Chapter 31: The Nexus of Power
The Crimson Lotus fortress's qi nexus was a cavern of radiant crystals, each pulsing with Core Formation energy. Li Wei's team secured the outpost, but the scrolls they found revealed a dire truth: the Shadow Abyss Clan planned to use the nexus to channel chaotic qi, forcing a merge between the Core Formation and Spirit Realms. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art scroll urged Li Wei to cultivate here, its characters revealing a new technique: Starheart Pulse, a strike that infused starry qi with spiritual resolve, amplifying its destructive force.
Li Wei sat cross-legged before a crystal, absorbing its qi with the Heavenly Breath Technique. His mid-Foundation Establishment dantian swirled, nearing the late stage. Lin Xue, cultivating nearby, broke through to early Foundation Establishment, her Starveil Array glowing brighter. Su Chen, Yang Kai, Mei Lan, and Yun Fei guarded the cavern, their Spirit Senses alert for Zhao's return.
As Li Wei's qi condensed, visions from the Heart Demon Tribulation flickered—doubts of failure, fears of losing Lin Xue. The scroll steadied him: The heart is the core. He channeled Starheart Pulse, its radiant qi stabilizing his foundation. His aura surged to late Foundation Establishment, his golden core denser, his Spirit Sense extending miles.
But the cavern shook—Zhao had returned with Shadow Abyss allies, their dark qi flooding the fortress. Yun Fei's Crimson Lotus Flame flared, warning of a trap. Shadow beasts, Core Formation strength, poured from the crystals, their claws dripping void qi. Li Wei's Celestial Starweave shielded the team, its starry net slicing beasts apart. Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Tempest froze a wave, while Mei Lan's Jade Lotus Palm crushed another.
Zhao appeared, his Blood Lotus Inferno blazing. "The nexus is ours," he roared, summoning a Blood Lotus Storm, flames and void qi swirling. Li Wei's Starheart Pulse countered, its starry resolve shattering the storm's edge. Lin Xue's Starveil Array trapped Zhao's allies, while Yang Kai's Starlit Blade and Huo Shen's Blaze Fist drove back the beasts. Yun Fei's flame purified the void qi, weakening Zhao.
Li Wei faced the elder, his Celestial Tide Flow dodging the inferno. He unleashed Ninefold Pulse with Starborn Resonance, nine starry waves crashing into Zhao. The elder staggered, his core cracking. "The Devil Emperor will end you," he spat, fleeing through a shadow portal. The beasts dissolved, and the nexus stabilized, its qi calming.
The team secured the scrolls, but the scroll in Li Wei's sleeve burned, revealing a vision: a Shadow Abyss ritual in the Core Formation World's heart. The path to Core Formation beckoned, but Zhao's master, the Devil Emperor, loomed in the higher worlds.