The beast's molten eyes glared at Han Sen, its fury undiminished despite its wounds. Crystalline structures trembled around them, resonating with the aftershocks of their clash. Han Sen stood atop a fractured spire, his aura subdued but his senses razor-sharp.
"This place isn't just a realm; it's alive," Han Sen muttered, observing the way the ground beneath the beast seemed to pulse with energy, feeding it strength. "And if this thing is any indication, it's not going to let me through easily."
The massive creature roared again, charging with reckless abandon. Han Sen didn't move, his calm demeanor betraying none of the calculations racing through his mind. When the beast was mere feet away, he vanished in a blur, reappearing behind it with his fist blazing like a supernova.
The blow struck the creature's hind leg, sending it sprawling into a crystalline formation. The impact shattered the structure, but instead of collapsing, the fragments floated into the air, rearranging themselves into a jagged new shape.
"So even the terrain isn't static here," Han Sen said, his eyes narrowing.
The Beast's Wrath
The creature rose, its golden scales glowing brighter. It bellowed, and Han Sen felt the air around him grow heavier. Symbols—similar to those on the golden door—appeared on the beast's body, their intricate patterns pulsating with ancient energy.
Before Han Sen could react, the creature opened its mouth, unleashing a beam of molten energy that carved through the landscape. Han Sen leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the blast, but the heat singed even his transcendent form.
"This isn't a mindless brute," Han Sen realized, his gaze fixed on the glowing symbols. "It's using techniques… ancient ones."
He landed gracefully on a floating shard of crystal, his mind racing. If the beast was tied to the realm itself, defeating it wouldn't just require brute strength—it would demand strategy.
A Memory Resurfaces
As Han Sen studied his opponent, a fragment of memory surfaced. Years ago, before entering the sanctuaries, he had found an old journal among his grandfather's belongings. The journal had described a "Primordial Abyss," a place beyond the reach of gods and men, where the laws of reality twisted and the strongest fell to their knees.
"The symbols on this creature…" Han Sen whispered, his eyes narrowing. "They match the ones in the journal."
The realization struck him like lightning. This was the Primordial Abyss his grandfather had written about—a realm where existence itself was both the creator and the destroyer. If that was true, then this beast wasn't just a guardian; it was a test.
Unleashing True Power
Han Sen clenched his fists, his aura flaring to life. The golden light of his transcendent genes blended with the energy of his Breakthrough ability, creating a swirling vortex of power around him.
"Let's see how much you can handle," Han Sen said, his voice calm but resolute.
The beast charged again, its molten energy intensifying. Han Sen met it head-on, his fist colliding with its massive claw. The impact created a shockwave that rippled through the crystalline landscape, causing entire formations to collapse and reassemble in midair.
For every attack the beast unleashed, Han Sen countered with precision. But he wasn't just fighting; he was observing. The patterns on the beast's body shifted with each move it made, forming a sequence that began to make sense to him.
"It's not just fighting—it's following a script," Han Sen realized. "The symbols… they're a language."
Breaking the Code
As the battle raged on, Han Sen's focus shifted from defeating the beast to deciphering its patterns. He began to move in sync with the creature, his attacks becoming more calculated.
Finally, as the beast lunged again, Han Sen raised his hand, forming a barrier of pure energy. The creature's attack struck the barrier and rebounded, stunning it momentarily. Han Sen seized the opportunity, leaping onto its back and pressing his palm against one of the glowing symbols.
"Let's see what you're hiding," he muttered.
A surge of energy flowed through him, and for a brief moment, his mind was flooded with images—fragments of memories not his own. He saw glimpses of towering beings, battles that shook entire dimensions, and a throne of light at the center of it all.
A New Challenge
The creature let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing, its massive body dissolving into streams of golden light. The symbols on its body floated into the air, forming a glowing pathway that extended into the distance.
Han Sen stepped forward cautiously, his body still tense from the battle. As he approached the pathway, the ground beneath him shifted, creating a staircase that seemed to descend into infinity.
"This is just the beginning," Han Sen said, his voice steady. "If the Abyss is testing me, I'll play along. But I'll make my own rules."
With one last glance at the strange, alien sky above, Han Sen stepped onto the glowing pathway, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
End of Chapter 2
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