Chapter 28: The Awakening of the Abyssal Seal
The ominous glow from the monolith intensified, casting eerie shadows that danced across the crater. Bai Yuan's heartbeat synchronized with the pulsating energy from the runes, a sensation both unsettling and exhilarating. The abyssal core in his storage ring vibrated violently, demanding release.
Ling Xi tightened her grip on her daggers. "Bai Yuan, whatever this is, it's dangerous. We should leave while we still can."
Feng Yao, however, narrowed his eyes at the monolith. "But what if this is an opportunity? A chance to obtain knowledge or power beyond our comprehension?"
Bai Yuan inhaled deeply, calming his turbulent thoughts. The nanobots within him were still processing the fragments of information they had extracted from the core and the monolith. Bits and pieces of an ancient past flashed in his mind—a civilization lost to time, a catastrophe sealed away for eternity.
Taking a step forward, he channeled a thin stream of Qi into his palm, summoning the abyssal core. It levitated above his hand, its dark energy intertwining with the monolith's aura. The deep, guttural voice resonated in his mind once again.
"To awaken the path, one must embrace the abyss."
A deafening crack split the air as the monolith's runes flared with overwhelming intensity. The obsidian surface fractured, sending spiderweb-like cracks across its towering form. The ground trembled beneath them, and a wave of abyssal Qi erupted, filling the crater with a suffocating presence.
A monstrous roar echoed from within the monolith.
Ling Xi's eyes widened. "We need to get out of here—now!"
Feng Yao unsheathed his saber, his expression grim. "It's too late. Whatever is inside… it's waking up."
Before they could react further, a colossal shadow emerged from the crumbling monolith. A beast, unlike anything they had ever encountered, loomed before them. Its form was amorphous, a swirling mass of abyssal Qi with gleaming crimson eyes. Its mere presence sent waves of pressure crashing down on them, forcing them to their knees.
Bai Yuan clenched his jaw, struggling to resist the overwhelming force. His nanobots activated instinctively, reinforcing his body and stabilizing his Qi circulation. The abyssal core in his hand shattered, its energy merging into his body, causing a burning sensation to spread through his meridians.
A voice, ancient and commanding, rang in his mind. "You have freed me… now, prove your worth."
The abyssal entity lunged, its tendrils of darkness reaching for Bai Yuan. He reacted instinctively, summoning his sword and activating his movement technique. With a burst of speed, he evaded the attack, slicing through the inky tendrils with a blade infused with pure Qi.
Feng Yao and Ling Xi joined the fray, launching coordinated attacks. Feng Yao's saber slashed through the entity's form, dispersing the abyssal Qi, while Ling Xi's daggers struck with pinpoint precision, aiming for its glowing crimson eyes.
The battle was relentless. Every time they landed a blow, the entity reformed, its body regenerating almost instantly. Bai Yuan's mind raced, analyzing its composition. It's not a physical being. It's pure abyssal energy.
Then it clicked.
He activated his nanobots, channeling them through his meridians and directing them outward. The moment his palm connected with the entity's core, his nanobots surged forward, devouring its essence like ravenous beasts. The abyssal Qi trembled, its form distorting as it fought against the invasion.
The entity let out an agonized shriek before imploding into a vortex of darkness. Bai Yuan braced himself, absorbing the remnants of the energy. The overwhelming presence dissipated, leaving only silence.
Ling Xi and Feng Yao exchanged glances, panting heavily. "What… was that?" Ling Xi finally asked.
Bai Yuan looked down at his hands, feeling the residual abyssal Qi coursing through his veins. "Something ancient. Something powerful. And whatever it was… it's now a part of me."
The ground beneath them steadied, the eerie glow of the monolith fading. Whatever seal had once existed here had been broken, and Bai Yuan knew this was just the beginning.
The mysteries of the abyss had only begun to unfold.
Bai Yuan sat cross-legged atop a jagged rock, his breathing steady as he focused inward. The battle had forced his cultivation to surge violently, pushing him to the very limits of the Meridian Embodiment Realm. He was now at the Ninth Stage, standing on the precipice of breaking into the Yin-Yang Symbiosis Realm.
The residual abyssal Qi left in his body was both a curse and a blessing. If left unchecked, it could corrode his foundation. But if he could refine it properly, it would become a stepping stone to power beyond comprehension.
His nanobots had already begun assisting him in this process, isolating the abyssal Qi and breaking it down into usable energy. However, this wasn't enough—he needed a technique to fully assimilate it.
Recalling the fragmented knowledge he had received from the monolith, Bai Yuan sifted through the information. Among the scattered memories was a technique… something born from the depths of the abyss itself.
"Abyssal Vein Refinement."
This technique involved tempering the meridians with abyssal energy, fortifying them beyond the limits of ordinary cultivators. It was dangerous—many who had attempted it in the past had perished. But Bai Yuan had something they didn't: his nanobots. With their ability to regulate the energy flow, he had a chance to survive the process.
Without hesitation, he began circulating his Qi according to the newfound technique. The abyssal energy flared up, rushing through his meridians like a wild beast seeking to tear him apart. Pain erupted in every fiber of his being, but Bai Yuan gritted his teeth and endured.
His nanobots worked tirelessly, stabilizing the chaotic energy and guiding it along the correct pathways. The veins in his arms darkened momentarily before returning to their normal state, now reinforced by the abyssal infusion.
Ling Xi and Feng Yao watched from a distance, sensing the immense change occurring within Bai Yuan. "Is he… evolving?" Feng Yao murmured.
Ling Xi nodded. "He's pushing toward the next realm. But it's not going to be easy."
Time passed. Minutes turned to hours, and finally, as the first light of dawn broke over the gorge, Bai Yuan exhaled slowly. His eyes snapped open, filled with newfound clarity and power.
The Ninth Stage of Meridian Embodiment Realm was no longer his limit.
He was ready to break into the Yin-Yang Symbiosis Realm.