The buff is permanent, and you start the game with a fountain of water.

"Death is everyone's final destination, but I can't even die!" Ji laughed self-deprecatingly. Sophia and the others had complicated expressions, hesitant to speak.

Huan Chengze looked completely bewildered.

"Is it because of the origin of the Abyss?"

"good!"

Sophia continued, "We discovered when Ji was dying that the Abyss Source not only devoured his life, but also devoured the life force of those around him when Ji's life force was insufficient."

"This power is too strong; we are completely unable to resist it. If we let it continue, the entire Divine Realm Continent will be devoured."

"so?"

Huan Cheng glanced at the group and made a guess in his mind.

"We united the remaining forces on the continent and, at the cost of the Dark Clan's treasure, the Book of the Underworld, transformed Ji into a special state between life and death, and then sealed him away."

After a pause, Sophia added, "This was originally the ultimate punishment of the Dark Clan, used to punish traitors. The punished would suffer endless curses and resentment until their souls collapsed, but we had no choice but to resort to this drastic measure."

"The prolonged mental torture drove Ji to the brink of madness. The five of us were responsible for suppressing him to prevent any accidents."

As she spoke, Sophia gave a bitter smile and shook her head, saying, "We died ten thousand years ago. What we are now is merely a lingering remnant left behind by a secret technique."

"They call it suppression, but it's really just using the friendship between us and Ji to persuade him to stay calm."

Huan Cheng finally understood the strange relationship between the group and also grasped the meaning of "liberation" that Ji had mentioned.

"Senior Ji, are you planning to hand over the Abyss Source to me?"

"Indeed, you possess extraordinary talent, a once-in-ten-thousand-years phenomenon. Are you willing to inherit this power?" Ji's eyes held a hint of eagerness.

"Even with your strength, senior, you couldn't resist the life-corrosion of the Abyss's source. What merit do I possess to deserve your trust in entrusting the Abyss's source to me?"

"Hahaha!" Ji laughed loudly, his eyes full of joy: "Boy, the nature of the Abyss Source is extremely special. Whether it enhances combat power or devours life, it is closely related to the host's own strength."

"Leaving aside the issue of increasing strength, the Abyss Source devours life on a percentage basis, regardless of strength level, absorbing 10% of life per second!"

Ji sighed, his expression lost in reminiscence: "Back then, I was too powerful. Even with the full strength of the Divine Realm Continent, I could only hold out for three days."

"You are different. You possess a special talent that allows you to counteract the devouring power of the Abyss's origin. The Abyss's origin can only benefit you, without any harm!"

Huan Cheng glanced at Sophia and the others without leaving a trace, and seeing that they showed no change in expression, he believed Ji's words.

"I've accepted the Abyss's origin, what will you do?"

"We will be free." Ji smiled slightly, her tone light.

"Child, including Ji, we actually died ten thousand years ago. What remains here are just the imprints of our souls filled with obsession. You have nothing to worry about."

Sophia spoke gently, looking at Huan Cheng with a smile.

Although he knew Sophia was over 10,000 years old, her appearance was too young, and being called a "child" by such a person still made Huan Cheng very uncomfortable.

"Alright, I'm willing to accept the Abyss Source!" Huan Cheng said solemnly, taking a deep breath.

"happy!"

Ji laughed heartily, and after laughing, he solemnly looked at Huan Cheng: "Today I formally accept you as my disciple, to inherit my mantle."

"Ding! The special character Jiyu has offered you the position of disciple. Would you like to accept?"

"accept."

"Good disciple!" Ji laughed and patted Huan Cheng on the shoulder, then said with some regret, "Unfortunately, under the devouring of the Abyss Source, everything on my body has been lost, and I have nothing to give you as a gift."

Sophia and the others shook their heads with wry smiles. To put it bluntly, they were just spiritual echoes left behind by former powerful figures, and there was no real material left behind.

Huan Cheng secretly regretted it, but repeatedly declined.

"You have inherited my mantle, and I have two things to tell you!" Ji said solemnly, extending both hands.

"This disciple is willing to obey Master's orders."

"First, although I defeated the Abyss Demon Army and closed the Abyss Passage by relying on the power of the Abyss Source, I did not have time to wipe out the remnants of the Demon Army because of the suddenness of the event."

"The main force of the demons retreated into their shells, while their leader used superb spatial magic to create a subspace, where thousands of demons gathered, forming the Demon Realm."

"When you are strong enough in the future, you must complete the unfinished work for your master, completely eliminate the demons, and pacify the Demon Realm!"

"Ding! Ji has issued you the ultimate mission—[Pacify the Demon Realm], do you accept?"

"accept!"

"Secondly, although you are my disciple, the power you inherited comes from the Abyss Source, which means you are not destined for the path of the Annihilation Warriors that I created."

This is the culmination of my life's work. If you have the chance, please help me find a suitable successor to carry on the legacy of the Annihilation Warriors!

"Ding! Ji has issued you a special mission: [Find a Successor]. Do you wish to accept?"

"accept!"

"Alright! Prepare to accept the power of the Abyss!" Ji laughed loudly, looking up at the sky.

"etc!"

Sophia stopped Ji and looked at Huan Cheng: "Protecting Ji has been our duty for ten thousand years. Now we are about to perish, and there will be no trace of us in the land of inheritance."

"Please also help us find a suitable successor!"

"Ding! Sophia has issued you a special mission: [Find Successor II]. Do you wish to accept?"

"Ding! Ao Feng has issued you a special mission: [Find the Successor San]. Do you wish to accept?"

"Ding! Xuanwu Yutian has issued you a special mission..."

…………

"accept!"

Apart from Loren, whose successor still exists, the other four also issued tasks to Huan Cheng.

"Alright, stop dawdling, let's get started!"

Having finished giving his instructions, Ji ordered Huan Cheng to stand opposite him, and then a layer of black light erupted from his entire body. Guided by Ji's will, the black light gradually gathered at his fingers, forming a dark ball of light.

Sofia and the others gasped for breath, their expressions extremely tense.

Unmoved, Ji's face contorted with rage, he swiftly pointed the ball of light at Huan Cheng's forehead.

The pain and torment that Huan Cheng had anticipated did not occur, and he did not even notice anything unusual.

"Ding! Due to the influence of the Abyss Source, your lifespan is decreasing by 10% every second. This condition will last for life and cannot be removed."

"Ding, due to the influence of the Abyss's origin, your profession is forcibly bound to the Lord of the Abyss."

"Ding! Congratulations on becoming the first player to change jobs. You are rewarded with 500 reputation points and a special item."

"Ding! Congratulations on successfully changing your class to the unique hidden class, Lord of the Abyss. Your five basic attributes have been increased by 20."

"Ding! Your profession is permanently bound to Lord of the Abyss. This cannot be changed or abandoned. Your attributes, skills, growth potential, etc., will change..."

"bite……"

As if going mad, system notifications came in rapid succession.

Huan Cheng paid no attention to the system; his entire mind was drawn to Ji.

Having broken free from the source of the Abyss, Ji's body suddenly began to dissipate, starting from his feet, gradually turning into light spots and disappearing into the air.

"Master!"

Ji simply smiled and shook his head at Huan Cheng, then focused his gaze on Sophia and the others.

Huan Cheng then realized that Sophia and the others had also begun to turn into light spots!

"Old friend, we are free!"

Ji smiled brightly and said softly.