Abyss of Despair – Palace of the Sorrowful Night Sovereign
Li Huan slammed the tip of his spear to the ground in fury, releasing a crimson light that surged towards Yi Sheng, whose raised hand seemed prepared to counter it. But midway, the glow mysteriously dissipated. Li Huan shifted his gaze toward the doorway, spotting a young and elegant woman stepping in with determination. Her ash-gray hair, tinged with fiery red and orange at the ends, flowed behind her, accompanied by numerous floating fox tails.
Yi Sheng swiftly placed Zhou Yi's head gently onto the ground and donned his mask. Li Huan, seething with rage, shouted:
- "Why are you stopping me?! He hurt the Dark Lord and exploited my absence to try and kill him... This boy's behavior isn't normal—he's a spy! I'm sure of it!"
The fox lady raised her palm toward Li Huan's chest, sending out a spark that propelled him several meters back. With a calm demeanor, she adjusted her attire and spoke coldly:
- "I believe you've forgotten who you're speaking to! Sure, you may be the Dark Lord's right hand, but in the end, you're still just a servant! And I am Huxian—the Immortal Lady of the Foxes. You have no right to address me in that tone. Besides, if you're so concerned about your master, maybe you should tend to his wounds before dealing with this boy."
Li Huan rose from the ground, clenched his fists in anger, and strode toward the Dark Lord, who rested on Yi Sheng's lap. Yi Sheng glanced at Li Huan approaching their injured master, then steadied himself, placing a hand on his own shoulder and lifting the Dark Lord from the ground. As Yi Sheng moved to assist, Lady Huxian gestured for him to stop and stepped forward herself. She gently placed her other hand on Zhou Yi's shoulder, helping him onto his bed.
Li Huan stated firmly:
- "I'll summon the physician. Please, watch over the Dark Lord until I return, and make sure that boy doesn't go near him. I'll deal with him when I'm back!"
"No need, I'll handle it myself. Have you forgotten that foxes possess healing magic?"
Li Huan glanced at Zhou Yi, whose eyes remained closed, and said:
- "But no one is allowed to see his face. You know that better than anyone, my lady."
- "I know. I never said I'd remove his mask... There's no need for that."
Lady Huxian, seated beside Zhou Yi on his bed, tapped her forehead with two fingers. A fiery orange and red sigil appeared, glowing faintly. She murmured an incantation under her breath, placing her other hand on Zhou Yi's mask. A golden light flowed from Huxian's forehead into Zhou Yi's. Moments later, Zhou Yi's fingers twitched, his face contorted slightly, and his eyelids fluttered open. His gaze met Huxian's, who smiled warmly at him. A little farther away, he noticed Li Huan staring at him with concern. Turning his head to the left, Zhou Yi saw Yi Sheng standing in the middle of the room, shirtless, with bandages wrapped around his shoulder.
Memories of Yi Sheng's words about his past flooded Zhou Yi's mind, along with the moment he had tried to kill him. Closing his eyes, Zhou Yi spoke in a hoarse voice:
- "Li Huan, take this boy out of my sight and return him to the floor he came from."
Li Huan, stunned and slack-jawed, responded angrily:
- "But, my lord, he tried to take your life! If I had arrived even a moment later, who knows what would've happened? And now you want to spare him? Why?"
Zhou Yi, now visibly irritated, shouted:
- "Are you trying to teach me right from wrong? Do as I say—return him to where he was, shut your mouth, and don't show yourself before me for several hours!"
Trembling with rage, his face flushed red, Li Huan stormed toward Yi Sheng, glaring at him with hatred.
- "Don't think you've escaped this ordeal! I'm watching you. Now move—quickly."
Yi Sheng, still staring at Zhou Yi, seemed on the verge of saying something but thought better of it. Turning his back, he followed Li Huan toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, he glanced back to see Zhou Yi, his back turned, speaking with the Fox Deity. Despair and sorrow etched themselves onto Yi Sheng's face as he exited the room.
A maid handed him a clean, relatively new gray outfit, which he donned before trailing behind Li Huan.
