Xuan Yang knelt on the ground, his knees sinking deeply into the dust-covered earth. He lowered his head, tears rolling uncontrollably down his cheeks, instantly blurring his once clear Dual Eyes.
Not long ago, the Old Village Chief, a figure revered and loved by the villagers, had bravely stepped forward to protect the weak and helpless Xuan Yang, engaging in a desperate battle against a ruthless enemy. However, in the end, the Old Village Chief tragically fell into a pool of blood, leaving this world forever.
The dilapidated temple was enveloped in silence, devoid of any sound. Only rays of warm sunlight filtered through the cracks in the ceiling, cascading down like golden threads onto this sorrowful land. This light illuminated the mottled bloodstains on the ground, making them appear particularly glaring and shocking; it also reflected the desolate scene of the surrounding ruins.
The air was thick with an overwhelming stench of blood, intermingling with the musty odor accumulated over years in the crumbling temple, creating a nauseating and bizarre scent. Xuan Yang remained still on the ground, motionless like a lifeless statue. Occasionally, his shoulders would tremble slightly, as if silently conveying his profound sorrow to the world.
Standing beside him was Xuan Qing, pale-faced and filled with grief. He bit his lip tightly, tears streaming down his face and leaving clear trails on his ashen skin. He reached out a hand to comfort Xuan Yang but withdrew it helplessly. What could he say? Any words of comfort felt utterly inadequate at that moment.
Xuan Yang slowly raised his haggard face to look at his father, his eyes filled with indescribable pain and heavy guilt. His Dual Eyes resembled a lake ravaged by a storm, waves of endless sorrow rippling within.
"Father... I'm so sorry! It's all my fault; I caused the Village Chief's death..." His voice was hoarse, like rough sandpaper scraping against cold metal. Each word seemed to be squeezed from deep within his soul, carrying with it profound regret.
Hearing his son's words, Xuan Qing felt a pang in his heart, and tears welled up in his eyes. He shook his head vigorously, but tears flowed silently down his cheeks like a broken dam.
"Child, this is not your fault, Yang'er... This was all the Village Chief's choice." Xuan Qing struggled to keep his voice steady despite the deep sorrow within him; however, the slight tremor in his tone betrayed his fragile state.
Xuan Yang clenched his fists tightly, filled with anger and hatred—toward that Shadow Demon, toward this damned fate, and most of all toward his own helplessness. "I will become stronger! I will avenge the Village Chief!" His voice was low yet resolute, as if it were a roar from the depths of hell infused with bone-deep hatred and indomitable will.
Suddenly, Xuan Yang felt as if something within him had ignited; an incredibly powerful and surging force began to surge wildly within him! This power was like a ferocious beast that had been imprisoned for too long, desperately trying to break free from its restraints and burst forth from his frail body to run rampant!
This force was so violent and intensely hot that it felt like molten lava building up before a volcanic eruption—recklessly churning within him. Each surge sent explosive sounds echoing through his veins as if they might snap at any moment; meanwhile, the searing heat mercilessly burned through his blood, causing it to boil as if it would ignite completely at any second!
At that moment, Xuan Yang could no longer contain this terrifying power. He suddenly stood up; in an instant, a thick black energy erupted from within him! This black energy shot forth like lightning, tearing through the air at an astonishing speed while carrying an aura of destruction that soared toward the heavens!
In the blink of an eye, this black energy spread outwards, transforming into a massive wave that swept across the entire dilapidated temple. Wherever it passed, fierce winds howled and dust flew; even the crumbling walls collapsed under this destructive force into piles of rubble.
The already dilapidated temple now appeared even more precarious; cracks spread across its walls like spider webs. Each fissure resembled a gaping maw threatening to swallow the ancient structure whole. As these cracks expanded further, the ground began to tremble violently as if a long-dormant giant had awakened and was struggling fiercely to break free from its bonds.
Debris fell from the walls and ceiling, crashing to the ground with a crisp sound, stirring up a cloud of dust. This dust spread through the air, shrouding the dilapidated temple in a gray haze, greatly impairing visibility. Nevertheless, Xuan Qing could still clearly see everything happening before him.
He widened his Dual Eyes, fixating on Xuan Yang with a look filled with shock and concern. His lips trembled slightly as he tried to say something to Xuan Yang, but the words stuck in his throat. Anxiety gripped his heart as he helplessly watched Xuan Yang become ensnared by a strange, inky black energy, unable to move an inch.
Xuan Yang slowly closed his Dual Eyes and took a deep breath, focusing intently on the surging power within him. He could distinctly sense that this was the force contained within the Shadow Puppet hidden deep inside his body. Just moments ago, the heroic sacrifice of Village Chief Lu Zhiyuan had acted like a key, unlocking this long-sealed power.
At this moment, that power surged through him like an unstoppable tide. It was immensely powerful yet wildly uncontrollable, akin to a double-edged sword that was sharp but difficult to wield. If used properly, it could easily slay enemies; however, if it spiraled out of control, it could very well backfire and lead him to ruin.
