Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Beneath her long robes, the woman’s purple pupils shrank and her beautifully scaled face was left shaken. She never imagined that she would encounter a royal in this remote place, and one who was considerably powerful.

The royals had precious statuses and lived in the center of the abyss. They wouldn’t easily reveal themselves, so why was this person here?

Could it be that he realized something? And that previous smell, how was it related to him?

Countless thoughts raced through her mind and her purple eyes became increasingly dignified…no matter what was happening, encountering a formidable abyssal royal in the territory of the Crow Clan could not be considered good news.

“R-royal…” With shivering voices, the crow clan warriors fell to their knees, their bodies quaking.

The laws of the abyss were cruel and brutal, and strict levels of hierarchy were in place. An honored abyssal royal had a dignity that could not be provoked.

The strength of the Crow Clan could only be considered to be at the middle and lower tiers amongst the various abyssal tribes. And the strongest member of their tribe had only reached the boundary of a Demon General. It was impossible for them to resist the rage of a royal.

Even if this person killed all of them, it wouldn’t cause any trouble for him. In fact, their entire clan would have to humbly kneel at his feet and beg for forgiveness.

Jiao Li’s face was covered in anguish. Then, a light flashed in his eyes as if he had grasped onto a final straw. He turned and knelt down, “My lord, please save us, I had absolutely no intention of offending this honored royal lord!”

Coming from the deeper abyss and having purple pupils were signs of the higher abyssal clans. The reason the Crow Clan had committed such a blunder was because they had obeyed her orders. Since they were now in grave trouble, it was natural to ask her for help.

This was their final chance!

The woman was silent for some time. Then, her two white and delicate palms overlapped in a greeting of the higher abyssal demon clans. She said in a cold voice, “The imperial spirit demon clan’s Mian Ya greets your royal excellency. Today’s matter is a misunderstanding and I am willing to pay compensation in exchange for your understanding and forgiveness. Please pardon us for our offenses.”

Imperial demon spirit race…

Jiao Li’s eyes brightened. When she pulled her hood down he could see a beautiful and flawless face, one that was cold and without expression. Two delicate horns jutted out from the top of her head.

They were saved!

Although the imperial spirit demon clan wasn’t the abyss’ royal family, they were still a considerably formidable clan among the abyssal tribes. They didn’t have many clansmen but they grasped the potent imperial spirit inheritance. Even when facing abyssal royals, they had the qualifications to speak as equals.

Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows together before calming down. “Immediately leave this land.”

“Ah…yes, yes, yes, we will immediately leave. I thank your royal excellency for being so merciful…thank you…” Jiao Li trembled with excitement.

The crow clan warriors all left in a hurry. All of them felt as if they had somehow lost their lives and picked them back up.

Mian Ya was surprised; she hadn’t thought things would be resolved so easily. Her eyes sparkled for a moment before she looked at the cave entrance. Then, she bowed and said, “I thank your royal excellency. Then, farewell.”

Mounting the large black iron cart drawn by the horned demon cows, the crow clan warriors raced away without hesitation. It was only after they were a long distance away that they relaxed.

The abyssal royal family was powerful and regarded ordinary demon clans as servants. It was normal for them to slaughter anyone that annoyed them. For them to escape today’s calamity, they could only bless themselves for having good luck.

Jiao Li bowed, “Thank you for helping us Lord Mian Ya, otherwise I fear we would all have died today!” He lowered his head as he spoke. His face was covered in darkness, making it difficult to see him.

Mian Ya pulled her hood back on, disguising herself once again. She said, “There is no need to be so polite. I inadvertently placed you in a dangerous situation, so that was what I should have done.” She stood up and said, “I have been here for quite some time already, so I’ll be leaving today.”

Soon, with a whistle, the giant horned demon cows stopped and Mian Ya stepped off the black iron cart. With a few light steps, she quickly disappeared into the howling wind and sand.

Jiao Li’s complexion was uncertain. Finally, he clenched his teeth and said, “Let’s go!”

“Young master, there is a problem with that woman. She purposefully misled us before and we are going to allow her to leave like that?” A crow clan warrior asked in a low voice.

Jiao Li’s complexion turned ugly. “And what if she did? The strength of the imperial spirit demon clan isn’t something that can offend. Stop talking and hurry back to the city!”

The great horned demon cows hurried forward once again, pulling the black iron cart and rumbling into the distance.

As the crow clan warriors left, space rippled and Mian Ya’s figure appeared. She looked at the direction they went in, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

These lowly and pathetic clansmen actually dared to have disrespectful thoughts towards her. If she didn’t want to cause any more trouble right now she would have already killed them all off.

Turning around, Mian Ya looked in the direction she came from with a thoughtful expression.

After a brief hesitation, she started walking backwards. Then, like a shadow, she vanished from sight.

Facing the crow clan warriors, Qin Yu had only done one thing. All he did was defeat the blood-eyed demon beast phantom and then the crow clan warriors had been overcome with fear.

