Yi Sheng gazed at the sky above him. Dark clouds loomed overhead, and the first drops of rain began to fall, drenching the battlefield with an ominous chill. The Grandmaster turned to Ling Zui and spoke with a heavy heart:

  *"I never thought that one day I would have to fight the son of an immortal purifier whom I have known since childhood—and that I would have to destroy him. But men choose their own paths, and you have chosen the path of darkness and evil. You must face the consequences of your decision."*

  Ling Zui let out a cold chuckle and scoffed:

  *"They say that as people age, they become senile. But you've gone beyond that, old man—you've become completely delusional. From the moment I was born, fate dictated that I would rise as the God of Darkness and Chaos. I have never seen you in my life. But since you and your miserable followers have dared to step beyond your limits and cast yourselves into the abyss of despair, know this—you will never leave this pce. Today will be your st!"*

  Lady Huxian stepped closer to her Lord of Darkness, whispering by his ear:

  *"My Lord, your strength has not yet fully returned, and your core remains weak. Allow us to handle this. We can erase these decrepit old fools in an instant. You need only watch and enjoy the spectacle."*

  Ling Zui smirked, nodding in approval, then snapped his fingers. In a blink, he floated several feet back, where his ornate throne materialized in midair. Settling into the seat, he spoke with an air of cruelty:

  *"Li Huan, I don’t want this battle to end quickly. Make them suffer. I want to see the agony in each of their faces—that is the only thing that will bring peace to my soul."*

  He let out a wicked ugh. Li Huan, wielding his spear, responded with a twisted grin, nodding in agreement. Just as he was about to raise his weapon, a burst of light tore through the air—**Feng** had broken free from his binding ring.

  He cried out, his voice trembling with desperation:

  *"Please, Zui, come to your senses... I don’t know what pain you’ve endured or what led you down this path, but it’s over. I am here now—your brother Feng is here! Give me one chance to pull you back from this abyss and save you. Do you remember what I told you? If you ever needed help, if you ever found yourself in trouble, just think of me—and no matter where I am, I will come for you! Please, try to remember—I am your elder brother! I can prove it to you! We've shared countless memories from our sacred journeys. We have signs and symbols known only to us. Just give me one chance... I beg you!"*

  Ling Zui hesitated, his expression faltering. A faint whisper escaped his lips:

  *"Ling Feng...? Why does that name... and that voice feel so familiar? How is this possible...? Why do I feel like I know him?"*

  A storm raged within his mind—a battle between fate and forgotten bonds.

  Sana ito na ang tono na inaasahan mo! Let me know if you'd like any adjustments.

  Feng was about to continue speaking when Yi Sheng spun around, ascending into the sky, positioning himself between the two armies. His voice thundered through the heavens:

  *"Enough of this!"* (He gestured toward Feng and the others.) *"How dare you trespass into this realm? No matter how profound your cultivation is or how vast your mastery of mystical arts may be, you will never be able to contend with the Army of Darkness.

  "I understand what has brought you here, but listen well—we have done nothing to harm this girl from the Ling Cn. She came here of her own free will, and when we learned of her presence, we merely came to observe the situation. You have no grounds to accuse us.

  "So take this opportunity while the Dark Lord grants it—**take your lives and leave**! You will not get another chance. Do not test fate any further."*

  Yi Sheng’s eyes flickered toward Feng in warning. Li Huan, enraged, shouted:

  *"How dare you defy the command of the Dark Lord?! He himself decreed that they must be eradicated! And yet you—"*

  Ignoring the fury in Li Huan’s voice, Yi Sheng ascended once more, and within seconds, he was before Ling Zui, who lounged upon his throne, cold eyes fixed upon him. Bowing his head, Yi Sheng spoke:

  *"My Lord, I would never presume to defy your orders. However, allow me to offer my counsel.

  "If this battle is waged now, it will bring unforeseen consequences. These intruders have breached the barrier surrounding the Abyss, meaning their arrival was not mere chance—they came with a calcuted pn. Their disciples and other cultivators have come with them.

  "Our army consists of only nine warriors. The rest are inexperienced, their mystical abilities still incomplete, unfit for battle. While these nine possess immense spiritual cores and advanced cultivation levels, their numbers far exceed ours, and in the end, they will be victorious.

  "You, My Lord, have yet to recover your dark energy, and our forces would merely waste their strength in a meaningless fight.

  "We must strike at the right moment—when our army is complete, when we are fully prepared to battle them. Then, we unch a surprise attack and annihite them completely.

  "This is not the time for war.

  "But of course, the final decision remains yours, My Lord."*

  Ling Zui, his expression contemptive, gave a slight nod. He drifted back to the center of the formation, Yi Sheng following behind. Then, the Dark Lord let out a wicked grin:

  *"A battle fought like this hardly entertains me...

  "This is your first time entering my pace—so I must uphold the traditions of hospitality. Everyone knows how generous the Dark Lord can be...

  "Thus, I shall allow you to leave today.

  "But do not think I show you mercy, nor should you believe I fear you. No—when I activate the Life Devouring Array, I shall erase each of you and your cns, watching and savoring your agony.

