The night was silent, unnervingly so. Lin Tian stood at the edge of the cave, his gaze fixed on the crimson sky above the Crimson Veil. The tension between him and Zhao Yue still lingered, her absence weighing heavier than he liked to admit. Bai Xianyu's cryptic remarks replayed in his mind, her allure and unpredictability adding another layer to the storm brewing inside him.
But his thoughts were interrupted by a bone-chilling presence. It wasn't the whispers of the Veil or the remnants of the Abyssal soldiers—it was something much darker. A weight pressed against the air, and the temperature dropped suddenly, turning the warmth of the Veil into an icy grip.
From the shadows of the red cliffs, a figure emerged.
He was tall, his silhouette regal yet menacing. His cloak, black as the void, billowed as if alive, and his silver hair gleamed under the faint light. His eyes, crimson and cold, seemed to pierce through reality itself. A golden scepter in his hand pulsed with dark energy, its tip adorned with a glowing, jagged crystal that radiated the essence of pure destruction.
"Lin Tian," the man said, his deep voice resonating like thunder. "I've been waiting to meet you."
Lin Tian's Dragon's Eyes activated instantly, his golden aura flaring in response to the overwhelming presence. "And you are?"
The man smirked, a cruel twist of his lips that carried both amusement and disdain. "I am Xirath, the Abyssal Overlord. The one who will bring the realms to their knees—and the one who will claim the Dragon's Heart for myself."
The name sent a ripple of unease through Lin Tian. He had heard whispers of Xirath in the fragmented memories of his past life, tales of a warlord who had risen to power in the Abyss by consuming entire worlds. But seeing him in the flesh was far more terrifying than any story.
"You'll have to kill me first," Lin Tian said, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him.
Xirath chuckled, a low, menacing sound that reverberated through the air. "Oh, I don't need to kill you, Dragon Emperor. Not yet. Breaking you will be far more satisfying."
He raised his scepter, and a wave of dark energy surged forward, splitting the ground as it raced toward Lin Tian. Reacting swiftly, Lin Tian countered with the Dragon's Breath, his golden flames clashing with Xirath's darkness in an explosion of light and shadow.
The impact shook the cliffs, and Lin Tian was thrown backward. Xirath stepped forward, his presence growing more oppressive with every step. "Impressive. But raw power alone won't save you. You're still a shadow of what you once were."
Lin Tian gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet. "I'll show you what I'm capable of."
Before he could attack, Xirath raised a hand, halting him. "No need to waste your strength, boy. This is merely an introduction. When I return, it will be to take everything you hold dear."
He glanced toward the cave, where Bai Xianyu and Su Lan were emerging cautiously. His smirk widened. "Your little companions won't save you. They'll only suffer for standing at your side."
Lin Tian's aura flared, his fury igniting. "Leave them out of this."
"Or what?" Xirath taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "You'll stop me? You're a speck of dust beneath my heel, Lin Tian. But don't worry—I'll let you live. For now. After all, what's the fun in conquering a realm without breaking its so-called savior first?"
With a wave of his scepter, Xirath disappeared into the shadows, his laughter echoing in the air long after he was gone.
Aftermath
The group gathered around Lin Tian, their expressions ranging from fear to determination. Bai Xianyu's usual confidence was replaced by a rare look of concern. "That was Xirath… wasn't it?" she asked, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
Lin Tian nodded, his fists clenched. "He's stronger than I expected. Stronger than anyone we've faced so far."
"But why didn't he kill you?" Su Lan asked, her tone filled with unease.
"Because he doesn't see me as a threat," Lin Tian replied, his golden eyes blazing with renewed resolve. "Not yet. But I'll show him how wrong he is."
Zhao Yue, who had silently rejoined the group during the confrontation, stepped forward. Her gaze was fierce, her earlier frustration with Lin Tian replaced by a steely determination. "Then we'll fight together. He won't break us."
Lin Tian looked at each of them—Zhao Yue, Bai Xianyu, Su Lan, and Xia Ling. Despite their differences and the challenges they faced, they were united in their resolve.
"This is only the beginning," Lin Tian said, his voice firm. "Xirath wants to destroy everything I care about. But he doesn't realize—he's already given me something stronger than the Dragon's Heart. A reason to fight."
The group nodded, their unity solidifying in the face of the growing darkness. As the night deepened, Lin Tian silently vowed to become the force that would shatter Xirath's ambitions and protect the ones who had chosen to stand by him—no matter the cost.