Chapter 9: The Supreme Path’s First Evolution – Rebirth Through the Abyss

Leon stood within the abyssal pool, submerged in pure darkness.

His body burned. His soul trembled.

The Supreme Path was evolving.

The whispers of the Abyss grew louder, testing his resolve.

"You are unworthy.""You do not belong.""Reject him."

Leon gritted his teeth.

They wanted to break him.

But he had already been broken once. And he had survived.

"Then make me worthy."

The Abyss responded.

Power surged through him—his Supreme Energy fusing with the abyssal force.

And then—his body began to change.

The Pain of Evolution – The Supreme Awakening

Leon's muscles twisted, his bones cracked, and his energy surged violently.

It felt like his very existence was being rewritten.

[Selene]:"Leon, your Supreme Path is adapting. Your physical and spiritual limits are being rewritten."

Veins of abyssal light pulsed through his skin.His senses sharpened—he could feel the air, the energy, the very pulse of the Abyss itself.His Supreme Instinct expanded, allowing him to feel the presence of lifeforms he couldn't see before.

And then—he heard something new.

A deep, ancient voice, one that did not belong to the Abyss.

"Who… are you?"

Leon's eyes snapped open.

The Presence in the Abyss – An Ancient Awakens

The abyssal liquid around him began to ripple.

Something else was here. Watching him. Waiting.

Leon felt it in his very bones.

This wasn't just the Abyss testing him.

Something deeper. Older. Something buried in this realm long before the Forsaken existed.

"Who are you?" Leon called out.

For a long moment—silence.

Then, a whisper.

"You walk a path that was never meant to exist."

A figure began to form. A massive shadow, humanoid yet undefined.

"Your Supreme Path does not belong here. And yet… the Abyss recognizes you."

Leon felt a chill crawl up his spine.

[Selene]:"Warning: Unidentified Entity Detected. Unknown Rank. Unknown Origin."

Leon's fists clenched.

He wasn't going to back down.

"I don't care if I wasn't supposed to exist. I'm here. That's all that matters."

The darkness trembled.

And then—it laughed.

"Very well. Then prove it."

The abyssal liquid exploded outward.

Leon was pulled into an arena of pure blackness.

And in front of him, the shadow took form—an Abyssal Champion.

Trial by Combat – The Supreme vs. the Abyssal Champion

Leon's instincts flared.

This wasn't just a test. This was a fight to the death.

[Selene]:"Leon, prepare for combat. This entity's power is beyond your current capabilities."

Leon grinned.

"Then I'll have to surpass my limits."

The Champion moved first.

The air cracked as its clawed fist swung toward Leon.

Leon dodged, barely.

The force of the strike shattered the ground behind him.

Leon countered—his Supreme Instinct guiding him.

His fist connected with the Champion's chest—only for it to feel like he had struck solid steel.

Leon's eyes widened.

It was absorbing impact.

[Selene]:"Analyzing… The Champion's body is constructed of abyssal matter. Direct attacks are ineffective."

Leon clicked his tongue.

"Then we need to fight smarter."

The Champion lunged again.

This time, Leon didn't just dodge.

He moved with the strike, letting its momentum pass before twisting behind it.

His Supreme Energy flared—Phase Shift activated.

Leon's form blurred, appearing behind the Champion.

And then he struck—channeling Supreme Force into his palm.

This time, the attack landed.

The Champion staggered.

"Interesting…" the entity muttered.

Leon grinned.

"I'm just getting started."

The battle continued—an all-out war between Supreme Adaptation and Abyssal Power.

Victory or Death – The Final Strike

Leon could feel it—the end of the battle was near.

He had forced the Champion into a defensive stance.

Now, he just needed one final move.

[Selene]:"Leon, your Supreme Energy has reached a new threshold. A new ability is available."

Leon felt it—power surging through his core.

He knew what to do.

He stepped forward.

And then—he unleashed the Supreme Impact.

A shockwave exploded outward, consuming the Champion entirely.

Silence fell over the Abyss.

"…I see now."

The voice was weaker now, fading.

"You are no ordinary being."

"Very well… take what is yours."

And with that—the Champion vanished.

The Evolution of the Supreme Path

Leon stood alone in the darkness, his body trembling.

Then—the Abyss pulsed.

And notifications flooded his mind.

[System Update – Supreme Path Evolution Complete]

New Supreme Energy Unlocked: Abyssal Supreme FusionNew Ability Acquired: Supreme Pressure (Passive – Weakens lower-ranked opponents)Physical & Spiritual Rank Increased: Spirit Ascendant (Low-Tier)Abyssal Recognition Achieved: Your existence is now acknowledged. Expect changes.

The Awakening is Complete – The Abyss Bows

Leon gasped as he re-emerged from the abyssal pool.

His body had changed.

He was stronger. Faster. His senses sharper than ever.

And the Forsaken could feel it.

The moment he stepped out of the ritual chamber—they knelt.

He had survived the Abyssal Ritual. He had been changed by it.

Now, he was more than just a leader.

He was a force that could not be ignored.

And soon… the world would know his name.

Meanwhile, in the Mortal Realm – Celeste's Soul Awakens Further

Celeste clutched her head, her mind a storm of forgotten memories.

She could feel it—something had changed.

Someone had changed.

"Leon…"

And for the first time, she remembered his face.

His eyes. His voice.

And the pain of losing him.

Tears fell down her cheeks.

"Where… are you?"

The time for reunion was drawing near.