The system is the proficiency panel - 267. Abyssal Rift
The system is the proficiency panel
267. Abyssal RiftOne month later, Southern Continent.
The clear sky suddenly twisted, and a dark crack silently tore through the sky. The edge of the crack glowed with a dark red halo, like dried blood, and faintly a shrill roar seeped out of it. The spiritual energy in a radius of ten thousand miles suddenly rioted, forming a violent vortex, crushing all the nearby rocks and plants.
This strange phenomenon lasted for less than three breaths before suddenly disappearing, but the remaining chaotic aura made all cultivators above the foundation building stage in the southern continent feel alert.
……
The top of Xuantian Peak is shrouded in clouds and mist.
Yu Shui Zhenjun sat cross-legged beside a clear spring, the water reflecting the trajectory of the starry sky. He slowly opened his eyes, a drop of water hanging on his fingertips, causing tiny ripples on the water surface.
"coming."
He whispered to himself, his eyes piercing through the clouds, looking towards the direction of the southern continent.
……
Another month passed, and the atmosphere in the main hall of Xuantian Peak was solemn.
Li Jun, Chen Qingcheng, and Pu Jianxing, three Jindan Zhenren, stood on both sides, Xiao Ningxue stood at the bottom, and behind her stood several fourth-level foundation-building cultivators. The Lingyu ground in the center of the hall projected a topographic map of the southern continent, with a glaring red mark running through the mountains.
Yu Shui Zhenjun's voice flowed like a clear spring, but it carried unquestionable majesty.
"Everyone, I believe you have all sensed the changes in the southern continent. The energy fluctuations that erupted a month ago were actually caused by the fight between Master Geng Qing and a powerful being from another world."
He raised his hand and a water curtain spread out in the air, revealing a distorted scene of the abyss - under the dark red sky, countless deformed demons were fighting in the lava, and in the distance stood a castle made of bones.
"This world calls itself the 'Abyss'. It is divided into 666 layers, each of which is an independent purgatory. The creatures there are governed by chaos, and devouring and destroying are the eternal themes."
The water curtain image switched, revealing a huge crack that spanned the void, and countless low-level demons were swarming out of the crack.
"True Lord Geng Qing originally intended to explore the new world, but he underestimated the strength of the Abyss Lord. Now the passage between the two worlds has become a permanent crack, and war is inevitable."
Pu Jianxing frowned.
"True Lord, with the power of my Kaiyang Star..."
"insufficient."
Yu Shui Zhenjun interrupted, and a scene of four Zhenjuns working together to cast a spell appeared in the water curtain.
"The four of us have temporarily sealed the crack, but the abyss aura will continue to erode the seal. In three years at most, the crack will expand to the point where even a Jindan realm can pass through, and it will need to be sealed again."
Xiao Ningxue suddenly looked up.
"What does the True Lord need the Xuantian Empire for?"
"three things."
Yu Shui Zhenjun raised his finger, and every time he spoke a point, a ripple of water spread out.
"First, within three months, we will join forces with other Dao Sects to form an expeditionary force. After entering the abyss, we will form the first line of defense with the crack as the center, and cultivators above the foundation building stage will take turns to guard it."
"Second, we should devote all our efforts to developing weapons to fight against the creatures of the abyss. The technology of that alien may be useful."
"Third..."
The water curtain suddenly exploded and turned into raindrops all over the sky. Each raindrop reflected a different terrifying scene - corrupted spiritual veins, demonized monsters, monks with bone spurs all over their bodies...
"Beware of the corruption of the abyss. The chaotic power there will distort the mind, and even the foundation of the realm of mind cannot completely resist it."
The hall fell into deathly silence, with only the sound of raindrops hitting the ground.
Snapped. Snapped. Snapped.
Like the drumbeat of a countdown.
……
When Xiao Ningxue returned to Tianshu City, the afterglow of the setting sun was shining on the bluestone-paved square. She walked hurriedly, her white hair fluttering slightly in the wind, and her eyes reflected the last dark red in the sky, like the color of a crack in the abyss.
Inside the formation hall, Yu Yue was working at her desk drawing a formation diagram. When she sensed her apprentice's presence, she raised her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Ningxue, why did you come back so soon? What instructions does the Master have?"
Xiao Ningxue did not answer immediately, but raised her hand to set up a soundproof formation, and then told her what she saw and heard on Xuantian Peak. As she narrated, Yu Yue's expression gradually became solemn, and her fingertips unconsciously stroked the edge of the formation diagram.
"Abyss... six hundred and sixty-six levels of purgatory?"
