The group moved cautiously through the narrowing cliffs of the Stone Wastes, the oppressive silence broken only by the crunch of their footsteps on loose gravel. The air grew colder, and an unnatural chill began to seep into their bones.
"This place is worse than the last Nexus Point," Zhu Yan muttered, his flames flickering faintly as he tried to ward off the creeping cold.
Lin Yue hugged herself, her breath visible in the freezing air. "It's like the tower itself is trying to push us back."
Li Feng didn't respond immediately. His Abyssal Gaze revealed faint trails of corrupted energy leading further into the cliffs. The corruption wasn't just isolated to climbers or Nexus Points anymore—it was spreading, permeating the very environment.
"This isn't natural," he said finally. "The energy here is different. More volatile."
Xu Mei's Mirage Blade glinted faintly in the dim light. "What's the plan, then? We can't keep walking into danger without a strategy."
Li Feng turned to his team. "We stick to our strengths. I'll scout ahead and pinpoint the source of the corruption. Lin Yue, stay close to me with barriers ready. Xu Mei and Zhu Yan, cover our flanks. If anything attacks, don't hesitate to retaliate."
They nodded, and the group pressed on, every step feeling heavier as the oppressive energy thickened around them.
After an hour of trudging through the treacherous terrain, they arrived at a massive chasm. The Echoing Abyss, as it was known, stretched so far into the earth that the bottom was lost to darkness. A faint hum of energy resonated from below, sending vibrations through the ground.
Li Feng peered into the void, his Piercing Sight revealing layers of dense energy spiraling downward. At the center, a flickering glow pulsed erratically—a corrupted Nexus Point.
"That's where we need to go," he said, pointing to the faint light.
Zhu Yan stared at the abyss, his expression skeptical. "You're joking, right? There's no way we're climbing down there."
"We don't have a choice," Xu Mei said, her voice steady. "If we want to stop this corruption, we need to deal with the source."
Lin Yue looked uneasy. "But how do we even get down there? There's no visible path."
Li Feng's Abyssal Gaze picked up faint energy trails forming a spiral pattern along the chasm walls. The corruption was masking a hidden route.
"There is a path," he said. "It's just… concealed. Follow me."
The descent was harrowing. The narrow path clung to the cliffside, barely wide enough for a single person. One misstep could send them plummeting into the darkness below.
"Don't look down," Zhu Yan muttered, his voice shaky.
"Too late," Lin Yue replied, gripping the rocky wall for support.
As they descended, the hum of energy grew louder, resonating through their bodies. The corruption in the air thickened, making it harder to breathe.
Li Feng paused, his gaze locking onto a shadowy figure further down the path. It stood motionless, its form barely distinguishable from the surrounding darkness.
"We're not alone," he whispered, tightening his grip on his spear.
Xu Mei raised her blade, her eyes scanning the area. "What is it?"
The figure suddenly moved, its body contorting unnaturally as it crawled along the walls with inhuman speed. More figures emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes fixed on the group.
"Corrupted climbers," Li Feng said grimly. "Prepare for a fight!"
The battle erupted in the confined space, the corrupted climbers attacking with a feral intensity. Their distorted forms moved unpredictably, their limbs bending at impossible angles.
Zhu Yan unleashed waves of fire, forcing the attackers back, but the narrow path limited his range. Xu Mei fought with precision, her Mirage Blade carving through the corrupted figures with deadly efficiency.
"Lin Yue, barriers!" Li Feng shouted as one of the climbers lunged toward him.
Lin Yue raised a shimmering barrier just in time, the corrupted climber slamming into it with a bone-crunching impact.
Li Feng used the opening to strike, his spear piercing through the climber's chest. As the corrupted figure disintegrated, a notification appeared on his Abyssal Nexus:
[Corrupted Energy Purified.]
[Abyssal Points Gained: +50.]
"They're feeding the corruption," he thought, his determination hardening.
The group fought their way through the ambush, but the climbers kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.
"We can't keep this up!" Zhu Yan yelled, sweat dripping down his face as he unleashed another wave of flames.
Li Feng activated his Abyssal Gaze, searching for a way to turn the tide. His eyes locked onto a faint energy signature further down the path—a secondary Nexus Point radiating corrupted energy.
"There!" he shouted, pointing to the glowing fissure. "That's where they're drawing their strength!"
"We need to destroy it," Xu Mei said, cutting down another attacker.
Li Feng nodded. "Cover me. I'll handle it."
With his team holding off the corrupted climbers, Li Feng sprinted toward the Nexus Point. The corrupted energy pulsed violently, lashing out like tendrils trying to ensnare him.
His Abyssal Nexus activated, shielding him from the worst of the corruption as he reached the fissure. Using his spear, he struck the energy core at its center, channeling his Abyssal Points into the attack.
The fissure erupted in a burst of light, the corrupted energy dissipating instantly. The climbers attacking his team froze, their bodies collapsing into ash as the source of their power vanished.
A notification appeared on Li Feng's screen:
[Corrupted Nexus Destroyed.]
[Abyssal Points Gained: +150.]
The group regrouped, their breathing heavy as they surveyed the now-silent chasm.
"That was too close," Lin Yue said, her voice trembling.
Xu Mei sheathed her blade, her expression grim. "This corruption is getting worse. We need to figure out who's behind it."
Li Feng stared into the darkness below, where the true Nexus Point pulsed faintly.
"We're getting closer," he said. "But this is just the beginning."
The group exchanged uneasy glances before continuing their descent, the oppressive hum of energy growing louder with each step.
The Echoing Abyss had more secrets to reveal, and they were determined to uncover them all.