The battlefield looked like chaos, you know, just despair everywhere. Flames crackled all over the ruined ground as those two sects fought fiercely, with no holding back. The Eclipse Flame Sect, even though they were outnumbered and super tired, held their ground with real tough courage.
Up in the sky, it was this nightmare mix of red and black, all dominated by that scary Abyss Devourer. One of its tentacles, the one that got cut off by the halberd not long ago, was growing back now, glowing with bad energy as it whipped at the ground and wrecked everything in its way.
Bai Cheng was stuck, frozen inside the protective barrier that Sect Leader Shen Huang had created, watching the entire fight with awe and feeling pretty helpless. His fists were clenched tight, and he whispered, How do they keep going like that. How does anyone even stand up to something so huge?
That Abyss Devourer let out this huge roar that shook the ground and messed with everyone's spirits. Shen Huang gripped the halberd tightly and planted his feet in the scorched earth. He was giving off this defiant vibe, his fiery energy getting brighter every second.
Is this really the end? Bai Cheng murmured to himself, feeling that despair sink right into his bones.
Shen Huang's voice boomed out over the battlefield, strong and steady. Disciples of the Eclipse Flame Sect, don't give up. Our ancestors gave us this legacy, and today we honor what they did. Stand tall, fight not just for you but for the sect's future.
The Flame Sect folks, all beat up and bloody, they roared together, their spirits fired up by their leader's guts. They pushed their last bit of spiritual energy into making the Scorching Barrier stronger, bodies shaking from how worn out they were.
The Abyss Devourer rushed forward again, its big body throwing a dark shadow over everything. Those glowing red eyes locked right on Shen Huang, and with a big crash, one massive tentacle hit the barrier. Flames spread out; it barely held, but cracks started showing up.
Shen Huang's oldest son, Shen Lei, gritted his teeth hard. Father, the barrier can't last much longer. We're at our limit here.
Shen Huang looked at his son, face calm but with this deep sadness in it. Lei'er, listen up. You have to protect the sect and everyone in it. This halberd, this legacy, it's not just some weapon; it's a symbol of hope. You carry that hope on.
Father, no, Shen Liang said, voice cracking. You can't do that.
I am the head of this sect, Shen Huang cut in, voice firm. And it's my job to make sure it survives, even if it takes my life.
Shen Huang turned to one of the disciples and said, Go find the Patriarch. Tell him what's happening. We can't hold this without him stepping in.
The disciple hesitated, eyes full of tears. But Sect Leader.
GO, Shen Huang roared, and the guy took off fast, disappearing into the fire and smoke.
Then Shen Huang stepped up, raising the halberd high. The runes on it lit up bright, throwing light all over the battlefield. He closed his eyes for a second, like talking to the weapon quietly.
Blazing Fang, he muttered, you were made to protect the good guys. Today, you do your job.
He took a deep breath and turned on Soul Ignition, burning his own life essence to push his cultivation higher. His aura exploded out, getting so strong that even Zuo Tianlong, the Blood Crimson Sect Leader, stepped back a bit.
This is crazy, Bai Cheng whispered, shaking. He's burning his own life away.
Shen Huang's voice cut through all the noise. Zuo Tianlong, you want power, but you don't get sacrifice. You kill your own people to call up these monsters. Let me show you what real resolve looks like.
Zuo Tianlong smirked but backed up carefully. Your desperation is kind of impressive, Shen, but it's useless. Even with that halberd, you can't win.
We'll see about that, Shen Huang said, his eyes burning like suns.
Inside the Scorching Barrier, Shen Huang pulled the remaining sect disciples together. Stay here. The barrier will hold a bit longer. I'll face them by myself.
But, Sect Leader, one elder started.
No arguing, Shen Huang snapped. Protect the people. That's all you do now.
With that, he stepped out past the barrier and lifted the halberd to the sky. Blazing Fang, give me your strength one last time.
A huge wave of fire burst from the halberd, hitting the Abyss Devourer and slicing off another tentacle. The thing shrieked in pain, the sound echoing everywhere.
Zuo Tianlong's face got dark. Enough of this. All disciples, put your energy into the array. We'll make the Abyss Devourer full power.
The Blood Crimson Sect people did what he said, giving up their last spiritual energy, and their lives too, to boost the beast. The Abyss Devourer got bigger, its aura way heavier, starting to eat up everything around, even its own side.
Shen Huang gritted his teeth. He knew what he had to do next. His voice rang out over the battlefield, This is our land. This is our legacy. And this is my last gift to the Eclipse Flame Sect.
He turned on Infernal Nova Cleave, pouring all his remaining life force into it. The halberd's runes glowed brighter than anything, and the weapon seemed to roar back.
A massive blast of fire and light exploded out, wiping out everything in a wide area. The Abyss Devourer gave one last huge roar as its body got torn up by the fire. The flames swallowed the Blood Crimson forces, scattering them and leaving the whole place burned and quiet.
When the flames died down, Shen Huang stood there for a moment, body glowing a little with leftover fire. He looked at the halberd and whispered, Blazing Fang, protect the righteous.
Then his body turned to ash, blowing away in the wind like a phoenix heading back to the sky.
The battlefield was just desolation now. The Abyss Devourer, hurt badly, still hung around, regenerating slowly but not stopping. Blood Crimson disciples ran off scared, their morale totally broken by Shen Huang's sacrifice.
Inside the barrier, the Flame Sect disciples were crying, hearts heavy with grief. Shen Lei knelt where his father had been, tears running down his face.
Father.
Bai Cheng stood frozen, eyes stuck on the halberd. The air around it crackled with leftover energy, showing the power Shen Huang had used.
Suddenly, the ground shook, and this powerful presence came down. The Patriarch of the Flame Sect showed up, his aura huge and in charge. He looked over the battlefield, face grim.
What happened here, the Patriarch demanded.
Bai Cheng tried to speak, pointing at the halberd and Shen Huang's ashes. The Head, he gave everything.
The Patriarch's look softened, a bit of sadness there. Shen Huang, your sacrifice won't be wasted.
As he turned to the Blood Crimson forces, the Abyss Devourer roared again. The fight wasn't done yet.
Bai Cheng dropped to his knees, tears coming as he grabbed the dirt. The pictures in his head of kids fighting and dying, moms protecting their little ones, warriors giving their lives, it was stuck there.
This isn't just a memory, Bai Cheng whispered. This is a nightmare.
The elder's voice came softly beside him. Bai Cheng, this is what war costs, the price for protecting what matters. This is the weight of power.
The scene started fading, the battlefield turning into ash and fire. Bai Cheng looked around, wanting to hold onto the images of those who fell.
And then, silence.
The elder showed up in front of him, face serious. I don't know what came after this. But you, Bai Cheng, have to choose your path. Will you use power to destroy, or to protect?
Bai Cheng clenched his fists, his mind full of feelings. I don't know yet. But I'll figure it out.
The elder smiled a little. Good. For now, rest. The future's weight can wait till tomorrow.