After pursuing their target for a while longer, Qiu Bai and his group once again encountered an Abyss Mage and a Ruin Guard.
Just as Lumine was about to charge in, Qiu Bai raised a hand to stop her.
"Leave this to me."
He smiled slightly and gestured toward the Abyss Mage and the Ruin Guard.
Then, he extended a single finger, which became coated in a strange, dark aura. In the blink of an eye, he tapped the air dozens of times, his movements so swift that afterimages remained.
The next moment, the Abyss Mage and the Ruin Guard collapsed to the ground as if their souls and energy had been instantly drained from their bodies.
Dainsleif watched the scene unfold, his eyes widening in shock.
"Wow! With Qiu Bai around, things get so much easier!"
"Let's go check it out!"
Paimon stomped her foot excitedly before flying ahead.
Ignoring Dainsleif astonished gaze, Qiu Bai simply followed. Lumine quickly ran forward as well, while Dainsleif, still recovering from his surprise, walked toward them at a slower pace.
"Hmm… There are some strange symbols floating around the Abyss Mage body."
"Are they Khaenri'ahn script?"
Paimon clasped her hands behind her back and curiously turned to Dainsleif.
"I'm reading it now…"
Dainsleif placed a hand on his chin, studying the markings on the fallen Abyss Mage.
"Fuel the fire with the faith of our enemies."
"Glory to His Highness, the noble prince."
He murmured the words with a deep frown.
"Huh… Is that part of a letter?"
Paimon asked in confusion.
Dainsleif ignored her question, his gaze still locked onto the fallen Abyss Mage.
"The Loom of Fate the Primordial Project."
"The Abyss it seems they are executing a plan."
"The key phrase is 'The Loom of Fate.'"
He turned to the group and explained before shifting his focus back to the Abyss Mage.
"It appears to still be in its early stages."
"Or rather, they are conducting their first experiments."
Dainsleif stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The Loom of Fate? What does that mean?"
"It sounds like some kind of machine that weaves destiny?"
Paimon waved her hands, trying to make sense of it.
"Could it be related to the Inverted Statue?"
Lumine asked softly, glancing at Paimon.
"Oh, now that you mention it… The eerie ruins definitely feel like they could be connected to this plan."
"So, Dainsleif, what exactly does the letter say?"
After speaking with Lumine, Paimon turned back to Dainsleif, who was still lost in thought.
"I'm still reading..."
"Hmm... The plan is quite fantastical, and there are parts that are difficult to comprehend."
Dainsleif muttered as he studied the strange purple script floating above the Abyss Mage.
"What's wrong?"
Paimon waved a hand, prompting him to continue.
"To summarize in one sentence—"
"The Abyss initial plan is related to the Vortex God, Osial."
Dainsleif explained as he looked at the three before him.
"The Vortex God? You mean that sea-dwelling god?!"
Paimon nearly jumped in fright.
"But wasn't the Vortex God already slain by the Immortal Lord with a single sword strike?"
Lumine asked, puzzled as she turned her gaze to Qiu Bai.
"Now that you mention it, Osial has already fallen."
"What could the Abyss possibly do with it now?"
Paimon also looked toward Qiu Bai before turning back to Dainsleif.
"Perhaps they intend to use the remains of the Vortex God's body..."
"Or the remnants of its divine essence for something."
Dainsleif murmured, still uncertain.
"Before, they targeted the followers of gods, and now, they've set their sights on an ancient god itself?"
"Their ambitions keep growing!"
Paimon flailed her arms in exasperation.
"It's not just about altering its will; they want to apply abyssal technology—"
"Along with the divine power of Morcius to completely transform Osial remains."
Dainsleif rubbed his chin, his brows furrowing.
"Morcius divine power?!"
"But how could they possibly obtain the power of that god?"
Paimon stared at Dainsleif in shock, then turned toward Qiu Bai with an even more stunned expression.
"My divine power?"
"Could it be that since I completely eradicated Osial, they no longer have enough strength to create their Mechanical God?"
Qiu Bai pondered, touching his chin.
"The letter states that they intend to strike a deal with that god."
"This step is the final stage of their plan, but it's also the most dangerous for them."
Dainsleif was equally astonished.
He hadn't expected the Abyss to attempt a transaction with one of the most powerful gods in existence.
"That Morcius is the only god in this world who has no connection to Celestia."
"Perhaps that's precisely why the Abyss seeks to negotiate with them."
Dainsleif murmured under his breath as he examined the mysterious script.
"A god unconnected to Celestia?"
"But wasn't it Celestia that granted the Gnosis to all the victorious gods during the Archon War thousands of years ago?"
Paimon looked at Dainsleif in shock and asked.
"How could there possibly be a god that has no connection to Celestia?!"
She covered her mouth in astonishment before turning to Qiu Bai, her expression full of disbelief.
"But the truth is as it is. That god, named Morcius has no connection to Celestia whatsoever."
Dainsleif turned to Paimon, who was still staring at him in disbelief, and answered firmly.
Lumine also had a dazed look on her face as she stared at Qiu Bai.
"Why are you looking at me? I'm not Morcius."
Qiu Bai twitched at the stares from both Lumine and Paimon. He rubbed his nose awkwardly before responding.
"Once this is over, I absolutely have to ask Qiu Bai about this."
Lumine clenched her fists and thought to herself.
Paimon was also baffled as she looked at Qiu Bai. If he was one of the gods of this world, then where did his Gnosis come from?
"And as for the Abyss Order's plan… Could it be that they're trying to create the ultimate killing machine, the Mechanical Squid God ?!"
Paimon eyes widened as she turned to Dainsleif.
"The nickname is getting longer."
"But honestly, that does seem to be the gist of it."
Lumine commented as she turned to Paimon.
"Yes. According to the letter, placing the 'Eye' into the hands of the corrupted Inverted Statue and combining it with the authority of the Yin-Yang God would grant the newly born Corrupt God the power to shake the divine thrones of Celestia."
Dainsleif explained, looking at the group.
"Celestia… the divine thrones..."
Lumine murmured, still trying to process everything.
"Ugh... This plan is on such a massive scale that it's hard to believe."
Paimon clutched her head and waved her hands at Dainsleif.
"Speaking of which, since no one knows where the world's first 'plow machine' is located."
"Why don't we start investigating from the information about the statue instead?"
Paimon suggested to Dainsleif.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)