"Speaking of which, since we've been discussing this, surely the Abyss Will can hear us too, right?"
Before Xia Kun even had the chance to speak, Cang Dong preemptively asked.
"The Abyss Will envelops the entire Abyss World. It probably noticed us gathering together from the start, but since it hasn't intervened, it indicates that our discussion doesn't threaten the interests of the Abyss."
Qiu Feng shook his head as he spoke, having already considered this matter.
Cang Dong, upon hearing this, could only helplessly shrug and continued to roll the increasingly round ice ball in his hands.
"The Abyss Will feels more conscious now."
Xia Kun slowly began to speak when he saw everyone's gaze turn toward him.
"Hm?"
The others didn't understand, wondering what he meant by 'more conscious.'
But Xia Kun simply shook his head in silence, his eyes squinting as he began to doze off again, completely disregarding the confusion of the others.
After all, it was just a feeling he had, and explaining something as intangible as feelings wasn't simple, but the fact that he could sense it at all was impressive enough.
"More conscious, you say?"
Qiu Feng mused, his sense somewhat aligned with Xia Kun's, having also noticed that the changes seemed to occur in the Abyss' patterns of action.
However, before they could discuss it further, a heaven-collapsing pressure descended from above and enveloped the entire Abyss World. Countless cultivators in seclusion were forced out of their retreat, and numerous people awoke abruptly from their sleep.
"What's happened, why would the Abyss Will become so furiously wrathful!?"
Being the one most closely connected with the Abyss Will, naturally, it was the Abyss Envoy. Precisely because of this, Cang Dong suddenly stood up, looking up at the sky with a mix of surprise and disbelief, and asked.
The other four also shared the same confusion, clearly feeling the irrefutable rage within the heart of the Abyss Will through their connection, as if it wanted to destroy everything in its wrath.
Cang Dong and the others could never know that, just as they were discussing, in another world, Liang Yi and the others had annihilated most of the power summoned there by the Abyss Will with the help of Heavenly Dao.
At that moment, Liang Yi was panting heavily, lying on the soft grass without any semblance of image, his body covered with dense wounds, even his right hand holding Yuan Zhou trembling slightly.
What didn't match his gruesome appearance, though, was the brilliant smile on his face, so radiant as to dazzle, his bright eyes especially clear under the sunlight.
Su Youyi was also covered in blood, and even the fairy garment gifted by Liang Yi was badly damaged from deflecting various attacks, exposing large swaths of pale skin, yet it couldn't hide the peerless sharpness she possessed.
Exhausted to her limits, Su Youyi gently leaned her head on her senior brother's shoulder, basking in the sunlight to recover both her body and spirit.
Chen Hua, on the other hand, fell back directly onto the fluffy belly of Grand Saint of Nine Spirits, grinning from ear to ear and looking extremely excited.
In the past, anyone who dared touch Grand Saint of Nine Spirits would have definitely received a couple of claws, even if Grand Saint couldn't beat them.
But now, he just didn't have the strength to twitch, and could only let Chen Hua take this opportunity to advantageously use him as a cushion.
Furthermore, Yue Bai, White Tiger, and Mr. Orange were also injured, though their condition was somewhat better than Liang Yi and the others since they had been mainly at the forefront as the main force, while the others had simply tried their best to prevent the overflow of Abyss Power at the fringes and peripheries.
Yue Bai looked at Liang Yi and Su Youyi, huddled together, her eyes filled with envy, yet she knew well that her position meant she could only yearn from afar.
Like a true senior, Mr. Orange was sprawled out, while White Tiger busily ran back and forth, delivering Spirit Pills for healing to everyone.
"You were indispensable this time!"
After a short rest, Chen Hua looked at his eldest disciple with a contented smile. His disciple had performed exceptionally well in the recent battle, even earning his unabashed praise.
"Not at all, not at all. It was mainly due to Master and Primordial Saint. If it were just me, I'd probably have had to turn tail and run."
Liang Yi waved his hands modestly and said, he didn't dare to take all the credit for himself.
