Samuel Grant is a prodigy of the younger generation in the Great Sun Sacred Sect, a young grandmaster, about the same age as Eric Dawson, and his cultivation has also reached the late Inner Gang grandmaster level. He is likewise a renowned rising star in the Eight Extremes Great World.

The original owner of Eric Dawson's body had fought him three times in succession, all ending in a draw. The two of them could be considered old rivals among the young martial artists of the Eight Extremes Great World.

The presiding elder of Eastern Tang said, “This young man is quite remarkable, having cultivated the Sun Golden Needle Qi Art of the Great Sun Sacred Sect to the eighth level. He is not only exceptionally talented but also possesses a tenacious character. If he advances further this time, do I need to tell you what the result will be?”

The Sun Golden Needle Qi Art is a rather obscure martial art of the Great Sun Sacred Sect. If cultivated to a profound level, its power is immense, ranking among the very top in martial arts of the same tier.

However, its power in the early and middle stages is quite limited; only upon reaching the sixth or seventh level does its extraordinary nature become apparent.

Yet, this technique is notoriously difficult to cultivate. Practitioners must endure the agony of being burned by raging fire, as if thousands of steel needles are piercing their bodies—a process akin to self-torture.

As one’s cultivation advances, the Great Sun Sacred Sect offers even more profound and powerful martial techniques for disciples to choose from, so very few people practice this art.

Eric Dawson said nonchalantly, “If Samuel Grant manages to master the ninth level of the Sun Golden Needle Qi Art at his current age, there have been fewer than five such people in the entire history of the Great Sun Sacred Sect. It is indeed rare.”

“To stand out among his peers in the Great Sun Sacred Sect, he must have exceptional qualities.”

Eric Dawson smiled. “Thank you for the reminder, Elder. I am well aware.”

The presiding elder of Eastern Tang glanced at him and said indifferently, “If that’s the case, you may go. Should you discover anything in Zhenlong Abyss, report back promptly. Take good care of the disciples on this trial—do not let any mishaps occur.”

Eric Dawson stood up. “I’ll take my leave now, Elder. No need to see me off.”

Watching Eric Dawson’s departing figure, the old man’s gaze remained calm as he slowly closed his eyes. “A fledgling brat, so arrogant and impetuous.”

……

Zhenlong Abyss is a massive rift stretching across the land, flanked by towering mountains. The chasm is bottomless and shrouded in black mist all year round.

The black mist is harmful; the deeper one goes, the denser it becomes. Even martial experts dare not take risks lightly, as many strange monsters and fierce magical beasts breed within the fog.

Deeper inside Zhenlong Abyss, the black mist causes bizarre spatial distortions, making it difficult to discern directions. Even those outside the abyss find it hard to mount a rescue.

However, Zhenlong Abyss also produces rare treasures seldom found elsewhere on the continent, some even unique, so martial artists often venture in to seek fortune.

Of course, most who enter never make it out alive.

Thus, Zhenlong Abyss has been infamous since ancient times.

Eric Dawson and the others left the capital of Eastern Tang and made their way to the outskirts of this deadly place.

“You all should know the origins of Zhenlong Abyss by now?” Standing atop a mountain beside the rift, Eric Dawson said, “The Eight Extremes Great World is customarily divided into eight vast regions, named after Heaven, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Marsh.”

“One of these regions, due to a mutation many years ago, became a wasteland—the most perilous and expansive area in the world. Because of a homophonic pun, it has since been called ‘Hell.’”

“From Hell, many great rifts extend outward into the surrounding lands. Zhenlong Abyss is one of the largest among them, and a significant portion of it passes through the Heavenly Domain where our Guangcheng Mountain is located.”

Eric Dawson said, “The sudden anomaly in Zhenlong Abyss is of unknown cause. You all must be extremely cautious.”

All the disciples of Guangcheng Mountain nodded in agreement.

Led by Eric Dawson, the group slowly descended into the rift.

Although it is a dangerous place, the outermost area has already been cleared to form a simple path.

At intervals along the path, lamps are lit, and wisps of blue smoke rise, isolating the black mist within a small area to allow passage.

This path was opened by the martial experts of Eastern Tang and Guangcheng Mountain, who rushed here at the first sign of anomaly to temporarily suppress the situation. They guarded the area while notifying Guangcheng Mountain to send for special instruments to investigate.

If not for the timely suppression, the black mist might have surged out of the gorge.

After meeting with the local martial artists responsible for guarding the area, Eric Dawson and his group began to venture deeper into Zhenlong Abyss.

Eric Dawson walked at the front, staying alert to his surroundings while pondering, “This black mist is indeed chaotic demonic energy. Although it can produce things useful for the inner crystal furnace, it is otherwise entirely harmful.”

“Wait… let me think, perhaps it’s not entirely without merit?”

“The gap in strength from late Inner Gang to early Outer Gang is far greater than from mid to late Inner Gang. If not worlds apart, it is at least a complete transformation,” Eric Dawson thought. “With Gang Qi released externally, one’s defense becomes extremely formidable.”

“If an Inner Gang grandmaster attacks with full force, only by striking an Outer Gang grandmaster’s unprotected vital points might it be effective; otherwise, most efforts are in vain.”

“Conversely, with Gang Qi released externally, an Outer Gang grandmaster’s attacks are terrifyingly lethal, and breaking through an Inner Gang grandmaster’s Gang Qi defense becomes much easier.”