The aftermath of the battle with the Beast of Despair left Jian drained, yet resolute. The Shattered Expanse, though quiet now, retained its oppressive aura, like a predator watching from the shadows. He felt the weight of the Abyssal Key in his hand, its energy pulsating faintly, resonating with the first key he had claimed.
Jian glanced at his clones, their expressions as stoic as ever. Despite their lack of emotion, they reflected his efficiency and focus. They were more than tools—they were extensions of his will. He clenched his fists, steeling himself for the road ahead.
"Status update," he ordered, and the Nexus System responded.
[Status Report]
EXP Gained: +500,000 Level Up: Level 42 → Level 46 Abyssal Title Gained: Keeper of Two Keys Abyssal Boon Gained: Shadow Mastery
Shadow Mastery: Allows the user to manipulate shadows for offense, defense, and mobility. Enhances stealth capabilities and weakens enemies within shadowed environments.
Jian's lips curled into a faint smile. Shadow Mastery would be invaluable in the Abyss's treacherous depths. He opened his status window and scanned the new updates.
[Nexus System - Jian Valen's Status Window]
Name: Jian Valen
Rank: Irregular (Mythical)
Level: 46
Title: Keeper of Two Keys
Skills:
Infinite Creation (Unique Skill): Level 46 Shadow Mastery (Abyssal Boon): Level 1 Adaptive Combat: Level 35 Clone Synchronization: Level 40 Abyssal Resilience: Level 25
Abilities in Use:
Clone Army (Active Clones: 46) Formations: Customized Tactical Patterns (Active)
His progress was tangible, but he knew the challenges ahead would only grow more dangerous. The Abyss had no mercy, and neither could he.
"Break time's over," Jian said, turning to his clones. "We move."
The Road Ahead
The path leading out of the Shattered Expanse was a narrow bridge of stone suspended over a bottomless void. Jian's sharp eyes scanned the area, looking for traps or hidden enemies. The Abyss thrived on deceit, and he couldn't afford a single misstep.
As they advanced, faint whispers began to fill the air. At first, they were indistinct, like echoes of forgotten conversations. But as Jian pressed forward, they grew clearer, each voice striking at the core of his mind.
"You'll never make it."
"You are nothing without your clones."
"Failure is inevitable."
Jian's jaw tightened. The Abyss was trying to break him. He glanced at his clones, who moved undeterred, their blank expressions a stark contrast to the turmoil clawing at his thoughts.
"Focus," he muttered to himself. "It's just noise."
But the whispers didn't stop. They grew louder, more insistent, until they felt like a storm raging inside his skull. Jian staggered slightly, gripping his head.
One of his clones stepped forward, speaking with an uncharacteristic firmness. "Block it out. You've done this before."
The voice startled Jian. It was his own voice, but steadier, calmer—almost as if it carried the assurance he momentarily lacked. He nodded and took a deep breath, forcing the whispers to the back of his mind.
"Thanks," he said to the clone.
The whispers faded, though Jian could still feel their lingering presence, like a predator watching from the shadows.
A Fork in the Path
The bridge eventually led to a massive, dark cavern. The walls were adorned with glowing runes, their light casting eerie patterns across the jagged stone. At the cavern's center stood a massive obsidian gate, flanked by two statues of cloaked figures. The air hummed with energy, and Jian's Nexus System flared to life.
[Nexus Update]
Obstacle Identified: Abyssal Gate of Trials Options Available: Path of Strength: Overcome a physical trial to proceed. Path of Wisdom: Solve a series of riddles to unlock the gate.
Jian frowned. The Tower's tests were never straightforward. Each path would come with its own dangers, but hesitation wasn't an option.
"Suggestions?" he asked his clones.
One stepped forward, its analytical tone cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "Path of Wisdom may be less taxing on resources, but it risks delays if the riddles are overly complex. Path of Strength will deplete stamina and resources but guarantees forward momentum."
Jian considered the options. The riddles could consume precious time, and he didn't trust the Abyss not to twist the answers into a trap. He nodded.
"We take the Path of Strength. Prepare for combat."
The clones readied their weapons, forming defensive formations. Jian approached the gate and placed his hand on its cold, smooth surface. The runes flared to life, and a deep, guttural voice echoed through the cavern.
"CHALLENGER, YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE PATH OF STRENGTH. FACE YOUR TRIAL AND PROVE YOUR WORTH."
The ground trembled, and the statues flanking the gate came to life. Their stone forms cracked and shifted, revealing armored warriors wreathed in dark flames. Their weapons glowed with Abyssal energy, and their eyes burned with unrelenting fury.
[Abyssal Guardians]
Rank: Epic HP: 250,000 (Each) Skills: Infernal Slash, Abyssal Charge, Flame Barrage
Jian drew his daggers, a determined glint in his eyes. "Formation Delta. Let's bring them down."
The Guardians' Trial
The Guardians moved with brutal efficiency, their massive swords carving through the air with enough force to split the ground. Jian's clones surged forward, meeting the onslaught head-on. Their coordination was flawless, their movements a reflection of Jian's strategies.
The first Guardian swung its blade in a wide arc, but Jian's clones danced around the attack, exploiting its slow recovery time. A clone with a broadsword delivered a heavy strike to its knee, staggering the massive figure.
The second Guardian raised its weapon, channeling Abyssal flames for a devastating barrage. Jian's instincts screamed danger, and he shouted, "Scatter!"
The clones dispersed just in time, the flames scorching the ground where they had stood. Jian lunged forward, his daggers flashing as they found purchase in the Guardian's exposed flank.
"Focus fire on one at a time!" he barked. "We take them down systematically."
The battle raged on, each moment testing Jian's limits. The Guardians were relentless, their attacks growing more coordinated as the fight progressed. But Jian and his clones were adaptable, exploiting every weakness, every opening.
Finally, with a synchronized assault, they brought the first Guardian to its knees. Jian leapt onto its back, driving his dagger into the base of its neck. The massive figure crumbled, its flames extinguished.
The second Guardian roared in fury, its attacks becoming more frenzied. But it was alone now, and Jian's team overwhelmed it with sheer precision. Within minutes, the second Guardian fell, its body disintegrating into ash.
Victory and the Abyss Beyond
The gate's runes flared, and the obsidian doors slowly creaked open, revealing a winding staircase descending into darkness. Jian wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from the trial.
The Nexus System chimed.
[Trial Complete: Guardians of the Gate Defeated]
EXP Gained: +150,000 Rewards Unlocked: Abyssal Blessing: Flame Resistance
Jian turned to his clones, a weary but triumphant look in his eyes. "Another step forward. Let's see what the Abyss has waiting for us next."
With the path ahead shrouded in darkness, Jian descended into the unknown, ready to face whatever trials the Abyss would throw his way.
End of Chapter 11