Chapter 84: The Tomb's Call
The outskirts of Black Tomb loomed like a foreboding scar on the landscape, the air thick with the oppressive scent of decay and the faint, unsettling pulse of demonic qi seeping from cracked stone and gnarled roots, the early morning light casting an eerie sheen over the rugged terrain. The allied forces had fortified the perimeter, but the tomb's depths called to Lin Xuan, his crimson eyes narrowing with a sense of readiness, the power of his 9th Layer Qi Transformation a steady force. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed faintly, a guide as he sensed a breakthrough nearing, his voice a low murmur. "This is our next fight—prepare."
He stood at the edge, probing the entrance with Crimson Blood Crystallization Art, the air crackling with red-tinged energy as he detected a surge of demonic qi, hinting at a deeper power within. A shadowy tendril lashed out, forcing him to dodge with agility, and he countered with a precise qi burst, the energy dissipating it in a burst of smoke, the ground trembling faintly. Liu Yue, her Half-step Profound Heavenly Realm qi flowing with Frost Phoenix Cry, and Liu Yang, his 9th Layer Qi Gathering qi robust, gathered resources, her snowflake mark glowing as she froze a supply crate for transport, his blood-forged glaive flashing to clear debris. "Stockpile the north, Elder Sister—we need everything," Liu Yang called, his young face set with determination, the glaive's weight a grounding force.
In the royal hall, Ji Yunjing, at the 5th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, commissioned a tomb expedition, his silk robes rustling as he traced the site on a map, his voice firm with authority. "This threat demands action—assemble the team," he ordered, his brow furrowed with the weight of rulership, the air thickening with the clink of armor as officers mobilized. Bai Ningxue, her 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura a serene yet potent force, sealed the perimeter with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art, her seals shimmering as she stabilized the entrance against a qi surge, her hands steady and precise. "This will hold the line—proceed with caution," she said, her tone calm and focused, her efforts ensuring safety for the expedition.
The preparation stretched into the morning, the air growing heavy with the scent of decay and the murmur of tension, the team assembling as Lin Xuan felt the breakthrough's pull. "The tomb's calling us in—let's answer," he said, his voice thoughtful. Liu Yue nodded, her breath steady but her eyes alert. "We'll be ready, Senior Brother—together," she replied, her hand brushing his arm. The royal hall buzzed with the clink of strategy and the hum of anticipation, the tomb's call marking a new challenge on the horizon.