more time. Rising to his feet, he departed.

Even someone like Master of Antinight refuses to protect me? Is it because of the Ultimate existence? The invincible half-step third realm being pondered to himself. One can contend for the opportunities bestowed by the Ultimate existence, but once the decision is made, any further attempts to vie for it… would be toying with death.

Whoosh!

An unseen force traversed the vast expanse of spacetime, swiftly passing through his body. The invincible half-step third-realm being collapsed lifeless.

In a towering edifice, a pair of eyes observed this spectacle and followed the trail of energy to spot Xu Jingming’s numerous clones in Feather Fire City. This Wu Ming… He ought to know he’s a member of my Nightdream Army, yet he shows no mercy. Hmph, he cares naught for my existence. Wu Ming, Wu Ming… Who granted you such audacity? The Ultimate entity?

Master of Antinight was the unspoken strongest being in this spacetime; he was naturally filled with arrogance. Wu Ming’s actions did not bring him joy.

Nevertheless, Master of Antinight perceived a sense of peril.

We cannot meet an Ultimate entity even if we desire it, but he has deliberately left behind an opportunity. Why would he do so? Master of Antinight pondered silently.

Though he did not comprehend the true intentions of the Ultimate entity, he knew one thing with certainty: Do not thwart the Ultimate entity’s scheme! If he were to provoke the Ultimate entity, he himself would vanish completely. He might even be erased from the collective memories of all living beings.

Oh, Wu Ming, being entangled in the plot of an Ultimate entity is an opportunity, yet it is also fraught with danger, Master of Antinight contemplated.

…

“I am willing to offer this Mother Stream Egg as sacrifice.” Within the Abyssal domain, an Abyss Sovereign presented his treasure—a colossal egg containing a faintly evolving world within. “I have but one request… I beseech the great Abyss to shield me from Wu Ming’s pursuit.”

The Abyss Sovereign looked up at the massive phantom of the Abyss, his eyes filled with entreaty.

The Mother Stream Egg held immense value. Through this sacrifice, an Abyss Overlord could ascend to become an Abyss Sovereign! It was a cherished offering for the will of the Abyss.

Swoosh!

The Abyssal apparition that had already descended shrunk abruptly and hastily retreated, vanishing entirely.

The Abyss Sovereign stood there, dumbfounded by the sight.

Do you not desire the Mother Stream Egg? All I seek is survival. Can you not withstand the pursuit of a half-step third-realm entity? The Abyss Sovereign found it inconceivable.

Nevertheless, the Abyssal will had withdrawn, paying him no heed.

There are typically two reasons for being spurned by the Abyssal will. Either it lacks the capability to fulfill the request, or the sacrifice is deemed insufficient. The Abyss Sovereign scoffed at himself. Though the power wielded by the Abyssal will was fearsome, it was not omnipotent.

Regardless of the reason, it is clear that I shall not survive. The Abyss Sovereign observed in silence. I have lingered at my limits for far too long. The opportunities possessed by Wu Ming were too enticing for me to resist. I took a gamble, and now I have lost.

The Abyss Sovereign glanced upwards and beheld a figure hurtling through the air—it was Xu Jingming. “Now it is your turn.”

******

Within three days, these Abyss Sovereigns and invincible half-step third-realm beings pondered countless strategies to elude Wu Ming’s relentless pursuit. In the end, Xu Jingming managed to slay 823 out of the 825! Merely two survived.

There are still two remaining, and I find myself unable to eliminate them, Xu Jingming mused as he strode across the icy expanse of the Abyss, scanning the distance for his last two targets. My power is sufficient to overcome the barriers of spacetime and chase them down, yet I cannot end their lives.

One is Sovereign Youyue, and the other is Jimo Voyager.

From afar, Xu Jingming could sense their presence.

Sovereign Youyue harbored a hidden clone somewhere obscure within the Abyss—a humble wooden hut served as its inconspicuous abode, concealing Sovereign Youyue within.

I can perceive through karma that he resides within that wooden hut, yet my powers are entirely thwarted by its very structure! I am unable to lay a finger on Sovereign Youyue at all. Xu Jingming furrowed his brow.

If a third-realm powerhouse were to intervene deliberately, they could naturally impede his progress.

Could this wooden hut truly obstruct my powers?

Once, I teleported through the Heart Realm to reach that very wooden hut, only to discover it had vanished upon my arrival. Xu Jingming shook his head slightly. Then there is Jimo Voyager, concealed within a palace nestled at the depths of the Mother Stream. My strength cannot breach the barriers of that palace, and even my clones are unable to locate it beneath the Mother Stream.

