The group pressed forward, the forest growing darker and more oppressive with every step. The faint energy trails illuminated by Li Feng's Piercing Sight led them unerringly toward the Energy Pillar—or Nexus Point, as his Abyssal System called it. Yet, the closer they got, the more uneasy he felt. The air was thick with tension, the kind that whispered of danger beyond their current understanding.
"We've been walking for hours," Zhu Yan grumbled, breaking the silence. "How much farther, Feng? My feet are about to revolt."
"Not far," Li Feng replied, his eyes narrowing as he examined the faint glow ahead. "The energy is getting stronger. We're almost there."
Xu Mei stayed silent, her Mirage Blade drawn and ready. Lin Yue walked beside her, glancing nervously at the shadows around them.
Suddenly, the trail ended at a clearing, where a massive stone structure stood at its center. The Energy Pillar loomed above them, its surface glowing with a pulsating light that sent faint ripples of energy through the air. The ground surrounding it was scorched and cracked, as though the land itself had struggled to contain the sheer power emanating from the pillar.
"This is it," Li Feng said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zhu Yan whistled, his usual bravado slipping away. "That thing is... huge."
Lin Yue hesitated, her voice trembling. "It feels... alive."
Li Feng's system buzzed with activity, a notification appearing on his Celestial Screen.
[Abyssal Notification: Nexus Point Detected. Absorb Energy to Gain Abyssal Points and Enhance Abilities.]
He turned to the group. "This is what we came for. Everyone, activate your screens and start absorbing. Stay alert—something feels off."
Xu Mei frowned but nodded, her Mirage Blade glowing faintly as her Celestial Screen activated. The others followed suit, each summoning their screens and beginning the absorption process.
As the group absorbed the energy, Li Feng's Abyssal System worked seamlessly, pulling the power into him with no resistance. Warmth flooded his body, his muscles feeling stronger, his senses sharper.
[Abyssal Points Gained: +200.]
[Combat Rating Increased: +2.]
But it wasn't the same for the others. Lin Yue grimaced, her hands trembling as she struggled to maintain her connection to the pillar. Zhu Yan gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as his energy wavered. Xu Mei stood firm, but her Mirage Blade pulsed erratically, and her breathing grew labored.
"This... is harder than I expected," Xu Mei said, her voice strained.
"Keep going," Li Feng urged, scanning their surroundings.
It was then that he noticed something strange. Shadows flickered unnaturally at the edge of the clearing, twisting and writhing as though alive. His Piercing Sight revealed faint traces of energy, darker and more sinister than anything he'd encountered before.
"Stop!" he shouted, his voice sharp. "Something's coming!"
The group froze, their screens deactivating as they turned toward the shadows.
From the darkness emerged a figure cloaked in black, its face obscured by a hood. Its presence exuded an aura of malice, and even without a visible face, its crimson eyes burned with an otherworldly light.
"Who... who are you?" Lin Yue stammered, her voice trembling.
The figure didn't respond immediately. Instead, it raised a hand, and the shadows around it coalesced into a weapon—a blade forged from pure darkness.
"You are unworthy," it said, its voice cold and hollow. "The energy of this Nexus belongs to me."
Zhu Yan stepped forward, flames igniting at the tip of his staff. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Another fight? Can't we get a break?"
Li Feng held out a hand, stopping him. "This is different. Be careful."
The cloaked figure tilted its head, its voice tinged with amusement. "You should listen to him. This is no ordinary foe you face."
Without warning, it lunged at them, its movements impossibly fast. Xu Mei reacted first, her Mirage Blade clashing with the shadow blade. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, forcing the others to shield their eyes.
"It's strong!" Xu Mei shouted, struggling to hold her ground.
"Lin Yue, barriers!" Li Feng commanded.
Lin Yue raised her hands, a shimmering wall of light forming between the group and the attacker. The figure slashed at the barrier, cracks spreading across its surface but holding for the moment.
Zhu Yan unleashed a torrent of fire, but the figure melted into the shadows, reappearing behind him.
"Watch out!" Li Feng shouted.
Zhu Yan barely dodged the strike, the shadow blade slicing through the air where he'd been moments before.
Li Feng activated his Piercing Sight, analyzing the figure's movements. Its energy was unlike anything he'd seen—fluid and unpredictable, as though it defied the very laws of nature.
"We can't beat it head-on," he thought.
The figure turned its attention to him, its crimson eyes narrowing. "You... are different," it said. "Your energy does not belong to this world."
Li Feng's heart pounded. "What do you mean?"
The figure didn't answer. Instead, it raised its blade, preparing for another attack.
The fight continued, the group struggling to keep up with the figure's relentless assaults. Lin Yue's barriers shattered one after another, and Zhu Yan's flames barely kept it at bay. Xu Mei fought valiantly, her Mirage Blade glowing brightly, but even she was pushed to her limits.
Li Feng knew they couldn't win this fight—not without a plan. His mind raced, searching for a weakness, a way to turn the tide.
It was then that his Abyssal System activated, a new notification appearing on his screen.
[Abyssal Insight Unlocked: Shadowbane Technique Available.]
The words burned into his mind, the knowledge of a new skill flooding his thoughts.
"Shadowbane..." he whispered.
The figure paused, its crimson eyes narrowing. "You are full of surprises," it said.
Li Feng gripped his spear tightly, the weapon glowing with a faint black-and-gold light. He felt the energy coursing through him, the power of the Abyssal System merging with his own.
"Everyone, fall back!" he shouted.
The others hesitated but obeyed, retreating to the edge of the clearing.
Li Feng faced the figure alone, his spear pulsing with energy.
"This ends now," he said, his voice steady.
The figure laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "You think a mere mortal can challenge me?"
Li Feng didn't respond. Instead, he lunged forward, his spear slicing through the air. The figure raised its blade to block, but the Shadowbane Technique activated, the energy from Li Feng's spear disrupting the figure's form.
The cloaked figure let out a distorted scream as its body wavered, the shadows dissipating like smoke.
"This... is not the end," it said, its voice fading. "The Abyss watches you, Li Feng."
With that, the figure vanished, leaving only silence behind.
The group approached cautiously, their weapons still drawn.
"What... what was that thing?" Lin Yue asked, her voice shaking.
"I don't know," Li Feng admitted, lowering his spear. "But it wasn't from this world."
Xu Mei frowned. "It knew your name. That's not normal."
"Nothing about this place is normal," Zhu Yan muttered.
Li Feng's system buzzed again, another notification appearing.
[Abyssal Notification: Nexus Point Energy Restored. Absorb to Gain Additional Abyssal Points.]
He turned to the group. "We're not done here. Let's finish what we started."
The others nodded, their resolve renewed despite the lingering unease. Together, they began absorbing the energy once more, their thoughts filled with questions about the mysterious figure and the challenges still to come.