Prime Originator

The abyss was the name given to the subterranean space that exists underneath Gran Crevasse, and its entrance could be found at the very center.

However, the hole that leads to the seemingly bottomless abyss was sealed with vines—sturdy, long vines that could be found throughout Central Western Jungle to Gran Crevasse.

"Have you forgotten the teachings of our ancestors, Lord Goldenstride? The abyss must never be opened, nor should it ever be explored. That was the one and only law that everyone must absolutely follow," the leading golden suanni stated sternly.

"We've guarded the abyss entrance together for so many years, Lord Dawnchaser. Aren't you the least bit curious about what is down there and why our ancestors forbid everyone from exploring it?"

Goldenstride did not back down on his opinion despite being surrounded by many other Peak Paragon-level Golden Suannis.

"There isn't a single soul in the clan that isn't curious about what's down there. But despite that, we all chose to abide by our ancestors' teachings. The ancestors did this for our own safety. God knows what dangers are hidden down there for them to set up such a law," Dawnchaser stated.

"Are you content with living like caged animals forever, Lord Dawnchaser?" Goldenstride asked with a contemptuous look.

"There is no reward without risk. We live on an entire mountain of unknown treasures, yet we can do nothing except guard them. Does that even make sense? We should have long opened up the abyss entrance and seized those hidden opportunities!"

"The secret of ascension definitely lies down there in the abyss! If even just one of us could unlock the secret and ascend to the Divine Beast Realm, we could break free from this cage that the ancestors had built around us!"

Goldenstride attempted to convince the other Peak Paragon-level Golden Suannis with his words and invite them to share his vision.

However, Dawnchaser remained unmoved in his stance.

"It seems like you are unwilling to abandon your intention on the abyss. In that case, you leave me no choice, Lord Goldenstride."

Dawnchaser's eyes flashed with decisiveness.

"Escort Lord Goldenstride back to his cave and have four Peak Paragons watch him! Lord Goldenstride is not allowed to leave his cave unless he decides to abandon his idea on the abyss!" Dawnchaser ordered the Peak Paragon-level Golden Suannis.

"This way, please, Lord Goldenstride," the Peak Paragon-level Golden Suannis surrounded Goldenstride before seeking his cooperation in following them back to his cave.

"Hmph, it's just a house arrest. Do you think you can keep me home forever?" Goldenstride snorted.

Nevertheless, Goldenstride did not resist and obediently followed the Peak Paragon-level Golden Suanni's lead in returning to his cave.

All Peak Paragon-level Golden Suannis were leaders of the clan, wielding great authority and power. Nothing good would come out of a direct conflict between them.

After Goldenstride was escorted away, Dawnchaser noticed Wildfire's contemplative look and frowned.

"Lord Wildfire, you're not considering Goldenstride's words, are you?" Dawnchaser inquired with a sharp look.

"You should know that even though we were brought to this land by our ancestors, they didn't build this cage to trap us here and force us to guard the abyss entrance to the end times. Our present life might not be ideal, but we have a good life."

"Everything our ancestors did was to protect us, Lord Wildfire. You should understand that, right?" Dawnchaser added.

"I know. You don't need to worry about me, Lord Dawnchaser," Wildfire glanced at Dawnchaser before  replying coolly, "Even though I don't approve of what Lord Goldenstride said, you have to admit that Lord Goldenstride had a point."

"It doesn't matter if Lord Goldenstride has a point or not. We mustn't be tempted by his words. The abyss was sealed for a reason, and it's best that we keep it that way," Dawnchaser firmly said.

Nevertheless, Wildfire noticed that Dawnchaser seemed to know something about the abyss for him to strongly opposed the unsealing of the abyss entrance.

"Do you know something about the abyss that I don't, Lord Dawnchaser?" Wildfire inquired suspiciously.

"It's a taboo topic. Just know that our ancestors once explored the abyss once and suffered disastrously. Unsealing the abyss entrance won't do the clan any good. It might even summon a calamity upon the clan," Dawnchaser stated.

"I see…" Wildfire uttered with a frown.

Dawnchaser was a descendent of one of the few surviving leaders who made it back from the very first abyss exploration.

Wildfire became more certain that Dawnchaser knew something.

However, Wildfire found it strange that the truth behind the first abyss exploration had always been a tight secret from everyone else in the clan.

'Just what exactly did the clan's ancestors find down there?' Wildfire wondered.

…

…

…

"Master, we have just entered the Central Western Jungle. The clan's main territory, Gran Crevasse, isn't much further from here," Cindertail informed.

At that moment, Cindertail's strength had already reached Late Paragon from the repeated blood refinement sessions we received from Leon.

But unlike other Late Paragons at his level, Cindertail could use his bloodline ability, allowing golden flames to erupt from his body and enhance his combat prowess to Peak Paragon.

On the other hand, only a few other golden suannis had reached Mid Paragon. The rest was still Early Paragons.

Even so, the number of Paragons in the group had exceeded twenty as they picked up more golden suanni groups along the way.

Leon's bone-forging phase has also reached Peak Rank 3 Body Transformation Realm.

As such, his bones alone gave him 30-million jin of raw physical strength. And coupled with his other body forging attainments, his combat prowess had already reached the same level as a Mid Paragon.

Furthermore, this was just the strength of his body alone.

It was hard to say what was his true combat prowess if he was to factor in all his other abilities from awakening, demon, and soul cultivation.

Leon would need a worthy opponent to test his limits.

"We're almost there, huh? I can't be the wood energy concentration is much higher here," Leon softly muttered.

He could also vaguely sense spirit energy in the region—but it was only for an instant before the spirit energy disappeared off his radar like it just vanished into thin air.