Chapter 32: The Ritual's Shadow
The Azure Cloud Pavilion celebrated the team's victory, but the Shadow Abyss threat cast a pall. Elder Mei Ling summoned them to the Core Formation archives, a hall of glowing jade slips. "The Shadow Abyss Clan's ritual threatens all Nine Worlds," she said. "You must find their ritual site in the Core Formation World's heart—a place called the Starless Abyss." She granted Li Wei access to a Core Formation technique, Jade Star Shield, to aid his journey.
Li Wei cultivated in the Spirit Spring, refining his late Foundation Establishment qi. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art revealed a new technique: Celestial Nova, a burst of starry qi that radiated like a star's explosion. Practicing in the spring, he unleashed a nova that shook the island, earning Yun Fei's awe. Lin Xue, now early Foundation Establishment, perfected her Starveil Array into a Starbind Formation, binding enemies with starry qi. Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Insight deepened their synergy, while Mei Lan and Huo Shen prepared for the mission.
The Starless Abyss was a chasm of lightless qi, its depths pulsing with chaos. The team descended, guided by Li Wei's World Resonance Seal. Shadow Abyss disciples guarded the ritual site, a black altar radiating void qi. Xin Mo, the clan's prodigy, led them, his Voidfang Blade sharper than before. "You're too late," he sneered, activating the ritual. The abyss trembled, qi currents twisting.
Li Wei's Celestial Nova blasted the guards, its starry explosion scattering them. Lin Xue's Starbind Formation trapped Xin Mo, but his blade cut through, its void qi corroding her array. Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Tempest slowed him, while Mei Lan's Jade Lotus Palm and Huo Shen's Blaze Fist cleared the altar. Yang Kai's Starlit Blade clashed with Xin Mo, but the prodigy's Core Formation qi overwhelmed.
Li Wei faced Xin Mo, his Starheart Pulse burning with resolve. The starry strike staggered Xin Mo, but the ritual's qi surged, summoning a void beast—a Core Formation phantom. Li Wei's Celestial Starweave shielded the team, and Yun Fei's Crimson Lotus Flame purified the beast's core. Together, they disrupted the ritual, the altar crumbling.
Xin Mo fled, vowing the Devil Emperor's wrath. The team sealed the abyss, but the scroll burned, revealing the Core Formation stage's path: a trial of spirit and power. Li Wei's team stood stronger, but the Nine Worlds' fate hung in the balance.