Chapter 35: The Cult's Shadow

The storm clouds loomed heavy in the sky as the scent of blood lingered in the ruined sect arena. The once-proud competition stage was reduced to rubble, a testament to the battle that had just taken place. Despite their victory, a lingering unease settled over the gathered sect disciples. The presence of the cult had changed everything.

Jiang Cheng stood amidst the fallen enemies, his sword dripping with fresh blood. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any lingering threats. He had defeated the masked men, but something gnawed at him—the way they fought, the unnatural energy that clung to their bodies even in death.

"They were no ordinary cultivators," Li Xueyan muttered as she wiped the blood from her blade. "They fought like they didn't care about their lives, as if something was driving them beyond their limits."

Jiang Cheng frowned. "Because something was." He bent down, pressing two fingers against the chest of one of the fallen cultists. A faint, dark mist seeped out of the corpse before quickly dissipating. "A corrupted energy… infused directly into their meridians. This isn't just ordinary demonic cultivation. This is something far worse."

One of the elders overseeing the competition, an old man with a long silver beard, stepped forward. His face was grim. "The method they used… I've only heard of it in ancient records. The Cult of the Abyss."

Murmurs broke out among the disciples. The name carried weight, a legend whispered among sects as a cautionary tale. It was said that the Cult of the Abyss worshipped a being from the age before recorded history—a slumbering deity, sealed away for eternity, yet still able to whisper its will into the minds of its devoted followers.

"If they're truly making a move in the mortal realm…" Another elder clenched his fists. "We are all in danger."

Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly. So, this was their game. They were no longer lurking in the shadows—they were taking action.

Just then, the sky darkened further as a sharp pressure descended over the arena. An ominous aura. A presence that didn't belong here.

From the far end of the battlefield, the air twisted unnaturally, and a lone figure stepped out from the distortion of space.

The man wore flowing black robes inscribed with crimson runes. His face was hidden behind a dark metal mask, but his eyes—deep crimson, like endless pools of blood—gleamed with amusement as he surveyed the carnage.

"Not bad," he spoke, his voice smooth yet carrying an unnatural echo. "To think a mere sect competition would be enough to draw out such an interesting talent."

Jiang Cheng's grip on his sword tightened. This man… he was different from the others. Stronger. More dangerous.

"Who are you?" Jiang Cheng asked, his voice steady.

The masked man chuckled. "You may call me Shen Mu. Not that it will matter for long." His gaze locked onto Jiang Cheng. "You interest me. You killed my subordinates with such ease… perhaps you are worth my time."

Jiang Cheng's aura flared in response. "If you think I'll let you leave here alive, you're mistaken."

Shen Mu's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? Then entertain me."

With a flick of his wrist, a surge of abyssal energy erupted from his palm, twisting the air around it. The ground beneath him cracked as tendrils of darkness lashed out, aiming straight for Jiang Cheng.

Without hesitation, Jiang Cheng activated Heaven Blitzing Step, vanishing from his spot in a blur. The tendrils struck empty air, but Shen Mu merely tilted his head, unconcerned.

Jiang Cheng reappeared above him, his blade descending in a perfect arc—Void Severing Edge. The sword slashed through the air, its edge distorting space itself as it aimed to sever Shen Mu in half.

But just before the strike landed—Shen Mu raised a single hand.

A dark barrier materialized, stopping the attack completely.

Jiang Cheng's eyes widened. Even a Void Severing Edge couldn't break through?

"Interesting," Shen Mu mused. "You're indeed impressive. But still… lacking."

Without warning, Shen Mu twisted his palm. A gravitational force exploded outward, sending Jiang Cheng flying back. He landed gracefully, but the sheer force left his arm numb.

Li Xueyan and several disciples rushed to his side. "Jiang Cheng! This man—he's not normal."

Jiang Cheng exhaled. He knew that already. Shen Mu wasn't someone he could take lightly.

But he wasn't afraid.

Instead, a battle-hungry smirk tugged at his lips. This was exactly the kind of opponent he needed—to push himself beyond his limits.

His aura surged, golden and fierce, clashing against the abyssal energy filling the air.

"If you want to see what I'm capable of…" Jiang Cheng leveled his sword at Shen Mu. "Then don't hold back."