The plunge through the spatial fissure felt like being thrown into a sea of liquid iron. When the disorienting vortex finally released them, Li Chen and Xiao Feng landed atop a narrow, elevated ledge of obsidian stone.
The air inside the tomb was stale and freezing, smelling of ancient dust and stagnant blood. High above, the ceiling was lost in a sea of swirling dark clouds, while far below lay an endless chasm filled with churning, black mist that roared like a trapped sea beast.
— Master... look, — Xiao Feng whispered, pointing a trembling finger forward.
Spanning the vast, bottomless chasm was a single, treacherous bridge constructed entirely from linked human vertebrae and the ribcages of ancient spirit beasts. The Bone Bridge hummed with a faint, crimson light, every inch of its surface carved with runes that whispered in a chaotic, maddening chorus.
Halfway across the bridge, the vanguard of the Sun-Veil Sect was already engaged in a ferocious struggle.
Four core disciples, glowing with sacred solar Qi, fought desperately against dozens of skeletal warriors that rose continuously from the bridge’s very structure. Each time a skeleton was crushed into powder, the black mist beneath the bridge swallowed the remains and reassembled them moments later.
— Their solar Qi is useless here, — Li Chen said, stepping onto the first stone of the bridge with complete tranquility. — They fight the tomb’s array with brute force, wasting their energy on endless ghosts. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
The moment Li Chen’s boots touched the bone surface, the ancient runes flared violently. Three towering skeletal specters, wielding rusted broadswords, materialized from the black mist, their empty eye sockets burning with dark green soul-flame.
They lunged at Li Chen in unison, their blades whistling through the frigid air.
Li Chen didn't dodge. He simply raised his left hand, extending two fingers.
"Shadow Core: Devouring Soul Thread!"
Three thin, thread-like tendrils of violet-black shadow shot from his fingertips, piercing straight through the skulls of the three specters. Instead of destroying their physical frames, Li Chen channeled his Shadow Core energy directly into their soul-flames. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping(.)com.
The green flames turned a deep, subservient violet in an instant. The specters froze in mid-air, then fell to their knees, bowing their skulls toward Li Chen as if greeting their true lord.
— Control the source, not the form, — Li Chen murmured, walking past the kneeling guardians without slowing his pace.
Behind him, Xiao Feng gasped as he noticed the black mist beneath the bridge parting in reverent fear, clearing a safe path for them while the Sun-Veil disciples further ahead continued to be slaughtered.
From the far side of the chasm, Grand Elder Sun-Piercer turned his head, his silver hair fluttering wildly as his golden eyes locked onto Li Chen smoothly guiding the tomb's guardians.
— A dark technique that manipulates soul-flames... — Sun-Piercer’s voice echoed across the gorge, laced with deep, lethal intent. — You truly are a scourge that must be eradicated before reaching the Sovereign’s inner chamber!
Sun-Piercer raised his hand, gesturing to three senior elders behind him.
— Unseal the Solar Purification Array. Burn the bridge, burn the mist, and incinerate that demon along with it!