Chapter 93: The Demon's Fall
The core of Black Tomb blazed with a final, desperate light,
the air thick with the sulfurous reek of fading demonic energy
and the weakening pulse of Qorath's fragment,
its crystalline form now diminished to the 5th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm.
The dim light from qi lanterns cast a flickering glow
across the jagged stone floor,
where the fragment loomed, its surface cracked and dimming
under the toll of Lin Xuan's ritual.
Lin Xuan, at the 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm,
rose from the ritual's aftermath,
his crimson eyes burning with the fire of victory.
The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed with a steady rhythm,
a guide as he channeled Severed Crimson Unity Slash.
The crimson arc tore through the air with a resonant whoosh,
striking the fragment's core with a blinding boom,
shattering it into a cascade of shards with a sharp ping ping,
the ground cracking beneath with a resonant snap.
"It's done—fall, you monster!"
he shouted, his voice raw with triumph,
his body swaying as the energy dispersed.
As the fragment dissolved into a cloud of dissipating ichor,
a tower-shaped structure emerged from the core,
its obsidian surface pulsing with an unfamiliar energy.
Beside it, another Qorath's fragment materialized,
its form fleeting before both—tower and fragment—
inexplicably surged toward Lin Xuan,
merging into his head with a sudden, jarring thud.
"What the—?"
he gasped, his eyes widening in shock,
a familiar yet alien energy coursing through him,
his knees buckling as he held his head.
"Senior Brother, are you okay?"
Liu Yue cried, her 1st Profound Heavenly Realm qi flaring
as she rushed to his side, her snowflake mark glowing faintly.
She raised her hands, unleashing Frost Phoenix Cry
to clear residual qi with a crisp crack,
the icy wave shattering the lingering tendrils.
"Stay with us—what's happening to you?"
Liu Yang, his 1st Layer Qi Transformation qi robust,
joined her, his blood-forged glaive flashing
as he channeled Energy Devour to absorb the last traces of qi,
the blade humming as it cleaved through with a wet splatter.
"Elder Sister, he's shaking—should we get him out?"
he asked, his young face etched with worry,
lowering his glaive as he stepped closer.
"I don't know, but we can't leave him like this!"
Lin Xuan, struggling to regain his breath,
forced a weak smile, his voice trembling.
"I… I'll be fine. Just give me a moment."
At the royal palace,
Ji Yunjing, at the 5th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm,
stood before the court, his silk robes rustling
as he raised a hand to silence the murmurs.
"The immediate threat is contained—honor their victory!"
he declared, his voice resonant with authority,
his brow smoothing with relief as guards bowed in unison.
"Prepare a welcome for their return—they've saved us all."
Bai Ningxue, her 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura serene yet potent,
purified the tomb with Thousand Lotus Seal Art,
her seals shimmering like a cleansing tide
as they neutralized the remaining qi with a soft pop.
"The core is cleansed—let's ensure it stays that way,"
she said, her tone calm but firm,
her hands steady as she wove the final patterns.
"Ji Yunjing, we should check on them—they've been through hell."
The fall stretched into the morning,
the air lightening with the scent of victory
and the soft murmur of awe from the emerging team.
Lin Xuan, still reeling from the surge within,
concealed his shock with a forced steadiness,
leading the group out as Liu Yue supported his arm.
"We did it—let's go home,"
he said, his voice quiet but resolute,
though his mind raced with the energy's implications.
Liu Yue squeezed his arm gently.
"Senior Brother—we're not done until you're safe."
Liu Yang, sheathing his glaive,
offered a tired grin.
"Yeah, no more surprises, okay?"
The palace buzzed with the clink of ceremonial armor
and the hum of celebration,
Ji Yunjing stepping forward to bow slightly.
"You've exceeded all expectations—Dawnriver owes you everything."
The demon's fall marked a triumph,
but Lin Xuan's new burden remained a silent shadow,
unnoticed by his comrades as they basked in their victory.