The following morning, the peace of Azure Valley was shattered. A dark cloud loomed on the horizon, and with it came an army of shadowy figures—soldiers of the Abyssal Order. At their forefront was a man clad in black armor, his presence radiating malice.
"Lin Tian!" the man's voice boomed, shaking the valley. "You've meddled in forces beyond your understanding. Surrender the Dragon's Heart, or everyone here will perish."
Lin Tian stepped forward, his aura flaring. "You'll have to kill me first."
The man laughed coldly. "So be it. I am General Hei Feng, the Abyss's enforcer. Your arrogance will be your undoing."
The battle began with a deafening roar. Lin Tian faced Hei Feng directly, their powers colliding in a spectacle of golden light and dark energy. Meanwhile, the shadow soldiers swarmed toward Su Lan's cottage.
"Stay inside!" Lin Tian shouted, but Su Lan and Zhao Yue refused to hide.
Su Lan unleashed her protective talismans, creating barriers that deflected the soldiers' attacks. Zhao Yue, armed with her dagger, fought fiercely, her movements swift and precise.
Lin Tian's clash with Hei Feng intensified. The general's strikes were brutal, his dark blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Lin Tian countered with the Dragon's Breath, but Hei Feng's power seemed endless.
"You're strong," Hei Feng sneered. "But strength alone won't save you."
Lin Tian smirked. "Good thing I have more than strength."
Summoning the power of the Dragon's Heart, Lin Tian unleashed a devastating attack—a combination of golden flames and the piercing clarity of the Dragon's Eyes. The blast engulfed Hei Feng, forcing him to retreat.
"This isn't over," Hei Feng growled, his form dissolving into shadows. "The Abyss will claim you."
As the enemy retreated, Lin Tian collapsed to one knee, exhausted. Su Lan and Zhao Yue rushed to his side, their worry evident.
"You can't keep doing this alone," Su Lan said, her voice firm but laced with concern.
"She's right," Zhao Yue added, her hand resting on his shoulder. "We're in this together, whether you like it or not."
Lin Tian looked at both women, their faces filled with determination. "Then we fight together."