Chapter 30: The Abyss Beckons
Bai Yuan stood amidst the shattered remains of the jagged rock, his body still humming with the raw power of his breakthrough. The fusion of abyssal energy with his Qi had granted him an entirely new level of control—one that came with its own set of risks and rewards. He clenched his fists, feeling the immense energy coursing through his meridians, yet a lingering darkness whispered at the edges of his consciousness.
Ling Xi approached cautiously, her expression unreadable. "You've changed," she murmured. "I can feel it… your Qi isn't the same."
Bai Yuan exhaled, steadying himself. "It's the nature of the Abyssal Yin-Yang Refinement. I had to walk the line between destruction and balance. But this is only the beginning."
Feng Yao sheathed his saber, watching him with wary eyes. "The power you wield now—if you can control it, you'll become an existence beyond our imagination. But if you lose yourself…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.
Bai Yuan met his gaze and nodded. He understood the risk, but hesitation was not an option.
The night was quiet, but Bai Yuan's mind was restless. Sitting in meditation, he let his consciousness dive deep into the abyssal energy flowing within him. It pulsed with an ancient rhythm, beckoning him deeper. The fragments of knowledge from the monolith had hinted at something more—a lost inheritance buried within the abyss itself.
As his awareness drifted, the world around him darkened. He found himself standing on an endless black ocean, its waters swirling with shadows and faint silver light. A figure emerged from the depths—a towering silhouette wrapped in abyssal mist.
"You have begun to grasp the power," the figure's voice resonated, deep and eternal. "But you are still unrefined. If you wish to master the abyss, you must prove yourself."
Bai Yuan's gaze remained steady. "Who are you?"
The entity chuckled. "A remnant of those who came before. The Abyss remembers its chosen."
Without warning, the ocean surged. Tendrils of abyssal mist lashed toward Bai Yuan, seeking to consume him. Instinct took over. He activated his newfound strength, summoning the balance of Yin and Yang within his core. The energy clashed, forcing the tendrils back. But the abyss was relentless.
This was his trial.
If he failed, he would be swallowed whole.
Gritting his teeth, Bai Yuan steadied his stance. He had walked too far to turn back now. With a surge of will, he plunged forward, determined to claim his place among the abyssal inheritors.
Outside, Ling Xi watched over his motionless form, concern flickering in her eyes. "He's delving deeper than before."
Feng Yao nodded. "Let's hope he comes back."
The night stretched on, and the abyss beckoned.