“Royal…” Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. He looked at Feature who had a lofty yet serene look, as if she had nothing to do with him.

“The issue is with your appearance.” Feature rolled her eyes at Qin Yu, “The abyssal race is different from those of the living world. The stronger their bloodline is, the more external characteristics they share with humans and vice versa.

“And only the abyssal royal family, because their clan had a powerful King who obtained the approval of the abyss’ will, had their bloodline promoted to the peak and thus have an appearance that is exactly the same as the human race. So when they saw you, they treated you as a member of the royal family.”

Hearing her speak, some information appeared in Qin Yu’s mind. Knowing that she was right, he understood the reason for the crow clan’s fear.

A formidable royal, as long as they had sufficient reason, had enough strength to destroy an entire tribe of lower status. And they wouldn’t provoke any trouble in doing so.

“You seem to understand the abyss a great deal?”

“If you pay attention long enough you’ll eventually understand some things. But this is all superficial knowledge. If you want me to help you undo the Path of 10,000 Souls, this amount of time is far from enough.”

“How much time do you need?”

“The more the better.”

Qin Yu rubbed his forehead, giving up on this meaningless line of questioning. “Will there be any problems from allowing those demons to leave?”

“The crow clan is only a lower status abyssal tribe and their strength is limited. Since they have recognized you as a royal, they will not provoke you again.” Feature paused, her lips curving up, “But that girl is a bit interesting. She likely won’t give up easily.”

Qin Yu frowned, “What does that mean?”

Feature winked, “You should ask her this question yourself. You’ll get a better response.”

Qin Yu’s complexion changed. At this time, the heart of the abyss within his chest gave a warning.

His thoughts changed and he stood up, walking out of the cave. Without expression he said, “Miss Mian Ya, may I ask why you have returned?”

No matter how the sandstorm howled, it couldn’t stop his cold voice from spreading far and wide. After several breaths of silence, space rippled and the purple-robed Mian Ya appeared.

“The royal family is indeed worthy of their name to have such sharp senses. I feel nothing but admiration.”

Qin Yu didn’t respond. His complexion became increasingly chilling.

Mian Ya took a deep breath and lifted a hand. Demonic energy surged and an object appeared in her palm – it was a black heart that had been crystallized.

“This is my most precious treasure. It is a heart left behind after an Abyssal King perished. Although the abyssal source within this heart had dispersed, it still contains traces of aura from an Abyssal King. With this, you can greatly increase your degree of closeness with the holy energy of the abyss and enhance your speed of cultivation.”

As she spoke to here, Mian Ya paused for a moment. Purple light surged in her eyes, “I hope to use this object to make a transaction with you!”

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, “Leave this place!”

“Your excellency!” Mian Ya shouted out loud, “The function of this crystallized heart will surely satisfy you. You may as well listen to me. All I ask for is something by your side. There is no reason not to conduct a trade.”

Qin Yu stepped forward. Where he walked the ground shattered and cracks spread out like a spider web.

“I will only say this once more. Leave…or die!”

Mian Ya’s pupils fiercely shrank. At this moment she could feel a fierce killing intent coming from Qin Yu. She didn’t doubt his determination. If she refused to leave, he would immediately attack.

How hateful!

Mian Ya’s expression was ugly, but as she welcomed Qin Yu’s glare her heart became increasingly cold. She took a deep breath and bowed, “It was I who took the liberty to ask you this. Since your excellency is unwilling, I will leave first.”

She turned and walked away, her figure vanishing into the sandstorm. When she disappeared, her voice was transmitted from afar, “A beast tide will soon erupt. No matter what your reason is for staying here, it is best if you leave first…this information can be considered as my apology.”

Qin Yu furrowed his eyebrows. Beast tide?

He turned and looked at Feature deep in the cave.

“She should be right. The abyssal energy is restless and there are many chaotic and unstable fluctuations. It is indeed a sign of a coming beast tide; it should erupt in around five days.” Feature smiled and suddenly changed her tone, “That little girl should have sensed my aura. Even with your brain you should have also realized this, so why didn’t you kill her? Could it be that you thought she was beautiful so you were moved by compassion?”

Qin Yu’s lips twitched. “The reason I didn’t kill her is because I didn’t have the confidence I could do it.”

Feature clapped her hands, “At least you are self-aware. That girl is not easy to kill. It was correct for you not to attack.” She blinked her eyes and said, “But she didn’t tell you about the beast tide out of the kindness of her heart. I think you will soon meet her again.”

Qin Yu said, “If she continues to bother me then even if I don’t know if I can kill her or not, I will still try.” When it came to undoing the Path of 10,000 Souls, he would not allow anyone to interfere. Moreover, he didn’t dread killing others.

Much less, she was just an abyssal being. As for trouble that could be caused by this…if he couldn’t avoid it, he could only face it calmly.