  "Soon, I shall come to visit you, and when that time arrives, you shall show me proper hospitality—that is, *if* you even have a home left standing.

  "For now, accept this small gift from me—**with love, from the Lord of Darkness."***

  With a monstrous ugh, Ling Zui raised his hands, summoning a storm in the sky. His eyes gleamed red, and the swirling winds transformed into small crimson specters, which rushed toward the Grandmaster and his allies, piercing through them.

  Within seconds, blood surged from their mouths, their bodies colpsing onto the ground.

  Ling Zui cackled, his voice filled with satisfaction:

  *"I do hope you enjoy my gift, friends...

  We shall meet again very soon."*

  And with a flicker of dark energy, he and his army vanished.

  Yi Sheng surveyed the surroundings carefully. Once certain that no enemies remained, he descended swiftly toward Feng and the others. He retrieved a small gss vial hidden within his robes and handed it to Feng:

  *"Do not worry—it is only temporary. Your golden cores and chakras have been sealed for a short time. Take this medicine three times a day for several days, and you will recover.

  "One more thing—I saw Fuyi lurking behind the trees. He was the one who injured Ling Chen.

  Keep watch over him. There must be no mistakes moving forward—if anything goes wrong, our entire pn will colpse.

  I must leave now before suspicions arise.

  Take care of yourself... and the others."*

  And without another word, Yi Sheng disappeared into the shadows.

  Feng struggled to breathe, his face twisted in fury as he shook his head.

  Meanwhile, Yi Sheng suddenly appeared on the second level, causing all eyes to turn toward him. Though there was a flicker of unease in his expression, he quickly composed himself, maintaining a facade of calmness as he spoke:

  *"I stayed behind to ensure they had truly left. I checked the barrier around the Abyss, and while a portion of it has been damaged, the rest remains intact. I suggest we seek the aid of the Abyssal Deity to restore it and pce additional enchantments upon it."*

  Ling Zui nodded, stepping back toward the upper level. As he moved, Lady Huxian materialized beside him, lowering her voice:

  *"My Lord, I believe Li Huan may be right—this boy is not ordinary... I suspect he has ties to those cns."*

  Ling Zui’s expression darkened, his voice barely above a whisper:

  *"Do not act yet. Hold your ground. We will speak of him once the Trial is complete. For now, all of you—leave."*

  Huxian bowed deeply before vanishing alongside the other nine warriors.

  An hour passed.

  From the 500 participants, only 100 had survived the Trial—Yi Sheng among them. The rest had been eliminated, their energies devoured, and the Dark Lord’s core surged with newfound power. His demonic bone glowed a deep crimson, radiating its terrifying presence.

  Now fully empowered, Ling Zui no longer felt weakness in his form. A wicked smile curved upon his lips as his gaze fell upon the line of survivors—all awaiting the Dark Emblem, bestowed by their master.

  With a slight nod, he signaled toward Li Huan, who bowed before addressing the crowd:

  *"Congratutions! From the 500, you are the chosen ones—the newest members of the Army of Darkness.

  "After receiving your Dark Emblem, you shall ascend to the Fourth Floor, where you will be assigned missions according to your abilities. You will undergo rigorous training, mastering both combat and dark enchantments, for those unable to overcome the trials will not merely fail—they will perish.

  "So do not be foolish to think that simply entering the Army of Darkness guarantees your safety.

  "Now, step forward one by one. When you reach the Dark Lord, kneel—**and remember**: You are forbidden to look upon him.

  "You shall receive your emblem and return to your pce."*

  The warriors nodded in unison before proceeding, each stepping forward in turn.

  Finally, it was Yi Sheng’s turn.

  He ascended the steps, stopping just one tier below the throne where Ling Zui sat. Lowering himself onto his left knee, he extended his arms.

  Ling Zui flicked his wrist, summoning the Dark Emblem—a circur amulet divided into two halves.

  One side bore shifting gray shadows, while the other depicted Ling Zui’s masked visage, glowing red.

  He tossed the emblem into the air, and as it descended, it fastened itself around Yi Sheng’s neck.

  Yi Sheng lifted his head slightly, a sly smile upon his lips:

  *"Yi Sheng is honored to serve within your Army of Darkness, My Lord...

  "As I told you before—I would enter your army and soon become one of your most trusted warriors, wouldn’t I?"*

  Ling Zui, amused by Yi Sheng’s boldness, smirked. Just as he was about to respond, Li Huan’s voice erupted in fury:

  *"Did I not decree that no one is permitted to gaze upon the Dark Lord, let alone speak to him directly?!

  Return to your pce immediately!"*

  Yi Sheng merely shook his head from side to side, his smirk unwavering, before casually stepping back to his position.

  ---

  The Sorrowful Night Sovereign’s Chamber

  Lady Huxian, cd in a robe of crimson and orange, stood in the center of the chamber alongside Li Huan. One of her fox tails, tinged in fiery orange, coiled gracefully around her neck, swaying gently in the air.

