Chapter 78: The Crimson Seal
The outskirts of Black Tomb emerged from the mist like a spectral wound in the earth, the air thick with the oppressive scent of decay and the faint, unsettling pulse of demonic qi seeping from cracked stone and twisted vines. The early morning light cast an eerie pallor over the rugged terrain, the ground trembling faintly as minor demonic entities—shadowy wraiths with glowing red eyes—stirred from the depths, their claws scraping against the rock. Lin Xuan led the scout team into this foreboding expanse, his crimson eyes alight with leadership intent, the power of his 9th Layer Qi Transformation a steady anchor. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed with a quiet rhythm, a guide as he ventured deeper, his voice low. "Stay sharp—this place holds secrets."
He faced the wraiths head-on, their dark qi lashing out in tendrils that forced him to dodge with agility. Lin Xuan countered with a precise qi burst from Crimson Blood Crystallization Art, the red-tinged energy dissipating one wraith in a burst of smoke, but a second lunged, its claws grazing his arm before he struck again, the ground shuddering as it vanished. Liu Yue, her 9th Layer Qi Transformation qi flowing with Frost Phoenix Cry, and Liu Yang, his 6th Layer Qi Gathering qi robust, guarded the perimeter, her snowflake mark glowing as she froze a wraith's advance, his blood-forged glaive flashing to cleave through another, ichor spraying. "Hold the line, Elder Sister—these things keep coming!" Liu Yang shouted, his young face set with determination, the glaive's weight a testament to his growing strength.
Amidst the fray, Liu Yang's Human Emperor's bloodline surged, advancing him to the 7th Layer Qi Gathering as he channeled its power, the crimson energy amplifying his strikes to shatter a wraith with a single blow, its form dissolving in a howl. "I'm finding my true self—let's push deeper!" he called, his voice thick with a mix of relief and resolve, the burden of his identity crisis lifting as he embraced his heritage. Bai Ningxue, her 9th Layer Qi Transformation aura peaking to the 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, fulfilled her duty to protect Dawnriver, her Thousand Lotus Seal Art weaving a shimmering barrier to seal a demonic rift that pulsed with dark energy. The rift groaned as her seals locked it, the air stabilizing, her hands steady and precise. "This rift is contained—our duty holds," she said, her tone calm and resolute, her presence a beacon of strength.
Back at the royal hall, Ji Yunjing, at the peak of the 4th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, and Liu Yue monitored from a distance, his silk robes rustling as he traced the scout's progress, his voice firm. "Keep them safe—report every detail," he ordered, his brow furrowed with concern. The exploration stretched into the morning, the air growing heavy with the scent of decay and the murmur of awe, the team retrieving a Qorath artifact—a jagged black crystal pulsing with ancient power. Lin Xuan gathered his team later, his breath steady but his eyes alert. "This artifact is key—we've only begun," he said, his voice thoughtful. Liu Yue nodded, her breath even but her resolve firm. "We'll protect it, Senior Brother—together," she replied, her hand brushing his arm. The hall buzzed with the clink of strategy and the hum of discovery, the crimson seal a milestone in their growth, the tomb's secrets unfolding.