Jiang Chen emerged from the Whispering Forest, his robes slightly torn and his breathing steady but measured. The trials of the altar had taken a toll on him, both physically and mentally. The faint hum of his Heavenly Serpent's Core provided a reassuring rhythm, a reminder of his progress and the challenges he had overcome.
Before him stretched a sprawling plain known as the Obsidian Wastes. The earth was blackened and cracked, as though scorched by an ancient calamity. Sparse vegetation struggled to grow, and the air carried a faint metallic tang. It was a stark contrast to the dense vitality of the Whispering Forest.
"The Gate of Origin lies beyond this wasteland," Jiang Chen muttered to himself, recalling the jade slip's map. The journey ahead seemed straightforward, but his instincts warned him otherwise. This desolate plain was too quiet, too still.
An Unexpected Encounter
As Jiang Chen advanced, the oppressive silence was broken by the faint sound of footsteps. He halted, his senses flaring to life. Scanning the horizon, he spotted a figure in the distance, their silhouette wavering in the heat distortion of the Obsidian Wastes.
The figure approached with deliberate slowness, revealing a man clad in tattered robes. His face was gaunt, and his eyes carried an unsettling gleam. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was an aura of power about him, a subtle but undeniable pressure that made Jiang Chen's skin prickle.
"A traveler in these forsaken lands?" the man said, his voice dry and raspy. "Uncommon. Most who venture here are either desperate or foolish."
Jiang Chen kept his guard up. "And you? Which are you?"
The man chuckled, a hollow sound. "A survivor. But survival here often demands... sacrifices." His gaze flicked to Jiang Chen's core, his expression twisting into a predatory grin. "You carry a rare energy. Perhaps fate has delivered you to me."
Without warning, the man lunged, his movements unnaturally fast. Dark energy erupted from his hands, coalescing into jagged spikes that shot toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen reacted instinctively, summoning a barrier of golden light infused with the power of the Heavenly Serpent's Core. The spikes shattered against the barrier, but the force of the attack pushed him back several steps.
"So you're one of those who prey on others to sustain yourself," Jiang Chen said coldly, his aura flaring. "You won't find me an easy target."
The man's grin widened. "Good. The struggle makes the feast all the sweeter."
Battle in the Wastes
The barren plain became their battleground. The man's attacks were relentless, his dark energy twisting and shifting like living shadows. Jiang Chen countered with precision, his strikes imbued with the serpentine power that surged within him.
Each clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air, cracks spreading further across the already broken ground. Jiang Chen quickly realized that his opponent was not only strong but also cunning, using the terrain to his advantage and attempting to corral Jiang Chen into a trap.
But Jiang Chen's experience and instincts ran deep. Feigning retreat, he lured the man into overextending. When the man's next attack left him momentarily vulnerable, Jiang Chen unleashed the Golden Serpent's Fang, a concentrated burst of energy shaped like a coiling serpent. The attack pierced through the man's defenses, striking him squarely in the chest.
The man staggered, coughing up blood. His dark energy wavered, and for a moment, the predatory gleam in his eyes gave way to desperation.
"You..." he rasped. "You're not like the others..."
Jiang Chen stepped forward, his expression cold. "You brought this upon yourself."
Before the man could respond, Jiang Chen delivered a final strike, severing the flow of his dark energy. The man collapsed, his body dissolving into shadowy wisps that were carried away by the wind.
The Watchful Eye
As the dust settled, Jiang Chen felt a strange sensation, as though he were being watched. He scanned the horizon but saw nothing. Yet the feeling persisted, a prickling at the edge of his consciousness.
He activated his spiritual perception, extending it outward. For a fleeting moment, he caught the faintest glimpse of something—a figure shrouded in mist, its presence ephemeral and distant. Then it was gone.
"What was that?" Jiang Chen muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon. The presence had been unlike anything he had encountered before. It wasn't hostile, but it wasn't benign either. A lingering unease settled over him as he resumed his journey.
The Ruined Outpost
Further into the Obsidian Wastes, Jiang Chen came upon the remnants of a settlement. Crumbling stone structures and broken walls hinted at a once-thriving outpost, now long abandoned. The air here was heavy, thick with the residue of ancient battles.
Curiosity drew Jiang Chen to explore the ruins. Amid the debris, he discovered fragments of weapons and armor, their designs unfamiliar to him. Strange symbols were etched into the stones, symbols that seemed to pulse faintly as he approached.
One structure, larger and more intact than the others, caught his attention. Its entrance was marked by twin statues of serpents coiled around spears. Pushing open the heavy stone door, Jiang Chen stepped inside.
The interior was dimly lit by a faint, otherworldly glow. The walls were covered in murals depicting battles between celestial beings and shadowy figures. At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a black crystal that radiated an ominous energy.
As Jiang Chen approached the pedestal, the air grew colder. The crystal seemed to call to him, its energy both alluring and repulsive.
"This must be a relic from the Ascending Realms," he thought. "But why is it here?"
He hesitated. The power within the crystal was immense, but it was also tainted, carrying a darkness that felt all too familiar. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Chen reached out, his hand hovering over the artifact.
A Choice of Consequences
The moment his fingers brushed the crystal, a surge of energy coursed through him. His vision blurred, and he found himself standing in a void once more. Before him appeared two figures, one cloaked in light and the other in shadow.
"You have touched the Relic of Balance," the figure of light said, its voice calm and resonant. "It holds the power to tip the scales of the realms. Choose wisely, for your decision will shape your path."
The figure of shadow laughed, its tone mocking yet enticing. "Power is power, boy. Forget balance. Take it, wield it, and carve your own destiny."
Jiang Chen's mind raced. The relic's energy was intoxicating, a promise of strength beyond anything he had ever known. But the words of Lin Yue echoed in his mind: "Don't lose yourself on this path."
He clenched his fists, steadying his resolve. "Power without control leads to ruin," he said aloud. Turning to the figure of light, he asked, "How can this relic be used without succumbing to its darkness?"
The figure of light raised a hand, and a beam of energy enveloped Jiang Chen. "To master the relic, you must master yourself. Return it to the Gate of Origin, and its true purpose will be revealed."
When Jiang Chen's vision cleared, he was back in the chamber. The crystal now pulsed faintly in his hand, its energy subdued but still potent. He tucked it away carefully, determined to uncover its secrets at the Gate of Origin.
The Obsidian Wastes were behind him, but the challenges ahead loomed larger than ever. As Jiang Chen pressed onward, he felt the weight of his choices and the promise of the Ascending Realms driving him forward. His path was uncertain, but his resolve was unshakable.