Checking in for 100,000 Years Chapter 1050: Blood Abyss Lake

With the Second Palace Master leading his retinue away, Ye Yun let out a barely perceptible smile, effortlessly dissolving a subtle restriction he had placed earlier. This ward, established a hundred miles out, was intended to prevent any disturbance from the Second Demon Hall’s disciples reaching them. Now that the Second Palace Master had retreated in defeat, it was unlikely he would dare return. Thus, the restriction served no further purpose. In a ripple of space, Ye Yun vanished, his true body returning to his cave abode and rejoining with his avatar.

"Little junior sister, we’ve waited quite some time, and they still haven’t appeared. It seems they truly aren’t coming!" Ye Yun said with a smile, lifting a teacup for a gentle sip.

"Senior brother, it’s quite perplexing. The Second Palace Master’s son suffered such a significant setback, yet he doesn’t dare seek retribution. Could it be that he fears our Master’s reputation?" Gu Anran mused, her gaze shifting as she voiced her thoughts.

"Not necessarily..." Ye Yun placed his teacup down, a slight smile gracing his lips. "That Second Palace Master is quite astute. He likely recognized his son was in the wrong, perhaps even disciplined him. He probably never intended to pursue revenge in the first place."

"Senior brother, what you say makes a great deal of sense." Gu Anran’s beautiful eyes brightened.

"Alright, we’ve enjoyed this pot of tea. I shall not impede your cultivation any longer." Witnessing his junior sister’s easy acceptance of his words, Ye Yun felt a touch of amusement. Maintaining a straight face with some effort, he prepared to depart.

Gu Anran: "Senior brother, travel safely on your journey back..."

Ye Yun: "Mm, I’m off. I will visit again another day." After bidding his junior sister farewell, he returned to his own cave abode.

Closing his eyes, Ye Yun commenced his cultivation. The lifespans of cultivators in the Divine Land far surpassed those on the Cangnan Continent; a decade of seclusion here was equivalent to but a single year there. This cultivation session, Ye Yun intended to break through to the Divine King Realm in a single, decisive push.

... Inside the main hall of the Second Demon Hall. The Elders in Charge had already been dismissed by the Second Palace Master, leaving only father and son within the hall.

"Father, when has our Second Palace ever been humiliated like this?" The young man surnamed Jin gritted his teeth. He had been present, observing from the rear, and had witnessed the entire affair. That guardian had never once revealed his true appearance, relying solely on the cultivation base of the 8th level of the Divine Dignity Realm to intimidate all the powerhouses of the Second Demon Hall, including his own father. Merely recalling the dull ache of his injuries sent a surge of fury through him. Having been raised in luxury since childhood, within the entirety of the Ten Thousand Monster God Temple, who had ever dared to provoke him, let alone lay a hand on him? And now, he had suffered such a profound humiliation. The young man surnamed Jin felt a burning unwillingness, a desperate yearning to reclaim his lost dignity. Yet, even with his father personally intervening, they had been forced to retreat in fear.

"While our Second Palace has indeed lost face this time, at least no one witnessed it. Let us simply let this matter rest!" The Second Palace Master exhaled deeply, his voice filled with dejection as he spoke sullenly. The collective might of the entire Second Demon Hall was no match for that guardian. They had marched out with high spirits only to flee back in utter disgrace – a truly immense blow to their pride. A loss of face was one thing, but inferiority in strength left them with no recourse. To press the issue further and risk exposure would turn the Second Demon Hall into the laughingstock of the other eight great demon halls.

"Hmph!" The young man surnamed Jin’s face darkened like a stormy sky. His fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails dug into his flesh. The Second Palace Master offered a few soft words of comfort, but they went unheeded.

After a considerable pause. The young man surnamed Jin looked up, his face alight with hope. "Father, why don’t you make a trip back to Blood Abyss Lake?"

"Blood Abyss Lake?" Hearing these words, the Second Palace Master flinched, his expression tinged with panic. "Son, are you out of your mind? I was driven away. How would I dare to return now?" the Second Palace Master questioned in a low voice.

"Father, that Divine-level treasure with an Artifact Spirit is exceedingly rare. We can use that as a pretext. We may not retrieve the treasure, but this humiliation must be avenged!"

The young man surnamed Jin’s eyes burned with fury as he spoke through gritted teeth.

The Second Palace Master fell silent at his words, pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back.

He was indeed a Dominant Blood Divine Alligator, yet his bloodline lacked purity, relegating him to a mere side branch within the clan.

