Chapter 2679: Ancestral Abyss Restriction

The space they found themselves in was not particularly spacious. Lu Ye looked around, his face etched with doubt.

He had previously inquired briefly with Su Yan about the interior of the Tower of Time, so he had some general understanding. However, the current scene was entirely different from what he knew. Had he not entered the tower with Dragon Lord and the others, he would have almost suspected they were in a different place.

As if discerning his confusion, Phoenix Lord explained, "This is the lowest level of the Tower of Time. It is inaccessible to common individuals; only successive Dragon Lords are permitted to enter this place."

Lu Ye and the others were able to enter because Dragon Lord was with them. He immediately understood. It was evident that some unknown secret was hidden within the Tower of Time. He also keenly noticed that this place was not shrouded in the Star Abyss aura. It was a pure land, which underscored its extraordinary nature.

To date, he had encountered only three pure lands in the Inner Realm. The first was the Harmonious Realm, where no Star Abyss aura was present. The second was the Phoenix Nest within the Primordial Parasol Tree. The absence of Star Abyss aura implied a lack of Dao power, meaning the Phoenix clan could not advance their cultivation within their own Phoenix Nest. However, the Phoenix Nest offered a unique benefit: while inside, the Phoenix clan could gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Spatial Dao, aiding in the refinement of their bloodline.

This was the third such place.

Dragon Lord's expression was extremely serious. He looked at Lu Ye and said, "The place I am about to take you is the greatest secret of our clan. What you see and hear there, you must keep absolutely to yourself; not a single detail is to be revealed to anyone outside!" Given the gravity of the matter, Dragon Lord felt compelled to issue this warning, even though Lu Ye held the status of an external envoy of the Phoenix clan.

"Your disciple will remember," Lu Ye said, solemnly cupping his fists.

"Let's go," Dragon Lord said, waving his hand. A vortex suddenly appeared beneath their feet, and the four figures slowly descended into it.

Lu Ye was surprised. According to Phoenix Lord, they were already at the very bottom level of the Tower of Time. The fact that they could descend even further was astonishing. Where were they going? The sensation of sinking was akin to falling into water, yet without any feeling of suffocation. Lu Ye carefully observed, sensing no abnormalities. With the protective power of both Dragon Lord and Phoenix Lord surrounding them, there was no need to worry about encountering any danger.

It was a long while before this sensation of descent finally dissipated. It was pitch black all around. Even with his full vision exerted, Lu Ye could see nothing, and his perception likewise registered nothing. It was as if they had descended into a void.

Just as he was filled with doubt, a light suddenly appeared. It was a point of golden light. As it ignited, the gold spread rapidly in all directions, like a wildfire, instantly reaching the limits of his vision. The entire world was bathed in brilliant golden light. Lu Ye's eyes widened in awe as he watched. For the golden expanse was, in fact, composed of countless minute and intricate runic patterns, intertwined to form a cohesive whole. This golden mass appeared to coalesce into a spherical body of light, yet it was so colossal that Lu Ye's vision could not encompass its entirety.

Clattering...

Amidst a peculiar clattering sound, a golden chain materialized from within the massive golden sphere, lashing out towards Dragon Lord like an arrow unleashed.

"Dragon Lord, beware!" Zhu Yin exclaimed.

Lu Ye immediately raised a hand to grip his Pan Mountain Saber.

"Do not act rashly!" Phoenix Lord commanded, raising her hand.

Lu Ye frowned, his aura coiled and ready but unreleased, while Zhu Yin's expression wavered between surprise and uncertainty.

Dragon Lord remained perfectly composed, regarding the approaching golden chain as if it were nothing, standing tall and unwavering. The chain directly ensnared him, swiftly coiling around him several times. A terrifying sealing power emanated from it; even without direct contact, Lu Ye felt his vital energy and Dao power almost fall into a state of stasis. If he felt such an effect, then Dragon Lord, directly ensnared by the chain, undoubtedly faced an even more horrific sealing power. However, Lu Ye keenly observed that the golden chain appeared incomplete, marred by numerous defects. Its surface was pitted and uneven, as if corroded by some formidable force.

After a few breaths, the chain coiled around Dragon Lord slowly retracted, and the terrifying sealing power finally dissipated. The preceding scene was akin to a long-slumbering giant dragon suddenly awakening, peering out from its lair, and then withdrawing once it confirmed no immediate threat.

Dragon Lord and Phoenix Lord, however, showed no signs of relief; their expressions grew even more solemn.

Phoenix Lord asked, "Has the Ancestral Abyss's restriction truly deteriorated to such an extent?"

Dragon Lord sighed, "It is far too ancient. No matter how potent a restriction, without constant maintenance, it eventually becomes unsustainable."

As the two conversed, Lu Ye and Zhu Yin exchanged glances. Lu Ye primarily sought to glean information from Zhu Yin, wanting to know what this place was and the nature of the chain and the massive golden sphere before them. However, seeing Zhu Yin's bewildered and shocked expression, it was clear she was just as clueless.

Just then, within the massive golden sphere, two points of deep crimson light suddenly flared. These two enormous points of light were situated against the sphere's interior surface. Illuminated by the crimson glow, Lu Ye's vision wavered, and he vaguely glimpsed something that seemed utterly unbelievable.

