Chapter 4: Abyss Dragon
The moment Kukulin Bai Ye stepped into the Abyss Passage, the world before him twisted and distorted. The familiar environment of the Reincarnation Paradise faded away, replaced by a vast, desolate expanse of black rock and crimson sky. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ozone, a tangible pressure that weighed down on his shoulders.
He stood at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a chasm that seemed to plunge into the very heart of the world. From its depths, a low, guttural roar echoed, shaking the ground beneath his feet. This was the Abyss, or at least, one of its countless layers.
"Boss, this place gives me the creeps," Baha's voice came through the communication device, laced with unease. The Demon Hawk circled high above, his keen eyes scanning the horizon.
"Stay alert," Su Xiao replied, his hand resting on the hilt of Dragon-Slaying Flash. His Azure Steel Shadow energy pulsed, a faint blue glow emanating from his body, ready to activate at a moment's notice.
He had accepted a high-risk mission from the Honor Store: to investigate a disturbance in a newly discovered Abyss passage. The reward was substantial, but the danger was equally immense. The Abyss was a realm of chaos and corruption, home to beings of unimaginable power.
As he descended into the chasm, the darkness grew thicker, swallowing the light from the crimson sky. His Apostle's Eye activated, granting him vision in the pitch-black. The walls of the chasm were lined with strange, pulsating veins of dark blue smoke, the very essence of the Abyss.
A sudden, sharp screech pierced the silence. From the shadows, a swarm of Abyss Spawn emerged, their forms twisted and grotesque, with too many limbs and eyes that burned with malevolent light.
Su Xiao didn't hesitate. In a flash of blue light, he drew Dragon-Slaying Flash. "Blade Path Sword: Azure Demon!" He unleashed a crescent-shaped blade of energy that cut through the first wave of creatures, their bodies dissolving into black smoke.
The swarm was relentless, but Su Xiao moved with practiced efficiency. His Melee Grandmaster skills allowed him to weave through their attacks, each strike of his blade precise and deadly. Baha swooped down from above, his claws tearing through the creatures, while Amu, the Bull, charged forward, his massive form crushing anything in his path.
After clearing the immediate threat, Su Xiao continued his descent. The deeper he went, the more intense the Abyss energy became. He could feel it trying to erode his mind, whispering promises of power and corruption. His Soul Strength and high Abyss Resistance kept it at bay, but it was a constant, draining effort.
Finally, he reached the bottom of the chasm. A vast, underground cavern opened before him, illuminated by a sickly green glow. In the center, coiled around a massive pillar of black crystal, was a creature that made even Su Xiao pause.
It was a dragon, but not of the ancient, noble kind. This was an Abyss Dragon, its scales a deep, oily black, with cracks of molten crimson running through them. Its eyes were pits of pure malice, and its breath came in ragged, sulfurous gusts. The air around it shimmered with heat and corruption.
"An Abyss Dragon... at the Eighth Rank," Su Xiao muttered, his eyes narrowing. This was far beyond a simple disturbance. This was a potential calamity.
The dragon's head turned, its gaze locking onto Su Xiao. A low, rumbling laugh echoed through the cavern. "A little insect, daring to enter my domain. You reek of the Law Destruction Faction. Your kind are always so... persistent."
Su Xiao didn't waste words. He activated his abilities, his body becoming a blur of motion. "Blade Path Sword: Time!" He used his Space-Time Power to slow the dragon's perception, then followed up with "Blade Path Sword: Extreme!"
The battle was brutal. The Abyss Dragon was a powerhouse, its attacks capable of shattering the ground and melting stone. Its breath was a torrent of Abyss energy that could corrode even the strongest defenses. Su Xiao was forced to use his Black King Bracer to block a direct hit, the impact sending him skidding back dozens of meters.
But Su Xiao was a veteran of countless battles. He adapted, using his Spatial Ability to teleport around the dragon, striking at its weak points. His Cyan Steel Shadow Energy was particularly effective, disrupting the dragon's Abyss power.