A grave mistake in his youth led to his banishment from the Blood Abyss Lake.

This Blood Abyss Lake served as the sacred domain of the God Alligator Clan.

Even within the Divine Land, its existence remained shrouded in mystery.

Few were privy to its secrets.

The God Alligator Clan's affairs were jointly managed by two major factions: the Dominant Blood Divine Alligator lineage and the Heaven-suppressing God Crocodile lineage.

The former Vast Sea Heavenly Lord, whose true form was a Green Water Alligator Deity, hailed from the Blood Abyss Lake as well, though his standing was exceedingly low.

Clan members of such humble status were only granted the opportunity to return to the Blood Abyss Lake once every ten millennia.

Their return necessitated the offering of substantial heavenly materials and earthly treasures to appease the two principal bloodlines.

Failure to present an adequate tribute would result in immediate expulsion.

The regulations of the Blood Abyss Lake were ancient, stringent, and utterly unforgiving.

"Fine, then your old man will cast aside his pride on a trip!"

After a period of deliberation, the Second Palace Master finally resolved himself.

Should this treasure fall into his possession, he might find a path to atone for his past transgressions and earn a chance to return to the Blood Abyss Lake.

"Dad, there’s no time to waste. You must depart immediately!"

The young man surnamed Jin urged, his voice laced with impatience.

"Very well!"

The Second Palace Master acknowledged with a nod, issued brief instructions, and then utilized a Teleportation Array to exit the Second Demon Hall.

Proceeding through several successive Teleportation Arrays and traversing tens of thousands of miles by flight, he finally halted before a formidable mountain range.

"It’s been so long since I last returned..."

Gazing into the familiar, empty expanse before him, the Second Palace Master let out a sigh of nostalgia.

He wove his hands together, executing a series of intricate hand seals that materialized as arcane sigils, subsequently vanishing into the void ahead.

The fabric of space rippled, revealing a small, ephemeral portal.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped through.

The inconspicuous portal winked out of existence instantly.

In a flash, the Second Palace Master found himself within a crimson-hued expanse.

This blood-colored realm was shrouded in dim light, encircled by an endless panorama of undulating mountain chains.

"Jin Liu, what brings you back again?"

A burly, middle-aged figure materialized abruptly, questioning his presence.

"Second Brother Jin, I have a matter of significance to report to the Clan Leader."

The Second Palace Master’s demeanor turned grave as he offered a polite, albeit formal, salutation with cupped fists.

"Follow me!"

The middle-aged man paused for a brief moment, then gave a curt nod.

The two figures proceeded, flying in tandem towards the deeper recesses of the mountains.

After traversing several crests, a colossal blood lake unfurled into their sight.

The lake’s waters possessed a deep, viscous crimson, stretching out in a seemingly infinite expanse. The surface churned with a powerful surging blood energy akin to a boundless ocean, as if countless tiny scarlet dragons were ascending skyward, only to dissipate into the ether.

This was none other than the legendary Blood Abyss Lake.

Ancient lore held that in epochs beyond recall, every member of the God Alligator Clan originated from this very lake.

The pair ascended to a vantage point hovering above the lake’s surface.

Splaaash…

Abruptly, a figure erupted from the lake’s depths, intercepting their course.

"Jin Liu, were you not cast out by your Clan Leader? How dare you return?"

A youth clad in blood-red robes confronted them, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and suspicious.

"I have an urgent matter demanding the Clan Leader’s attention."

The Second Palace Master steeled himself, relaying his purpose in a subdued tone.

The youth before him hailed from the formidable Town Heavenly God Alligator Clan.

Within the confines of the Blood Abyss Lake, the Town Heavenly God Alligator Clan wielded immense influence, surpassing even that of the Dominant Blood Divine Alligator lineage.

For years, the Dominant Blood Divine Alligator line had maintained a discreet profile, eschewing any contest with the Town Heavenly God Alligator Clan in numerous affairs.

Rumble, rumble…

A series of resonant, low growls emanated from the submerged depths of the lake.

The very waters trembled with violent agitation.

"Damn it! It’s been merely a brief respite, and those accursed beings are stirring up trouble once more!"

The blood-robed youth's expression shifted drastically. Disregarding the two uninvited guests, he plunged into the churning waters, vanishing without a trace.

Witnessing the sheer, ominous power radiating from the Blood Abyss Lake, the Second Palace Master's countenance paled considerably, a knot of apprehension tightening within his chest.