Chapter: The Roar of Beasts and the Fall of the Abyss

The silence of the ancient canyon was shattered by a thunderous roar. From the shadows of the craggy cliffs, a massive beast surged forward, its body towering like a moving mountain. The air quivered with its killing intent as it rushed directly toward the disciples of the Sanatan Flame Sect.

The disciples immediately tensed, their weapons raised, their auras flaring to life. Fear and resolve mingled in their eyes. Yet amidst the sudden chaos, Shaurya stood perfectly calm—his hands tucked leisurely into his pockets, as though the feral titan before them was no more than a passing storm.

From behind, Elder Feng Yu stepped forward, his gaze sharp as tempered steel. His right hand gripped the hilt of his sword. The beast roared once more and swung its colossal paw, its strike powerful enough to crush boulders into dust.

Feng Yu inhaled deeply, and in that instant, his eyes snapped open—burning with brilliance. He exhaled and drew his blade.

The sword whistled in a single upward arc.

A blinding slash of blue spiritual light tore across the battlefield, splitting through air and stone alike. In the blink of an eye, the massive beast was cleaved cleanly in two. Its body fell apart with a thunderous crash, splitting the earth, as shockwaves exploded outward. The ground cracked, dust spiraled high into the air, and the disciples staggered back—jaws slack, eyes wide with awe.

The beast lay lifeless, its hulking corpse split effortlessly.

Feng Yu turned with composed grace, sheathed his sword, and muttered coolly, "Too noisy."

Shaurya laughed, clapping his hands once. "Great work. Now let's head on."

The Sanatan Flame Sect disciples fell into formation once more, moving deeper into the realm with renewed confidence.

Far from them, another echo of destruction resounded.

A bloodied foot slammed against the ground, cracking stone. Zhou Xian, young lord of the Blood Saber Sect, stood amidst a field of corpses—dozens of cultivators from rival clans and sects strewn lifeless at his feet. His crimson saber dripped with fresh blood.

"Don't show any mercy!" he bellowed, his voice carrying the madness of slaughter. "Kill everyone! I don't care which sect or clan they belong to—even if they are from the royal family. Slaughter them all!"

He raised his saber high toward the heavens, and his followers roared with bloodthirsty fervor, their cries echoing like wolves in the night.

One elder stepped forward hesitantly. "Young Lord… there is no sign of the Sanatan Flame Sect nearby."

Zhou Xian spat saliva onto the ground, his lips curling into a feral grin. "Let them live for a while longer. But when we face them—" his eyes narrowed into slits of hatred, "—make sure not even a single one of that sect remains alive."

The elder bowed deeply. "Yes, Young Lord."

Elsewhere, under the dim glow of a blood-red moon, the Moonlight Pavilion battled against a horde of otherworldly beasts. The creatures were wolf-like in shape, their fur a shimmering violet, a single horn protruding from their foreheads. Dozens rushed with snarls and snapping fangs, surrounding the sect on all sides.

Disciples fought desperately, their blades flashing, their robes drenched in sweat and blood. The metallic stench of battle filled the air.

At their center, Meng Liyu, their master, stood like a goddess of war. Her sword gleamed as it cut arcs of moonlight through the battlefield. Each swing reaped the lives of beasts by the dozens, her movements sharp and merciless.

"Hold your guard up!" she cried, her voice like a clarion bell over the chaos. "These beasts are weak, but their numbers are overwhelming. Keep pushing forward—do not relax for even a moment!"

"Yes, Master!" her disciples shouted in unison, their voices trembling but firm. They pressed forward, blades clashing with snapping jaws, the night alive with the symphony of steel and death.

Deep within a colossal forest where trees towered like skyscrapers, the Howling Abyss Sect advanced cautiously. Seventy disciples moved close together, guarded by five elders. Their sect master, Zia Han, led them with an unyielding presence, his aura shielding them like an unseen mantle.

At the rear, Zia Bailey walked with his hand intertwined with Xia Coco's. Though fear lingered in her trembling fingers, his smile radiated reassurance, filling her with courage.

Suddenly, Zia Han froze. His sharp eyes scanned the forest. Something was wrong. He could feel it—a ripple of murderous intent hidden in the silence.

"Guard up!" he commanded.

The disciples instantly unsheathed their weapons, forming ranks, auras flaring like shields of light.

Without warning, a storm of arrows rained down from all directions. Zia Han roared, releasing his aura like a tidal wave. "Protect yourselves!"

The disciples' combined energy surged into a shimmering barrier, the arrows clattering against it like hail against glass.

Then—without warning—a crimson orb hurtled down from above. It struck one of the elders with devastating force.

Boom!

The earth split apart. A massive crater formed as dust and shockwaves blasted outward. When the smoke cleared, horror gripped the disciples. The elder was gone—reduced to ash.

Zia Han's eyes widened. Fury burned in his veins. "Coward! If you dare, then show yourself!"

A mocking laugh answered his demand. From above descended Liu Xiang, his crimson robes fluttering like fire, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"What happened, Zia Han?" Liu Xiang sneered. "Didn't you just ask me to show myself? Tell me—did my entry scare you?" His laughter rang cruelly.

Zia Han clenched his teeth, fury searing his heart. Before he could reply, a piercing scream echoed above.

All eyes turned skyward.

Liu Xiang's massive rock eagle circled in the skies, its wings spanning dozens of meters. It shrieked, then with a single flap, loosed dozens of crimson feathers that rained down like deadly arrows.

