Chapter 26: Clash with the Abyssal Alpha
Bai Yuan's body tensed as the six-eyed wolf charged, its monstrous frame blotting out the dim light of the gorge. Crackling arcs of abyssal energy rippled through the air, distorting space itself. The sheer force of its presence sent waves of pressure crashing into Bai Yuan and his companions, forcing them to brace against the sudden onslaught.
With a swift movement, Bai Yuan activated his nanobots, his vision sharpening as the battlefield slowed in his perception. He sidestepped at the last moment, narrowly evading the beast's razor-sharp fangs as it snapped down where he had stood moments before. The ground fractured from the impact, sending debris flying in all directions.
Ling Xi and Feng Yao reacted instantly. Ling Xi vanished into the darkness, her presence flickering as she circled the wolf with ghostly precision. Feng Yao, meanwhile, lunged forward, his saber wreathed in golden flames as he slashed toward the beast's exposed flank.
The wolf twisted unnaturally, its six eyes glowing with a sinister light. A pulse of abyssal energy erupted from its body, sending out a shockwave that repelled Feng Yao mid-strike. He gritted his teeth, barely managing to land on his feet before being thrown against the rocky wall.
Bai Yuan seized the opportunity. Summoning his Qi, he channeled a surge of energy into his blade, causing it to hum with an ethereal glow. He executed a swift technique—Silent Moon Slash—his sword carving a nearly imperceptible arc through the air. The strike landed on the wolf's side, drawing a deep gash from which dark mist seeped.
The beast let out a pained snarl, its six eyes locking onto Bai Yuan with newfound fury. It opened its maw, revealing rows of serrated teeth, before exhaling a blast of abyssal flames. The corrupt energy twisted through the air, devouring everything in its path.
Bai Yuan leaped backward, but the flames spread unnaturally fast, consuming the oxygen around him. His mind raced—this wasn't ordinary fire. It was laced with abyssal Qi, corrupt and all-consuming. Normal defenses would be useless.
"Feng Yao, suppress it from the side! Ling Xi, aim for its eyes!" Bai Yuan commanded, his voice sharp.
Ling Xi reappeared above the beast, her daggers gleaming with a faint blue light. With practiced precision, she launched a pair of projectiles straight toward the wolf's leftmost eyes. The beast roared in pain as one of the daggers embedded itself deep, rupturing the glowing orb. Darkness oozed from the wound, its energy thrashing wildly.
Feng Yao struck next, his saber releasing a cascading wave of golden flames. The energy crashed into the beast's wounded side, forcing it to stagger.
Bai Yuan saw his chance. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, his sword morphing into a streak of silver light. The nanobots enhanced his every motion, guiding his blade toward the wolf's exposed throat.
In a single, decisive movement, he plunged his sword into the beast's neck, twisting the blade with a burst of internal Qi. The wolf let out a final, ear-piercing howl before collapsing, its abyssal energy dispersing into the void.
Silence fell over the gorge.
Bai Yuan exhaled, stepping back as the monstrous corpse crumbled into black mist, leaving only a strange, glowing core in its place. He reached down, picking up the pulsating crystal, feeling an immense power radiating from within.
"What… is this?" Ling Xi asked, stepping closer.
Bai Yuan studied the core, his instincts telling him that this was no ordinary beast's essence. Whatever lay within this relic could either be a great boon—or a terrible curse.
"We'll find out soon enough," Bai Yuan muttered, gripping the core tightly. The battle had been won, but the true mysteries of the Fallen Star Gorge were only just beginning.