novel against the - Chapter 2101

Chapter 2101: The Inverted “Truth”

The supreme-ruler Extreme Realm was originally the tenth level of the supreme-ruler Extermination Realm¹. However, later, no beings in the Abyss could achieve true supreme-rulerhood through cultivation. The tenth level of the supreme-ruler Extermination Realm thus became the highest attainable realm for the beings of the Abyss, and was therefore separated and named the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm.

The former ten levels of supreme-ruler Extermination became nine, and the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm was further divided into nine minor realms. Each step up in these minor realms was a mortal body’s attempt to approach the supreme path—a path that seemed close at hand, yet eternally unattainable.

Therefore, while the nine minor realms of the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm were the most difficult to ascend, the disparity between them wasn’t as vast or distinct as in other realms. But this certainly didn’t mean they were easy to overcome.

Moreover, Yu Chi Nanxing², at the third level of the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm, was facing the peak of the ninth level of the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm—the Ancestral Qilin supreme-ruler³, who possessed a colossal body and the advantage of Abyssal Dust⁴!

Boom! Boom!

Star formations repeatedly shattered and reformed around Yu Chi Nanxing. Each of his struggles was a catastrophic disaster for this world.

Crack!

A relatively large crack finally appeared in the Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler’s scales. But before Yu Chi Nanxing could catch his breath, he saw with despair that the crack was slowly healing at a visible speed.

On the contrary, the backlash from his own power had already caused blood streaks to appear throughout his body and internal organs.

Although this was the edge of the Mist Sea⁵, the concentration of Abyssal Dust was far less than in the depths, but it was still within the Mist Sea’s range. The omnipresent Abyssal Dust suppressed his power and spiritual sense, while granting the Abyssal Beasts⁶ endless power and “vitality.”

“Pathetic struggle.”

The Mist Emperor’s⁷ voice echoed again, seemingly from the distant horizon, yet also from the depths of one’s soul. Even Yu Chi Nanxing couldn’t discern its direction for a moment.

“I, the Emperor, have only been ‘awakened’ for a short year, and have never wished to kill any living being, but rather to save countless lives from the death grip of Abyssal Erosion⁸. Yet you, for your own escape, have slaughtered so many innocent people! Worthy of a knight from a filthy land, worthy of the so-called Pure Land⁹ built upon filth and sin!”

Every word from the Mist Emperor was the ultimate blasphemy against the Abyssal Knights’ highest faith. A surge of rage nearly burst from Yu Chi Nanxing’s skull. Profound qi¹⁰ surged around him, starlight flashing in his eyes. He was about to unleash his fury when his vision cleared, and he suddenly froze.

The earth before him was devastated, covered in countless ravines, drenched in scarlet blood, and littered with broken bones and corpses.

His pupils dilated, and he abruptly turned his head… In the distance, the hundreds of thousands of profound practitioners¹¹ who had followed him were now less than half their original number.

The remaining ones were mostly wounded, their eyes filled with terror.

Even Bai Yu¹² had blood at the corner of his mouth. But despite being blasted far away, he still stubbornly approached.

A sudden realization struck Yu Chi Nanxing—these people had clearly died from the supreme-ruler Extreme power he had unleashed in his struggle!

As an Abyssal Knight, one should uphold a noble soul, be just and abhor evil, tolerate no filth, and never… slaughter the innocent!

And he, today… at this moment…

His heart shattered. The power Yu Chi Nanxing had gathered to its limit could no longer be released, but instead rapidly dissipated.

At that moment, the Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler, who had been standing still like a mountain, flashed a profound glint in its eyes. An overwhelming force of destruction surged towards its massive tail and erupted mercilessly upon Yu Chi Nanxing.

Boom—Crack!

It was as if ten thousand thunderbolts had overlapped and detonated in an instant… because that was the sound of supreme-ruler Extreme bones breaking.

“Nanxing!!” Bai Yu cried out in horror.

The Abyssal Beasts in his understanding had no consciousness, and naturally no cunning. But… this Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler, already far stronger than him, had precisely seized the moment of his distraction and dealt him a near-fatal blow.

In that instant, he felt his bone marrow shatter, his internal organs rupture, and his soul sea explode.

Bang!!!

With a loud crash, his broken body was slammed to the ground by the Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler However, he was, after all, of the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm. His consciousness and power recovered swiftly, and the intent to counterattack formed the moment his body hit the ground… But just as his power surged, a heavy, sky-like force descended upon him.

Boom!

The Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler’s qilin claw stomped heavily on Yu Chi Nanxing’s body.

Countless cracks spread across the earth, the longest one extending hundreds of miles to Xuanmo City¹³.

The nearby profound practitioners were all blasted into the air, flying further away.

The qilin claw lifted, revealing Yu Chi Nanxing’s broken body, drenched in blood. But this was not the end of Yu Chi Nanxing’s nightmare, but only the beginning…

Boom!!