I had believed I could eliminate all 825 of them, yet the outcome reveals that… the future remains uncertain. Variables will always arise. Xu Jingming could only temporarily accept this outcome.

I must approach the future with a measure of reverence. Xu Jingming gazed at the surging river before him.

The river spanned vast and wide, its waters hosting floating ice floes akin to myriad beings adrift in the River of Destiny. They struggled against the relentless current, rising and falling in their battle for survival.

Seated cross-legged, Xu Jingming brought the massacre to a halt. Throughout this period, he wielded his psychic spearmanship relentlessly, claiming numerous insights along the way. However, he had yet to pause and reflect upon them.

At this moment, Xu Jingming sat in meditation beside the river, within the Abyssal Icefield, sorting through his revelations.

Once he started organizing his insights, he became utterly absorbed!

With a wealth of inspirations already at his disposal, the onslaught of the 825 powerhouses had interrupted his seclusion. Now, having gained insights from this experiment in bloodshed, he naturally continued his contemplation.

This time, none dared disturb him!

…

Feather Fire City buzzed with activity. Amidst a gathering of half-step third-realm powerhouses, conversations revolved around the recent calamity.

“Out of the 825 Abyss Sovereigns and invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses, a staggering 823 were ruthlessly vanquished! The remaining two are hiding in treacherous, secluded areas, too afraid to show themselves.”

“In the past, they used to say that reaching the pinnacle of the half-step third realm meant invincibility. Well, it seems that so-called invincibility was nothing but a joke. Wu Ming’s strength truly defies all odds at the half-step third realm.”

“Indeed, he is genuinely invincible.”

Discussions filled the air.

In a corner of the gathering, Gumo listened but refrained from joining the conversation.

Wu Ming has truly grown to extraordinary heights. Gumo sighed with a mixture of admiration and emotion.

…

On Myriad Star Island.

Ancient Tree World Lord and North River Boat Master arrived as honored guests, but Xu Jingming was immersed in seclusion, rendering it inappropriate to disturb him.

“All of them?” The dean, Island Lord, Tower Master, Redmond, and Meng Tian stared at the trio of half-step third-realm powerhouses standing before them.

“Mostly all,” Thearch Dragon Island Lord promptly responded. “Out of the 825, a whopping 823 were annihilated! It was an utter decimation. Their clones were eradicated, their life imprints obliterated. Only two managed to evade death by hiding in secluded locations.”

“He was too formidable,” Ancient Tree World Lord sighed in awe. “Unimaginably powerful.”

“I, North River, count myself fortunate to have had Brother Wu Ming as a friend in my lifetime.” North River Boat Master sighed with a mixture of deep emotion and pride, feeling that the sacrifice of half his wealth—8,000 Galaxies—had been well worth it as a gesture of friendship.

Thearch Dragon Island Lord inquired, “Brother Wu Ming has ceased his pursuit, but he remains elusive. Is he in seclusion?”

“Yes,” the dean affirmed. “He is in seclusion and wishes not to be disturbed.”

“Powerful beings have been covertly observing Brother Wu Ming from a distance. One of his clones is cultivating within the Abyss,” Ancient Tree World Lord disclosed. “While many Abyss Sovereigns have noticed him, they intercept any potential disturbances, forbidding any living being from approaching. They dare not disturb Brother Wu Ming.”

“Judging from the situation, Brother Wu Ming is on the cusp of attaining the third realm,” North River Boat Master exclaimed excitedly.

“He has confirmed it himself,” Thearch Dragon Island Lord whispered in excitement. “He is on the verge of the third realm.”

…

Time flew swiftly.

After Xu Jingming’s extensive pursuit, he immersed himself in deep contemplation. Powerhouses from all corners vigilantly watched his every move, and in the blink of an eye, five years passed.

Buzz!

On this fateful day.

In this spacetime, Feather Fire Lord, Lord Louye, Master of Antinight, Connoisseur, and others simultaneously sensed a formidable presence manifesting within their realm.

Moreover, this presence underwent rapid transformation, growing stronger by the moment! It became increasingly awe-inspiring, exerting an influence that permeated throughout spacetime.

Another third-realm powerhouse is about to emerge in this spacetime, and it hails from the Heart Realm lineage, Feather Fire Lord mused with a smile as he observed Xu Jingming seated by the river on the Abyssal Icefield.

Connoisseur couldn’t help but sense the surging willpower and couldn’t help but smile. At long last, he has ascended to the third realm.