As the Shadow Phoenix's will spoke, its words reverberated through Xiao Ming's soul, settling into his very core.
The weight of his decision to breakthrough was not lost on him, but in that moment, he felt the weight of the realm pressing in on him from all sides. Time, once fluid and intangible, now became a ticking clock, a constant reminder of the pressing need to advance.
After all, strength was still the most sought after treasure at the end of the day and without it, those Yin Lords outside the secret realm would waste him in a single exchange. He could only feel elated that at least, fate gave him the slight chance to make up for his excesses in strength before letting him face these crouching tigers and hidden dragons from the supersects.
Xiao Ming took a deep breath, his mind clearing, leaving only one path before him—forward. He could no longer afford to hesitate.
