Li Feng stood apart from the group, leaning against a jagged boulder. His Piercing Sight swept across the dense, moonlit forest. The tension from the earlier battles lingered in the air, though the adrenaline had faded. His Celestial Screen shimmered faintly before his eyes, showing the accumulated 1,050 Abyssal Points (AP) he had earned through Nexus Point absorption and defeating various beasts.
He clenched his fists. "A thousand points already... but why does it feel like this is only the beginning?"
As if in response to his thoughts, a low hum emanated from his Abyssal Nexus. His Celestial Screen flickered, and a new notification emerged:
[System Alert: Abyssal Points Threshold Reached – Unlocking New Functionality.]
[Current System Level: 1 → Max AP for Upgrade: 10,500.]
His breath hitched as the system interface transformed, the usual black and crimson glow replaced by intricate, glowing runes.
[New Function Unlocked: Abyssal Armory]
Description: Exchange Abyssal Points for unique items, one-use artifacts, and powerful weapons.
Limitations: Armory inventory refreshes every System Level.
A grin tugged at the corner of Li Feng's lips. "An armory? Now we're talking."
His fingers moved instinctively, navigating the interface. A black vortex appeared, swirling in the air before him. Items with shimmering descriptions floated within the mist.
Abyssal Armory Inventory
1. Abyssal Pulse Grenade
Cost: 100 AP
Description: A one-use item that releases a shockwave, stunning enemies within a 10-meter radius for 5 seconds.
2. Shadow Fang Dagger
Cost: 500 AP
Description: A dagger imbued with shadow energy, capable of bypassing low-tier armor.
3. Infernal Recovery Elixir
Cost: 200 AP
Description: Instantly restores stamina and slightly boosts CR for 10 minutes.
4. Abyssal Relic (???):
Cost: 1,000 AP
Description: Requires further upgrades to reveal functionality.
Li Feng's mind raced as he read the descriptions. Each item radiated immense potential, but his gaze lingered on the dagger and the elixir.
"Shadow Fang Dagger… It might give me a solid advantage in close combat. But the elixir could be a lifesaver."
After a moment of deliberation, he selected the Shadow Fang Dagger, watching as the AP count dropped to 550. The vortex rippled, and the weapon materialized in his hand—a sleek blade that pulsed with dark energy. It felt unnaturally light, as though it were an extension of his arm.
"Perfect," he whispered, sliding the dagger into his belt.
"Feng!" Zhu Yan's voice called out, breaking Li Feng's concentration. "Are you planning to sit there all night, or are we moving?"
Li Feng glanced back, seeing Zhu Yan pacing near the remnants of their campfire. Xu Mei was sharpening her Mirage Blade, her expression unreadable, while Lin Yue seemed lost in thought, her hands glowing faintly as she practiced conjuring barriers.
"I was scouting ahead," Li Feng said as he approached.
Zhu Yan snorted. "Scouting? Looked more like daydreaming to me."
Li Feng smirked. "Call it preparation. You'll thank me later."
Xu Mei stood, her blade gleaming in the firelight. "What's the plan, then? We're not going to survive much longer if we keep relying on luck."
"Luck had nothing to do with it," Li Feng replied, his tone sharp. "But you're right. We need a new strategy."
He motioned for the group to gather around. "The Energy Pillars scattered across the forest—what the world calls Energy Pillars—are vital. They're sources of raw power. You've felt it yourself, haven't you?"
Lin Yue nodded. "Absorbing the energy increased my Celestial Points… and my Combat Rating. But it's not easy. The strain…" She trailed off, rubbing her arms.
"That's because the process isn't optimized for you," Li Feng explained. "Your Celestial Screens let you absorb half the energy I get, but the toll on your body is greater. Still, it's better than nothing."
Zhu Yan frowned. "Half the points? Are you saying you're getting more than us?"
Li Feng's gaze met Zhu Yan's. "Yes. My system—my abilities—work differently. While you gain Celestial Points, I get Abyssal Points. And I gain double the amount."
Xu Mei raised an eyebrow. "Double? That's… significant."
"It is," Li Feng said. "And it's not just about the points. My system also allows me to use those points in ways you can't."
"What ways?" Lin Yue asked, her curiosity piqued.
Li Feng hesitated. Revealing too much could make them wary of him, but withholding information might erode their trust. He chose his words carefully.
"I can enhance my abilities, acquire new skills, and even purchase items," he said. "Think of it as a more versatile version of your Celestial Screens."
Zhu Yan whistled. "Lucky you. So, what's the catch?"
Li Feng smirked. "The catch is that I still have to fight alongside you to survive. So, let's focus on staying alive, shall we?"
As the group began moving again, the forest seemed to close in around them. The air grew colder, and the faint glow of distant Energy Pillars—Nexus Points to Li Feng—provided their only light.
Li Feng's Piercing Sight scanned the area. The energy patterns were growing more erratic, a sign that something powerful was nearby.
"Stay alert," he warned.
The ground suddenly trembled, and a deafening roar echoed through the trees. The group froze as a massive silhouette emerged from the shadows—a Tier-3 Beast unlike any they had encountered before.
Its body was covered in jagged, crystalline armor, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural light. Energy radiated from its core, making the air hum with power.
"Combat Rating?" Xu Mei asked, her voice tight.
Li Feng activated his Piercing Sight, his heart sinking as the number appeared. "One hundred and eighty."
Zhu Yan's face paled. "That's… nearly double the last one."
Lin Yue stepped back, panic flickering in her eyes. "How are we supposed to fight that?"
Li Feng gripped the Shadow Fang Dagger. "We don't fight it head-on. We use its strength against it."
Li Feng quickly outlined his strategy, assigning roles to each team member. Zhu Yan would use his flames to create distractions, Xu Mei would target the creature's legs, and Lin Yue would shield them from its attacks.
"And you?" Xu Mei asked.
Li Feng's eyes gleamed. "I'll go for its core. If we destroy that, the rest of it will fall apart."
The beast roared again, its crystalline body glowing as it charged toward them.
"Move!" Li Feng shouted.
The battle was chaotic, each member playing their part to perfection. Lin Yue's barriers held just long enough for Zhu Yan to unleash a torrent of fire, while Xu Mei's Mirage Blade found weak points in the beast's armor.
But it wasn't enough. The beast's sheer power overwhelmed them, forcing them to retreat again and again.
Li Feng gritted his teeth. "I need an opening…"
Spotting a weak point in the beast's movements, he activated the Shadow Fang Dagger. The blade pulsed with dark energy as he lunged forward, striking the creature's core with precision.
The beast let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing, its energy dissipating into the night.
The group stood in silence, their breaths ragged.
"We're alive," Zhu Yan said, his voice filled with disbelief.
"For now," Xu Mei replied, wiping blood from her blade.
Li Feng approached the beast's remains, his Abyssal Nexus activating as it absorbed the energy.
[Beast Core Absorbed: +360 Abyssal Points.]
[New Notification: Tier-3 Abyssal Core Available for Crafting.]
A faint smile crossed his lips. "This is only the beginning."
As the others watched, a sense of unease crept into their minds. Li Feng was growing stronger—far stronger than any of them could imagine.
And the Abyssal Nexus had only just begun to reveal its secrets.