Chapter 34: The Crimson Lotus Sect Master
The Azure Cloud Pavilion mobilized, aware of the Crimson Lotus Sect's alliance with the Shadow Abyss Clan. Li Wei's team was tasked with confronting Sect Master Yun at a Crimson Lotus stronghold in the Core Formation World's Emberfall Peaks, a volcanic region of molten qi and ashen skies. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art scroll revealed a new technique: Celestial Ember Strike, a fiery blow that harnessed volcanic qi, complementing Li Wei's Heartflame Strike. His early Core Formation aura felt boundless, but Sect Master Yun's power loomed like a storm.
The team—Li Wei, Lin Xue, Su Chen, Yang Kai, Mei Lan, and Yun Fei—traveled to the peaks, their qi shielded by Lin Xue's Starbind Formation. Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Tempest cooled the molten air, while Mei Lan's Jade Lotus Palm deflected ash storms. Yun Fei's knowledge of the Crimson Lotus Sect guided them to the stronghold, a fortress of obsidian and red jade guarded by shadow formations.
At the gates, Sect Master Yun awaited, a towering figure with crimson robes and a Blood Lotus Scepter radiating late Core Formation qi. Xu Rong stood at his side, her Crimson Flame Whip blazing, her late Foundation Establishment aura sharper. "You've meddled too far," Yun said, his voice like thunder. "The Shadow Abyss will unite the worlds, and you'll burn."
The battle erupted. Yun's Blood Lotus Inferno engulfed the peaks, its flames melting stone. Li Wei's Starforge Resonance synced with the volcanic qi, amplifying his Celestial Ember Strike. The fiery blow clashed with Yun's inferno, scattering flames. Lin Xue's Starbind Formation trapped Xu Rong, while Su Chen's Frost Phoenix Claw froze her whip. Yang Kai's Starlit Blade and Mei Lan's Jade Lotus Palm targeted Yun's guards, while Huo Shen's Blaze Fist countered shadow beasts.
Yun's scepter summoned a Blood Lotus Avatar, its flaming form dwarfing the fortress. Li Wei's Celestial Starweave shielded the team, its starry net absorbing the avatar's strikes. Yun Fei's Crimson Lotus Flame purified the avatar's core, weakening it. Li Wei unleashed Ninefold Pulse with Starborn Resonance, nine starry waves staggering Yun. The sect master roared, his scepter unleashing a Blood Lotus Storm.
Li Wei's Celestial Nova countered, its starry explosion shaking the peaks. Yun retreated, wounded, but Xu Rong's whip lashed, aiming for Li Wei's core. Lin Xue's Starveil Array deflected it, and Su Chen's frost sealed her escape. Yun Fei bound Xu Rong with her flame, her eyes cold. "You've betrayed our sect's honor," she said, handing Xu to the team.
The stronghold's qi nexus was sealed, disrupting the Shadow Abyss's plans. But Yun's parting words echoed: "The Devil Emperor sees all." The scroll burned, revealing a vision of the Starless Abyss's heart, where the true ritual lay.