Chapter 7: The Vortex of Darkness

A sudden surge of sinister energy filled the air. Ye Huang's sharp senses immediately caught the shift—danger loomed. His eyes narrowed, and his demonic energy surged through his body, readying him for the impending assault.

A violent gust of wind howled as the shadowy figure's form twisted within the swirling darkness, as if merging with the very void itself. A deep, guttural chuckle echoed from the abyss.

"Ye Huang… You are more resilient than I expected. But do you really think you can win?"

Ye Huang remained silent, his golden eyes as cold as ice, locked onto his enemy's every move.

Suddenly, the shadow lifted a hand, fingers curling slightly. In an instant, the darkness surrounding them churned wildly, like a ravenous beast eager to consume everything in its path.

"Darkness Vortex!"

With the shadow's low snarl, an enormous vortex of darkness expanded outward, engulfing Ye Huang completely.

All light vanished. He found himself sinking into an endless void, as if submerged in a swamp of darkness. His body felt sluggish, every movement painfully slow. Taking a deep breath, he summoned his power—the force of Phantom Night—attempting to break free from this suffocating prison.

Yet, the shadow's voice rang out again, laced with cruel amusement.

"It's useless. This is my domain. Here, I am the law."

The darkness writhed like a living entity, relentlessly devouring his strength. The shadow's form flickered in and out of sight, each reappearance accompanied by a blistering attack.

Ye Huang dodged desperately, but within this domain, his speed was drastically reduced. Within mere seconds, fresh wounds marked his body, blood seeping into the void.

Pain burned through him, sharpening his senses.

"If this continues… I won't last."

His mind raced for a solution.

"A domain… This vortex is an extension of his power. If I can't escape it, then I must destroy it completely."

He inhaled deeply, gathering every ounce of his Phantom Night power. His silver-white hair rippled in the consuming darkness, golden irises gleaming with fierce determination.

"If that's the case… then I'll drown your darkness in something even deeper!"

A low growl left his throat as his demonic aura flared violently. A black flame ignited around him, its presence overwhelming.

In that moment, the tide shifted. The once-smug shadow tensed, eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"This power…?!"

Before he could react, Ye Huang struck.

His Phantom Night energy coalesced into a lethal blade, slicing directly toward the core of the vortex.

"Break!"

BOOM!

A dazzling burst of black and gold light tore through the darkness, piercing skyward. The entire domain trembled under the force of the attack. Cracks splintered across the vortex's surface, and under the devastating impact, it began to collapse.

The shadow figure let out a pained grunt, his body trembling violently as his expression twisted in shock.

Ye Huang seized the opportunity, launching himself out of the vortex and landing steadily on solid ground.

The suffocating darkness receded. The night sky returned, serene yet filled with the remnants of battle.

Raising his gaze, Ye Huang locked eyes with his adversary. A smirk played at his lips.

"So much for your so-called rules."

The shadow's face darkened with fury, fists clenched, murderous intent flooding the air.

"Damn you…!"

His enraged roar echoed through the night as his demonic energy surged like a hurricane, distorting the very atmosphere.

"Ye Huang! Do you think that single attack is enough to challenge my power?!"

His voice carried an eerie chill as the remnants of the vortex stirred, greedily absorbing surrounding energy. The battlefield became shrouded once more in an inky black mist.

Ye Huang's gaze sharpened.

"He's strengthening his domain again?"

The shadow's lips curled into a malicious grin before his form vanished into the darkness.

Ye Huang's instincts screamed at him. He sidestepped instantly, but a razor-sharp claw still grazed past him.

BANG!

Forced back several steps, his feet cracked the earth beneath him. He frowned, watching his enemy carefully.

"His speed increased?"

The shadow chuckled coldly. "Inside my domain, I am invincible."

Ye Huang said nothing. He raised his hands, Phantom Night energy swirling rapidly, golden-black flames roaring to life in his palms.

The shadow narrowed his eyes, sensing danger. "Trying that again? But your power… is still not enough!"

Before his words even faded, he disappeared. His presence flooded the battlefield, lurking within every shadow.

Ye Huang stayed motionless, senses sharpened to the extreme.

—Left side!

In an instant, the shadow lunged from the darkness, claw aimed at Ye Huang's ribs.

Ye Huang's golden eyes flashed coldly. In a swift motion, his Phantom Night energy condensed into a short blade, striking without hesitation.

CLANG!

Their attacks clashed, the impact forcing them apart. Ye Huang steadied himself while the shadow staggered back a few steps.

Licking his lips, the shadow's eyes gleamed with battle-crazed excitement. "Not bad… But it's still not enough."

Ye Huang exhaled slowly, feeling the energy coursing through him. Then, a memory surfaced—a long-buried whisper in his mind.

A dimly lit cavern. A frail yet powerful voice murmuring:

"Your power is not just about destruction. You must awaken the true Phantom Night force…"

Ye Huang's eyes widened slightly as clarity dawned.

Slowly, he lifted his gaze. The golden-black flames around him flared brighter, his energy boiling with untapped potential.

The shadow sensed the shift. His expression stiffened. "What… are you doing?"

Ye Huang's lips curved slightly, his voice a quiet murmur. "Let's see… the true form of Phantom Night."

In an instant, a violent explosion of gold and black flames erupted skyward.

The shadow's pupils shrank in terror. He barely had time to react before Ye Huang vanished from sight.

"What?!"

Too late.

A single, decisive strike.

Phantom Night energy formed into a blade, piercing straight through the shadow's chest.

The shadow convulsed, black blood spilling from his lips. His eyes, once filled with arrogance, now held only disbelief.

"This… is impossible…"

Ye Huang withdrew his hand, watching impassively as the shadow's body disintegrated into nothingness.

The wind howled. The battlefield fell into silence.

Ye Huang stood amidst the fading remnants of his foe, chest rising and falling steadily.

This battle was over.

But the power within him… it felt unfamiliar, as though something long-dormant had finally stirred awake.

"So this is… the true Phantom Night?"

Clenching his fist, he felt a hunger—a yearning for something more. He finally had the power to fight against fate. But this was only the beginning.

The surrounding demons, still paralyzed in shock, remained speechless. The once-feared shadow was gone—vanquished in a single decisive blow.

"Ye Huang… just what are you?"

Black Fang swallowed hard, his previous disdain for Ye Huang crumbling into something dangerously close to fear.

Ye Huang turned, his gaze sweeping over those who had once mocked him. There was no hatred—only quiet resolve.

"I'm leaving."

The crowd stiffened.

"Leaving?"

Black Fang frowned. The elders exchanged uncertain glances. They had expected him to seize power, to claim the role of their leader. But his decision caught them off guard.

"I don't belong here anymore."

His words were calm, yet resolute.

He had always known—his future lay beyond this small village. His power, his bloodline… had destined him for something greater.

The village chief sighed. "Then go. And may you find your path."

Ye Huang looked up at the night sky, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His true journey was only beginning.