Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 570 [Advancement Quest: The Path of the Black Abyss]

Holy Abyss.

When Luo Xiu sat back on his golden throne and opened his eyes to look at his ancient palace—the traces of the fierce battle with the "Child of the Dragon God" were still there. His Holy Abyss Apostles had only cleared away the broken wreckage for the time being, but the palace had not yet been repaired.

At this very moment, the royal court was completely empty.

The high-ranking apostles of the Holy Abyss have been assigned to guard the entrance to the main hall, and no one is allowed to enter. At present, only Intis, the "Faceless One," a "retinue" of the "Lord of the Holy Abyss," is qualified to enter the main hall.

But Indis had not yet spoken to him. This night was crucial for her, and Luo Xiu did not intend to summon her at this time.

Upon arriving at the royal court of the "Sacred Abyss," his first task was to prepare for the advancement to the fifth level of the [Abyss] destiny.

He brought up his interface and raised the level of his "Second Path" - [Abyss], corresponding to the class "Demon Mentor", to lv.40.

This is the level cap for the fourth level of destiny, and for Luo Xiu at this point, the required experience points are negligible. His main goal is to trigger the advancement quest to the fifth level of destiny in the [Abyss], and his panel has already appeared. After a flash of light, the relevant quest details are displayed.

[Current Destiny Level Limit Reached... Promotion Requirements Met...]

[Promotion quest being generated...]

[Triggering the Promotion Quest: The Path of the Abyss (Nightmare Difficulty)]

[Recommended level: lv.40+, level 4 or above]

[Task Type: Promotion Task]

[Quest Description: You are a servant of the abyss, and a pacter with the demons. Now, you have once again reached a crucial juncture for spiritual ascension.]

Hunt three 'Cataclysmic' level Abyssal Beasts, or kill and devour at least one 'High-Ranking Demon'; summon one 'High-Ranking Demon' and forge a complete contract with it; through the 'Bathing in the River Styx' technique, receive the baptism of the Mother of the River Styx and gain sufficient attribute points to prove that you are qualified to advance further.

[Mission Objective 1: Hunt three 'Cataclysmic' level Abyssal Beasts, or kill and devour at least one 'Higher-Rank Demon' (Currently hunted 122 Abyssal Beasts of 'Cataclysmic' or higher, killed 27 'Higher-Rank Demons', completed)]

[Quest Objective 2: Summon and contract a demon of rank no lower than "Higher Tier" (The 'True Ancestor Demon' Sather has been summoned and contracted, completed)]

[Task Objective 3: Total attribute value exceeds 1200 points (currently 15426/1200, completed)]

[Task Objective 4: Gain 100 attribute points through the 'Bathing in the River Styx' technique (Currently 0/100, Incomplete)]

[Rewards for completing all mission objectives: Audience with the 'Obsidian Gate', +120000 base experience, +10 skill slots, +10 ability slots, +50 free attribute points]

【…】

On Luo Xiu's panel, the information about the advancement quest for [Abyss] quickly appeared.

[Promotion Quest: The Path of the Black Abyss] has three of the four completion conditions, just as Luo Xiu had anticipated.

The last condition, "Bathing in the River Styx," is something that Luo Xiu learned from other players who played the [Abyss] in his previous life—it's a condition that will definitely appear.

The normal ascension through the [Abyss] requires the user to be in the [Abyss] map or bathe in the blood of the Styx flowing on the earth, performing a bathing ritual. This is not displayed on the panel, but a new prompt will pop up when the task is actually completed.

As Luo Xiu recalled these things, he had decided what he should do next.

Then, Luo Xiu lightly tapped the armrest of the throne, which popped out a hidden compartment beneath it.

The Lock of the Gods, the sacred object that imprisons Hastia, the "Spirit of Authority," and Helmond, the "Child of the Dragon God," is placed quietly within it.

Luo Xiu had briefly severed his spiritual connection with the [Divine Prison Locks], but now that he had reconnected, he once again heard the furious roar of the "Spirit of Authority," Hastia—

"Damn it... Durant..."

"Durant!!!!"

"--roar!!!!!"

