Chapter 55: The Vault Collapses

The Vault trembled violently, cracks running like veins through the ancient stone walls. Dust rained from above as the chamber's very foundation groaned under the weight of its imminent collapse. The talisman's dark flames pulsed in Li Feng's grip, its energy seeping into his skin like tendrils of living fire.

Across the fractured battlefield, Shen Longwei's cold gaze met Li Feng's. He stood beside Yan Zhi, his newly revealed warrior, the brother Yan Shun had once thought dead.

"You see now, don't you?" Shen Longwei's voice cut through the chaos, sharp as a blade. "Power like this cannot be denied. It will change you, whether you accept it or not."

Yan Shun, panting from battle, stared at his brother with clenched fists. His face was unreadable, but there was turmoil behind his eyes. Yan Zhi's expression was colder—detached, as if the man who once trained beside Yan Shun no longer existed.

A deafening crack split through the chamber. A massive stone pillar shattered, slamming into the ground between the two forces. Dust billowed up, blurring the battlefield.

Shen Longwei stepped back, smirking as he signaled his warriors. "This place is done. We got what we came for."

Yan Zhi didn't move at first, his gaze lingering on his brother before, at last, he turned away and followed Shen Longwei deeper into the vault's collapsing corridors.

Yan Shun took a step forward. "Yan Zhi—"

A surge of fire and rock cut him off as the vault's entrance began to seal itself. Shen Longwei and his forces disappeared into the shadows beyond.

Yan Shun let out a guttural cry, slamming his fist into the fractured stone. "Coward!" His voice rang through the dust-choked air.

Mei Lian grabbed his arm. "We have to move! If we stay, we die!"

Zheng Wei, blood trickling from his temple, struggled to his feet, using his staff for support. "The talisman—it's reacting. We need to get it out of here before it brings this entire place down."

Li Feng barely heard them. The talisman was burning in his hand, its dark flames flickering between crimson and black, mirroring the war within him. His vision blurred. He felt its pull—a whisper inside his mind, urging him to embrace it fully.

He could end this now. Shen Longwei was just beyond that wall. One surge of this power, and he could bring the entire vault crashing down on top of them.

Do it.

The voice wasn't his own, but it slithered through his mind, tempting him with an outcome so simple. Power. Control. Victory.

"Li Feng!"

Mei Lian's voice shattered the haze just as she grabbed his wrist. He gasped, the talisman's fire flickering wildly before dimming slightly. Her eyes were filled with concern.

"This isn't you," she whispered. "Let go."

His fingers twitched. Let go? After all of this? He clenched his jaw, breathing heavily. The vault shook again.

"No more time!" Zheng Wei called out. "This way!"

Mei Lian tugged Li Feng forward, breaking his trance. He forced his feet to move, his grip loosening just enough for the talisman's pull to weaken.

Yan Shun hesitated for only a moment longer, staring at the path where his brother had vanished, before he turned on his heel and followed.

The group emerged into the cold night air, barely escaping before the entire vault crumbled behind them. The earth trembled one last time, then fell into eerie silence. The Abyssal Vault was gone, buried under centuries of rock.

Zheng Wei collapsed to one knee, gripping his side. His wounds had worsened.

Yan Shun did not speak. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, his expression dark.

Mei Lian finally turned to Li Feng. Her voice was quieter now. "What happened in there?"

Li Feng looked down at the talisman in his palm. Its flames had dimmed, but he could still feel its presence—a living thing, waiting, watching.

He exhaled slowly. "I don't know."

But deep down, he did know.

The talisman had called to him. And a part of him had wanted to answer.

As the fire flickered ominously in his grip, one thought settled heavily in his mind.

What if Shen Longwei was right?