Li Shen plummeted through the opening, his body twisting in the air as he aligned Viper's Edge for a killing strike. The sacred blade gleamed with morning light as he descended upon Shi Ming's position. His strike connected with the Hell Sage's helmet, the impact reverberating through his arms.
But Shi Ming was not budging. The blow that should have split his skull merely rang against the darkness-shrouded armor.
Li Shen sprang away, putting distance between himself and his opponent. The sight before him defied comprehension - Shi Ming's form had become a void, a silhouette of pure darkness. The black substance that coated his armor seemed alive, writhing and flowing like liquid shadow. Not a trace of the original metal remained visible beneath the otherworldly coating.