The qilin claw slammed down a second time, directly onto Yu Chi Nanxing’s head.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each stomp of the Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler’s claw carried the force of a collapsing sky. Now, as if driven mad, it trampled Yu Chi Nanxing’s body relentlessly, shattering his already broken bones even further, dragging his life and soul mercilessly towards the true abyss of death.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

For the nearby profound practitioners, each fall of the qilin claw was like the overturning of heaven and earth. They were like in an irresistible dimensional storm, bleeding from their seven orifices, but their screams, which should have reached the heavens, were completely drowned out by the earth-shattering roar.

Only Bai Yu continued to struggle forward against the trembling space.

“Lord Knight, don’t… go… Ugh!!” His attendant knight tried to dissuade him, but was blasted away by the spatial storm.

“Nanxing!! Mist Emperor… Stop… Stop!!!”

“If you dare kill an Abyssal Knight… the Pure Land will never rest until you are dead!”

In his immense terror and fear, he roared the words “never rest until you are dead,” words utterly unbefitting the dignity of the Pure Land.

Boom!

The qilin claw fell again, but when it lifted, it did not strike down again. Instead, it hovered above Yu Chi Nanxing, and the massive qilin body also stopped.

The prolonged catastrophe gradually subsided with its stillness. Hundreds of miles away, the profound practitioners stabilized themselves one by one, but all were covered in wounds, their expressions filled with endless fear.

Yu Chi Nanxing lay prostrate on the ground, his silver armor shattered into countless fragments, the profound light upon it completely extinguished. His body trembled slightly, and he let out faint groans of pain.

He was, after all, of the supreme-ruler Extreme Realm, one of the thirty-six commanders of the Abyssal Knights. Even after dozens of tramplings by the Abyssal Qilin supreme-ruler, he had not perished.

“Abyssal Knight,” the Mist Emperor’s voice came from the unknown depths of the Mist Sea, “I, the Emperor, have never wished to kill any living being. But you have offended me, and you shall be punished! Now, I grant you a chance. Bow your head and apologize, and I will graciously allow you and your companions to leave.”

“Heh… Hehehe…” Even in his weakened state, Yu Chi Nanxing still let out a defiant chuckle. “In this world… the only one worthy of my, Yu Chi Nanxing’s, submission… is the Abyss Emperor¹⁴!”

“There is a Abyss Emperor in this world, and you… dare to call yourself Emperor!”

“Nanxing!” Bai Yu let out a worried murmur. He knew Yu Chi Nanxing’s will and beliefs, and feared that he would thoroughly enrage the Mist Emperor and truly perish here.

The Mist Emperor was not angered, only letting out a cold and faint, mocking laugh. “Hehehehehe, truly foolish beings, never aware of their own stupidity.”

“Abyssal Knight, I ask you, between this world, who can be Emperor? Who is worthy of being Emperor?”

Yu Chi Nanxing raised his head slightly and answered without hesitation, “Only… the Abyss Emperor!”

The Mist Emperor’s voice echoed, becoming infinitely distant. “One who can be the Emperor of an era either once saved the world from peril or can do what the beings of all eras cannot.”

“Abyssal Knight, answer me, who made this world, originally a place of endless disaster and endless Abyssal Dust, habitable, and thus gradually built this Abyssal world?”

Yu Chi Nanxing gritted his teeth and spoke the answer known to all in the Abyss with unwavering resolve, “Of course, it was the Abyss Emperor! Without the Abyss Emperor, there would be no such world!”

The Mist Emperor’s voice was filled with endless contempt and mockery, and also a hint of sorrow. “Ignorant understanding, pathetic beings. Then answer me, why is the Abyssal Dust of this world concentrated in the Mist Sea, and not devouring all the habitable lands and your so-called Pure Land?”

Yu Chi Nanxing still answered with difficulty and tenacity, “The core of the Mist Sea… the Primordial Death Abyss¹⁵ pulls…”

“Hahahaha!” As if he had heard some great joke, the Mist Emperor laughed more wildly and mockingly than ever before. “So, this is your understanding, this is the so-called Pure Land and the Abyssal Knights!”

The laughter suddenly stopped, and his voice became heavy, like a demonic chant that struck the depths of everyone’s souls. “The ancient Abyss was an eternal world of death, with only myself, the Emperor, and the Abyssal Beasts as its dead children.”

“Millions of years ago, however, more and more beings descended into this world. I couldn’t bear to see them struggle and perish in despair, leaving behind cries and hopelessness time and time again. So, I exhausted the power of the Abyss, drawing all the Abyssal Dust of this world towards the center, until it formed this Mist Sea, leaving a space with thin Abyssal Dust for the beings who fell into this world, a space where endless life could flourish.”