The disciples screamed, summoning shields in desperation. But the crimson feathers tore through their defenses, piercing flesh and bone alike. Blood sprayed. Many fell dead instantly.

Zia Han's body trembled as rage erupted within him. His aura blazed silver, shaking the ground beneath his feet.

"Oh, old man," Liu Xiang laughed, watching the carnage, "I love to see you struggle."

Zia Han exploded forward in rocket speed, appearing before Liu Xiang in an instant. His fist swung upward—an uppercut that cracked against Liu Xiang's jaw, sending him flying backward.

Without hesitation, Zia Han leapt into the sky. His palm glowed with radiant blue energy.

"Howling Abyss Palm!"

The strike landed on Liu Xiang's back mid-air, blasting him downward. He flipped at the last instant, skidding along the ground in a shower of dust.

"Annihilation Abyss Fist!" Zia Han roared, striking again, his silver fist slamming into Liu Xiang's jaw. The force tore through towering trees, a storm of shattered bark and debris exploding outward.

When the dust cleared, Liu Xiang was gone.

Zia Han's eyes narrowed. Too late. A shadow flashed behind him. Liu Xiang's side kick smashed against his face, hurling him into the ground. The impact ripped a crater into the earth.

The Howling Abyss Sect disciples panicked, struggling against Liu Xiang's beasts and his sect members. At the center of the chaos, Zia Bailey and Xia Coco fought back to back, barely holding off the endless tide.

Liu Xiang's gaze locked onto the youth. His lips twisted into a cruel smile. "So… that's Zia Han's grandson, hm? The future of your sect. Pity—there is no future left for you."

He turned just as silver light erupted from the crater. Zia Han emerged, cloaked in blazing silver aura. He shot forward, colliding with Liu Xiang in an earth-shattering explosion.

When the light faded, blood dripped from Liu Xiang's cheek, a deep cut carved into his flesh. He smiled despite the wound, his fist buried deep into Zia Han's abdomen. Blood spilled down Zia Han's robes.

The disciples' eyes widened in horror.

"Grandpa!" Zia Bailey screamed, his vision blurring with tears.

Liu Xiang tried to pull his fist free, but Zia Han's hand clamped around his arm like iron.

Silver cracks began to spread across Zia Han's body as his aura surged uncontrollably.

"You old fool!" Liu Xiang snarled. "Release me!"

Zia Han's voice thundered. "Bailey! I entrust everything to you now! Take care of yourself… and the sect!"

Zia Bailey shook his head violently, tears streaming. "No! Grandpa!" Xia Xu restrained him, her eyes filled with grief.

Zia Han forced a faint smile. "Elder Xia Xu… take care of my grandson."

Then he roared, "Abyss Death Sword Formation: Strike!"

A massive silver formation erupted above, summoning a colossal spiritual sword that plunged from the heavens. It pierced the rock eagle in mid-flight. The beast shrieked, its body bursting apart as it plummeted to the ground.

Liu Xiang's face twisted in rage. "My beast!"

But before he could retaliate, Zia Han's body shone brighter, silver cracks spreading wider. His spiritual essence burned away.

He looked one last time at his grandson, smiling warmly through the pain. Then his body detonated in a cataclysmic explosion of silver light.

Boom!

The blast shook the heavens. Trees shattered, the earth split open, and a crater the size of a small city formed where he once stood.

The surviving disciples staggered back, watching in horror and grief. Many collapsed to their knees, weeping. Zia Bailey fell, his eyes lifeless, his mouth wide in disbelief.

Xia Coco rushed forward, wrapping him in her arms as she sobbed. His tears fell endlessly as memories of his grandfather flooded his heart. He hugged her tightly, screaming into the night. His voice echoed like a wounded beast, carrying the pain of loss through the forest.

Xia Xu placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. "Bailey… the responsibility of our sect now rests on your shoulders. Do not let grief consume you. You must carry your grandfather's legacy. But for now, we must run. Liu Xiang still lives. His sect is near. We must find shelter until we recover."

Zia Bailey wiped his tears, his voice hoarse but firm. "I will… I will become strong. Strong enough to carry my grandfather's will." His eyes blazed—not with tears, but with determination. "Let's go."

The sect members fled into the forest. Behind them, the dust slowly cleared, revealing the massive crater. From within, Liu Xiang emerged, bloodied but alive. He staggered, coughing blood, yet his eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.

"I never thought that old man had such power," he muttered. "Even half my strength injured me this badly. But… it doesn't matter. He was too weak." With that, Liu Xiang vanished into the skies.

Far away, within a mystical garden overflowing with spiritual herbs, the Sanatan Flame Sect wandered. The herbs glowed like gemstones, filling the air with thick spiritual essence. Elder Wan darted about like a curious child, marveling at each treasure.

Shaurya suddenly stopped, his expression shifting.

Lin Shu noticed. "Did something happen?"

Shaurya tilted his head, his gaze distant. "I don't know… I feel like something terrible just occurred. But… perhaps it's only my imagination."

Lin Shu smiled softly. "Don't overthink it. You need rest."

Shaurya sighed, his unease lingering. "I suppose so."

The sect continued deeper into the garden, unaware of what was unfolding elsewhere.

At the garden's heart, beneath the roots of an ancient tree, something stirred. A green cocoon pulsed with life, glowing faintly with spiritual light.

From within, a figure shifted.

A girl slowly opened her eyes. Sapphire pupils glimmered like starlight, piercing the shadows.

To be continued…

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