After a grueling fight that lasted nearly an hour, Su Xiao finally saw an opening. The dragon, enraged and wounded, lunged at him with its massive jaws. Su Xiao sidestepped, and in that split second, he activated his ultimate technique.
"Blade Dao Sword: Azure Shadow King!"
A colossal blade of blue energy manifested, cleaving through the dragon's neck. The creature let out a final, earth-shattering roar before its body collapsed, dissolving into a pool of dark blue smoke.
Su Xiao stood panting, his body covered in cuts and burns. He had won, but it was a close call. He approached the remains, and from the dissipating smoke, a chest materialized. It was a Holy Spirit Chest, pulsating with a faint, golden light.
He opened it, and inside were several items: a large Soul Crystal, a fragment of an Origin Stone, and a scroll that seemed to be a map of a deeper layer of the Abyss. There was also a single, black scale from the dragon, radiating immense power.
"Not bad," Su Xiao said, storing the items. He had gained a significant amount of Paradise Coins and reputation from this mission.
As he prepared to leave, a notification appeared in his vision.
[You have slain an Eighth Rank Abyss Dragon.]
[Your reputation with the Void Tree has increased.]
[You have obtained: Abyss Dragon Scale (Legendary Material).]
[You have obtained: Soul Crystal (Large) x1.]
[You have obtained: Origin Stone Fragment x1.]
He also noticed a change in his status. His True Attribute Points had increased slightly, and his Golden Skill Point had been partially charged.
"Time to head back," Su Xiao said, activating his Law-Destroying Teleportation Array. The world around him blurred, and he was pulled back towards the Reincarnation Paradise.
Back in his Exclusive Room, Su Xiao sat down, letting out a long breath. The battle had been taxing, but the rewards were worth it. He examined the Abyss Dragon Scale, feeling the immense power within it. This could be used to upgrade his equipment or create a powerful new weapon.
He then checked his inventory. He had accumulated a decent amount of resources: Black Maple Tree Yield, various chests, and several skill upgrade pods. He decided to visit the Skill Upgrade Hall to enhance his abilities.
As he walked through the corridors of the Reincarnation Paradise, he passed by the Trade Market, where contractors were bartering for goods. He saw a familiar figure, a goblin merchant named Bubuteni, who was hawking some rare alchemy ingredients.
"Mr. White Night! Over here!" Bubuteni called out, waving a chubby hand. "I have some excellent goods today. A batch of Primordial Life Force, straight from a newly discovered Primordial World!"
Su Xiao shook his head. "Not interested right now." He had more pressing matters.
He entered the Skill Upgrade Hall, a massive chamber filled with rows of Skill Upgrade Pods. He inserted his Golden Skill Point into one of the pods, and the machine hummed to life.
[Skill Upgrade in progress...]
[Upgrading: Blade Grandmaster (Passive)...]
[Upgrade successful. Blade Grandmaster has reached Lv.45.]
[New ability unlocked: Blade Path Sword: Annihilation.]
Su Xiao felt a surge of power flow through him. The new technique was a powerful area-of-effect attack, perfect for dealing with swarms of enemies.
He then went to the Attribute Enhancement Hall, where he used his True Attribute Points to boost his Strength and Agility. Every point mattered in the dangerous world of the Reincarnation Paradise.
After finishing his upgrades, he returned to his room. He had a few days before his next mission. He planned to use that time to rest, refine his alchemy skills, and perhaps visit the World of Paintings to train.
As he lay down, his mind drifted to the Abyss Dragon. The creature had mentioned the "Law Destruction Faction." It seemed that his actions were drawing more attention from the higher powers of the multiverse. He would need to become stronger, much stronger, to face what was coming.
He closed his eyes, the faint hum of the Reincarnation Paradise lulling him into a restful sleep. Tomorrow, he would continue his journey. For now, he would rest.