Bearded Abyss.

Located to the southwest of the Little Flipping Heaven Realm within the Nine Nether domain.

As its name implies, within reside intertwined Black Abysses, stretching upwards and downwards in all directions, forming abysses and steep cliffs. When one is in the midst of it, they hardly realize, but once they step out and look from the outside, these abysses seem like dense beards, complex and entangled, stretching across tens of thousands of miles in the Earth Realm.

Deep inside the abyss.

There are numerous paths leading deep into the Void, where countless spaces overlap, leading to all directions, making the situation here complex, chaotic, and unpredictable. Numerous caravans, trade associations, and merchant bands use 'Bearded Abyss' as a shortcut, passing through various-sized void passages to their destinations. At the same time, demons and evil cultivators covet this area, gathering in hordes to form bandits, marauding and looting.

These individuals are known as the 'Qiu Bearded Thieves'.

These bandits are particularly strong, familiar with the terrain, and thus have a home ground advantage. If they strike a tough target, they simply retreat deeper into the Earth Abyss or Heavenly Pool and they are safe and sound.

If all else fails,

they can always escape through the constantly shifting void passages, making it hard for pursuers to catch up.

Such geographical advantage also attracts strong individuals who have made enemies too formidable to confront elsewhere. A minority choose to focus on cultivation here, while most turn to a life of marauding and banditry.

Therefore,

the 'Bearded Abyss' has become a Chaotic Earth Realm, difficult to pacify, yet it is where fortune and danger coexist. Some venture into 'Bearded Abyss', discovering unknown void passages leading to distant realms or even a Lower Realm, reaping enormous benefits, and establishing unparalleled foundations. Others encounter 'Qiu Bearded Thieves' and with one misstep, lose everything.

A single thought of heaven,

A single thought of earth.

That's all there is to it.

"There's a void passage deep within 'Bearded Abyss' that leads directly to the Seventh Battle Domain," Gu Jin explained to Lu Qingfeng about the Bearded Abyss. He added at the end.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingfeng immediately understood.

A chaotic realm so close to the borders, with such ease of escape, would indeed be the best place to strike.

Noticing Lu Qingfeng's inquiry, Gu Jin's heart stirred, and he guessed the motive. He said out loud, "'Bearded Abyss' is dangerous, but most 'Qiu Bearded Thieves' know their limits. They rarely attack tough targets like 'Jade Dragon,' which doesn't seem to have much loot as a merchant caravan. Even if there are some who would dare, 'Jade Dragon' is quick to escape when overpowered."

For the 'Qiu Bearded Thieves', profit comes first.

Robbing a powerful battleship like 'Jade Dragon' naturally doesn't compare to the rich pickings from robbing passing caravans.

Lu Qingfeng listened, smiled at Gu Jin, but his eyes remained fixed on the bearded abysses that stretched and intertwined in all directions, not quite at ease.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

'Jade Dragon,' cutting through the clouds with wind control, plunged into the Bearded Abyss.

Heaven and earth were transformed.

Instantly different.

Winds began to howl from all sides, these were not ordinary winds, but the Nine Heavens Gang Wind and the Nine Earth Xunfeng wind, coming from the depths of the Heavenly Pool and Earth Abyss. Ordinary beings and low-level cultivators, without the shelter of cliff walls and forests, would be swept away and turned into ashes in a moment.

Even a Core Formation True Man or a Primordial Spirit True One has to be extremely cautious when flying through this region. A slight misstep could result in being whisked away by the Gang Wind or Xunfeng, with life hanging by a thread. Moreover, in these deep abysses, there are Void Storms that emerge from the depths of the void, that beyond the honeycomb-like passages, can cause a Mahayana True Immortal to become exhausted with defense.

Even stronger Void Storms are too much for even a top-level battleship like 'Jade Dragon' to withstand.

Needless to say, dangers abound.

Fortunately, Void Storms, which are natural disasters, are seldom seen and only occur once in thousands or tens of thousands of years. Ordinary storms can be easily ignored by 'Jade Dragon,' which forges ahead, braving the multiple layers of Gang Wind and Xunfeng, heading straight for the deepest parts of the Bearded Abyss.

