The journey through the Shadow Abyss was grueling. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the oppressive darkness seemed to swallow the light of the disciples' lanterns. Each step felt like venturing deeper into the jaws of a beast. They encountered fearsome creatures along the way—venomous beasts with glowing eyes, shadowy figures lurking at the edge of their vision.
Lei Chen found himself constantly on guard. His senses were sharper than ever, the War God's techniques allowing him to sense even the faintest shifts in the air. But the abyss wasn't just home to creatures; it seemed to warp reality itself. Rivers appeared where there had been none, trees twisted and moved as if alive.
Halfway through the trial, the disciples were attacked by a pack of Void Hounds, creatures that could phase in and out of existence, making them nearly impossible to predict. Chaos erupted. Disciples fell as the hounds tore through their ranks, their claws slicing through armor and flesh.
Lei Chen fought fiercely, his body pushed to the brink as he struggled to defend himself. But no matter how fast he moved, the hounds were faster. His strikes passed through them as though they were nothing but illusions.
Suddenly, in the midst of the chaos, Lin Wei appeared. He cut down two of the Void Hounds with ease, his swordsmanship immaculate. For a moment, it seemed as though the battle would turn in their favor.
But Lei Chen noticed something—Lin Wei's attacks, though powerful, were reckless. He was forcing the Void Hounds into a corner but leaving himself exposed. A mistake.
As if sensing an opportunity, the largest of the hounds phased behind Lin Wei, its eyes glowing a dangerous red. Lei Chen's instincts screamed at him, the War God's legacy flaring to life within him. He couldn't let Lin Wei fall—not like this.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Lei Chen unleashed a technique he had been perfecting in secret: "Heaven's Wrath Palm!" His palm glowed with golden light as he slammed it into the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth. The energy rippled outward, disrupting the phasing ability of the Void Hounds.
For the first time, the creatures became tangible, their forms solidifying.
Without hesitation, Lei Chen attacked, his movements fueled by desperation. He struck the largest hound with a deadly blow, shattering its bones with the force of his attack. The remaining hounds scattered, retreating back into the abyss.
Panting, Lei Chen collapsed to the ground. But in that moment of exhaustion, something changed. He felt a surge of power within him, the qi in his dantian swirling violently as if responding to the battle. His body trembled, and he realized he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
As he closed his eyes, focusing on the energy within, the barrier that had held him back shattered. Lei Chen broke through to the eighth sub-stage of Mortal Foundation. His power doubled, and his senses sharpened.
Lin Wei stood nearby, eyes burning with both fury and grudging respect. He didn't say a word, but Lei Chen knew—this wasn't over.