Abyss – Resting Hollow (Mid-Tier)
The warning had no voice. Only heat.
A searing pulse through the walls.
Yue Qing jolted awake, her cursed eyes flaring violet. "Something's wrong."
Ye Tian was already standing, the Blade of the Abyss in hand, its core pulsing with red sparks, like a warning beacon.
[System Warning: Proximity alert – Hostile entities converging.][12 Corrupted Trial Remnants. 1 High-Tier Invader. Estimated Survival: 6%. Upgradable via Combat XP.]
"Six percent?" Ye Tian muttered. "At least it's not zero."
The cavern trembled. Screams echoed—gargled, ancient things.
They came crawling from the broken glyph-wall—twelve twisted bodies, glowing runes etched into their bones, wearing broken armor of long-dead sects.
Yue Qing grabbed her black-edged chain-blade.
"Those are… disciples who failed the trials. But their cores are still active."
Ye Tian's jaw tightened.
"Then we liberate them."
Battle Begins – Cradle of Sorrow
The first creature lunged, jaw dislocating unnaturally.
Ye Tian spun low, slicing its legs, then kicked it toward Yue Qing.
She twisted her cursed chain into a spike—impaling the shrieking thing to the wall.
[+400 XP | Essence Absorbed][Weapon Rank: 1 → 2 | Passive Skill Unlocked: Abyssal Pulse]
Two more darted forward.
Ye Tian growled. "Let's end this quickly—"
But before he could move—
The air twisted.
The mist curled inward.
A voice echoed, low and malevolent:
"Not bad. But you're dancing on borrowed time."
They both froze.
From a black fracture in space, a foot stepped through. Clad in torn red battle robes, the scent of fire and death swirling around him.
Mo Wuxian, the Red Herald, had arrived.
"So this is the boy who claims the Blade," he said, tapping the butt of his sentient spear to the stone. "Disappointing. I expected someone with more… teeth."
Upper World – Cloudshatter Sect, War Pavilion
Zhao Feng stood by a glowing war map. Lines of light flickered across it, denoting levels of the Abyss.
A red line appeared—burning straight through six levels.
"...No."
He turned sharply. "Red Herald is moving."
An elder trembled. "We weren't supposed to draw their attention. You said—"
Zhao Feng silenced him with a glare. "Ye Tian's interference… it triggered the Ruin."
He looked east—toward the sealed scroll containing the Abyssal Law Contracts.
"If he unlocks that weapon, our control ends."
Lin Ruyan – Alone in the Mirror Chamber
She stared into a fragment of obsidian mirror, trying to reach the same boy she once betrayed.
And saw him. Briefly. Covered in ash and light, facing a being that radiated death.
Her hands trembled.
"You… survived everything."
Her voice broke.
"And you're still going."
Behind her, the door creaked. Zhao Feng entered.
"Did you see?"
Lin Ruyan looked back.
"He'll come for us, Zhao Feng."
Zhao laughed bitterly.
"Let him try. By the time he reaches us, there won't be anything left of him."
But in his eyes, for the first time, there was doubt.
Back in the Abyss – Showdown Begins
Mo Wuxian raised his spear.
"Tell me, boy. Do you bleed like the rest of them?"
Ye Tian didn't answer.
He charged.
Yue Qing beside him, cursed flames dancing behind her like wings.