Chapter 47

The Citadel stood eerily still after the cult's assault was repelled. The void creatures had been scattered, and Nihira's forces retreated into the shadows, but Xu Han knew that their respite was only temporary. The Void Sovereign's influence was still pressing down on the multiverse like a heavy storm cloud, and the true battle was yet to come.

Inside the inner sanctum, the air was filled with tension as the Nexus Key fragments pulsed with energy. They were resonating stronger than ever, reacting to the Void's growing presence. The coalition forces were recuperating, their faces etched with a mixture of exhaustion and grim determination. Despite their success in holding the citadel, the sense of impending doom loomed over them.

Xu Han stood silently in the central chamber, his thoughts turning toward the inevitable conflict with the Void Sovereign. His mind raced as he considered the next steps. The cult wouldn't wait long to strike again, and the final fragments of the Nexus Key were still out there, waiting to be found.

As Xu Han mulled over his thoughts, Seraphina and Kairo approached, their expressions filled with concern. Seraphina's silver eyes glimmered in the dim light of the chamber, while Kairo's hand rested on the hilt of his blade, ever ready for battle.

"We bought ourselves some time," Seraphina said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of the situation. "But we know they'll be back, and stronger than before."

Kairo nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. "The cult's forces are growing more coordinated. Each time we fight them, they learn more about our strengths and weaknesses. We can't afford to be caught off guard again."

Xu Han remained quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on the Nexus Key fragments. Then, without turning to face them, he spoke.

"The final fragments… We need to find them before the cult does. Once the key is complete, we'll have the power to seal the Void Sovereign away for good. But time is running out."

Seraphina glanced at Xu Han, her expression unreadable. "Do you know where the final fragments are?"

Xu Han's eyes narrowed as he reached out with his divine sense, probing the farthest reaches of the multiverse. His connection to the Great Daos allowed him to extend his awareness across vast distances, feeling the subtle currents of energy that pulsed through every plane of existence.

"I have an idea," Xu Han said slowly. "One of the fragments lies in the Astral Abyss, a place where time and space warp uncontrollably. The cult will likely be moving to claim it as we speak."

Kairo stepped forward, his expression grim. "Then we'll need to move fast. The Abyss is no place for hesitation."

As Xu Han prepared to lead the next mission to the Astral Abyss, he turned his thoughts toward the new techniques he had been refining. He had mastered the 3000 Great Daos, but his encounters with Nihira and the Void cultists had shown him that even his vast powers needed further refinement. Drawing inspiration from the martial techniques he had observed and practiced in his travels, Xu Han began incorporating them into his combat style.

He thought of Dragon's Tail Sweep, a powerful spinning kick that could generate a dragon-shaped shockwave, and how it might blend with his mastery over the Dao of Wind. The sheer force of the kick combined with the elemental control would be devastating.

Or perhaps the Thunderstrike Fist, a punch infused with the power of thunder, would pair perfectly with the Dao of Thunder, allowing him to unleash a barrage of explosive strikes.

As Xu Han mentally rehearsed these movements, he felt a surge of confidence. The fusion of these martial techniques with his mastery over the Great Daos would give him an edge in the battles to come.

Departure to the Astral Abyss

Later that day, Xu Han gathered his closest allies—Kairo, Seraphina, and Tian Long—along with a small team of elite warriors. They would travel to the Astral Abyss to retrieve the next fragment of the Nexus Key before the cult could claim it. The journey would be perilous, as the Abyss was known for its unpredictable nature, where time flowed differently, and space folded in on itself.

As they prepared to depart, Xu Han addressed the coalition.

"The Void Sovereign's power is growing," he began, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "We've held the Citadel, but this is only the beginning. Our mission now is to retrieve the final fragments of the Nexus Key and prevent the Void from consuming everything. Stay vigilant and ready for whatever comes next."

With that, Xu Han activated a shimmering portal, its swirling energy casting a bright glow over the gathered warriors. The portal led directly to the Astral Abyss, a realm of chaos and unpredictability.

As they stepped through the portal, Xu Han felt the familiar distortion of space as they entered the Abyss. The landscape around them was constantly shifting, with stars and galaxies swirling in and out of existence. Gravity seemed to pull in multiple directions, and the very ground beneath their feet felt unstable.

"We must stay focused," Xu Han said, his voice calm despite the swirling chaos. "The fragment is here, but the cult will be as well."

As they ventured deeper into the Abyss, the distortions grew stronger. Time itself seemed to stretch and compress, and the landscape shifted unpredictably, making it difficult to navigate. The team moved cautiously, their senses heightened for any sign of the cult's presence.

Suddenly, the air around them crackled with energy. Xu Han's eyes narrowed as he sensed an incoming attack.

"Get ready," he warned.

From the swirling void emerged a group of Void cultists, their forms flickering in and out of view as they manipulated the chaotic energy of the Abyss. Their dark robes fluttered in the unnatural winds, and their hands crackled with void magic.

Xu Han stepped forward, his aura flaring as he prepared to face the cultists. He could feel the power of the Great Daos flowing through him, but this time, he would also draw upon the martial techniques he had been refining.

As the cultists charged, Xu Han unleashed the Dragon's Tail Sweep, his leg cutting through the air with incredible speed. A massive shockwave, shaped like a dragon, tore through the cultists, sending them flying in all directions.

Before they could recover, Xu Han followed up with the Thunderstrike Fist, his punch infused with the power of thunder. The air crackled as the punch connected, sending a burst of lightning through the cultists' ranks, stunning them in place.

Seraphina and Tian Long moved in sync with Xu Han, their own powers combining with his as they cut down the remaining cultists. Kairo's blade flashed through the air, his movements precise as he dispatched enemies with ease.

But even as the cultists fell, Xu Han could sense something deeper stirring within the Abyss.

"The fragment is close," Xu Han said, his voice filled with urgency. "But so is the Void Sovereign's influence. We must move quickly."