Palace of the Sorrowful Night Sovereign – First Floor
The palace was shrouded in silence, its inhabitants deep in slumber. The cloudy sky foretold another heavy rain, much like the downpour of the past few days. Yi Sheng leaned against the wall, his eyes closed and a hand resting on his knee, as his mind wandered to the events in the Dark Lord's chamber. Three days had passed since the incident, but the palace had remained quiet, with no announcements regarding the next trial or updates about the Dark Lord, the fox demons—male and female—or even Li Huan.
Yi Sheng's wound had fully healed, yet his thoughts lingered on the moment he had removed Zhou Yi's mask and seen the bleeding scar on his face. With frustration, he muttered under his breath:
- "I wonder if he's alright now? I wish I could just see him, even from afar."
Suddenly, Yi Sheng's black headband turned into a shade of jade green. He swiftly removed it, sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and began chanting an incantation. A white aura surrounded him, rendering him invisible to the outside world. As his eyes opened, the headband floated in the air, vibrating lightly. Yi Sheng touched it with his hand, and the headband disappeared, revealing the faces of Mo Yu, Ling Zhou Yi, the Grandmaster, and Feng gathered around a table. Mo Qing smiled, waved his hand, and was about to speak when Feng interrupted anxiously:
- "Sheng, are you okay? Why haven't you contacted us these past few days? I've been so worried! What happened after the incident? Did you gain Zhou Yi's trust? How is he? He hasn't been hurt, has he? Tell me—"
Mo Qing jumped in, cutting Feng off:
- "Hey, Brother Feng, calm down! You're not giving Brother Sheng a chance to speak. Stop bombarding him with questions one after another! See, ask one thing at a time, like me: Brother Sheng, are you alright? What are you doing there? Have you been exposed yet? Is—"
Feng frowned and retorted:
- "That's still the same thing; you're asking him multiple questions too!"
As Mo Qing opened his mouth to argue further, Yi Sheng chuckled softly and said:
- "Alright, stop arguing. I'm perfectly fine; it was just a minor wound. As for gaining trust, there have been some developments, but I'll need more time."
Feng nodded and replied:
- "That's true—he's changed a lot and doesn't seem to trust anyone easily anymore. But you've made a good first step. So tell me, what's Zhou Yi doing? Is he okay?"
Yi Sheng hesitated, recalling the scar on Zhou Yi's face, then said:
- "Well… to be honest… he—"
Feng, his face suddenly filled with concern, placed his hands on the table and demanded:
- "He what? Did something happen to him? Tell me the truth, Yi Sheng—quickly!"
Yi Sheng raised his hands defensively:
- "Calm down… No, nothing's wrong; he's fine. I haven't seen him in a few days, but I'm sure he's alright. There's another matter I need to investigate further, and I'll tell you more once I have complete information."
The air around Yi Sheng shifted suddenly. Noticing this, he said:
- "It seems something's happening here. I think someone's coming. I can't talk to you any longer; they might detect the aura I'm using, and I could be exposed. For now—"
With a snap of his fingers, the headband reappeared in black, falling onto his lap. He swiftly tied it around his head, closed his eyes, and whispered a spell that caused the surrounding aura to vanish. Seconds later, the male and female fox demons appeared, awakening everyone from their sleep as they took their seats. Li Ming stepped forward, crossing his arms and declaring:
- "Well, your wait is finally over. Tomorrow is the day of the trial! Prepare yourselves accordingly!"
As murmurs and chatter filled the room, Yi Sheng smiled faintly and whispered to himself:
- "Good… Finally, I can see him again and confirm he's alright. I need to speak with him and find out the story behind that scar on his face!"
---
Zhejiang Province – Dongyang City
It was the dead of night, and the city lay in silence. Ling Chen, disheveled and weary, with dusty clothes and a tired face, appeared at the city gates. She raised her head, gazing at the name of the city inscribed on the semicircular sign above the gate. A faint smile crossed her lips as she murmured:
- "Finally, I've reached you, Zhou Yi Gaga!"