The terrain within the Bearded Abyss is intricate. It is not just vertical or horizontal, but consists of cliffs that span across, and even storms converging into mountains, interspersed with one another, forming abysses.

Some in the sky,

Some underground.

Cliffs shield from all sides, with roads extending in every direction. One must be careful not to get lost inside, as it's not simply a matter of pushing straight into the depth.

"'Jade Dragon' can detect void passages leading out of the realm, thereby planning its route."

Gu Jin, while explaining to Lu Qingfeng, was also vigilant through 'Jade Dragon'. Though it was unlikely that the 'Qiu Bearded Thieves' would move against 'Jade Dragon', one could never be too careful. And now with six of the most powerful True Immortals onboard, negligence was impossible.

Time flowed.

Gu Jin was constantly on edge.

Seeing this, Lu Qingfeng did not want to disturb further, so he took his leave and returned to the Second Layer.

No sooner had he descended,

Than he was greeted by a Daoist walking towards him.

This Daoist had a peculiar appearance: a concave nose, protruding eyes, high cheekbones, and skin as thin as sticks. His face and limbs were blacker than ink, yet his wide mouth was redder than rouge. Parting his lips revealed two rows of teeth, white as snow, the three contrasting colors making them all the more striking.

Upon seeing him, Lu Qingfeng immediately recognized him as one of the seven top-tier True Immortals on 'Jade Dragon', including Gu Jin. This person hailed from the Fire God Palace and called himself 'Iron Umbrella Daoist'. From Gu Jin, Lu Qingfeng had learned that the Iron Umbrella Daoist was once a friend of the Three Mountains True Monarch of the Fire God Palace, but later encountered calamity and went through reincarnation.

Years had passed.

Only a few thousand years ago, he ascended from the Lower Realm and became a True Immortal. Awakening some residual wisdom, his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. Now, he has recovered to his peak and even surpassed his past self. In the Little Dragon Tiger Realm, he was certainly a figure people recognized, even among Earth Immortals.

"I did hear of this name back in the East Sea. The one skilled in using the 'Earth Lung Poison Fire Divine Sand' was the Golden Light Supreme, who once suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Iron Umbrella Daoist. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at the East Sea, the Iron Umbrella Daoist had already disappeared. Rumor has it that he had completed his cultivation and ascended to the Upper Realm."

"How unexpected."

"Coming from the same Three Mountains and Nine Waters, the Iron Umbrella Daoist actually has such a background."

Lu Qingfeng thought to himself, his expression unfazed, as he looked towards the approaching Iron Umbrella Daoist.

He saw the latter reveal a triple-colored grin, his voice loud and clear, "I've long heard that onboard 'Jade Dragon', there is a True Immortal from the Mountain and Water Realm. This humble Daoist Iron Umbrella has specially come to pay respects."

As the Iron Umbrella Daoist spoke, his bulging eyes observed Lu Qingfeng without betraying any emotions but scrutinized him silently.

"Mountain and Water Realm?"

Lu Qingfeng chuckled inwardly, his face feigning ignorance as he said, "So it is the Fire God Palace's Iron Umbrella Daoist I've heard so much about. I pay my respects."

After first returning the greeting to Iron Umbrella Daoist with a clasped fist, he continued with feigned hesitation, "This humble Daoist has been cultivating in the Little Youdu Realm for many years and only recently began to travel, arriving in the Little Dragon Tiger Realm. I'm not sure what the 'Mountain and Water Realm' you mentioned is. Could it be that you've mistaken me for someone else?"

Lu Qingfeng was not about to admit it without confirmation.

During his six years on 'Jade Dragon', Left Bank Demon King from Chi Lian Mountain, Daoist Que Chao from Danxia Mountain, and Master Mai Xin from Wuxiang Zen Temple all made several attempts to probe him. But thanks to his hidden Heavenly Mechanism and concealed aura, it was quite difficult for anyone to see through him with just their eyes.

These people noticed Lu Qingfeng because he frequently associated with Gu Jin and Zhu Yang.

The former was the main commander of 'Jade Dragon' and one of the four top-level True Immortals in Sky-reaching Gorge, and Lu Qingfeng's escape from the Mountain and Water Realm with the help of Han Ling'er was no secret. With such connections, it explained why he could be close to Gu Jin.

