The abandoned warehouse shook as two forces clashed.
On one side—Master Jian, the Blade Phantom. A veteran assassin, a Qi Gathering peak expert, feared for his Phantom Severing Blade technique. His sword could cut faster than the eye could follow, severing Qi flow with a single strike.
On the other side—Asher Damien. An anomaly. A shadow wielder. A man who shouldn't exist in this world.
And now?
A cultivator whose power was awakening mid-battle.
The shadows at his feet expanded, growing darker, heavier. And standing at his side—his first true summon.
A figure clad in pure darkness. Taller than the Shadow Minions before it. Its form flickered between solid and smoke, its eyes nothing but glowing slits of crimson.
It stepped forward, bowing its head slightly.
"Designation: Abyssal Phantom. Shall I kill?"
Asher smirked. "Let's have fun first."
Master Jian's grip tightened on his sword. "Enough of this nonsense."
His Qi flared, the pressure making Kaede stagger back. His aura sharpened, cutting through the air like invisible blades.
Then—he moved.
Phantom Step.
His body blurred, turning into a streak of silver light.
Asher barely had time to react before the sword was already descending.
"Phantom Severing Blade—Falling Moon Slash!"
A crescent arc of Qi erupted from his blade, slicing forward with deadly precision.
Asher's instincts screamed.
He activated Shadow Veil at the last second, vanishing into darkness.
BOOM!
The attack tore through the warehouse walls, carving a deep gash into the stone. Dust and debris exploded outward.
Kaede coughed, eyes wide. That attack… was lethal.
But Asher?
He was already behind Master Jian.
His voice was cold.
"Too slow."
Shadow-Forged Strike!
His fist, wreathed in dark Qi, slammed into Master Jian's ribs.
CRACK!
The assassin's body shuddered, but he reacted instantly, flipping backward, his sword moving in a defensive arc.
He landed smoothly, eyes narrowed.
"…What kind of cultivation is that?"
Asher rolled his shoulders. "Mine."
Master Jian exhaled slowly. His expression was no longer arrogant.
He was taking this seriously now.
His blade pulsed, Qi gathering along its edge.
"You're dangerous." His voice was flat. "I don't take risks."
Then—his sword ignited.
Not with fire. With Qi so sharp it distorted reality itself.
"Be honored," he murmured. "You die to my final technique."
Asher's smirk faded slightly.
The air itself screamed as Master Jian vanished.
This time, it was different.
There was no movement. No blur. No sound.
He was gone.
Kaede's eyes darted around in panic. "Where is he?!"
Asher's gaze sharpened.
He wasn't gone.
He had become his sword.
A whisper passed through the wind.
"Phantom Severing Blade—Void Phantom Rend."
Then—
The entire room exploded.
The Abyss Awakens
The moment before impact, Asher's shadow reacted.
The Abyssal Phantom moved.
Its form twisted, stretching, engulfing Asher like a second skin.
BOOM!
The sword hit.
But instead of cutting through him—
It phased through.
Master Jian reappeared on the other side, his eyes wide in shock.
Asher stood there, completely unharmed.
And for the first time—his shadow wasn't beneath him.
It was wrapped around his body.
A shroud of darkness, flickering with abyssal energy.
His voice was quiet.
"Interesting technique. But I win."
Master Jian whirled around, sword raised—
Too late.
Asher vanished.
Then—he was behind him.