Chapter 77: Descent into the Dragon’s Tomb

The cavernous chamber trembled as an unseen force pulled Li Feng and his allies downward into the abyss below. The battlefield above collapsed, giving way to an ancient force hidden beneath the Jade Abyss. A powerful gravitational force seized them all—friends and enemies alike—dragging them toward the dragon-shaped temple that had been buried beneath centuries of ruin.

Li Feng twisted mid-air, trying to steady himself, but the force of the descent was relentless. The moment his feet hit solid ground, a golden light erupted from the temple walls, forcing his eyes shut for a brief moment. When he opened them again, he was alone.

His heart pounded as he took in his surroundings. The chamber he had landed in was vast, illuminated by glowing blue inscriptions that covered the walls. The air felt dense, thick with the weight of time itself. Carvings of dragons and celestial beings adorned the pillars, each one depicting the cycle of balance and destruction—a history long forgotten.

A slow clap echoed through the chamber. Li Feng spun around, his grip tightening around his weapon. Shen Longwei stood a few paces away, his expression one of amusement and triumph.

"Fitting, isn't it?" Shen Longwei mused, gazing at the murals. "Your ancestors built this place to ensure no one would wield the power of the Abyss. And yet, here we are."

Li Feng's jaw tightened. "You think you can control this power? Look at yourself—you're barely human anymore."

Shen Longwei chuckled, his form flickering slightly, as though the abyssal energy coursing through him made his very presence unstable. "Power is neither good nor evil, boy. It is merely a tool. And those too weak to wield it properly end up consumed by it."

Li Feng raised his sword, the Coiled Dragon Ring glowing faintly against his skin. "Then let's see if you can wield it without breaking."

Before the battle could begin, the temple walls pulsed with golden light. A deep, ancient voice rumbled through the chamber, shaking the very foundation beneath their feet.

"Mortal wielders of chaos and order, hear me. Only one shall leave this place alive."

Both warriors froze as the spectral form of a massive dragon materialized before them. Its scales shimmered with celestial energy, its eyes burning with ancient wisdom. The Coiled Dragon Spirit loomed over them, its presence suffocating.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the temple, Mei Lian and Yan Shun found themselves in a dimly lit corridor, separated from the others. The walls shimmered, displaying ghostly figures—guardians of the temple. Their eyes glowed with an ethereal light as they stepped forward, voices overlapping in a chorus of judgment.

"Prove your worth or be lost to time."

Mei Lian and Yan Shun braced themselves as the guardians surged forward, weapons drawn. The past had come to test them, and failure was not an option.

Back in the main chamber, the Coiled Dragon Spirit's voice rang out again.

"This is the final trial of the Jade Abyss. The victor shall claim destiny. The fallen shall be forgotten."

Li Feng's breath caught in his throat. There was no escape. The temple had chosen its battleground, and the war between him and Shen Longwei would be decided here.

Cliffhanger: As the spirit's decree echoes through the chamber, the walls shift, locking them in an arena of celestial energy. The final battle is about to begin.