Xiao Tian stood within the Void Temple, his silver eyes fixed on the swirling portal before him. The weight of the Veil of Secrets lingered in his thoughts, but the urgency of the Void Compass demanded his focus. Its pulsating energy pointed to a realm shrouded in chaos—the Fractured Abyss.
Elder Taixu materialized beside him, his spectral form radiating caution. "The Fractured Abyss is unlike the other realms you've encountered. It is a place of instability, where rifts tear through the very fabric of space. Few have ventured there and returned."
"What am I looking for?" Xiao Tian asked, his voice calm but resolute.
"The Abyss holds fragments of ancient power, remnants of a war fought between gods and Void entities," Taixu explained. "These artifacts could greatly enhance your control over the Void—but the creatures that thrive in chaos will not let you claim them easily."
Xiao Tian nodded, his grip tightening on his Void Qi blade. "Then I'll take what I need."
Without hesitation, he stepped through the portal.
---
The Abyss Beckons
Xiao Tian emerged into a realm consumed by chaos. The ground beneath him was jagged and unstable, glowing cracks radiating from the countless rifts that split the landscape. Above, the sky churned with streaks of crimson lightning that illuminated a void of black and silver.
The oppressive weight of chaotic energy pressed against Xiao Tian's Void Core, forcing him to activate his Void Qi Shield to stabilize himself. "This realm is alive with destruction," he muttered, his silver eyes scanning the fractured terrain.
As he moved forward, Xiao Tian noticed shards of glowing crystals embedded in the ground, their energy pulsating faintly. He approached cautiously, extending his Void Qi to probe one of the shards.
"These crystals… they're infused with dimensional energy," Xiao Tian observed. "If harnessed, they could strengthen my Void Core."
He absorbed the crystal's energy, feeling a sharp surge of chaotic power flow into him. His Void Core trembled under the pressure, but Xiao Tian guided the energy with precision, stabilizing it within his cultivation.
---
The Abyss Strikes Back
The ground trembled violently, and from a nearby rift emerged a massive Chaos Warden, a creature of swirling energy and jagged stone. Its glowing eyes locked onto Xiao Tian, and it roared with a sound that seemed to shake the very air.
"Another beast of the Void," Xiao Tian muttered, his blade appearing in his hand. "Let's see what you've got."
The Chaos Warden lunged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it charged. Xiao Tian activated Void Steps, flickering away just as the beast's strike shattered the earth where he had stood.
He countered with a slash, his Void Qi blade slicing through the Warden's shoulder. The beast roared in fury but showed no sign of slowing.
"This thing is built to endure," Xiao Tian thought, analyzing its movements.
The Warden retaliated with a burst of chaotic energy, forcing Xiao Tian to retreat. He noticed a faint glow in the center of its chest—a core of energy pulsating faintly amidst the chaos.
"That's its weakness," he realized.
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A Battle of Precision
The Chaos Warden charged again, its claws glowing with destructive energy. Xiao Tian activated Void Chains, binding the beast's limbs and halting its advance. Using the opening, he flickered forward with Void Steps, aiming directly for the glowing core.
His blade struck true, and the Warden let out a deafening roar as cracks spread across its body. However, the beast released a burst of chaotic energy, breaking free of the chains and forcing Xiao Tian back.
"This thing doesn't go down easily," Xiao Tian muttered, his silver eyes narrowing.
Drawing upon the energy of the Dominion Core, he unleashed a concentrated surge of Void Qi, striking the core with all his strength. The Chaos Warden shattered into fragments of light and stone, its energy dissipating into the Abyss.
---
The Crystal Shard
With the Warden defeated, Xiao Tian turned his attention back to the glowing shards scattered across the ground. He absorbed another shard's energy, its chaotic currents merging with his Void Core.
The energy pushed against the boundaries of his Peak Foundation Realm, testing the limits of his control. Xiao Tian clenched his fists, steadying his breath as he guided the energy into harmony.
"These shards are powerful," he murmured, "but they're just as dangerous."
---
A Warning in the Abyss
As Xiao Tian moved deeper into the Abyss, the air grew heavier, and a chilling voice echoed around him.
"You do not belong here, child of the Void," the voice said, low and menacing. "Turn back, or face annihilation."
Xiao Tian's silver eyes gleamed with defiance. "If you think you can stop me, try it."
The ground trembled again, and another rift tore open before him. From its depths emerged a shadowy figure, its aura radiating malice and raw power.
"You've meddled with forces beyond your comprehension," the figure said. "This realm will be your grave."
Xiao Tian raised his blade, his resolve unshaken. "Let's see who falls first."