The Stone Wastes stretched endlessly before the group, an expanse of jagged cliffs and cracked terrain that seemed lifeless at first glance. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and minerals, and every step echoed unnervingly in the oppressive silence.
"This place feels... wrong," Lin Yue said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xu Mei scanned the area with narrowed eyes. "It's designed to feel that way. The second layer isn't just a test of strength—it's a psychological game. Fear can kill just as easily as any beast."
Li Feng remained quiet, his Piercing Sight active as he surveyed the terrain. His Abyssal Gaze revealed faint energy signatures in the distance, a sign they were nearing another Nexus Point.
"Stay alert," he said. "There's movement ahead."
The group instinctively slowed their pace, their weapons at the ready.
As they approached a narrow canyon, they spotted a group of climbers engaged in a fierce battle with a Tier-3 beast. The creature resembled a massive scorpion, its metallic exoskeleton glinting in the dim light as it lashed out with razor-sharp pincers and a venomous stinger.
"Should we help them?" Zhu Yan asked, already igniting a small flame in his hand.
Li Feng studied the scene carefully. The climbers were skilled, coordinating their attacks to exploit the beast's limited mobility in the narrow space. However, their movements were frantic, and one of them was already down, clutching a bloody wound on his leg.
"They're losing," Lin Yue said, her voice tinged with concern.
Li Feng's eyes narrowed. "We wait. If we jump in now, we risk being caught in the chaos."
"But if they die—" Lin Yue began.
"They knew the risks when they came here," Xu Mei interrupted, her tone cold but practical. "We can't save everyone."
The group watched as the climbers launched a final, desperate attack. One managed to land a strike on the scorpion's eye, causing it to thrash wildly. Another climber drove a spear into its underbelly, but the beast retaliated, its stinger piercing the man's chest.
The remaining climbers retreated, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion. The scorpion, though heavily wounded, still stood, its pincers snapping menacingly.
Li Feng made his decision. "Now we move. Focus on the weak points they exposed."
The group sprang into action, catching the scorpion off guard. Zhu Yan unleashed a torrent of flames, targeting the damaged eye, while Xu Mei darted in with her Mirage Blade, striking at the vulnerable joints in its legs.
Lin Yue raised a barrier to shield the group from the scorpion's thrashing tail, her face tense with concentration.
Li Feng moved with precision, his spear aiming for the wound in the creature's underbelly. As he thrust the weapon forward, his Abyssal Nexus activated, enhancing his strength and focus. The spear pierced deep into the scorpion's body, eliciting a screech of pain.
"Zhu Yan! Finish it!" Li Feng shouted.
Zhu Yan channeled his flames into a concentrated blast, the intense heat melting through the scorpion's exoskeleton. The creature collapsed with a final, shuddering gasp.
The surviving climbers approached cautiously, their expressions a mix of gratitude and wariness.
"Thanks for the assist," one of them said, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek.
"We weren't going to let you die," Lin Yue said softly.
Xu Mei, however, remained guarded. "What are you doing here? The second layer isn't exactly welcoming to small groups."
The man hesitated before replying. "We're investigating the corruption in the Nexus Points. Something's been changing the energy flow, and it's affecting the climbers who absorb it."
Li Feng's eyes narrowed. "You've noticed it too?"
The man nodded. "Yeah. We've seen people lose control after interacting with corrupted energy. It's like their minds are… unraveling."
"What have you found out?" Li Feng asked, his tone urgent.
The man glanced at his remaining teammate, a young woman who looked barely out of her teens. She nodded subtly, and he continued.
"There's a pattern to the corruption. It's stronger near the central Nexus Points of each layer. We think something—or someone—is tampering with the energy there."
Li Feng exchanged a glance with his group. "That aligns with what we've discovered. Do you know who might be behind it?"
The man shook his head. "No, but we've heard rumors about a faction of climbers who've been experimenting with the tower's energy. They're trying to harness it for themselves, regardless of the consequences."
Xu Mei's grip on her blade tightened. "So we're not just dealing with beasts and aberrations. We're dealing with climbers who've gone rogue."
After a brief discussion, the two groups parted ways, each determined to uncover more about the corruption.
As Li Feng's group continued deeper into the Stone Wastes, they came across another Nexus Point. The glowing pillar of energy stood in stark contrast to the barren landscape, its light flickering unevenly—a clear sign of corruption.
"This is it," Li Feng said, his Abyssal Gaze revealing the chaotic energy patterns within the Nexus Point.
The group prepared to absorb the energy, each activating their Celestial Screens. Lin Yue winced as the chaotic energy flowed into her, the strain evident on her face.
"It's… harder than before," she said through gritted teeth.
Zhu Yan grimaced. "Yeah, this isn't normal."
Li Feng, meanwhile, absorbed the energy with ease through his Abyssal Nexus. A notification appeared on his screen:
[Corrupted Nexus Energy Absorbed.]
[Abyssal Points Gained: +200.]
He felt a surge of strength as his Combat Rating increased alongside his Abyssal Points.
"Are you all okay?" he asked, looking at his teammates.
Lin Yue nodded weakly. "We're fine. Just… need a moment to recover."
Li Feng frowned. The disparity between his experience and theirs was becoming more apparent with each Nexus Point they encountered. His Abyssal System not only purified the energy but also provided double the points compared to what his teammates gained.
The corruption was taking a toll on them, even with the Celestial Screens acting as a buffer.
"We need to find a way to purify the energy for everyone," he thought, determination hardening his resolve.
As they prepared to leave, Li Feng's Piercing Sight picked up movement in the distance. A group of shadowy figures approached, their energy signatures erratic and unstable.
"Stay sharp," he said, gripping his spear.
The figures emerged from the shadows—climbers, but with an unsettling aura. Their eyes glowed faintly, and their movements were jerky, as if they were puppets on invisible strings.
"What… are they?" Lin Yue whispered, her voice trembling.
"They've been corrupted," Xu Mei said, her blade already drawn.
The corrupted climbers charged without warning, their attacks wild but devastatingly strong. Li Feng's group fought back with everything they had, but the sheer ferocity of their opponents was overwhelming.
"This isn't normal!" Zhu Yan shouted, narrowly dodging a blow that shattered a nearby rock.
Li Feng's mind raced. The corrupted climbers were far stronger than they should have been, their power amplified by the very energy that was destroying them.
He activated his Abyssal Gaze, scanning their bodies for weaknesses. To his shock, he saw faint traces of the same energy signature that had corrupted the Nexus Points.
"They're connected to the corruption!" he yelled. "Take them down quickly!"
With renewed focus, the group fought with precision, exploiting the weaknesses Li Feng identified. One by one, the corrupted climbers fell, their bodies disintegrating into ash.
As the last of them vanished, Li Feng's Abyssal Nexus activated, analyzing the residual energy left behind.
[Corruption Analysis Updated.]
[Corrupted Climbers Confirmed as Secondary Agents of External Manipulation.]
Li Feng's fists clenched. "Whoever's behind this isn't just tampering with the tower—they're using climbers as weapons."
Xu Mei sheathed her blade, her expression grim. "Then we need to find them before it's too late."
Li Feng nodded, his resolve stronger than ever. The tower's secrets were unraveling, and he was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.