Zeng Yu was covered in blood. Mostly his own.
He had started the process of breaking through to the profound realm but was stopping it on purpose, which took a massive toll on his body. His skin cracked open as the blood drained from his face. But that did little to stop his advance.
Instead, it pushed him further into madness.
Incoherent mumbling could be heard coming from him every now and then.
"Shield.....not..break...not bend...for I am...." repeating the Red Legion oath like a mantra, a prayer that powered his advance.
His ears twitched again and his eyes contracted as he quickly stepped sideways. The same black spear-like object cut through the air, barely missing his chest before quickly retracting.
*Cough*
He threw up a mouthful of blood. That sudden movement shifted several of his organs.
*Cough*Cough*
He raised his sword once again, mumbling with vacant eyes, "For...I am...Red Legion."
*Bzzzt*
The Rift stabilized.