Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 36: No Gap

A faint white mist drifted like smoke in the early morning. The fresh scent of grass and trees filled the humid air of the forest.

The members of the Su Clan and the He Clan looked at the hollow tree trunk with varied expressions on their faces.

"That tree trunk isn't very thick. There's probably not much space inside. Wouldn't it be cramped if two people went in together?" Su Meng's face was filled with innocence and curiosity. With her tender and naive appearance, she softly asked her father, 'What do you think?'"

Su Yuntian coughed lightly and shot her a glare. "It's none of our business!"

Not far away, He Rong, leaning on a tree, solemnly stared at the hollow tree trunk.

Although the hollow tree trunk was an optimal hiding spot, it was clearly not spacious. The thought of two people squeezed inside caused He Rong's expression to sour, especially considering He Ziren was his nephew.

He Ziren's and Ning Yao's engagement was the result of many discussions between the Ning Clan and the He Clan. From He Rong's point of view, although they had not yet married, there still existed a level of intimacy between them.

If Ning Yao and Pang Jian needed a private conversation, they could simply find an open space further away. Was it truly necessary to cram themselves into the confined space of a narrow hollow tree trunk?

"Ziren has passed away. He and Ning Yao hadn't even married yet, so don't dwell on it too much," Sensing He Rong's frustration, Su Yuntian advised. "Furthermore, even Brother Yuanshan met his end at the hands of the Shadow Specter Sect.

"The sudden appearance of the Shadow Specter Sect in the Solitary Mountain Range poses a threat to the members of our seven major clans. Ziren's fate can only be described as unfortunate. We, too, must carefully consider how we should proceed to ensure our survival."

After learning of the Shadow Specter Sect's presence, Su Yuntian had grown increasingly concerned about the perilous nature of their journey. This was especially because his daughter, Su Meng, was also present.

Su Yuntian's cultivation talent was average. Even if he spent his whole life working at it, the highest realm he would ever reach was the Marrow Cleansing Realm. Like his father before him, he was fated to forever remain within the confines of the Su Clan in the Fourth World, never to ascend to the upper world.

However, Su Meng was different.

When the Radiant Sun Sect descended from the upper world, they meticulously assessed Su Meng and confirmed her extraordinary potential.

Indeed, reality confirmed this assessment. Despite her tender age, Su Meng had already reached the Meridian Opening Realm, just like him.

The Radiant Sun Sect had explicitly stated that when Su Meng was on the brink of entering the Marrow Cleansing Realm, they would personally escort her to the upper world to assist her in the bone forging, marrow cleansing process.

After that, Su Meng would become an official disciple of the Radiant Sun Sect.

Su Meng came on this trip to explore the Solitary Mountain Range because Su Yuntian had given in to her pleading.

Little did they know that the Shadow Specter Sect had also come upon hearing the news, lurking in various dangerous locations in the Solitary Mountain Range and ambushing the members of the seven major clans.

"Something's not quite right. Ning Yao seemed to know Pang Jian was in the hollow tree trunk. She's the one who urged us to take a break here. Furthermore, when we passed by the corpse of the gray eagle, she cast a few meaningful glances at it," He Rong remarked with a grave expression, his voice barely above a whisper. "I suspect that was her gray eagle."

Su Yuntian's expression shifted. Carefully recalling their journey, he also felt that something was amiss.

Their resting place just so happened to be where Pang Jian would emerge. That was just too much of a coincidence.

"We both know that the Ning Clan doesn't specialize in rearing spirit beasts. I've also never heard of her having an eagle," Su Yuntian whispered.

He Rong frowned. "In any case, she's very suspicious."

***

Pang Jian took a deep breath in the hollow tree trunk. The narrow space meant he could feel the contours of Ning Yao's chest in front of him.

He had never been in such close contact with a girl his age. As he watched Ning Yao apologize, he hesitated for a moment.

He wondered, Why had she changed so much after escaping from Hong Tai's grasp?

Looking at her determined, sincere expression, Pang Jian could only knit his brow in silence.

Though unsure about the reason behind her dramatic change in attitude, as he considered the dangers of Blackwater Pond, he realized that the two places he had yet to visit would be equally dangerous.

The future was uncertain. Life and death hung in the balance. The Shadow Specter Sect was scouring the area, and traveling alone would be difficult given his combat capabilities.

If he traveled with the young woman in front of him, as well as the members of the Su Clan and He Clan, he could significantly reduce the risk of premature death.

Pang Jian originally thought large groups to be troublesome. After all, they would only disturb him when he was cultivating. However, as he considered the challenges that lay ahead, he hesitated.

Luo Hongyan narrowed her eyes and asked teasingly, "You always seem to bump into me when you take a deep breath. Is that...intentional?"

At her words, Pang Jian exhaled. He pressed his back against the inner wall of the tree trunk and said, "The space here is cramped. You should get out."

Luo Hongyan chuckled softly and lowered her head, her bright eyes focused on the protrusion on Pang Jian's chest.

It was the door-shaped bronze pendant. It had previously absorbed the essence of the Celestial Phoenix and the Divine Guard turned blood-red Celestial Phoenix.

She could feel the bronze pendant under Pang Jian's clothes. However, she did not detect anything unusual.

Even when their chests touched earlier, no fluctuations of spiritual power emanated from the bronze pendant, nor was there any divine sense enveloping it.

What a strange object.