Just as the Abyss was about to abandon the construction of the Abyss Gate and flee upon realizing the situation was dire, it was the master who laughed heartily and, with swift eyes and quick hands, took the lead in drawing his sword and shattering the bronze gate, cutting off the retreat of the Abyss.
Chen Hua certainly hadn't forgotten how he was ambushed and grievously injured when he ventured alone into the Abyss's territory. Now that the tide had turned, wasn't it the perfect time to draw his sword and beat the fallen foe?
"A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years," yet Chen Hua took only one!
Originally, the Abyss had protected the bronze gate quite well, even amidst the clashes with the Heavenly Dao, the gate remained undamaged.
But just a moment of negligence, coupled with distraction, Chen Hua took advantage and seized the opportunity.
Even though the bronze gate was shattered, there are still plenty of ways for the Abyss to escape from the Mystical Mechanism world, but none can be openly used in front of Heavenly Dao, which is certainly not a fool!
Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao has no emotions, otherwise witnessing such a prime opportunity, anyone would be thrilled!
It might even curse outright, after all, to Heavenly Dao, this damned Abyss dared to secretly scheme against it, and the devouring of countless Laws has also caused it great losses.
The Abyss is also cunning. Although it cannot gain any support as the away team, it has one distinct advantage: it can freely destroy this world, whereas Heavenly Dao cannot.
So the Abyss viciously decided that it might be doomed this time, it might as well try to minimize its losses before being wiped out.
The Heavenly Dao was indeed overwhelmingly powerful, completely suppressing the power of the Abyss, but the Abyss also persevered tirelessly, splitting its power and surging in all directions, attempting to find an opening to escape.
This was the moment for Chen Hua, Liang Yi, and Su Youyi, among others, to step in.
"I always feel like Master treats us like children all the time."
Having rested for a while and regained some of her vitality, Su Youyi lifted her head and looked at Chen Hua with a slightly resentful pout.
"Hm? Is it... Hahaha..."
Chen Hua was stunned by her words, but then realized it was indeed the case.
Nowadays, both Liang Yi and Su Youyi are among the top Cultivators in the world, even after leaving the Taoist Sect, and this he had witnessed with his own eyes.
But subconsciously, he indeed still saw his two disciples as those in need of his protection, instinctively having them retreat first when danger arose.
"If next time there is danger, you still make me and senior brother retreat first, I'll be really upset."
Su Youyi puffed up her round face, glaring at Chen Hua fiercely.
Liang Yi looked at his junior sister's expression and couldn't help but smile bitterly, not expecting that she had such concerns. But he understood her feelings very well.
Junior sister worked so hard to become stronger, not only to protect him but the Taoist Sect, her master, and her senior mother were all within the scope of her protection.
He understood that the master did not want them to face too much danger, but every time they were asked to leave first in the face of danger, it made junior sister somewhat sad, as if all the effort she put into her cultivation and strengthening her abilities were in vain.
"Next time for sure, definitely next time."
Chen Hua chuckled awkwardly, making promises to appease his beloved disciple's anger.
In fact, Chen Hua did plan to have the two disciples retreat with Yue Bai and others, but after Liang Yi used the Cliff Sword Intent to slash through a mass of Abyss Power, Chen Hua no longer insisted.
Without the help of Cliff Sword Intent, although Chen Hua could hold off the countless splitting Abyss Powers on his own, he was unable to annihilate them quickly, which provided the Abyss Powers with a chance to regroup.
Fortunately, with the power of Liang Yi's Cliff Sword Intent, coupled with his promotion to the Eighth Realm which greatly increased his strength, they were able to successfully eliminate the fleeing Abyss Powers one by one.
Although this was Liang Yi's first full-strength display after reaching the Eighth Realm, his combat power still amazed the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits and made Chen Hua extremely proud.
Moreover, it was the first time Liang Yi had shown his Law Domain to everyone, a domain that even Chen Hua and the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits viewed with silent awe.