The inner sanctuary of the tomb opened into a massive circular chamber. In the center, suspended within a shimmering sphere of liquid dark essence, floated the Abyssal Source Water—and above it, a glowing, translucent orb containing the remnant soul of the ancient Abyssal Sovereign.
Before anyone could reach for the altar, Grand Elder Sun-Piercer stepped into the center of the hall. The death of his senior elders had stripped away any pretense of restraint. His silver hair blew upward as his aura exploded with the weight of a half-step Nascent Soul powerhouse, making the air in the chamber grow suffocatingly hot.
— I have cultivated for three hundred years, boy! — Sun-Piercer’s voice reverberated like thunder against the ancient stone walls. — You think relying on a stolen dark cauldron makes you my equal? I shall tear your Shadow Core from your chest with my bare hands!
BOOM!
Sun-Piercer vanished, leaving a crater in the stone floor. He reappeared instantly above Li Chen, his solar sword transformed into a giant, blinding blade of solid golden light that cleaved straight down with force enough to split a mountain.
— Protect the boy! — Sovereign Iron-Hide shouted from the entrance as the dark coalition rushed into the sanctuary.
— Don't interfere, — Li Chen commanded coldly, his voice piercing through the sonic boom.
Instead of retreating, Li Chen’s scarlet-violet eyes flared with absolute focus. He crossed his arms, unleashing the full weight of his Shadow Core.
"Shadow Core: Abyssal Domain of Ten Thousand Ghosts!" This chapter is updated first at g.com.
A tide of dense, violet-black Qi erupted from Li Chen’s body, spreading out twenty yards in every direction. Within this domain, gravity multiplied tenfold. The descending golden blade slowed significantly as thousands of shadow arms materialized from the ground, grabbing the searing blade of light to siphon its energy.
CLASH!
The golden sword struck the barrier of shadow right above Li Chen’s head. Shockwaves tore up the stone floor of the inner sanctuary, hurling several weak disciples from both factions into the walls.
Sun-Piercer’s eyes widened as he felt his sacred Qi being drained straight through his weapon.
— What kind of demonic core did you condense?! — Sun-Piercer bellowed, forcing his energy to surge higher.
Li Chen slammed his right palm against the side of the golden blade. The Abyssal Heart Cauldron shot forward, slamming directly into Sun-Piercer’s chest armor.
BANG!
Sun-Piercer coughed up a mouthful of golden blood, thrown backward fifty yards before skidding to a halt near the altar of the Abyssal Source Water. His chest plate was shattered, and dark frost was already creeping across his skin, freezing his meridians.
Li Chen stepped through the settling dust, his shadow blade hummed with lethal intent as he closed the distance.
— Master, behind you! — Xiao Feng suddenly screamed.
From the shadows near the ceiling, two slender, crimson threads shot toward Li Chen’s back at blinding speed—not from the Sun-Veil Sect, but from Cultivator Scarlet-Weaver herself. A cold, treacherous smile graced her lips beneath her veil as she sought to strike down Li Chen while his attention was fixed on the Grand Elder.
— Did you really think an alliance of dark cultivators meant trust, Master Li? — Scarlet-Weaver’s velvet voice echoed softly.