As for the latter, Zhu Yang, it wasn't difficult for these people with their capabilities to find out that he ascended from the Three Mountains and Nine Waters. Whether they knew of the past dealings between Zhu Yang and Lu Qingfeng on the Lower Realm, including their alliance against a common enemy, was uncertain.

These two points, along with the fact that among those on 'Jade Dragon', Eight Desolate Daoist's origins were the most dubious, thus Lu Qingfeng became the prime target of these top-tier True Immortals.

They hadn't taken action along the way, likely because they didn't dare to do so without absolute certainty.

The Iron Umbrella Daoist had not moved until now, but as 'Jade Dragon' entered the Bearded Abyss and was soon to reach beyond the domain borders, he could no longer hold back.

"From the Little Youdu Realm?"

The Iron Umbrella Daoist's ugly face showed no change in expression, but he said, "This poor Daoist has indeed spent many years cultivating in the Little Youdu Realm and knows it fairly well. I wonder where in the Earth Realm of the Little Youdu Realm might the Eight Desolate Daoist hail from?"

"Moxing Mountain."

"A wilderness area, I assumed you wouldn't have heard of it," Lu Qingfeng said with a smile.

He was ready with his response. Having gained ample information about the Little Youdu Realm from Gu Jin, he was well-prepared for most inquiries. After all, although the Little Dragon Tiger Realm was adjacent to the Little Youdu Realm, these top-tier True Immortals spent most of their time cultivating in the Little Dragon Tiger Realm and might not know much about the Little Youdu Realm.

This Iron Umbrella Daoist claiming to have cultivated in the Little Youdu Realm was likely a bluff and not very credible.

"Moxing Mountain."

"Although this Earth Realm is remote, it is indeed a treasure spot suitable for cultivation, serene with clear waters and beautiful mountains. I have an old friend there who controls the thirty-six Earth Fire caverns of Moxing Mountain, a holy place for those cultivating fire techniques. Given that you practice fire techniques, you must have had many interactions with my friend," the Iron Umbrella Daoist continued to probe.

Lu Qingfeng laughed lightly and said, "You jest, Daoist. The elder from Lanshan controls the thirty-six Earth Fire caverns of Moxing Mountain, profound in Dao and esteemed in status. A mere ordinary True Immortal like myself would hardly catch the elder's attention."

The verbal sparring went on.

Lu Qingfeng handled it with ease, revealing no flaws. No matter how the Iron Umbrella Daoist tried to set traps, he managed to navigate them smoothly. This made it difficult for the Iron Umbrella Daoist to conclude but also prevented him from abandoning his suspicions.

Failing to gain any leads, the Iron Umbrella Daoist did not hurry off. Instead, he continued making conversation with Lu Qingfeng, showing great enthusiasm. Lu Qingfeng kept up with the Iron Umbrella Daoist's conversation while also paying attention to his surroundings.

On the second layer—

The Left Bank Demon King from Chi Lian Mountain, disguised as 'Fang Xiang', hid in the shadows, untriggered.

Around Daoist Que Chao from Danxia Mountain gathered several True Immortals, seemingly engaged in a profound discussion.

Master Mai Xin from Wuxiang Zen Temple, dressed in saffron robes, sat immovable as a mountain, practicing wonderful methods.

On one side, there was a white-haired youth named 'Qi Lingyu', the Ninth Disciple of the Cave Master of Ningbi Cliff Meihua Cave. Although young in appearance, his reputation was on par with the aforementioned individuals.

Beside Qi Lingyu stood a very delicate-looking female crown, with the air of being untouched by worldly dust. The two spoke occasionally, appearing to be old acquaintances.

This was inside the 'Jade Dragon'.

Outside the 'Jade Dragon', Lu Qingfeng sensed something and saw towering cliffs on both sides, sheared as if by axes and chisels, stretching across his view. The middle was pitch black, a First-line Abyss invisible to the naked eye. As 'Jade Dragon' entered the First-line Abyss, Lu Qingfeng's hairs stood on end, and his heart suddenly tightened.

"It's coming!"

He thought to himself.

In the next moment—

Hundreds of caverns opened on both sides of the cliffs, each emitting a faint light. With a 'clang', a volley of crossbow bolts rained down like a storm!