Chapter 15: Echoes of the Void 2
Tian Yu stood motionless, staring at the entity before him. Its presence was overwhelming, like an abyss threatening to consume him. The swirling darkness around them pulsed with energy, and the vast emptiness of the Void Realm seemed endless. The entity's eyes burned with an intensity that felt as if they could pierce into his very soul.
"Mortal, do you truly wish to walk this path?" The entity's voice reverberated through the realm. "The Void does not grant power freely; it demands a price. Many before you have sought its secrets, only to be consumed by its endless hunger."
Tian Yu tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze unwavering. "I don't fear the Void. If there is a price to be paid, I will decide whether it is worth it. But I will not turn back. I seek the truth."
A low, echoing laughter rippled through the space. "Very well, mortal. If you wish to understand the Void, then prove your worth."
A pulse of energy surged through the air as the darkness coalesced into a massive figure—a Void Guardian. Its form was humanoid but shifting, as though reality itself struggled to contain it. Two glowing eyes fixated on Tian Yu, filled with an ancient and unfathomable power.
[System Alert: Combat Analysis]
Opponent: Void Guardian
Cultivation: Unknown
Threat Level: Extreme
Tian Yu took a deep breath, his Qi surging within him as he activated his Lunar Fang Blade. The blade gleamed under the dim, shifting light of the Void Realm, radiating a sharp, moonlit glow. The Guardian wasted no time; with a flicker, it moved with an impossible speed, closing the distance in an instant.
Tian Yu barely managed to block the first strike. The impact sent a powerful shockwave rippling through the space, distorting the very fabric of the Void. He skidded backward, feeling his bones vibrate from the force.
"Strong..." Tian Yu muttered under his breath. But strength alone would not be enough to win this battle.
The Guardian lunged again, its movements unpredictable. Tian Yu activated his Phantom Step, his body flickering as he narrowly evaded the next attack. He countered with a Lunar Crescent Slash, the arc of moonlight energy cutting through the Void. The attack struck the Guardian, but instead of being damaged, the wound simply vanished—erased as if it had never existed.
Tian Yu's heart pounded. "Regeneration? No... It's as if reality itself resets around it."
[System Analysis: The Void Guardian manipulates space-time to negate damage. Direct attacks will have minimal effect. Find an alternative approach.]
Tian Yu narrowed his eyes. "If direct attacks won't work... then I'll change the rules of the battle."
He drew upon his Qi, channeling it through his body as his spiritual sense expanded. He could feel the Void's pull, its chaotic energy whispering in his ears. Instead of fighting against it, he let himself flow with it. The moment the Guardian struck again, Tian Yu twisted his body mid-air and redirected his Qi, guiding the Void energy instead of resisting it.
The Guardian's attack missed completely. The Void shifted around him, creating a small rupture in its fabric. Tian Yu acted instantly, thrusting his sword into the rift. The Guardian, caught in the disruption, faltered for the first time.
A glimmer of opportunity.
"Void Rend!"
Tian Yu poured his Qi into the attack, forcing the rip in space wider. The Guardian roared, its body distorting uncontrollably as its own energy was turned against it. With one final push, Tian Yu unleashed a surge of energy, shattering the Guardian's form into countless fragments of darkness.
The realm fell silent. The oppressive presence had vanished.
[System Alert: Victory Achieved]
+5000 System Points
New Ability Unlocked: Void Step – Allows the user to momentarily phase into the Void, evading attacks and passing through physical matter.
Tian Yu exhaled heavily. His body ached from the strain, but the battle had granted him something invaluable—understanding. The Void was not just destruction; it was transformation, a force that could either consume or be wielded.
A new voice echoed through the space, softer yet filled with authority. "You have proven yourself, Tian Yu."
The entity reappeared, though its form was no longer oppressive. "You have taken your first step toward unraveling the truth of the Void Era. But be warned—this is only the beginning. There are forces beyond your comprehension that will seek to stop you. Tread carefully."
Tian Yu nodded. "I will find the truth, no matter the obstacles."
The entity extended a hand, and a black sigil appeared in front of Tian Yu. "Then take this—an imprint of the Void. It will guide you when the time comes."
The sigil embedded itself into his palm, merging with his Qi. A strange power coursed through him, unlike anything he had felt before.
A final pulse of energy swept through the realm, and the next moment, Tian Yu found himself standing once more at the peak of the Forbidden Mountain. The air was still, the whispers of the Void now merely an echo in his mind.
The Lunar Wolf pup barked, nudging Tian Yu's leg. He looked down and smiled. "I'm fine," he assured the creature. "But our journey is far from over."
He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon. There were still many secrets left to uncover, many battles yet to be fought. But one thing was certain—he was no longer just a cultivator seeking power. He was a seeker of truth, walking the path that no one dared tread.
And he would not stop until he reached the heavens themselves.
End of Chapter 3: "Echoes of the Void"
This chapter continues Tian Yu's journey by introducing the Forbidden Mountain's true mystery and his first direct battle with the Void's power. The fight against the Void Guardian pushes him to develop a new approach to combat, resulting in his first Void-based ability. The Void sigil hints at a deeper connection to the Void Era, setting up the next phase of his journey. Future chapters will explore how this power affects his cultivation, interactions with other cultivators, and the greater mystery of the Void Era.