She passed through the gate and walked through several alleys, her head lowered. Soon, she realized she was being followed. Fear and anxiety crept onto her face as she tightened the strap of her bag on her shoulder and quickened her pace. The sound of footsteps behind her grew faster as well, until she reached a dead-end alley. Turning around, she saw two young men smirking as they approached her. Ling Chen swung her bag in front of her chest and said:
- "Listen, since I started my journey, I've encountered plenty of people like you. Right now, I have neither the patience nor the strength to fight. You should know I'm not carrying anything valuable—just some clothes and personal items in my bag. If you want to search it, go ahead."
She removed her worn-out bag and tossed it onto the ground in front of them. The two men laughed, and one of them kicked the bag aside with his foot, stepping closer to Ling Chen.
- "Who said I wanted your bag? I'm interested in you, sweetheart!"
Ling Chen took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and focused. Her golden core began to glow within her, enveloping her in a radiant golden aura. She levitated into the air, and when she opened her eyes, their color had transformed into a stunning amber hue, with a golden mark appearing on her forehead. The two men, their jaws dropped in shock, stumbled backward and fled. Ling Chen collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood, her vision blurring. She saw a woman running toward her. Shaking her head a few times, her sight cleared, and she recognized Ming Yu, dressed in simple clothes with a bag slung over her back. Ming Yu frantically examined Ling Chen and asked:
- "You're not hurt, are you, my lady? Those scoundrels didn't harm you, did they?"
Ling Chen placed her hand on the ground and stood up, offering a faint smile.
- "I knew you'd never leave me alone and would follow me. That's why, before I left, I left a copy of the map behind the garden for you, marking the places you needed to go. I'm truly glad you found me—I need your help."
Tears welled up in Ming Yu's eyes as she replied:
- "Of course I wouldn't leave you alone. As long as I'm alive, I'll stay by your side wherever you are. But, my lady, you're so weak now. Wouldn't it be better to rest for a while? There's not much time left until morning. Let's find an inn and rest a bit. We can head toward the cliff in the morning."
Ling Chen shook her head and said:
- "No, no, Ming Yu. I must reach Zhou Yi Gaga by noon tomorrow. I can't bear to be apart from him for even a second longer."
Ming Yu sighed in despair, gently supporting Ling Chen under her arm as they began to walk.
The next day—Palace of the Sorrowful Night Ruler.
The crowd is bustling, with people forming groups of two, three, or more, chatting or practicing their magical skills. Only Yi Sheng stands apart, leaning calmly against the red wall of the second floor, gazing at the sky, which appears redder than ever, as if blood might rain down at any moment. The sound of ghosts flying around is drowned out by the noise of the crowd. A male and female fox stand nearby, leaning against the wall. As the wide, long stairs appear, everyone bows in reverence. Yi Sheng eagerly bows, lifting his head slightly to see Li Huan descending the stairs, announcing:
"Well, you all know how the test will be conducted. I explained it to you a few days ago. Anyone who passes will have the honor of receiving the Dark Army emblem from the Sorrowful Night Ruler. Now, line up quickly—we don't have time to waste."
Yi Sheng eagerly tries to move forward, but the crowd surges, and several people bump into him, forming a long line ahead of him. Frustrated, Yi Sheng scratches the back of his neck, crosses his arms, and stands in line, trying to see the top of the stairs, but nothing is visible.
Hours pass, and the crowd of about five hundred people dwindles as their dark energy is transferred to the Dark Lord. The first entrants to the circle, upon realizing they lack deep hatred and resentment, are deemed useless. Li Huan's spear strikes them, encircling them in a golden ring that forces them to strangle themselves to death. During their agonizing deaths, all their dark and hateful memories surface, releasing their dark cores to the Dark Lord. Witnessing this scene is deeply unsettling and sorrowful. Many present on that floor are terrified but know there's no turning back. As time passes, they grow accustomed to the sight, each contemplating their own fate. Yi Sheng meditates to calm himself, suppressing his anger at the innocent lives lost before him. He reminds himself that he is here for a greater purpose—to save all people and creatures in the world. Sacrifices are inevitable in any great war, and everyone present either harbors dark energy or is a demon, filled with evil, hatred, and resentment. Their sins are unknown, but they deserve death. Yi Sheng repeatedly whispers these words to himself, keeping his auditory chakra low to avoid hearing the cries of pain and suffering during their deaths, reducing his anger.
