The ruins of the northern city stood as a desolate monument to destruction. Crumbled walls and scorched earth told the story of a sudden and overwhelming force, one that left no survivors. The Spirit Hall forces moved cautiously, their weapons drawn and their senses heightened.
Xin Tian led the vanguard, his divine aura rippling faintly in the cold air. His golden eyes scanned the ruins, every step guided by his instincts and the system's silent guidance.
The Silent City
As they moved deeper into the city, an unnatural silence surrounded them. No animals, no wind, no sound at all—only the faint echo of their footsteps.
"This place feels wrong," Hu Liena muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xie Yue nodded. "It's as if the air itself is dead."
Xin Tian stopped suddenly, raising a hand. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the area.
[System Notification]
• Energy Anomaly Detected: Residual Chaos Energy at 200 meters.
o Action Recommended: Investigate cautiously.
"Spread out," Xin Tian ordered. "But stay within sight of each other. There's something here."
The group fanned out, each member scanning the ruins for any sign of movement.
A Hidden Threat
Xin Tian approached a shattered altar at the city's center. The stone surface was carved with runes similar to those he had seen in the Shadow Abyss. As he placed a hand on it, the runes glowed faintly, and the air around him grew heavy.
Suddenly, the system's voice rang in his mind:
[System Warning]
• Danger Level: Critical.
• Hostile Presence Detected. Preparing for combat.
Before Xin Tian could react, the ground beneath the altar split open, and a towering figure emerged. Cloaked in darkness, its form was humanoid but twisted, with crimson eyes that glowed like embers. Its presence radiated pure chaos.
The Spirit Hall forces scrambled into formation, their weapons at the ready.
"What is that thing?" Hu Liena asked, her voice trembling.
"A Chaos Sentinel," Xin Tian said, his tone grim. "A guardian of the fragments."
The Sentinel roared, its voice shaking the ground as it lunged toward them.
The Battle
Xin Tian stepped forward, summoning his Eclipse Sword. The divine blade shone with radiant light, clashing against the Sentinel's chaotic energy. The impact sent shockwaves through the ruins, forcing the others to retreat.
"Focus on keeping the area secure!" Xin Tian shouted. "I'll handle this!"
Hu Liena hesitated but obeyed, leading the others to form a defensive perimeter.
The Sentinel swung its massive claws, each strike leaving trails of chaotic energy in its wake. Xin Tian dodged with precision, his movements a blur as he counterattacked. His strikes carved through the darkness, but the creature's wounds closed almost instantly.
[System Notification]
• Chaos Energy Regeneration Detected.
o Solution Unlocked: Use Celestial Chaos Domain to nullify regeneration.
Xin Tian activated Celestial Chaos Domain, a golden field spreading outward and enveloping the battlefield. The Sentinel's movements slowed, its regeneration faltering under the domain's suppressive effect.
Taking advantage of the opening, Xin Tian summoned his Divine Flame Spear, hurling it at the creature's core. The spear pierced through its chest, releasing a burst of energy that caused the Sentinel to stagger.
But the creature wasn't finished. With a final roar, it unleashed a wave of chaos energy, forcing Xin Tian to raise a barrier to protect himself and his allies.
A Critical Moment
The system chimed again.
[System Notification]
• Opportunity Detected: Absorb Sentinel Core for permanent Chaos Resistance.
o Warning: Absorption requires direct contact with the core.
Xin Tian gritted his teeth, lowering his barrier as he dashed toward the Sentinel. Dodging its frenzied attacks, he leaped onto its back and drove the Eclipse Sword into its chest, exposing the glowing core.
He reached out, his hand trembling as it touched the core. The chaotic energy surged into him, threatening to overwhelm his divine aura.
"System, stabilize the process!" Xin Tian commanded.
[System Notification]
• Stabilization Activated.
• Chaos Resistance Increased by 50%.
• New Ability Unlocked: Chaos Suppression Aura.
The Sentinel let out a final, ear-piercing scream before disintegrating into ash. The core's energy merged with Xin Tian, leaving him standing amidst the ruins, his aura flickering between light and shadow.
A New Discovery
As the dust settled, the Spirit Hall forces regrouped. Bibi Dong approached, her gaze sharp as she studied Xin Tian.
"You absorbed its power," she said, more a statement than a question.
Xin Tian nodded. "It was the only way to neutralize it. But this was just a guardian. The true threat lies ahead."
Bibi Dong gestured toward the shattered altar. "What about this? Does it tell us anything?"
Xin Tian examined the runes more closely, his system analyzing them in real-time.
[System Notification]
• Decoded Runes: Coordinates to the next fragment.
o Location: Frozen Abyss, Far North.
Xin Tian relayed the information. "The next fragment is in the Frozen Abyss. If we don't move quickly, someone else will claim it."
Bibi Dong's expression hardened. "Then we march at dawn."
The Journey Continues
As the Spirit Hall forces prepared for their next expedition, Xin Tian took a moment to reflect. The power of the Chaos Fragment was both a blessing and a curse, a reminder of the fine line he walked between divinity and destruction.
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "No matter what lies ahead, I'll ensure the heavens' will prevails."
End of Chapter 14