prologue
## **Prologue: The Shattered Earth**
In the year 2124, the world as humanity once knew it was irrevocably altered by the Great Catastrophe. For millennia, Earth had thrived, a tapestry of civilizations woven together by culture, technology, and progress. But beneath this surface lay secrets older than time itself—an underworld known only as the Abyss. This hidden realm, filled with dark energies and ancient beings, had remained dormant for eons, until the day it awakened.
The event began as a subtle tremor, a whisper of unease that coursed through the ground. Cities were bustling with life, unaware that beneath their feet, the barriers between worlds were thinning. A series of cataclysmic earthquakes ripped through the planet, opening vast rifts that connected the surface to the Abyss. From these gaping wounds in the Earth, torrents of spiritual energy surged forth, a cosmic wave that transformed everything it touched.
The aftermath was catastrophic. Flora and fauna mutated at an alarming rate, twisting into grotesque forms, while once-familiar animals became terrifying monsters. Towering beasts, adorned with scales and fangs, emerged from the Abyss, their eyes gleaming with a hunger for destruction. Humanity, caught unprepared, faced annihilation at the hands of these abominations. The population dwindled as cities fell one by one, consumed by chaos.
Yet, amidst the despair, a flicker of hope ignited. The spiritual energy released from the Abyss acted as a catalyst, awakening dormant abilities within humans. Individuals began to tap into this newfound power, transforming into martial artists capable of harnessing the very forces that threatened them. Through rigorous training, they forged martial stages that delineated their path from novice to master. Each stage marked a profound evolution of their skills, granting them greater strength, speed, and agility.
As the years passed, humanity found a way to adapt. Fortified cities rose from the ashes, constructed with advanced technology intertwined with ancient martial traditions. Research centers were established to study the Abyss, unearthing its secrets and understanding the threats it posed. Societies restructured around the martial arts, where power and strength dictated status. The star rating system emerged, measuring an individual's abilities and potential—each star symbolizing a significant level of mastery.
For a century, humanity endured, learning to coexist with the lurking dangers of the Abyss. The landscape of the world had changed; cities stood as bastions against the onslaught of mutated creatures, while warriors trained tirelessly, honing their skills in preparation for the inevitable conflicts ahead. Heroes were born from the ashes of despair, rising to protect their kin and reclaim the world from the abyssal horrors.
Among these heroes was **Li Wei**, a young man who had known only hardship. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his loving younger sister, **Li Mei**. Living in the city of New Dawn, they struggled to survive in a world filled with uncertainty. With dreams of a brighter future, Li Wei worked tirelessly to provide for his sister, often dreaming of becoming a martial artist himself, despite his lack of powers.
As the shadows of the Abyss loomed ever larger, Li Wei's life was about to change. The gates connecting the surface to the Abyss were growing more unstable, and a new wave of creatures threatened to breach the fragile peace. Little did he know that his destiny was intricately woven into the very fabric of the chaos that surrounded him. The call of the Abyss would soon beckon him, awakening his hidden potential and thrusting him into a world of danger, adventure, and unimagined power.
In a time where the line between hero and monster blurred, and where strength determined survival, the ascension of Li Wei was destined to reshape the future of humanity and the Abyss alike. The journey was just beginning, and with it, the rise of a legend would unfold, setting the stage for the epic saga of **Ascension of the Abyss**.