There is also the voice of Helmond, the "child of the dragon god." The two former [authoritarian] demigods seem to still be fighting, suppressing each other and trying to completely eliminate the threat of the other.

When Luo Xiu picked up the [Divine Prison Lock] again and placed it in his palm, he once again felt its heavy weight and the gradually rising scorching temperature.

He continuously infused it with spirituality, and that spirituality, flowing inward and transformed through the [Chains of the Gods], continuously became a suppressive force, gradually suppressing Hastia and Helmond—

"Uh!!!"

In Luo Xiu's ears came Hastia's pained voice.

The spirituality that Rosh infused into Him was like a scorching chain that pierced through Him and burned Him. This was tantamount to an execution of Him, and it was also the fastest and most effective way to interrupt the struggle between Hastia and Hermond.

"Durant...bloodline..."

"Durant..."

"..."

In Luo Xiu's ears, Hastia's voice gradually faded, and so did Helmond, the "child of the dragon god," who was emitting wave after wave of mournful cries.

Until all these sounds fell silent again.

Luo Xiu continued to infuse more spiritual energy into the [Divine Prison Lock] in his palm. Besides maintaining the suppression of Hastia and Helmond, this served another purpose.

Since resonating with the [Chains of God] in Alfonso Durant's secret cave, and after shattering several of the "Avatars of Hastia" within it, this resonance has deepened considerably.

Although it didn't show a specific level of resonance like the [Fountain of Spirit], Luo Xiu could feel the deepening effect of that resonance, and he was able to do more with it.

For example, right now—he can "enter" the interior of the [Divine Prison Lock].

As Luo Xiu continued to infuse spiritual energy into the [Divine Prison Lock], he saw a crimson color appear on the surface of the [Divine Prison Lock] in his hand, and cracks began to appear and spread from it.

He had already opened the [Divine Prison Lock]—the crystals on its surface began to peel away, and Luo Xiu immediately stood up from the throne, walked to the center of the hall, and withdrew his hand that had been lightly holding the [Divine Prison Lock].

This divine object, radiating a crimson light, floated in mid-air—the side closest to Luo Xiu began to emit a vortex of light, which expanded until it formed a circular "gate".

That is the [Divine Prison Lock], the entrance to its interior.

Luo Xiu gazed at the "door" floating with red mist, leading to the unknown depths. He put on the black-patterned puppet mask that symbolized his identity, and then stepped inside.

……

At first, what came into Luo Xiu's view was a blurry mist.

But a rather strong, pungent smell filled the air—two terrifying spiritual entities were surging wildly ahead. Luo Xiu could sense that they belonged to Hastia, the "Spirit of Authority," and Helmond, the "Child of the Dragon God," respectively.

This is inside the [Divine Prison Lock]. Luo Xiu thought to himself.

Although he had previously deepened his senses through resonance with this divine object, indicating that he could enter its interior, this was Luo Xiu's first personal attempt.

He then walked toward the direction of the more frenzied and profound spiritual surge.

Without needing to identify it, Luo Xiu could clearly sense that it was the spiritual direction belonging to Helmond, the "child of the Dragon God"—

Da da da.

Within the space constructed inside the [Divine Prison Lock], every step Luo Xiu took forward produced a crisp echo from the ground.

And in the "sky" that he could see—as Luo Xiu moved forward, came the sound of "bang, bang, bang" in sync with his footsteps.

It was as if a massive chain was vibrating, while the terrifying behemoth bound to its end continued to struggle.

Until Luo Xiu could finally see the outline of the "chains"—

Those were hundreds of chains burning with red flames, cast down from the visible sky—from the dome that was obscured by the [Chains of the Gods].

At this moment, the chains were pulled taut by an immense force—the spiritual power infused by Luo Xiu, which completely sealed off any movement of what they bound.

Its tip, like a sword or halberd, pierces deep into flesh, scattering patches of silvery-gray blood.

That was the silver blood of Helmond, the “child of the dragon god.”

The demigod dragon that sank into the abyss and fell into chaos was tightly bound by hundreds of crimson chains of heaven. Its wings, neck, and claws were all immobile, and only its pair of dragon eyes could move.

From its slightly open dragon jaws, it was emitting heavy breaths.

