Chapter 12: Seeds of Domination

The battlefield was quiet now, the remnants of the Crimson Tribunal's forces reduced to fading embers. The Whispering Abyss stood intact, its dark landscape pulsating with renewed energy. Xuian stood at the edge of the dimension, his gaze fixed on the faint scar in the sky where the rift had been.

The Void Wolf Pup barked softly, nudging his leg.

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten," Xuian said, reaching down to ruffle its fur. "This was just a small test. The real fight's still ahead."

[System Notification]

Victory Achieved: Crimson Tribunal Incursion Repelled. Reputation Increased: The Phantom Sovereign. Hostile Faction Awareness Level: High. Rewards: 8000 Abyssal Coins. New Item Acquired: Crimson Warden's Crest. Territory Defense Bonus: Whispering Abyss defenses strengthened by 15%.

Xuian opened his system interface, examining the Crimson Warden's Crest. The small, blood-red emblem radiated an aura of authority and power.

[Item: Crimson Warden's Crest]

Rank: A Effect: Grants temporary command over weaker Tribunal forces (15-minute duration). Passive Effect: Increases leadership and intimidation skills by 20%.

"Interesting," Xuian muttered, turning the crest over in his hand. "This could come in handy later."

Strategic Growth

Xuian returned to the Silver Inferno's core chamber, where the Phantom Knight awaited his orders. The knight stood silently, its greatsword resting against the floor, as Xuian reviewed the latest developments in his territory.

[Domain Status: Updated]

Silver Inferno: Resource Generation: 180 Abyssal Coins/hour. Active Units: 20 Specters, 5 Infernal Wraiths. Whispering Abyss: Resource Generation: 320 Abyssal Coins/hour. Active Units: 10 Phantom Lurkers, 1 Void Sentinel (to be unlocked). Total Resource Generation: 500 Abyssal Coins/hour.

Xuian leaned back in his spectral throne, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. The confrontation with the Crimson Tribunal had revealed a critical weakness in his forces: numbers. While his units were powerful, he lacked the sheer volume required to hold off larger factions in a prolonged war.

"I need more allies… or more slaves," Xuian mused, a dark grin forming on his lips.

The Phantom Knight stepped forward, its voice deep and resonant. "Master, there are whispers of an unclaimed dimension nearby. Its Heart remains dormant, but its resources are said to be plentiful."

Xuian's eyes gleamed with interest. "An unclaimed dimension, you say? What's the catch?"

"It is guarded by a beast of legend," the knight replied. "The Obsidian Devourer. A High-A Rank entity with strength that rivals a domain's core guardian."

Xuian chuckled. "Sounds like the perfect challenge. Prepare the forces. We're claiming it."

The Forgotten Rift

The Void Wolf Pup darted ahead as Xuian and his forces approached the dimension's portal. The rift shimmered with an eerie green light, its edges crackling with unstable energy.

[System Notification]

Dimensional Rift Identified: Forgotten Rift. Status: Unclaimed. Guardian Detected: Obsidian Devourer. Threat Level: Very High.

Xuian stepped forward, his dagger glinting in the faint light. "Stay alert. If the Guardian is as strong as they say, we'll need to hit it hard and fast."

The Phantom Knight nodded, rallying the specters and Phantom Lurkers.

As Xuian entered the rift, he felt a surge of energy wash over him. The dimension was vast and dark, its landscape dominated by jagged obsidian spires and rivers of molten lava. In the distance, a massive creature loomed, its body composed entirely of black crystal.

The Obsidian Devourer let out a low, rumbling growl as it turned its glowing red eyes toward the intruders.

[System Notification]

Guardian Engaged: Obsidian Devourer. Weakness: Core Shards (located in its limbs). Strategy Suggestion: Destroy the shards to weaken its defenses.

"Spread out!" Xuian commanded. "Target its limbs first. Keep it distracted while I go for the kill."

The Phantom Lurkers moved swiftly, their shadowy forms darting between the spires as they closed in on the beast. The specters followed, unleashing waves of spectral energy that struck the Devourer's massive legs.

The Void Wolf Pup circled the creature, nipping at its heels to divert its attention.

Xuian activated Phantom Step, his body phasing out of reality as he moved toward one of the Core Shards embedded in the Devourer's arm. His dagger glowed with amplified energy as he struck, shattering the shard in a single blow.

The Devourer roared in pain, its movements growing sluggish as cracks spread across its crystalline body.

[System Notification]

Core Shard Destroyed: Left Arm. Guardian's Strength Reduced by 25%.

"Good. Now let's finish this," Xuian said, a cold smile on his face.

The Phantom Knight charged forward, its greatsword cleaving through the Devourer's right leg. Another shard shattered, and the beast collapsed to one knee.

Xuian leapt onto its back, his dagger aimed for the glowing core at the center of its chest. With a powerful strike, he drove the blade deep into the crystal, shattering it completely.

The Obsidian Devourer let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing into a pile of rubble.

[System Notification]

Guardian Defeated: Obsidian Devourer. Dimension Claimed: Forgotten Rift. Resource Generation: 400 Abyssal Coins/hour. Special Resource: Obsidian Shards (used for crafting).

Xuian stood atop the remains of the Guardian, his gaze sweeping over the dimension. "Another one down. At this rate, no one will be able to stop me."

The Void Wolf Pup barked in agreement, its tail wagging excitedly.

End of Chapter 12