Yu Yue repeated in a low voice, frowning.
"This matter is of great importance and must be prepared immediately."
Xiao Ningxue nodded, her eyes determined.
"Master, the formation of an expeditionary force and the development of weapons are urgent. Master Zhenjun specifically mentioned that Garnier's technology might come in handy."
Yu Yue pondered for a moment and suddenly asked.
"Is Daoyan and Jiang Yuan's matter related to this abyss?"
"Nine times out of ten."
Xiao Ningxue's voice became a little deeper.
"Jiang Yuan may have been eroded by the things in the abyss. Although Dao Yan escaped, the situation is not optimistic."
Yu Yue sighed, stood up and walked out of the hall.
"Let's go find Luo Youran and Garnier. We need to think about this matter carefully."
……
In the City Lord's Mansion of Xuantian City, Luo Youran was reviewing documents at her desk. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Xiao Ningxue and Yu Yue coming together. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Ningxue, Senior Yu, you came here so late, is there something important?"
Xiao Ningxue didn't exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point.
"You Ran, a deep abyss rift has appeared in the southern continent, connecting to an alien world called the 'Bottomless Abyss'. The True Lord has ordered the formation of an expeditionary force, and preparations must be completed within three months."
After Xiao Ningxue explained the details, Luo Youran quickly calmed down, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.
"I understand. Xuantian Empire will fully cooperate, and I will start the resource allocation and personnel arrangements immediately."
She paused and looked at Xiao Ningxue.
"Mass production of the Mecha Silver Thunder is of utmost importance, and the newly arrived silver essence from Tianyuan Star will come in handy."
Xiao Ningxue nodded.
"That's right. We'll go to Garnier now to discuss the manufacturing details."
……
In Garnier's laboratory, complex drawings and data streams were projected on the silver-gray walls. She was suspended in the air, with a faint light flashing in her blood-red pupils. After listening to Xiao Ningxue's narration, she was silent for a moment.
"The abyss... is it similar to the hell dimension described by Karel?"
Her voice remained calm, but there was a strange gleam in her eyes.
"If so, conventional weapons may have limited effectiveness."
Xiao Ningxue was well prepared and took out a jade slip.
"This is the information about the creatures in the abyss provided by the True Lord, including their weaknesses and characteristics."
Garnier took the jade slip, and the data stream flashed rapidly in her eyes. After a moment, she raised her head.
"According to the information inside, abyssal creatures are made of chaotic energy and are extremely repulsive to ordered energy. However, the spiritual power of cultivators belongs to ordered energy, so the weapons do not need to be changed at present. We need actual combat to draw conclusions."
Luo Youran quickly wrote it down and then asked.
"Garnier, considering the three months of production time, how many Silver Thunders does the Empire have now?"
Garnier calculated for a moment and gave the answer.
"If there are enough materials, we can produce about 300 units in three months of full production. But we need more formation masters and refiners to participate. Together with the previous small-scale production of Silver Thunder, the total will be 700 units."
"Seven hundred..."
Luo Youran repeated softly, with a gleam in his eyes.
"That's enough. Each Silver Thunder is equivalent to a state of mind foundation building. Seven hundred of them are a powerful force."
Xiao Ningxue added.
"Not only that, the True Lord also asked us to develop special weapons for the Abyss. Garnier, what do you suggest?"
Garnier floated in front of Xiao Ningxue.
"I can't give advice right now, I need more information."
The four discussed until late at night and finally finalized the preliminary plan:
1. Luo Youran is responsible for resource scheduling and personnel recruitment to ensure the supply of materials manufactured by Yin Ting.
2. Yu Yue led the Formation Hall to improve the psychic converter and shield technology.
3. Carniel and the Equipment Refining Hall led the construction of Silver Thunder.
4. Xiao Ningxue coordinates the overall situation and the expeditionary military affairs with other Taoist sects.
When she left the laboratory, it was already dawn. Xiao Ningxue stood on the wall of Tianshu City, looking at the gradually whitening sky in the distance, with a myriad of thoughts in her mind.
Three years is neither long nor short. The threat of the abyss is imminent, and Lin Ji has not returned yet...
"Ningxue."
Luo Youran's voice came from behind. She walked to Xiao Ningxue and gently held her hand.
"We will guard all of this until he returns."
Xiao Ningxue turned to look at her and found that Luo Youran's eyes were full of determination. She smiled slightly and held his hand.
"Yeah, let's go together."
In the morning light, the two figures were stretched out, as if they had merged into the city. Preparations for war had already begun, and they would face this storm side by side.