What was completely exposed, which should have been His most fatal weakness, was His chest cavity, which was now completely unprotected. His enormous dragon heart, which contained most of His power, was still pounding and emitting a series of thunderous sounds.

Luo Xiu walked forward step by step, getting closer and closer to Him.

"Roar……"

Helmond let out a warning and threatening roar from his silver-white dragon head, but the roar was weak. Whether it was the battle with Luo Xiu or the internal strife with Hastia after being sealed in the [Divine Prison Lock], he had consumed too much of his power.

Gazing at the giant dragon before him, Luo Xiu had already drawn and gripped another demonic sword in his right hand.

The Dragon Flame Demon Sword, with its spiraling three-sided blade, erupted with dark red flames intertwined with a deep, eerie light. Simultaneously, wings unfurled behind Luo Xiu, who gazed at the location of Helmond's exposed heart and had risen to the same height as it.

Helmond's dragon eyes also lowered, and his furious, fearful gaze swept over Luo Xiu. The warning roar emanating from his dragon jaws became even deeper.

"Roar……!!!"

"..."

But Luo Xiu did not respond to His warning.

He simply gripped the Dragonfire Demon Sword tightly with both hands, enchanted it with a series of Abyss and Ancient Legacy skills, pointed the tip of the sword at Helmond's chest, and then plunged it into His heart.

--puff! ! !

"Roar!!!!!"

In an instant, Helmond seemed to break free from the divine prison, and his spirituality showed signs of a brief breakthrough.

He unleashed a trembling roar, causing the entire interior of the [Divine Prison Lock] to shudder. But after a brief surge, his aura plummeted again, his power waning as his lifeblood drained away.

The Dragon Flame Demon Sword in Luo Xiu's hand had pierced His heart with pinpoint accuracy!
The silver blood belonging to Helmond, the "child of the dragon god," flowed outwards along the spiral blade's pattern. Some of it was absorbed by the demonic sword, while some flowed downwards until it merged into a low-lying area.

Helmond is the "Primordial Demon," and also the demigod chosen by the Abyss. His blood was sufficient to replace the true River Styx as the blood he bathed in when ascending to the fifth level of the Abyss.

However, it would still take some time to collect the blood. As Luo Xiu gazed at the ruptured heart of Helmond, he roughly estimated that it would take about two days for the Dragon Flame Demon Sword and the deep depression below to accumulate enough demigod blood.

That is, at this time the day after tomorrow, I will once again enter the [Divine Prison Lock] and complete my advancement to the "Sainthood" level in the [Abyss] of destiny.

At that time, his current profession in the Abyss, "Demon Mentor", will have two branching paths to be promoted to hidden professions, and Luo Xiu has already decided which one he will choose.

"..."

After glancing at Helmond one last time, Luo Xiu reinforced the [Divine Prison Lock]'s confinement and seal over Him, and then planned to leave the inner space of the [Divine Prison Lock].

But then a deep voice rose in his ears—

"Durant..."

"Durant's...bloodline..."

"..."

That was the voice of the "Spirit of Authority," the voice of Hastia, the former "King of the Dragonborn."

The location where He was sealed by the [Chains of Gods] was in another mist not far from here. If Luo Xiu hadn't infused the chains of Gods with his spiritual power to reinforce them, making it impossible for Hastia and Hermond to break free, they would have been able to touch each other.

And it was quite obvious that as Luo Xiu entered the [Divine Prison Lock], Hastia had already discovered him.

Hastia had been imprisoned within it for over a hundred years. He was actually very familiar with everything inside the [Divine Prison Lock]. At this moment, in the direction Luo Xiu turned to look—there was a figure also imprisoned and bound by hundreds of crimson chains cast from the "sky". His burning dragon eyes were staring intently at Luo Xiu.

"You actually... came in yourself..."

"Ha ha ha ha ha……"

Hastia, the "Spirit of Authority," gazed at Luo Xiu with eyes filled with hatred and rage. Though he could do nothing, his voice, transmitted clearly through the spiritual energy emanating from the divine lock, reached Luo Xiu's ears.

"I definitely will……"

"I will definitely... hunt you down!"

"Durant's...bloodline..."

"..."

……

(End of this chapter)