Chapter 588

In the Abyssal Realm, gray snow continued to swirl, and threadlike cold seeped straight into the bone marrow.

Yuan Yao sat alone atop the lone peak, her thin white robe fluttering slightly in the north wind.

She gazed up at the boundless, heart‑pounding scarlet sky, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment.

Not long after, an umbrella quietly opened above her head, shielding her from the drifting gray snowflakes.

That person sat down lightly beside her.

Yuan Yao turned her head, meeting a pair of eyes warm and moist like a spring breeze, and she whispered, "Eldest Senior Brother."

Song Yan's voice was gentle, carrying a barely noticeable worry: "Why are you sitting here alone? What are you thinking about?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao lowered her eyelids slightly, her long lashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes.

"I'm wondering… tonight… whether I should break through my cultivation realm."

Once she successfully advances to the Body Integration Realm, the seal within her will completely shatter, and thereafter, greater calamities hard to predict may follow one after another.

But if she gives up the breakthrough, tomorrow when facing the Abyssal Realm Beast Lord, among the three races' heavenly prodigies, many will surely perish in this fierce battle.

After more than four years together, although she had once had grudges and disagreements with those heavenly prodigies, they gradually chose to trust her and obey her commands. This weighty trust made it impossible for her to stand by and do nothing.

Song Yan let out a soft sigh, his tone gentle yet perceptive: "Yao Yao, you always say the eldest senior brother is too soft‑hearted, too kind, but aren't you the same? Your sense of responsibility is too heavy; you feel you must safeguard everyone's lives to live up to that trust."

"Eldest Senior Brother," Yuan Yao leaned her head lightly against his shoulder, her gaze somewhat unfocused, her tone tinged with weary annoyance, "Are you the roundworm in my stomach?"

Song Yan chuckled at her words, his voice growing lower and softer: "I don't want to be the roundworm in your stomach. If I could, I'd like to be your harbor of refuge. Whenever you're tired, wronged, or unhappy, you can come to me."

Yuan Yao also laughed.

"Eldest Senior Brother, you've always been this gentle since childhood."

Song Yan tilted his head, lowering his gaze to look at the little head resting on his shoulder.

"Yao Yao, you don't need to overthink; just follow your heart."

Yuan Yao fell silent for a moment, then answered with a smile: "Okay."

"What are you doing here?!" Cang Li's voice came from behind them, "You've made us search high and low."

Yuan Yao turned her head and saw Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Youngest Senior Brother, and Xie Yan had all arrived.

Xie Yan's phoenix eyes were fixed tightly on her.

Yuan Yao waved at them: "Come over and sit awhile."

Cang Li said while walking over, "It's so cold out here, just sitting around—won't your butt freeze?"

Just as Cang Li was about to sit where Yuan Yao was, Xie Yan beat him to it.

Cang Li's face darkened.

"Xie Yan, you show no respect for your elders at all."

Hearing this, Xie Yan replied calmly, "Third Senior Brother, please sit beside me."

Cang Li let out a soft hum, "You certainly have a smooth way of addressing people."

After they had all sat down.

Cang Li couldn't help but say, "I guess your butt won't get a frost sore, right?"

Yuan Yao and the others all turned their heads toward him in unison.

Cang Li rubbed his nose and gave an embarrassed laugh.

Xiao Lingwei asked, "Yao Yao, what were you and the eldest senior brother just talking about?"

Yuan Yao replied, "Just a few casual words. I'm considering whether to break through my cultivation realm."

As soon as her words fell, she felt her hand resting at her side covered by a warm large hand, which transmitted warmth to her.

Yuan Yao turned her head to glance at the youth.

The youth still bore an aloof, abstemious demeanor, giving no hint of any flaw.

Ying Wuji said, "Unless it's absolutely necessary, don't lightly choose to break through your cultivation realm."

Cang Li quickly echoed, "Exactly! Since your parents have warned you, Yao Yao, you must absolutely not take this risk. Moreover, tomorrow we'll be there too."

"Listen to the senior brothers and sisters," Xie Yan said, gently pinching her palm and speaking softly.

Yuan Yao looked at them and finally nodded silently.

Immediately, Yuan Yao frowned and fixed her gaze on Cang Li: "Third Senior Brother, the one I worry about most is you. Tomorrow you must be extra careful."

Upon hearing that, Cang Li felt warm inside.

He smiled and patted his chest, saying, "Don't worry, I at least have late-stage Void Refinement cultivation now; I can protect myself."

Among the three races' heavenly prodigies, those with Great Perfection Realm cultivation are: Xie Yan, Ying Wuji, Qian Yunzhou, Quan Li, Quan Xiu.

Those with Body Integration Realm cultivation number a full hundred, for example: Xiao Lingwei, Xue Jin, Song Yan, Yu Jing, Dong Jiao, Bian Chen, Feng Xuanji, Hua Chengyan, Jiang Shuai, Ying Wuhuan, Sikong Banxue, Xiao Zhufeng, Gui Yanqing, etc.

The rest are Void Refinement Realm cultivators.

The three races' heavenly prodigies together total nearly four hundred.

Among them, the demon race is the most numerous.

In the cultivation world, cultivators who reach the Body Integration Realm can already be granted the title 'Immortal Venerable', while those who reach the Great Perfection Realm are exceedingly few.

Ying Wuji suddenly recalled something, his expression turning stern: "Tomorrow, you all need to be careful of Ying Wuhuan; I fear he'll pull some tricks."

Okay.

The next day.

The heavenly prodigies with the strongest talents from the three races all gathered at the edge of the 'Abyssal Line', their expressions solemn, their fighting spirit fierce.

Yuan Yao focused her mind and formed seals, using the same-origin array from before as a basis, and upon that perilous 'Abyssal Line' she laid a stable array-formed rainbow bridge.

She turned to face everyone, her expression calm yet resolute: "Everyone, today we must definitely leave the Abyssal Realm alive!"

Alive!!!

Upon hearing this, the three races' heavenly prodigies all raised their arms in unison; the faint spiritual markings on their wrists suddenly flared bright. They almost hysterically shouted, their voices surging straight to the heavens.

Before the words even fell, hundreds of silhouettes turned into brilliant streams of light, crossed the 'Abyssal Line', and in the blink of an eye had already rushed into the core region of the Realm Abyss.

"Realm Abyss Beast Lord, come out for a group challenge!" Cang Li took the lead, his voice like a huge bell.

"Group challenge! Group challenge! Group challenge!"

The youths' shouts rose wave after wave, their fervent fighting spirit seeming as if it would overturn the entire Realm Abyss.

The sleeping Realm Abyss Beast Lord was startled awake by this earth-shaking sound wave, suddenly opening its eyes. In its blood-red pupils filled with icy, bone-piercing killing intent and brutality.

Its form flickered, and it already appeared before the heavenly pride, its sky-covering, earth-shading aura instantly enveloping the entire field!

"Chop it!!!"

This time, the heavenly pride's eyes held no trace of hesitation or doubt, only blazing fighting spirit.

Some brandished divine weapons, some employed wondrous techniques, bearing the might of thunder and lightning, they all charged together at the Realm Abyss Beast Lord!

Xie Yan, Ying Wuji, Quan Li, and Quan Xiu flashed forward, directly confronting the massive beast.

Qian Yunzhou closed their eyes and slowly played the flute.

The flute notes suddenly turned sharp, wave after wave of sound blades surged toward the Realm Abyss Beast Lord's head!

The Realm Abyss Beast Lord roared, trying to shatter their attacks.

But this time, Xie Yan broke through its power counterattack.

Clang—

One swing of the sword, and the shockwave from the roar instantly dissipated.