Languan Mountain, the Abyss of Despair, stands as the foremost of the four notorious realms on the Cangyun Continent. Beneath the Abyss of Despair lies a place known as the Graveyard of the Reaper; countless souls have plunged into its depths over the years, including three formidable Monarch-level powerhouses, yet none have ever returned alive.
At this moment, beside the Abyss, a young man with black hair and eyes leans against a towering boulder, stained crimson with blood. His body, clad in black, is marred by numerous lacerations, and beneath him pools a small puddle of blood after only a few breaths of standing.
His chest heaves violently as he gasps for air, every muscle quivering with exhaustion—he is on the brink of collapse. Were it not for the massive stone beside him, he might not even be able to stand. Yet, his eyes gleam with a cold clarity, sharp as daggers, devoid of any sign of weakness. A sardonic, disdainful smile plays at the corners of his lips.
Before him, a sea of dark figures blocks all avenues of escape.
"Yun Che, you are cornered! Hand over the Heavenly Poison Pearl, and we may spare your life!"
"Today, we shall enact justice and rid the world of you, the scourge! Surrender the Heavenly Poison Pearl at once, or you shall suffer a fate worse than death!"
"Yun Che! Stop clinging to your delusions. Your only option now is to relinquish the Heavenly Poison Pearl! Such a divine artifact is unworthy of your possession!!"
Echoes of righteous indignation resound from the crowd, who draw closer. Anyone from the Cangyun Continent passing by would be astounded by the sight: this dark throng comprises nearly all the most powerful sects, with their leaders present, even those long forgotten, having secluded themselves for years. It is no exaggeration to say that any one of them could easily shake an entire region.
Now, they converge here, drawn solely by the man pushed to the brink at the Abyss—the true object of their desire being the Heavenly Poison Pearl, the most coveted artifact in the Cangyun Continent!
As the throng advances, the lure of the Heavenly Poison Pearl becomes irresistible, having pursued him relentlessly for three days and nights. They finally stand on the cusp of achieving their goal.
"You... desire this... Heavenly Poison Pearl?"
Yun Che smirks coldly, raising his right hand to reveal a vibrant green orb pulsating with a dim light. At the moment the pearl is unveiled, all footsteps halt; greedy gazes fixate on the luminous green sphere, reflecting an insatiable hunger.
These formidable figures, so awe-inspiring in their prowess, appear utterly small and base in Yun Che's eyes. Despite being trapped in this dire situation, his gaze remains proud and scornful, infused with an unquenchable hatred: "My master dedicated his life to healing, saving countless lives without seeking fame or fortune... Yet, because of this Heavenly Poison Pearl, seven years ago, you so-called righteous sects... forced him to his death."
"I loathe... loathe my own powerlessness, having failed to eradicate all of your worthless sects over the past seven years!"
Each word resonates with deep-seated fury. Even after seven years, memories of his master's tragic demise still draw tears of blood from the corners of his eyes.
Yun Che knows nothing of his parents; he was found by his master as a mere infant. It was during the spring's gentle embrace, with clouds drifting lazily and waters flowing clear, that his master named him "Yun Che," hoping his spirit would be as pure as the clouds and as clear as the water, destined to inherit his legacy as a healer without blemish.
No matter the severity of ailments or injuries, his master's hands could heal with ease, all thanks to the hidden power of the Heavenly Poison Pearl. The term "Heavenly Poison" suggests immense toxicity, yet both medicine and poison share a common origin; his master never utilized its lethal capabilities but instead harnessed its essence to create countless divine remedies that saved innumerable lives. He imparted his medical knowledge to Yun Che, who, seven years ago, was forced to flee when the existence of the Heavenly Poison Pearl was exposed, leading to his master's tragic end at the hands of various sects.
Upon learning of his master's death, Yun Che wept for three days and nights, nurturing the seed of vengeance within him. No longer pursuing the healing arts, he instead sought to harness the fearsome power of the Heavenly Poison Pearl, making revenge his sole purpose. After seven years of relentless training, he finally bared his fangs of retribution; within ten days, his deadly poison spread across vast territories, claiming countless lives and inciting chaos and fear throughout the Cangyun Continent, ultimately attracting the attention of those apex powerhouses who sought to reclaim the Heavenly Poison Pearl.
He gazes at the faces before him, laughter growing colder: "You worthless wretches, dreaming of claiming the Heavenly Poison Pearl from my hands... are you out of your minds?"
With that, he abruptly raises his hand and forcefully swallows the Heavenly Poison Pearl, a surge of energy propelling it into his gut...
"What... what are you doing?!"
"He actually... swallowed the Heavenly Poison Pearl!"
"Yun Che! Have you lost your mind?!"
"It matters not; if worse comes to worst, we'll kill him and seize it!"
Yet, upon consuming the Heavenly Poison Pearl, Yun Che does not suffer the anticipated violent reaction, but rather, a faint green glow envelops his form.
"Kill him immediately! If the Heavenly Poison Pearl undergoes any changes within him, it will spell disaster!"
A commanding voice rises from the crowd as a dozen figures rush toward Yun Che. Seeing the faces he yearns to obliterate, Yun Che bursts into a hoarse, weak laugh, yet it is filled with pride: "I may not have been able to slay you, but you shall not take my life! You lack the right to claim the Heavenly Poison Pearl, let alone the life of Yun Che; if I die... it shall be by my own hand! Hahaha..."
With a raucous laugh, he channels all his strength and leaps backward...
"Stop him!!!"
Realizing Yun Che's intent, cries of alarm erupt, as several hands reach out in a desperate grasp, but they can only watch helplessly as his body plummets into the Abyss of Despair...
The Abyss indeed seems fitting as my final resting place...
I have lived a life free of attachments, yet it is a pity... that I could not avenge my master... nor find my biological parents...
Yun Che gently clutches the silver pendant hanging at his chest, the only possession he had when his master found him. As the wind howls around him, he slowly closes his eyes, surrendering his body to the seemingly endless, bottomless abyss of darkness...