“After that, the power of my Abyss was greatly depleted, and I fell into a long slumber, until I awoke just over a year ago. And that space of hope I created has become the habitable land and Pure Land of this world!”

The “truth” spoken by the Mist Emperor was like an otherworldly scripture to everyone.

“Utter… nonsense!” Yu Chi Nanxing snarled. “You dare… to defile… the Abyss Emperor’s creation of the world…”

As soon as he finished speaking, the sky darkened.

Endless Abyssal Dust surged and instantly engulfed the space where Yu Chi Nanxing was, and within a few breaths, it spread for hundreds of miles, engulfing the observing profound practitioners as well.

The Mist Emperor’s voice echoed in this suddenly formed Mist Sea. “Now, answer me, can the Abyss Emperor in your words control the Abyssal Dust like this? Control the Mist Sea?”

Yu Chi Nanxing opened his mouth wide, but looking at the churning Mist Sea, he could not speak.

“If he cannot, how did he create the habitable lands in this Abyssal world?”

“And I can, so how dare you question that I am the one who gathered the Mist Sea and created the habitable lands!”

His broken neck tried repeatedly to lift his head. Yu Chi Nanxing’s lips moved and trembled. His will and faith instinctively wanted to rebuke all words that disrespected the Abyss Emperor. But, even though he had the strength to roar, he suddenly couldn’t find any words to refute.

The Abyss Emperor could not control the Abyssal Dust, and no one could control the Abyssal Dust. The utmost interference that people of this world could achieve with Abyssal Dust was to dispel and isolate it.

At least until today, this was an eternal and unquestionable understanding of this world.

But he had witnessed the Mist Emperor manipulating the Abyssal Dust with his own eyes, witnessed him unleashing a vast Mist Sea in an instant.

It was not hearsay, but what he had seen and felt personally, leaving no room for doubt.

“Answer me one more question.”

The Mist Emperor’s voice was close at hand. To Yu Chi Nanxing, whose faith was wavering, the Mist Emperor’s words at this moment caused an unprecedented fear, the fear of his steadfast beliefs being shaken.

“Why do the Abyssal Beasts of the Mist Sea only wander within the Mist Sea, and rarely leave it to wreak havoc on the habitable lands and your Pure Land?”

Yu Chi Nanxing opened his mouth, and this time, his voice was noticeably unsteady. “Because, Abyssal Beasts instinctively gravitate towards Abyssal Dust.”

“Is that so? Heh!”

It was still cold mockery, but the moment the mocking sound fell, all the profound practitioners, already terrified, widened their eyes, their souls trembling to the point of near shattering.

Above the Abyssal Mist, large shadows and eerie lights appeared, from thousands, to tens of thousands, to hundreds of thousands…

They were the shadows and eyes of Abyssal Beasts, neat and dense, covering the sky and the sun.

Yet none roared, none pounced. They just stepped out of the Abyssal Mist in unison, as if silently looking down upon the trembling beings in the distance.

They had never seen such docile Abyssal Beasts, but this scene was a thousand times more terrifying than the greatest dangers they had encountered in the Abyssal Mist.

Yu Chi Nanxing’s pupils stopped trembling completely. The dense yet orderly shadows of the Abyssal Beasts reflected in his eyes, as if piercing his pupils and all his understanding with countless holes.

No matter how absurd, no matter how unbelievable, they all couldn’t help but realize a terrifying truth: these Abyssal Beasts… the Abyssal Beasts that only had the instinct to destroy in their understanding, were being controlled by the Mist Emperor!

“Now, answer me again.”

The Mist Emperor’s voice was like a demonic whisper in Yu Chi Nanxing’s soul. “Why do the Abyssal Beasts of the Mist Sea only wander within the Mist Sea, and not wreak havoc on your habitable lands and Pure Land!”

Yu Chi Nanxing did not answer, and could not answer.

“It seems that even a fool like you has thought of the answer.” The Mist Emperor’s voice resounded through the heavens and earth, deeply penetrating every soul in this space. “Then let me, the Emperor, speak the answer in your heart.”

“The Abyssal Beasts in the Mist Sea are all my subjects. The reason they do not leave the Mist Sea is that before I slumbered, I left an imperial decree in the Mist Sea, ordering all my Abyssal subjects not to leave the Mist Sea.”

“Under the imperial decree, whether Abyssal Beast or Abyssal Ghost, whether original subjects or later subjects, they will all obey and will not wreak havoc on the land of hope created for the outsiders.”

“But, I awoke from my long slumber, only to hear that the habitable land I left for you has become the achievement of the one who calls himself ‘Abyss Emperor,’ and a so-called Pure Land has been established!”

The Mist Emperor’s voice was one part anger and nine parts sorrow. “And now, you poor, foolish people are actually trying to punish the Emperor who bestowed upon you this world of life!”