As he delved deeper into this power, Xuan Yang felt his consciousness gradually detach from the real world, as if he were falling into an endless void of darkness. Shadows swirled around him endlessly, drifting silently like ghosts in the air. Occasionally, one or two shadows would sweep past him, bringing with them a chilling breeze that sent shivers down his spine.
These shadows twisted and morphed continuously, sometimes taking on grotesque forms of terrifying demons with gaping maws and sharp fangs that let out low yet piercing howls directed at Xuan Yang. They clawed at him with their talons, seemingly intent on tearing him apart. Faced with such horrifying sights, Xuan Yang felt fear creeping into his heart; however, more than that was an intense excitement and desire—he understood that only by conquering and mastering this wild power could he truly break through and embark on the path of strength.
Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed before him, its face twisted in a menacing grimace like that of a demon from hell. Its eyes burned with ghostly green flames as if ready to devour everything in sight. It opened its gaping maw, revealing razor-sharp fangs as it let out a bone-chilling roar.
Xuan Yang's heart raced; instinctively wanting to retreat, he found himself unable to move. He was bound by an invisible force and could only watch helplessly as the massive shadow approached him.
The shadow drew closer, extending its black claws as if intending to swallow him whole. Those claws were sharp as knives and glinted ominously in the dim light.
Filled with terror, Xuan Yang realized that if he were consumed by this shadow, there would be no escape for him. He struggled desperately but to no avail; he could only watch as the claws drew nearer.
Just when it seemed all hope was lost, the power within Xuan Yang erupted once more, forming a black barrier that blocked the shadow's attack. The barrier stood like an indestructible shield against the assault.
The massive shadow let out an angry roar before… vanishing completely. It disappeared without a trace as if it had never existed.
Xuan Yang opened his eyes to find himself back in the dilapidated temple. He gasped for breath, sweat soaking his clothes as if he had just fought for his life.
He stared wide-eyed at his trembling hands, disbelief etched across his face as he struggled to comprehend what had just transpired. Just moments ago, he had truly broken through to the legendary Shadow Sovereign Realm! This realm was something countless cultivators dreamed of but found utterly unattainable.
At this moment, he could clearly feel a powerful force surging within him, unstoppable like a flood breaking through a dam. Compared to before, this strength was not just several times greater; it was a world apart! At the same time, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that his ability to control shadows had also greatly improved, allowing him to command more shadows at will. Those shadows, which had previously lurked quietly in the dark, now seemed to come alive, stirring restlessly and responding to his call, rushing towards him like a tide.
Just then, a blue figure darted in like a bolt of lightning, instantly arriving at his side. It was Xuan Qing, who looked at Xuan Yang with a face full of joy, excitement spilling over as he exclaimed, “Yang'er, you did it!” His voice trembled slightly with excitement, filled with endless joy but also hinting at an unshakable worry. After all, while it was commendable for someone so young to break into the Shadow Sovereign Realm, the challenges and tests that lay ahead would likely be unprecedentedly daunting.
Xuan Yang nodded, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes. “Dad, I want to kill that Shadow Demon and avenge the Village Chief!” His voice was firm and powerful, ignited by the flames of vengeance.
Xuan Qing grasped Xuan Yang's hand tightly, concern etched across his face. “Yang'er, I know you’re hurting, but you’re not its match yet; you need to stay calm.” He understood that Xuan Yang was filled with hatred at this moment, but he feared that acting impulsively would only lead to needless death.
Xuan Yang looked at his father and took a deep breath, striving to calm himself. He knew his father was right; he wasn’t ready to face the Shadow Demon yet. Acting recklessly would only lead to disaster.
He needed to grow stronger—much stronger! Only then could he avenge the Village Chief and protect those he wished to safeguard.
Gazing at the sky outside the dilapidated temple, Xuan Yang’s eyes filled with resolve. He understood that his journey had only just begun.
He stood quietly in place, closing his Dual Eyes tightly as he focused on feeling the surging power within him—a torrent flowing through his veins. This power stemmed from his cultivation in the Shadow Sovereign realm and was beyond imagination in its strength. At this moment, it flowed through his meridians and dantian like a blazing fire; every drop of blood ignited and every muscle brimming with explosive potential.
This power represented not only an enhancement of strength but also fueled the fire of vengeance burning in his heart. The accumulated hatred and resentment had transformed into the driving force propelling him forward, compelling him to pursue an even greater realm—all for the day when he could take revenge on his enemies for the blood debts owed.
Just then, his keen senses suddenly picked up on a faint anomaly that was hard to detect. Initially just a slight stirring in his heart, it quickly heightened his alertness. What could it be? He slowly opened his eyes, furrowing his brow as he began to search carefully.
Gradually, he discerned a barely perceptible aura—extremely weak and well-concealed. However, despite its subtlety, when he touched upon this aura, an inexplicable sense of familiarity surged within him. It felt as if he had encountered it somewhere distant before, yet he couldn’t recall the specific scene or details at that moment.
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