  The moment the Lord of Darkness manifested, both lowered their heads and bowed. Ling Zui settled into his throne, his piercing gaze falling upon Huxian as he spoke:

  *"Well then, Huxian, I am listening… What is it that troubles you?"*

  Huxian bowed deeply before responding:

  *"My Lord, I am grateful for this opportunity to speak, and I assure you—I shall not waste your precious time.

  "I simply wish to bring to your attention the matter of Yi Sheng. From the very moment he arrived, his actions have been highly suspicious.

  "He first lied about his past, daring to call you by your given name. Then, somehow, he was able to walk upon the Steps of Death and—against all odds—**save your life**.

  "Even Li Huan, despite his immense power, alongside Li Ming and Li Qiang—two fox demons of profound cultivation—were unable to detect when that arrow first entered the Abyss or how it had been aimed at you.

  "Yes, his mystical and martial skills are exceptional, but how could he walk upon the Steps of Death relying solely on concentration and his spiritual core, when his dark energy barely qualifies for even the lowest tier of shadow cultivation?

  "Moreover, his wound healed far too swiftly.

  "I examined the arrow that struck the pace myself—it holds immense spiritual energy, so much so that I could not even touch it.

  "So how, then, did that same arrow merely graze Yi Sheng’s shoulder, leaving only a minor wound that disappeared within days?

  "My Lord, something does not align.

  "It is as though he has come here with a purpose—perhaps even as a spy sent by one of the great cultivation cns.

  "Consider this: since your emergence, the Three Great Purifier Cns have remained silent—they have made no move.

  "They must be plotting something.

  "It is highly possible that Yi Sheng belongs to one of them and has been sent here to infiltrate us."*

  Ling Zui, having listened intently, nodded slightly before rising from his throne. Crossing his hands behind his back, he paced across the chamber, his voice deep in contemption:

  *"Everything you say is true, Huxian...

  "I, too, have begun to question why the cns have done nothing thus far.

  "They know that in a few months, I shall activate the Life Devouring Array, tearing the world asunder.

  "So why have they not moved against me?

  "Perhaps they wait—**to gather knowledge of my forces, uncover the pace’s secrets**, and strike when the time is right.

  "Now tell me—**how shall we confirm** whether Yi Sheng is truly a spy?"*

  A mysterious smile curled upon Huxian’s lips as she stepped forward.

  *"It is quite simple, My Lord…"*

  She leaned in close. Ling Zui bent slightly, listening as she whispered her pn.

  His expression darkened—cold, ruthless, and now filled with rage.

  Under his breath, he muttered with venomous certainty:

  *"I hope I am wrong, Yi Sheng…

  I pray you are not a spy—**not a traitor**—

  Because if you have deceived me, even I do not know what punishment awaits you!"*

  The Fourth Floor

  The Fourth Floor was immense, so vast that its end could not be seen. It consisted of several sections, each meticulously designed. Its grand entrance, forged from bck and silver pilrs, exuded an aura of dominance. Floating in the air, bck tablets bore the inscribed names of the newly accepted disciples.

  The torchlight flickered against the gray marble floor, casting long shadows that weighed heavily upon the chamber, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

  To the right, a dark corridor led to two rooms:

  - The Skill Assessment Chamber, where masters tested the abilities of the disciples, determining their fate and cultivation path.

  - Opposite it stood a massive hall, marked by golden script: Mission Hall. Its walls bore engraved maps of various regions, and in the circur shelves surrounding the hall, missions were stored in enchanted scrolls, safeguarded within magical barriers.

  To the left, another corridor, bathed in red light, housed two rooms:

  - The Resting Hall, filled with rows of wooden beds.

  - The Chamber of Secrets, inscribed with ominous characters upon its door. Inside, multiple passages led to a hidden underground chamber—the heart of the Fourth Floor.

  Few were permitted entry here, for within its depths y forbidden spells, dark scriptures, and the concealed truths of the Sorrowful Night Sovereign.

  ---

  Yi Sheng stood in the Mission Hall, leaning against a wall in silent meditation. The Dark Emblem had been removed from his neck, allowing him to focus entirely.

  But as the air shifted, his instincts fred—he swiftly retrieved the emblem from beneath his robes and fastened it around his neck once more, standing up.

  Without warning, the Steps of Death materialized, and the shelves vanished into the abyss. All present bowed their heads in reverence as Li Huan appeared at the base of the stairs, his voice commanding attention:

  *"Each of you has been assigned a specific mission, which the Fox Demons shall deliver to you. Once your task is understood, you are to leave the pace immediately and complete it.

  "Be warned—should you fail to complete your mission within the designated time, you will die.

  "But if you succeed and return, your training shall commence.

  "Now hurry—you have little time!"*

  Murmurs of unease rippled through the crowd. Tension hung in the air.

  Yet Li Huan suddenly appeared before Yi Sheng, his lips curving into a mysterious smile:

  *"You do not need to go anywhere.

  Your mission is different—**the Dark Lord himself** shall expin it to you.

  Follow me!"*

  A flicker of shock crossed Yi Sheng’s face. At first, excitement sparked in his expression—but it quickly faded.

  Under his breath, he muttered:

  *"No… I must not become too eager.

  There is no way he trusts me this quickly…

  Something is wrong."*

  Without hesitation, he followed behind Li Huan.

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