Chapter 13: Breaking the Dawn
The shattering of the Heavenly Binding Seal sent shockwaves through the Radiant Dawn Sect, both physically and spiritually. Golden fragments of the seal dissolved into the air, their faint light swallowed by the oppressive darkness emanating from Zhao Rui.
Wu Jian staggered backward, his face pale. The seal, one of the sect's most powerful techniques, had failed. "Impossible…" he muttered under his breath, his mind racing for a way to salvage the situation.
Zhao Rui emerged from the dissipating energy, unscathed and exuding an aura of utter dominance. His crimson eyes locked onto Wu Jian, and a cold smile curled his lips. "Was that all you had? If so, this battle is already over."
The sect's disciples, who moments ago had been cheering, now stood paralyzed, their hope crushed. Zhang Lei and the enforcers pressed their advantage, driving the defenders further into chaos.
Wu Jian's Last Stand
Wu Jian steadied himself, summoning all his remaining spiritual energy. Golden light flared around him, forming the shape of a massive phoenix, its wings spreading wide as it let out a piercing cry.
"Radiant Dawn Eternal Flame!" Wu Jian roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield. The phoenix dove toward Zhao Rui, its body blazing with purifying fire meant to incinerate anything tainted by the Abyss.
Zhao Rui remained still, his expression unreadable. As the phoenix neared, he raised a single hand. Shadows coiled around him, forming a monstrous maw that lunged forward, swallowing the phoenix whole. The flames flickered briefly before being extinguished entirely.
Wu Jian gasped as the backlash hit him, his aura faltering. He fell to one knee, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"You rely too much on borrowed power," Zhao Rui said, stepping closer. "The light you cling to is fragile, fleeting. The Abyss is eternal."
The Sect's Despair
Around them, the Radiant Dawn Sect was falling apart. Defenders were being overwhelmed by Zhao Rui's forces, their formations collapsing under the relentless assault. Fires burned throughout the sect, and screams echoed in the distance.
Li Qing, Sect Mistress of the Jade Serpent Sect, stood amidst the chaos, her emerald eyes filled with sorrow. She had hoped their alliance would stand a chance against Zhao Rui, but it was clear they had underestimated him.
"We can't win this," she whispered, clutching a jade talisman in her hand. "Elder Wu… I'm sorry."
Turning away from the battlefield, she activated the talisman, a green light enveloping her as she disappeared into the mist. She had chosen survival over sacrifice, abandoning the Radiant Dawn Sect to its fate.
The Abyss Claims Victory
Zhao Rui loomed over Wu Jian, his shadow stretching unnaturally across the ground. "Any last words, Elder?"
Wu Jian struggled to his feet, his body trembling but his gaze unwavering. "You may win today, Zhao Rui, but your path leads only to ruin. The Abyss devours all, even its master."
Zhao Rui chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Perhaps. But I will ensure that ruin takes everything else with it."
With a flick of his wrist, shadows surged forward, enveloping Wu Jian in a wave of darkness. The elder's scream was brief, his body consumed and his essence absorbed into the Abyss.
As Wu Jian fell, the Radiant Dawn Sect's remaining defenses crumbled. The surviving disciples surrendered, throwing down their weapons and bowing before Zhao Rui.
Zhao Rui surveyed the broken sect, his expression calm. "You belong to the Abyss now," he declared. "Serve me, and you will be spared. Resist, and you will share your elder's fate."
The disciples hesitated, fear etched into their faces. But one by one, they knelt, their will to fight extinguished.
The Dawn Fades
By nightfall, the Radiant Dawn Sect was no more. Its once-proud halls were reduced to smoldering ruins, and its disciples had been assimilated into the Abyssal Dominion. Zhao Rui stood atop the sect's central peak, the wind carrying the scent of ash and blood.
Zhang Lei approached, bowing deeply. "Master, the sect has been subdued. What are your orders?"
Zhao Rui turned his gaze to the horizon, where other sects and clans awaited. "The Radiant Dawn Sect was only the beginning. Spread word of our victory. Let fear do half the work for us."
Zhang Lei nodded. "And the alliance?"
"They will scatter like rats," Zhao Rui said, his tone cold. "But they cannot hide from the Abyss. We will hunt them down, one by one, until no one dares stand against us."
As the moon rose high in the sky, its pale light bathed the battlefield in an eerie glow. Zhao Rui closed his eyes, listening to the whispers of the Abyss. They spoke of ambition, conquest, and an endless hunger for power.
And Zhao Rui intended to satisfy it.