She had followed Pang Jian into the hollow tree trunk with a clear objective in mind. Deliberately keeping close to him, she feigned accidental contact with the mysterious bronze pendant, attempting to unravel its secrets and origins.

The first contact yielded no results, leaving her somewhat disheartened.

Lost in thought, the sound of Pang Jian's slightly heavy breathing prompted her to look at him, only to see Pang Jian awkwardly suppressing his urge to take deep breaths. His body appeared stiff and awkward.

She fell silent.

In Blackwater Pond, Pang Jian rode the python and eliminated all her "eyes" with ruthless efficiency, showing no mercy whatsoever.

He also killed Jin Yang and the two Meridian Opening Realm squad leaders.

Why was he acting so differently now?

Thoughts swirled through her mind. She said with false remorse, "You can't imagine how happy I was when I saw you appear and rush toward me in Blackwater Pond. I thought you had come to free me from that silver net. If you had rescued me, I would've been willing to offer—"

She stopped abruptly, refraining from uttering "offer myself to you" at the last moment.

Her head ducked in embarrassment and her snow-white nape flushed deeply, radiating an air of extreme shyness.

"Pang Jian, please allow me to invite you to become my guide in the Solitary Mountain Range once more. I will definitely treat you well this time," she whispered softly.

Having said her piece, she retrieved the pouch of silver that Pang Jian had previously thrown at her and placed it in the hollow tree trunk before quietly departing.

Blushing, she left ample time and space for Pang Jian to mull over her offer.

From a distance, Su Yuntian, Su Meng, He Rong, and the servants loyal to the two clans watched as the usually aloof Ning Yao emerged from the tree hollow. Whatever conversation they had seemed to have left her blushing and shy.

"Ziren's corpse has yet to cool![1] She, she!" He Rong stamped his foot and angrily rebuked in a low voice.

The father-daughter pair, Su Yuntian and Su Meng, were also stunned.

I heard Sister Ning was against marrying Brother Ziren. Could her true love be that young man named Pang Jian? Su Meng's mind was filled with tales of noble young ladies falling in love with commoners and her eyes brimmed with admiration and longing.

"This is what love should be like! From now on, I want to be like Sister Ning, not bound by the arranged marriages set by the clan!" She clenched her fist and raised her hand, then forcefully slashing downwards as if making a passionate oath.

Smack!

Su Yuntian knocked on her head. As she cried out in pain, he scolded, "Stop reading those useless books!"

***

"Just because it's not your body, does that mean you have to deliberately abuse it?"

Held captive in her sea of consciousness, Ning Yao glared at the mesmerizing crimson figure floating in the dim void as she angrily confronted her, "If you want his bronze pendant, why not just snatch it away?"

In Ning Yao's vast sea of consciousness, Luo Hongyan's luxurious crimson gown swayed gently, causing ripples in the void.

This space was one where Luo Hongyan's ethereal form could freely manifest. Her extraordinary beauty seemed capable of captivating even the most malevolent of gods.

Unfortunately, only Ning Yao was able to witness her current appearance.

She chuckled disdainfully and said charmingly, "You're too naive."

Ning Yao fell into silence.

"You think I was abusing your body?" Luo Hongyan pursed her lips as her red lips curved into a gentle smile. "You don't know what real abuse is. If necessary, I would strip off all my clothes and press my naked body against him just to unravel the mystery of that bronze pendant. Besides, this body isn't mine. Why would I care?"

She laughed unabashedly into the void.

"Just possess me!" Ning Yao shouted in despair.

She knew the evil woman inhabiting her body was capable of such things. The thought of Luo Hongyan going through with her threats made Ning Yao feel worse than dying.

"Possess you?" Luo Hongyan shook her and said disdainfully, "Are you worthy to be possessed by me?"

"Do you understand the difference between inhabiting a body and possessing one? To inhabit your body, I merely need to restrain your soul and utilize your physical form. However, to possess you, I must refine your soul and assimilate your memories and experiences from this lifetime.

"Possessing your body would mean I have full control over it and must live in this world using your body. You're overestimating your abilities. Why would I even bother possessing you with your level of cultivation talent? You're not worthy of becoming my vessel. I wouldn't go to such lengths for someone like you."

This series of cold and mocking words shattered Ning Yao's spirit. Seeing Ning Yao's dejected face, Luo Hongyan added smugly, "I'll allow you to watch how I, Luo Hongyan, will use your body to obtain everything I desire."

Pang Jian suddenly emerged from the hollow tree trunk. He picked up the pouch of silver and waved it toward NIng Yao, "I accept your invitation."

Luo Hongyan could not contain her smile, looking pleasantly surprised as she exclaimed, "Really? That's wonderful!"

In Ning Yao's sea of consciousness, Luo Hongyan's beautiful ethereal form gazed into the pitch-black void. She spoke to the faint, mist-like apparition of Ning Yao, "Next, I will show you how I'll gradually gain his trust, how I'll make him open his heart to me, and even willingly risk everything for me."

Ning Yao asked in a voice tinged with grief, "By using my body?"

"If the need arises, I won't hesitate to do so." Luo Hongyan nodded. She continued with a smile. "For me, your body is just a tool. If I can use it to earn his trust, I will."

Ning Yao's ethereal form trembled violently.

1. This is a Chinese idiom, 尸骨未寒. It means that an event has just occurred or is still fresh in people's minds. It often implies it is too soon to forget or overlook a recent occurrence. ☜