A thunderous roar erupted, followed by piercing dragon cries echoing from within the golden sphere. Lu Ye felt his skin crawl. He realized he hadn't been mistaken; illuminated by the crimson light, it was indeed a colossal dragon's head! A single sound shattered the tranquility, and successive dragon cries reverberated. As Lu Ye watched, he saw colossal, ferocious figures drifting back and forth within the golden sphere. They appeared to have sensed the group's arrival, as they were strenuously pounding the golden sphere from within. On the sphere's surface, golden halos spread outwards like ripples. Yet, they were trapped within, unable to break free.

Zhu Yin's face paled as she stammered, "Dragon Lord, what is this place? Are those... our Dragon clan members sealed within?"

The Dragon and Phoenix clans are the two most noble bloodlines in the entire universe. Dragon City and Phoenix Nest are among the Inner Realm's ten Harmonized Dao cities, standing almost invincible throughout the cosmos. While there had been instances of Dragon and Phoenix clan members dying in external battles over the years, their numbers were relatively few. Thus, Zhu Yin could not comprehend why such an peculiar seal existed here, imprisoning numerous Dragon clan members. She didn't know how many Dragon clan members were sealed within the golden sphere, but inferring from the dragon cries just now, there were at least dozens! How many pure-blooded members did the entire Dragon clan possess at present? What made her even more uneasy was the distinct note of grief and lamentation she discerned within those dragon cries. What kind of torment could reduce the noble Dragon clan to such a plight?

"This is the Ancestral Abyss," Dragon Lord said, his voice heavy. Having brought Lu Ye and Zhu Yin here, he was prepared to be entirely frank. This was a profound secret of the Dragon clan, known only to successive Dragon Lords and Phoenix Lords. Other Dragon clan members, even the elders, remained completely ignorant of it. This was because some matters had always been passed down orally from one Dragon Lord to the next. Zhu Yin had long been designated as the next Dragon Lord, so knowing in advance was of no consequence. As for Lu Ye... his assistance was required for this undertaking, so it would be inappropriate to conceal anything from him.

"The Ancestral Abyss?" Zhu Yin frowned.

"It was left behind by our clan's ancestor and the Phoenix clan's ancestor. The Ancestral Abyss is located at the bottom of the Tower of Time. It is a colossal restriction, and simultaneously, a cage. As for those imprisoned within, you have undoubtedly seen them."

Zhu Yin's small face paled. "Are those Dragon clan members... all from previous generations?"

Dragon Lord said, "Strictly speaking, they are all successive Dragon Lords, or clan members possessing the qualifications to become a Dragon Lord!" At this, he suddenly smiled. "So, Yin'er, one day, you might have to send me in too, just as I personally sent the previous Dragon Lord inside."

Zhu Yin instinctively took two steps back, her small face filled with defiance. She shook her head, "I won't!" How could she possibly send Dragon Lord into such a place? Though she could not personally experience the conditions within the restriction, the dragon cries and wails alone indicated that anyone entering would undoubtedly endure torment for endless ages. She could never bring herself to commit such a heartless act!

"Why would the ancestors leave such a restriction, and why would they seal successive Dragon Lords?" Lu Ye, after all, was not of the Dragon clan. While the conversation between Zhu Yin and Dragon Lord brought him immense shock, he did not, ultimately, lose his capacity for thought as briefly as Zhu Yin did. What lay before him presented far too many perplexing questions.

"Naturally, because they were strong enough!" Dragon Lord replied proudly.

"Strong enough to be sealed?" Lu Ye frowned in confusion. What kind of logic was that? By that reasoning, Ba Qiu should be the one sealed in the Inner Realm right now.

Dragon Lord glanced at Phoenix Lord, who gave a slight nod. Only then did Dragon Lord address Lu Ye, "Lu Ye, what do you believe the Star Abyss Will to be?"

Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat. In the Star Abyss, whether in the Outer Realm or Inner Realm, anyone with even a shred of common sense would not casually utter the words "Star Abyss Will" unless taking an oath. This was because once spoken, it would invariably draw the attention of that unseen will. However, he quickly recalled that this was a pure land devoid of Star Abyss aura, hence such concerns were unnecessary.

Lu Ye pursed his lips. "I can't fully grasp it, but it's certainly nothing good." Throughout his cultivation journey, though he hadn't fully comprehended the true nature of the Star Abyss Will, he had always had a distinct feeling. Namely, that this Will sought to control everything. The more attention a cultivator received from the Star Abyss Will, the deeper their entanglement with it became, and the more easily they could be manipulated. He had first sensed this back in the Outer Realm, when he repeatedly received Star Abyss blessings for defeating enemies beyond his cultivation level. Along with the Star Abyss blessings came extremely subtle and imperceptible elements, which, fortunately, were all incinerated by his Talent Tree. Later, when he competed with Su Yan for the title of Child of the Star Abyss, that Will even interfered with Su Yan, attempting to manifest itself by leveraging their combined power. Ultimately, Su Yan was compelled to undergo nirvana once to break free from its influence. These were all manifestations of the Will's attempts at control.

Furthermore, consider Yun Shiwang's feat of opening a passage to the starry sky in the Inner Realm all those years ago. Did Yun Shiwang truly possess such an ability? The Inner Realm teems with countless powerful cultivators. Even if Yun Shiwang originated from the starry sky, how could he, with his own abilities alone, casually return there without some fortuitous circumstances and external aid?