Liang Feng stood tall in the middle of the ruined fortress. Fiery energy wrapped around him, moving like living snakes. He watched the people kneeling before him, his eyes sharp and cold. There was Zhao Shen, a Platinum rank fighter, and Mei Xuan, who was Diamond rank. And even Master Qian Xu, who used to be a big shot in Hai Zhen's group. Now, they were all shaking like scared kids.
Liang spoke, his voice cutting through the noise of the flames. Tell me about your fighting levels. What are your ranks? What powers do you have?
Master Qian Xu's face tightened. He was too honorable at first, but fear won out. Well, he said, there's Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Obsidian. Six levels, each one tougher than the last. He coughed, and blood dribbled down his chin. At Obsidian, I can control shadows, block other people's powers, and mess with weaker people's minds.
Liang wasn't impressed. And still, you lost to me.
Zhao Shen gulped. He was clearly nervous. Your power... it's way beyond our levels. You're like a knight AND a witch.
Liang frowned. Explain that.
Mei Xuan lifted her head slightly, her face pale. Knights are strong and tough. They use energy armor and sword moves to destroy things. Witches control the elements and use magic to change reality. No one can do both. It's not allowed... impossible.
Liang smirked. Guess I'm the first.
Suddenly, he raised his hand. His sword, made of dark metal and covered in golden flames, flew through the air. It was a blur, hitting the wall right behind Qian Xu, barely missing his neck. The stone cracked, and flames spread across the walls like roots.
The master jumped back, his bravery gone. What do you want from us?! he yelled.
Liang whispered, but his voice was louder than thunder. I want you dead.
Everyone was shocked. Zhao Shen gasped. Mei Xuan made a small sound. Even the weaker fighters, who had already lost their powers because of Liang, just stayed on their knees in silence.
Liang took a step forward, his voice hard. Tell me, who's in charge? Who's above you?
Master Qian Xu, who used to be so full of himself, hung his head. The Mother, he mumbled. She's the boss. She's where we get our power. She lives past the Coral Gate, deep down in the Tranquil Abyss.
Liang got straight to the point. Where?
The fighters looked at each other, scared. No outsider had ever been told where the Mother was.
Finally, Mei Xuan whispered, It's past the Eastern Reefs. There are storms and old traps guarding the place... no one goes there.
Liang wasn't happy. Their words didn't mean much to him. Show me.
Qian Xu, defeated and hurt, reached into his sleeve and pulled out a scroll. It was old and yellow, with a red seal on it. He offered it to Liang, his hands shaking.
Liang grabbed the scroll, his fingers brushing against Mei Xuan's hand. She caught her breath, and her face turned slightly red, even though she was scared. Her heart was racing – was it just fear, or something else?
Liang opened the scroll. He could read the old writing, even though it was in Chinese. He had learned it a while ago in the burning pits. In Di Yu. There was also a map with lines showing underwater paths, storm warnings, and a red dot marked with the symbol for Mother.
Behind him, the freed slaves were crying and singing his praises. They called him Supreme Elder, their voices echoing through the ruined fortress.
Supreme Elder... our savior... Supreme Elder...!
Liang turned back to Qian Xu, and his sword appeared back in his hand, like a flame coming to life. He put the hot edge of the sword against the master's neck, drawing blood.
Tell me about this Mother. Her magic. Her strength.
Qian Xu choked, his pride completely gone. She's old... way stronger than you think. She gave us our ranks. We get our power from her blessing. Even I can't fight her alone. He coughed up blood. Her breath can destroy armies. Her magic makes storms that last for years. You... you can't beat her by yourself!
Liang chuckled, his voice low and dangerous. His fiery eyes stared at the master. Impossible? So was surviving your fortress and all your powers combined. So was breaking your chains.
Qian Xu whined, sweat mixed with blood. The fighters around him were silent, their powers gone, their spirits broken. They wouldn't even look up at the man, a young man in his 20s. Hardly had they seen a cultivator that young and powerful – who had destroyed their world in a single day.
Keep talking, Liang ordered, his energy growing stronger. The heat burned the master's skin.
Qian Xu cried. The Mother... she eats the scales, the flesh... She gets stronger with every person we give her. Her power is like layers... like a huge ocean... she won't die—
Liang pressed the blade harder, and the master screamed.
Meanwhile, Liang's flames had already burned away the chains that bound the remaining slaves. Pillars that once tethered their suffering now stood empty. The captives, hundreds of them, wept openly, bowing to Liang as their savior.
But Liang's heart remained cold. He had one goal now: to find this Mother, to end her reign, and to reduce her abyss to ashes.