In the treacherous depths of the Tidal Abyss, a place where most cultivators meet their doom, Wang Lin (王林) from Renegade Immortal (仙逆) transformed danger into a stunning windfall of power, ancient artifacts, and unparalleled spiritual evolution that would forever alter his path to immortality.
The Tidal Abyss has always been whispered about in fearful tones among cultivators. It is a place where the very fabric of space seems to twist and tear, where ancient energies clash and create deathly currents capable of shredding both body and soul. For ordinary practitioners, venturing here is akin to walking into a dragon's den with no hope of return.
Yet, for Wang Lin, this perilous location became a personal treasure trove. What started as a rescue mission for his ally Zhou Yi (周佚) turned into a series of fortuitous encounters. Zhou Yi, in a gesture of profound gratitude and recognition, severed his connection with his immortal sword and gifted it to Wang Lin. This was not merely a weapon transfer; it was the passing of a legacy.
The sword, steeped in millennia of spiritual energy, immediately bonded with Wang Lin, becoming an extension of his will. Even Xu Liguo (许立国), Wang Lin's often mischievous and self-serving subordinate, found himself unexpectedly blessed, absorbing remnants of ancient sword intent that permeated the abyss, subtly evolving his own ghostly nature.
Forging the Stellar Sword Formation
Fortune favors the prepared, and Wang Lin was more than ready when he encountered the Twelve Sons of Jian Xiao (剑肖). These twelve individuals, each possessing formidable swords and sword qi (气), had been trapped within the abyss for a century, their patience frayed and their judgment clouded by desperation. When they recklessly provoked Wang Lin, they unwittingly became stepping stones for his growing power.
Having previously tasted success in acquiring spiritual swords, Wang Lin systematically subdued them, adding their prized blades to his collection. This methodical accumulation culminated in a significant milestone: the completion of the Seven-Star Sword Formation. This formation, which relies on the harmonious resonance of seven powerful swords, became a cornerstone of his combat strategy.
Unlike singular attacks, the formation allows for complex, layered offensives that can trap, confuse, and destroy enemies. Its utility would prove immense in future conflicts, particularly in the vast and dangerous Luotian (罗天) Star Fields, where it would consistently give him an edge against numerically superior foes. Furthermore, the encounter allowed him to absorb and refine the remnants of Ling Tianhou's (凌天侯) natal sword qi, a potent energy that would later serve as a terrifying deterrent against the elusive Yin-Yang Void masters.
The Legacy of Ju Fu and the Primordial Thunder Dragon
Perhaps the most profound gifts of the abyss were not physical weapons but inheritances of pure power and law. Guided by Zhou Yi, Wang Lin was led to the spirit of the previous generation's Rain Immortal Sword, a being named Ju Fu (巨富). Within this ancient sword spirit resided the formidable Zhanluo Jue (斩罗诀). This technique was no ordinary combat art; it contained the very essence of laws from the second step of cultivation. The "Zhanluo Jue" operates on a terrifyingly simple principle: "Yi Luo" (一落), or "One Fall." This single, direct application of force bypasses conventional defenses, striking at the fundamental rules that constitute an enemy's existence. When Wang Lin later faced the formidable Huan Wuqing (幻无情), this technique's raw, brutal efficiency proved decisive.
Although Wang Lin had touched upon the edges of the second step through his Dao Hua Huang Quan (道化黄泉), he had not truly entered that realm. The rules inherent in Ju Fu's "Zhanluo Jue" served as a tangible beacon, offering profound insights into the next stage of his cultivation journey. His meeting with Tan Lang, his perennial rival, was equally bountiful. Tan Lang, often acting as an unwitting "treasure delivery boy," lost not only the Tidal Token but also half of his second primordial spirit—a Primordial Thunder Dragon. This was a monumental gain.
The thunder attribute, especially from a being like the dragon, carried a fragment of heavenly law itself. Absorbing it caused a qualitative leap in Wang Lin's divine sense and soul, imbuing him with a pure, heaven-like power. This new attribute would later prove invaluable in the Luotian Star Fields, where his Thunder Beast from the She Shen Che (射神车), combined with this internal thunder law, led many to mistake him for an envoy of the Thunder Immortal Realm.
The Creation of the First Celestial Guard
Time spent in captivity is not always wasted. During his enforced stay within the abyss, Wang Lin turned his attention to a project he had long considered: crafting a Celestial Guard. The process is notoriously difficult, requiring immense resources and precise control. However, Wang Lin already possessed the perfect candidate: Du Jian (杜建). Elevating Du Jian's cultivation to the Wen Ding stage was only the first step. Wang Lin then meticulously tempered his body, merging it with a Tian Gui (天鬼)—a ghostly entity of significant power. The true alchemy began when he poured nearly all the magical treasures and artifacts he had accumulated over eight hundred years into Du Jian's newly forged form.
Finally, he transferred the entirety of his own accumulated killing intent, a heavy burden of slaughter from his past battles, into the Guard. This immense influx of energy, materials, and negative spiritual force pushed the Celestial Guard directly to the Xu Void stage. The creation was complete: Wang Lin's First Celestial Guard, a silent, powerful entity born from a fusion of mortal, ghost, and treasure. Where others found only death in the Tidal Abyss, Wang Lin wove a tapestry of gains—an immortal sword, a complete sword formation, a law-defying technique, a fragment of heavenly thunder, and a peerless protector—solidifying his legend as one who could seize fortune from the jaws of oblivion.
