Chapter 26: The Collapse of the Abyss
The land beneath them groaned as the very foundations of the Abyssal Sect began to tremble. Zhao Heng's figure loomed in the distance, his aura overwhelming, but Li Qing's resolve was unwavering. Her companions—Han Tie, Elder Fang, and the others—stood ready, but they knew that they were no longer fighting merely a sect or an ideology. They were fighting the embodiment of pure, unrestrained power.
The very ground they stood on felt as though it were slowly being consumed by the abyss itself. Cracks spread outwards like the jagged claws of an ancient beast, pulling the land apart. The once peaceful skies overhead now churned with dark clouds, an omen of the chaos to come.
Zhao Heng stood tall, his eyes alight with the thrill of the hunt. He was far above them in cultivation, and every step he took toward them felt like the pressure of a collapsing star.
"You've made a grave mistake, Li Qing," Zhao Heng called out, his voice calm but deadly. "I gave you the chance to bow down, to join me, but instead, you continue to stand in the way of the inevitable. The Abyss will consume everything."
Li Qing's gaze hardened. She could feel the drain of her energy from the earlier battle, but there was no room for hesitation. The Soul Refinement Realm had its limits, and with Zhao Heng standing in front of them, those limits were becoming painfully clear.
"We're not here to join you, Zhao Heng," Li Qing replied, her voice steady despite the weight of his power. "We're here to end this madness."
With a swift motion, Li Qing summoned her sword, the blade crackling with the energy of her soul. The others followed suit, readying their weapons and spiritual techniques, knowing they would need every bit of strength to stand against Zhao Heng's overwhelming power.
Zhao Heng's eyes gleamed with a malevolent light as he raised his hand. The very earth beneath them quivered as his energy surged, and from the depths of the abyss, monstrous creatures began to emerge. Beastly shapes of smoke and shadow, their eyes glowing with dark intent. They were his servants, creatures from the very depths of the Abyss.
Li Qing gritted her teeth and stepped forward, the True Soul Force surging through her body as she cast a powerful wave of energy. The creatures recoiled as her power rippled through the battlefield, but the sheer number of them soon overwhelmed her defenses. She turned her attention back to Zhao Heng, who stood watching her with cold amusement.
"Your power has grown," Zhao Heng said, his voice devoid of any hint of fear. "But it is still nothing compared to the vastness of the Abyss."
With a wave of his hand, the dark creatures charged once more, but this time, Li Qing was ready. She unleashed her True Soul Force in a concentrated burst, ripping through the creatures with ease. However, her attention was torn between battling the creatures and confronting Zhao Heng directly.
She knew that unless she could deal with him first, this would be a fight she couldn't win.
The roar of the Abyssal beasts filled the air as they surged forward once again, but Li Qing did not falter. With every slash of her sword, she tore through the monstrous figures, but their numbers seemed endless. The pressure was mounting. Even with her enhanced strength, she couldn't hold them off forever.
"Li Qing!" Han Tie's voice cut through the chaos. He swung his war hammer, crushing the beasts that dared approach him. "Focus on Zhao Heng! We'll handle these things!"
Li Qing nodded, her focus sharpening. With a single motion, she sent a wave of Soul Force toward the largest of the creatures, tearing it apart in an instant. Her eyes then locked onto Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng stood motionless, his gaze unwavering. "So you've managed to kill a few. But do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
Li Qing's grip tightened on her sword. She could feel the energy flowing through her body, but her strength was beginning to wane. The Divine Manifestation Realm cultivator in front of her was not only stronger but also far more experienced. Every attack she made, no matter how powerful, seemed to be deflected with ease.
But she wasn't giving up. Not yet.
As Zhao Heng raised his hand again, preparing to unleash another devastating attack, Li Qing stepped forward, her sword raised high. A pulse of energy surged from her soul, and for a moment, she felt a shift in the air around her—a flicker of something ancient, something primal. Her sword crackled with a new intensity, her very essence becoming one with the weapon.
Zhao Heng's eyes narrowed as he saw the change. "So, you've awakened that power. But it's too late."
A massive dark tendril of energy shot toward her, but Li Qing moved faster than before, her sword slashing through the air in a blur. The collision of their energies sent shockwaves across the battlefield, shaking the very ground beneath them. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a moment, everything was silent.
When the dust settled, Li Qing stood, breathing heavily, but her expression was determined. She had pushed her limits, but it wasn't enough to defeat Zhao Heng yet. She knew that, and he knew that too.
"You fight well, Li Qing," Zhao Heng said, his voice now tinged with respect. "But you are still not on my level. The Abyss will consume everything, and you… will be forgotten."
With that, Zhao Heng raised both hands, and the very heavens seemed to darken, as if the world itself was succumbing to his power. He had only one goal now: to break Li Qing's spirit and crush any hope of resistance.