Zong Shou was stunned. Why would Xiao Jin swallow that thing?

Myriad Manifestation Devouring Formlessness?

One specialized in form mimicry, capable of imitating any divine beast or powerful expert.

The other mastered illusion techniques, attacking the consciousness of others—shadowless and traceless, difficult to guard against—

Wait a moment!

A faint glimmer sparked in Zong Shou's eyes. This little fellow’s ambition was truly not small!

However, to achieve that level, it would certainly need to devour more, and higher-ranking, Formless Divine Demons.

Xiao Jin swallowed the transparent crystal pill, retracted its body, and went utterly still.

Zong Shou shook his head, paid it no more mind, and strode directly toward the Abyss Gate of Time and Space.

A flicker of void took him ten miles forward. It was precisely then that an inconceivably vast wave of spiritual pressure suddenly radiated outward from the Abyss Gate, rippling across the void.

At first, Zong Shou felt his Sea of Consciousness explode and jolt, the sensation intensely uncomfortable.

Then, the intent coalesced again. Gathering into a single point, it descended with crushing force.

It was as if an immensely large and utterly solid great wheel had crashed into a tranquil lake.

It threw up towering waves that pulverized everything daring to resist!

A thin line of blood seeped from the corner of Zong Shou's mouth; his spiritual sense shattered again and again.

As the resistance reached the core of his Primordial Spirit, the True Form Dharma Image residing within his Sea of Consciousness suddenly opened its eyes.

On its brow was the character 'Dao,' and within those pupils were two distinct whirlpools.

Water and fire, Yin and Yang, life and death, karma, fate, the cosmos—

Corresponding yet mutually complementing.

The black and white twin voids held in its hands rose into the air, suspended behind its back.

The True Form Dharma Image then reached out a hand and summoned. Purely with soul power, it condensed a four-foot-long blood-red sword, strikingly similar to the Nameless Sword.

The nine-storied golden pagoda descended from above, settling into its left hand.

When the giant wheel arrived, the sword swung out in response!

With a resounding 'Boom,' Zong Shou felt his primordial spirit seemingly blown into countless fragments.

Blood streamed from his seven orifices, his appearance utterly tragic. For that moment, even the pain from the forbidden technique and his eyes was suppressed.

Fortunately, the core of his Primordial Soul held against the impact and did not shatter.

Aside from the lingering discomfort of the shockwaves, there was no major harm.

As Zong Shou was grappling with how to manage the aftermath, the nine-storied golden pagoda in the hand of the True Form Dharma Image spontaneously released thousands of golden rays of light.

Instantly, the void within his heart and the space of his Sea of Consciousness returned to calm.

The cracks within his soul recovered rapidly under the illumination of the golden light, visible to the naked eye.

"What strange treasure is this?"

Zong Shou was slightly startled. He hadn't even willed the golden pagoda to act just now.

Only now did he realize that Senior Brother Wei Xu had valued him extraordinarily highly.

The gift upon accepting discipleship far exceeded his imagination.

Judging by the rank and divine abilities of this pagoda, it was likely no lower than the Illusionary Heart Realm!

It possessed far more ability than just suppressing the aura of the Kingly Path—

It seemed to be a separate component of a supreme treasure—

With no time to investigate further, Zong Shou immediately fixed his gaze forward. There, standing within the Abyss Gate, he saw a youth in purple robes.

He stood with his hands behind his back, a cold smile playing on his lips, like a deity looking down upon the mortal realm.

"Jue Yan?"

A chill ran through Zong Shou, and he instantly knew this person before him was not Jue Yan's true body, but a manifestation of a splinter soul.

Yet, the aura he gave off felt like an unfathomably deep abyss! No, it should be described as a black hole or perhaps a white hole—

He felt that only these two things he had encountered could accurately describe it.

He had seen many peak existences, Long Ying and Lin Xuanshuang.

But those two would strive to suppress their auras; this person did not conceal anything, being domineering and sharp.

"This is an incarnation formed from my vital blood essence!"

Jue Yan’s eyes flickered slightly as he scrutinized Zong Shou from head to toe.

"To withstand the strike of my soul and still prevent your primordial soul from collapsing—quite good! Though it's less than one percent, for someone your age and in the same realm, it is absolutely unparalleled."

Zong Shou’s heart sank to the bottom, turning ice-cold. His right hand gripped the Nameless Sword tightly, veins bulging.

Even before this ultimate existence, he had not lost the courage to draw his sword.

But what was the use? This person before him, though merely an incarnation of a drop of Jue Yan's vital blood, was enough to drive him to despair. Compared to this presence, that Formless Divine Demon was like a spark next to the bright moon!

Even if it were a Saint Realm expert, he would dare to fight and draw his sword to sever them!

But before this person, he felt as though he could not even draw breath, held rigidly captive.

Yet, abandoning the fight? Impossible!

But must he just watch this person block the entrance to the Abyss Gate?

Or wait for Lin Xuanshuang to intervene and help him?

He scoffed internally; thinking such things now was superfluous.

Though he was unwilling to admit it, the opponent had not yet displayed any killing intent, yet his very life currently rested on the whim of this supreme Saint Venerable.

This feeling was profoundly irritating!

The 'Jue Yan' figure paid no heed to Zong Shou's shifting emotions, remaining calm. "You are a descendant of my Lu family; possessing such strength is rare among millions of our kin! I am greatly relieved to see it, and today I grant you an opportunity. If, within ten days, you can enter this Abyss Gate solely by your own power, I will remit the remainder of your mother's punishment—"

Zong Shou frowned, but felt no joy whatsoever.

To simply reach the Abyss Gate sounded easy, but Zong Shou was certain Jue Yan would have further conditions. It was unlikely he would allow his desire to be fulfilled so easily.

"Naturally, I will also do my utmost to obstruct you!"

As Jue Yan spoke, he flicked his sleeve slightly. Instantly, crimson flames erupted, turning the surrounding thirty thousand zhang area into a fiery furnace.

All the dark mist evaporated upon contact.

"Limited only to the power of this single avatar—"

His gaze was filled with interest, tinged with provocation and contempt.

Whether it was Zong Shou's illusion or not, he had a strange feeling that this person was mostly gazing at his tightly closed eyes.

His look seemed both curious and expectant of something.

Zong Shou pondered briefly, then resolutely took a step forward without uttering a word.

He knew he had no other choice. He had to attempt it before he could accept defeat.

Before even entering the Dead Prison, he had already embraced the resolve to die. So, at this precise moment, why should he cherish his life?

Taking three steps, he walked into the crimson flames. The golden imprint reappeared on Zong Shou's brow.

Seven thousand zhang thunder wings spread open, and black, lotus-like flames sprouted beneath his feet.

These protected Zong Shou, preventing his body from dissolving in the sky-burning fire.

Barely three hundred zhang in, nine silver tails manifested once more.

And scattered across his body were fine, water-blue scales.

This was the bloodline of the Water Qilin activating its innate defense.

At merely three hundred zhang, the sky-burning fire was already forcing Zong Shou to mobilize every trace of his inherent bloodline power.