The Abyss Unleashed

Chapter 30: The Abyss Unleashed

The chamber quaked violently as Zhao Heng's aura surged, tendrils of abyssal energy writhing through the air like serpents. The oppressive darkness threatened to crush Li Qing under its weight, but she stood firm, her sword glowing faintly as she readied herself for the inevitable clash.

"You're a stubborn one," Zhao Heng said, his voice echoing through the cavern. "But your defiance ends here."

Li Qing didn't respond. Her focus was razor-sharp, every fiber of her being honed for this fight. She tightened her grip on her sword, channeling her True Soul Force until it radiated with a golden brilliance that pushed back against the encroaching darkness.

With a roar, Zhao Heng struck first. A massive wave of abyssal energy surged toward her, the sheer force of it tearing the ground apart. Li Qing leaped to the side, her movements swift and precise, and the blast missed her by a hair's breadth, carving a deep trench into the stone floor.

She retaliated immediately, slashing through the air and releasing a crescent-shaped wave of golden energy. The attack streaked toward Zhao Heng, illuminating the cavern with its brilliance. But Zhao Heng raised his hand, and a barrier of shadow formed before him, absorbing the strike effortlessly.

"You'll have to do better than that," he mocked, his tone laced with amusement.

Li Qing gritted her teeth, refusing to let his taunts shake her. She darted forward, her sword a blur as she unleashed a flurry of strikes. Each swing was precise, aimed at exploiting any potential weakness in Zhao Heng's defense. But he met her with equal ferocity, his claws of abyssal energy slashing through the air with deadly precision.

Their blades met in a clash of light and darkness, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the chamber. Li Qing's arms ached from the strain, but she pushed on, refusing to yield even as Zhao Heng's overwhelming power pressed down on her.

"You're strong, I'll give you that," Zhao Heng said, his voice calm despite the intensity of the battle. "But you lack the resolve to truly embrace power. That's why you'll lose."

Li Qing didn't answer. Instead, she feinted to the left before lunging to the right, aiming for his flank. Her blade sliced through the air, but Zhao Heng was faster. He spun around, his hand glowing with abyssal energy, and caught her sword mid-swing. The collision of their powers sent a shockwave rippling outward, cracking the walls of the cavern.

"You're predictable," he sneered, his grip tightening around her blade. "And predictable opponents die."

With a surge of strength, Zhao Heng hurled her backward. Li Qing crashed into the ground, sliding several feet before coming to a stop. Pain shot through her body, but she forced herself to stand, her breathing labored.

Zhao Heng extended his hand, and the abyss responded. Tendrils of darkness erupted from the ground, twisting and writhing as they surged toward her. Li Qing raised her sword, her energy flaring as she slashed through the tendrils one by one. But for every tendril she destroyed, two more appeared to take its place.

"Enough of this!" Zhao Heng roared, his voice shaking the chamber. "You cannot win!"

The tendrils coalesced into a massive spear of darkness, its tip aimed directly at Li Qing. Zhao Heng thrust his hand forward, and the spear shot toward her with terrifying speed. Li Qing planted her feet firmly, pouring every ounce of her strength into her sword as she prepared to intercept the attack.

The impact was cataclysmic. The spear collided with her blade, the resulting explosion of energy blinding in its intensity. The ground beneath her cracked and splintered, and she was forced to her knees, her arms trembling under the strain. But she refused to let go, her determination burning brighter than ever.

With a final, desperate cry, she channeled all her remaining energy into her sword, shattering the spear in a brilliant burst of light. The shockwave knocked her backward, but she managed to stay on her feet, her gaze locked on Zhao Heng.

The abyssal lord's eyes narrowed. "Impressive. But you're only delaying the inevitable."

Li Qing's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. She could feel her energy reserves dwindling, but she refused to give in. I can't stop now. Not when I've come this far.

Summoning the last vestiges of her strength, she dashed forward, her sword glowing brighter than ever. Zhao Heng met her charge head-on, his aura flaring as he unleashed a barrage of attacks. The two clashed in a blur of light and shadow, their movements too fast for the eye to follow.

Li Qing's strikes grew more desperate, each one fueled by the knowledge that this could be her final stand. Zhao Heng's power was overwhelming, but she refused to let him win. Not while the lives of countless innocents hung in the balance.

As their battle raged on, the vortex above the altar began to stir, its energy growing more unstable with each passing moment. Zhao Heng's eyes flicked toward it, a smirk playing across his lips.

"You're too late," he said, his voice filled with triumph. "The ritual is complete."

Li Qing's heart sank as she followed his gaze. The vortex was expanding, its center glowing with an eerie green light. The air crackled with raw power, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

"No…" she whispered, her grip on her sword tightening. She couldn't let this happen. She wouldn't.

With a roar, she launched herself at Zhao Heng, her blade aimed straight for his heart. But as she closed the distance, he raised his hand, and the abyss erupted around him, swallowing her whole.

For a moment, there was only darkness. Then, a cold, mocking voice echoed in her mind. "Welcome to the abyss, Li Qing. Let's see how long you can survive."