The Frozen Abyss was as unforgiving as its name suggested. Towering ice walls stretched as far as the eye could see, jagged and glittering under a pale sun. The temperature plummeted with every step, forcing Spirit Hall's forces to rely on Xin Tian's celestial aura to stave off the biting cold.
With each passing day, the group drew closer to their destination—a cavern deep within the abyss that housed another Chaos Fragment. However, the journey was fraught with hidden dangers.
The First Test
As they traversed a narrow ice bridge, a low rumble shook the ground. Xin Tian stopped abruptly, raising a hand to silence the group.
[System Notification]
• Environmental Hazard Detected: Ice Serpent Colony nearby.
• Recommended Action: Avoid combat unless necessary.
Before Xin Tian could issue a warning, the bridge quaked violently. From the chasm below, a massive ice serpent surged upward, its translucent body shimmering like glass. Its roar echoed through the abyss, sending shards of ice tumbling from above.
"Form a defensive line!" Bibi Dong commanded, her voice sharp.
The Spirit Hall forces scrambled into formation, but the serpent was faster. It lashed out with its tail, shattering a section of the bridge and sending several soldiers tumbling into the depths.
Xin Tian stepped forward, his Eclipse Sword materializing in his hand.
"Stay back. I'll handle this."
The Serpent's Wrath
The serpent lunged, its fangs glinting like daggers. Xin Tian sidestepped effortlessly, slashing at its exposed side. The blade's divine energy left a glowing scar on the creature's body, but it only seemed to enrage it further.
The system chimed in his mind.
[System Notification]
• Weak Point Identified: Heart Crystal located at the base of the neck.
• Suggestion: Use Chaos Suppression Aura to immobilize.
"Chaos Suppression Aura—activate!" Xin Tian commanded.
A golden field expanded around him, pressing down on the serpent. Its movements slowed, and its thrashing grew weaker. Seizing the opportunity, Xin Tian leaped onto its back and drove his sword into the crystal.
With a deafening roar, the serpent disintegrated into shards of ice, leaving behind a glowing core.
[System Notification]
• Ice Serpent Core Acquired.
o Reward Options:
1. Absorb for Ice Resistance.
2. Convert into Spirit Ring.
o System Enhancement: All spirit rings automatically elevated to 100,000 years or higher.
Xin Tian chose to convert the core into a spirit ring. A brilliant silver ring formed around him, its energy integrating seamlessly with one of his martial souls.
Bibi Dong approached, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "You've absorbed another ring, haven't you? It's as if your power knows no bounds."
Xin Tian nodded but said nothing. He could feel the eyes of the others on him, their respect and fear growing with each display of his abilities.
The Abyssal Cavern
After hours of trekking, the group finally reached the entrance to the cavern. A chilling wind blew from within, carrying with it the faint sound of whispers.
"This is it," Xin Tian said, his voice steady. "The fragment is inside."
The cavern was vast, its walls covered in crystalline ice that reflected their torches' light in a dazzling array of colors. At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, atop which floated a shard of pure darkness—the Chaos Fragment.
[System Notification]
• Objective Reached: Chaos Fragment detected.
o Warning: Guardian Presence Detected.
The ground trembled as a massive figure emerged from the shadows—a Frost Revenant, its body encased in icy armor and its eyes glowing with malevolent energy.
Xin Tian's system flashed a warning.
[System Notification]
• Danger Level: Extreme.
• Suggested Action: Engage with caution.
The Frost Revenant raised its colossal axe, swinging it with devastating force. Xin Tian barely managed to deflect the blow, the impact sending shockwaves through the cavern.
"Everyone, fall back!" he shouted. "This fight is mine!"
The Revenant's Downfall
The battle was intense, with Xin Tian using every ounce of his strength and skill to counter the Revenant's relentless attacks. His martial souls activated in tandem, each adding a new layer to his strategy.
• Celestial Arbiter Martial Soul: Strengthened his defenses and enhanced his divine energy.
• Eclipse Sword Martial Soul: Delivered precise, devastating strikes.
• Chaos Suppression Aura: Weakened the Revenant's regeneration.
As the battle raged, the system provided critical insights.
[System Notification]
• Weakness Detected: Destroy the core embedded in its chest.
Xin Tian summoned his Divine Flame Spear, channeling his energy into a single, powerful attack. The spear pierced through the Revenant's chest, shattering the core and reducing the creature to a pile of ice and snow.
The Fragment's Power
With the guardian defeated, Xin Tian approached the pedestal. The Chaos Fragment pulsed with dark energy, its presence almost overwhelming.
[System Notification]
• Absorption Available: Integrating the fragment will enhance host's abilities.
o Warning: Chaos energy may destabilize spiritual balance.
Xin Tian hesitated for only a moment before placing his hand on the fragment. The energy surged into him, filling him with both power and turmoil.
[System Notification]
• Chaos Fragment Absorbed.
o Abilities Gained:
Absolute Frost Domain: Freezes enemies within a designated area.
Enhanced Chaos Resistance: Immune to chaos energy corruption.
As the energy settled, Xin Tian turned to his companions, his aura now more commanding than ever.
"The fragment is ours," he said. "But this is only the beginning. The real battle lies ahead."
Bibi Dong stepped forward, her eyes glinting with ambition. "With your power and Spirit Hall's strength, nothing can stand in our way."
Xin Tian nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The chaos energy within him was a constant reminder of the fine line he walked. But for the sake of his mission, he would endure anything.
End of Chapter 16