In the vicinity of the towering edifice of the trial tower, three imposing figures materialized, their presence commanding as they stood suspended in the sky, bridging heaven and earth with their mere existence.
"The audacity of those abyssal fiends to strike at us," one of them remarked, a tone of disdain coloring his words.
"They're nothing but shadows and whispers," another chimed in, querying, "What's our move?"
The third, reaching out to the tower's essence, reported back, "Abyssal intruders have slithered in, targeting our brightest stars within the battle space."
A ripple of concern spread among them as they learned the integrity of the space was compromised, "It's chaos in there, with the abyss's taint warping our rules. The tower's foundation, born of the abyss itself, gives them an edge. Rectifying this turmoil will take time."
"How long?" one asked urgently.
"An hour," came the somber reply.
Within the tower's battle space, amidst the frenzied combat, the monsters vanished as if wiped from existence, leaving a void that was soon filled with a more oppressive, suffocating air, laced with wisps of black energy seeping from the ground.
"Why the retreat?" "What's unfolding?" The disappearance of the monsters left the candidates bewildered, prompting Lin to immediately rally his skeleton warriors for protection.
"Lin, you dimwit," a familiar voice pierced the tension.
Surprised, Lin spotted Xia Xue approaching, their unexpected encounter in the battle space adding to the mystery.
"What's happening?" Xia Xue inquired, her voice betraying a mix of confusion and concern.
Shaking his head, Lin admitted his ignorance, just as perplexed by the sudden turn of events as she was.
A moment later, the battle space lit up, revealing over a hundred candidates from various provinces, their presence a testament to the wide-reaching call of the examination.
"Children," a voice resonated, authoritative and warm.
"I am Bai Yiyuan."
A collective gasp filled the space, "The White God himself..."
"To hear the voice of the White God..." The awe was palpable, Bai Yiyuan's name alone enough to stir hearts.
As Bai Yiyuan disclosed the abyssal invasion, a silent resolve settled over the candidates. "In this hour, your unity is your strength," his voice bolstered their spirits, "We, the people of Shenxia, are undaunted by battle, unbroken by death."
The candidates, their youthful vigor ignited, responded with a resounding chorus, "We fear neither battle nor death!"
Though Lin remained silent, the fervor of Bai Yiyuan's words did not escape him, his resolve as steadfast as ever, ready to confront whatever abyssal horrors awaited.
As the candidates banded together, whispers of the abyss's dread spread among them, tales of unimaginable monsters and endless peril. Yet, it was Bai Yiyuan's assurance that unified them—a promise that together, they could withstand the abyss's might.
Outside, Ning Xuanfeng urged calm, echoing Bai Yiyuan's confidence. "Believe in Bai Shen," became a rallying cry, a beacon of hope amid the gathering storm.
And as the abyss's influence crept ever closer, marked by the ominous glow of the Abyss Blood Moon, a sense of readiness permeated the air.
"Prepare yourselves," the candidates murmured amongst themselves, the shadow of the coming conflict looming large. The battle space braced for the abyss's onslaught, united in their determination to stand against the darkness.