The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earth and ash as Li Wei and Zhang Hao made their way deeper into the Crimson Gorge.
The path was rugged, flanked by jagged cliffs that loomed like silent sentinels.
Zhang Hao walked a few paces ahead, his twin blades secured at his back.
"The Infernal Blood Sect isn't just a group of thugs.
They're organized. Xu Wanyu's sorcery fortified the gorge with traps and scouts.
We need to stay sharp."
Li Wei nodded, his senses heightened by the lingering energy from the previous night's awakening ritual.
But as they pressed on, a chilling unease settled over him.
The air seemed to grow heavier, and shadows clung stubbornly to the rocks, unnaturally thick despite the rising sun.
A low growl echoed through the canyon, freezing them both in their tracks.
"Did you hear that?" Zhang Hao whispered, drawing his blades.
Li Wei's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his own weapon.
"It's not the shadow beasts. This feels... different."
The system chimed in his mind, breaking the tense silence.
[System Notification: Warning! Presence of Demonic Entity Detected.
Task Updated: Confront the First Demon.
Current Luck: 2.]
Li Wei clenched his jaw. "A demon..."
Zhang Hao glanced at him, his eyes narrowing.
"What are you talking about? What demon?"
Before Li Wei could respond, the ground beneath them trembled.
From the shadows ahead, a figure emerged—a towering, grotesque creature with glowing crimson eyes and a twisted, sinewy frame.
Black mist coiled around it like living chains.
The demon's voice was a guttural snarl, layered with a thousand whispers.
"Mortal fools... you dare tread where the Shadow Devourer's essence lingers?"
Zhang Hao took a step back, his grip tightening on his blades.
"What in the heavens is that?"
Li Wei's heart raced as fragments of memory surged forward—images of Wu Shang, the Shadow Devourer, commanding legions of such demons.
This creature was a fragment of Wu Shang's power, a harbinger of the darkness yet to come.
"It's a servant of Wu Shang," Li Wei said, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his chest.
"We can't let it leave this gorge alive."
The demon laughed, a sound like grinding stone. "Bold words for a mortal bound by flesh. Come, let me taste your despair!"
[System notification : memory recalled- 14 %
Strength recalled: 6%
Total strength : 16 %]
The Battle Begins
The demon charged, its clawed hands leaving deep gashes in the rock as it closed the distance.
Zhang Hao moved first, his blades a blur of steel as he struck at the creature's legs.
"Keep it off balance!" Zhang Hao shouted.
Li Wei followed his lead, channeling the energy of the Lotus Heart Strike into his palm.
The glow intensified as he thrust it toward the demon's chest, but the creature deflected the blow with a sweep of its massive arm.
The impact sent Li Wei stumbling back. The system's chime rang in his mind.
[System Notification: Task Progress
System Analysis: Weakness Detected in Demonic Core.
Direct attacks required.]
"Zhang Hao!" Li Wei called. "
The core—it's in its chest! We need to hit it directly!"
Zhang Hao's eyes flicked toward the demon's glowing center, his movements adjusting to target it.
"Easier said than done!"
The demon roared, swiping at Zhang Hao with claws that left deep grooves in the ground.
Li Wei circled around, using the distraction to summon his newly unlocked skill.
"Resonance Strike!" he shouted, the energy from his palm rippling outward as it struck the demon's side.
The creature staggered, its roar turning into a snarl of rage.
[System Notification: Battle Points Earned +150.
Skill Synchronization: Resonance Strike Strengthened.]
The demon lunged at Li Wei, its claws narrowly missing him as he rolled to the side.
Zhang Hao took advantage of the opening, leaping onto the demon's back and plunging one of his blades into its shoulder.
"You're not so tough now!" Zhang Hao taunted, twisting the blade.
But the demon retaliated, shaking Zhang Hao off and slamming him into the ground.
The impact left Zhang Hao dazed, his blades slipping from his grasp.
Li Wei's pulse quickened. "Zhang Hao!"
The system chimed again.
[System Notification: Ally in Critical Condition.
Faith Bond Progress in Jeopardy.
Activate Spirit Channeling? Y/N.]
"Yes!" Li Wei shouted aloud, not caring if Zhang Hao heard.
A surge of power flooded his body, and the outline of the ethereal lotus bloomed around him once more.
His energy flared, drawing the demon's attention away from Zhang Hao.
"You wanted despair?" Li Wei said, his voice resonating with newfound strength.
"Let me show you what hope looks like!"
The Turning Point
The demon lunged at Li Wei, its claws slicing through the air.
But this time, Li Wei was ready.
He sidestepped the attack and thrust his glowing hand forward, striking the demon squarely in the chest.
The creature howled as cracks began to spread across its body, the dark mist around it dissipating.
Zhang Hao regained his footing, his gaze sharpening as he retrieved his blades.
"Don't finish it without me!"
Together, they launched a coordinated assault.
Zhang Hao's twin blades struck from one side, while Li Wei's Lotus Heart Strike radiated with amplified energy from the Spirit Channeling.
The demon let out one final roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into black ash.
Aftermath
The silence that followed was deafening.
Zhang Hao leaned on his blades, his chest heaving. "What... was that thing?"
Li Wei wiped the sweat from his brow.
"A fragment of Wu Shang's power. The Shadow Devourer is more dangerous than you can imagine."
Zhang Hao's gaze was steady.
"And you know how? You're no ordinary fighter, Li Wei. It's time you start explaining."
The system interrupted, sparing Li Wei from answering immediately.
[System Notification: Task Complete – Confront the First Demon.
Battle Points = 120
Luck Points Restored: +1.
Faith Bond Progress: Zhang Hao +10.
Current Rank: Trusted Ally.]
Li Wei sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"You're right. I owe you answers. But for now, we need to prepare. Xu Wanyu and her forces will be far worse."
Zhang Hao sheathed his blades, his expression unreadable.
"Fine. But if you keep too many secrets, I won't hesitate to find them out myself."
Li Wei allowed himself a small smile. "Fair enough."
The system chimed one final time, its message filling him with determination.
[System Notification: Skill Unlocked – Infernal Banishment.
Effect: Purges demonic energy from the battlefield.
Memory Progression: 20%.]
As the two warriors pressed on, the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air.
The Crimson Gorge awaited, and with it, the growing threat of Wu Shang's darkness.
But for the first time, Li Wei felt a spark of hope.
With Zhang Hao by his side and his powers awakening, he was ready to face the challenges ahead.