Another hour passes, and finally, it's Yi Sheng's turn. Everyone is curious as Yi Sheng stares at the top of the stairs, seeing the Dark Lord clad in a gray robe and mask, with a peculiar crown, stepping forward to observe Yi Sheng's test results. Yi Sheng smiles, takes a deep breath, and enters the golden ring. However, the scenes of Ling Zui's life—his brother's humiliations, the people's words, his father's punishments, the beatings he endured, and the day his mother died in the mansion before everyone—are displayed. But there's a significant difference: instead of Ling Zui, Yi Sheng is present in all the scenes. Ling Zui, growing more curious and finding the scenes eerily familiar, rises from his seat. The moment Yi Sheng's mother jumps in front of him, shielding him and defending him, Ling Zui sees the woman's face and unconsciously whispers:
"Mother!"
And he is left bewildered... Upon witnessing Yi Sheng's life story, everyone looks at him with pity and sadness. Li Huan sneers and declares:
"Prepare for your death; your story is of no use to us, and your dark energy level is far too low."
As he prepares to strike his spear to the ground, the commanding voice of the Dark Lord resonates through the hall, shaking it with authority and halting him:
"There's no need for that, Li Huan. Let him step out of the circle—he has passed!"
Li Huan turns toward the stairs in astonishment, attempting to protest, but he meets the furious gaze of the Dark Lord. Angrily shifting his spear to his other hand, Li Huan opens the circle, allowing Yi Sheng to emerge. Yi Sheng gazes up the stairs and nods in gratitude to the Dark Lord. Ling Zui also watches him and prepares to speak, but the voice of the male fox pierces the room:
"My Lord, there's an issue at the Abyss entrance. A lady from the immortal Golden Peacock Clan is outside with her servant. She claims to know you and insists on entering. What shall we do?"
Yi Sheng, surprised, thinks deeply for a moment and mutters:
"Oh no... Ling Chen, what is she doing here? Everything was finally going well. I need to warn Feng..."
The male fox interrupts Yi Sheng's thoughts:
"My Lord, I don't know what happened to her, but she's unconscious and has collapsed near the Abyss entrance!"
Whispers begin to ripple through the hall as the Dark Lord swiftly appears at the foot of the stairs. Turning to Li Huan, he commands:
"Let's go and see what's happening." (Gesturing to the male and female fox demons and Yi Sheng.) "You all, follow me as well."
With a single gesture, they all vanish and reappear before the Abyss entrance. Ling Chen lies on the ground, traces of blood staining her lips, while Ming Yu cradles her head, weeping. Suddenly, the sky above the forest turns golden, and Li Huan shouts:
"Dark Army Formation!"
Striking the tip of his spear to the ground, nine figures with extraordinary appearances descend from the sky, floating in mid-air. Among them is the Fox God, each raising their hands while some wield magical artifacts. The Dark Lord ascends to the sky, hovering within their circle, his hair turning fiery red, and his eyes matching its hue. Behind him, an aura of fire and gray shadows emerges, with a crimson light emanating from his neck. On the opposite side, Lord Ling, Lord Moching, and Lord Yu appear alongside the Grandmaster and Ling Feng.
Yi Sheng, kneeling beside Ming Yu to comfort her, whispers:
"What are they doing here? What's happening? What's the meaning of this?"
The Grandmaster, his face stern, begins rotating his hands and shouts:
"Golden Core Formation!"
As Yi Sheng struggles to make sense of the escalating battle and chaos, his gaze falls upon a tree where he spots a figure retreating swiftly. Yi Sheng mutters with anger and astonishment:
"So, this was all your doing, Ling Fui !!
In an instant, the once-sunny sky is overcast with dark clouds, signaling the onset of a terrifying storm.