Chapter 40: Rising Storms

Jiang Cheng stood atop a jagged cliff, gazing over the vast horizon where the sky burned with hues of crimson and gold. The wind howled around him, carrying the scent of rain and distant battles. He could sense the shift in the world—an impending storm, both natural and within the cultivation world itself.

His journey had led him to the borderlands of the Nine Heavens Mystic Domain, a region filled with ancient ruins, treacherous beasts, and cultivators seeking fortune and power. It was here that rumors had surfaced of an ancient inheritance buried deep within the Valley of Withering Souls.

For days, he had encountered nothing but desolate wastelands, yet his instincts told him he was close to something significant. The jade talisman he had acquired from a fallen cultivator pulsed faintly, reacting to an unseen force.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled. A deep, guttural roar echoed through the valley, sending a shiver down Jiang Cheng's spine. He leaped back just in time to see the earth crack open, revealing a massive, serpent-like beast with onyx-black scales and glowing emerald eyes.

"A Void Devouring Serpent…" Jiang Cheng muttered, recognizing the rare and deadly creature. Its very presence distorted the space around it, making it difficult to gauge its true location.

The serpent coiled, its body shifting between dimensions, making it nearly impossible to strike. Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes—he needed to end this quickly before the beast could unleash its full power.

He activated Heaven Blitzing Step, his figure becoming a blur as he dashed across the battlefield, dodging the serpent's strikes. Its fangs snapped at the air, barely missing him. Summoning his sword, he executed Void Severing Edge, the blade humming with a deadly aura as it cut through space itself.

The serpent shrieked as the attack landed, its scales splitting apart as spatial energy disrupted its form. It writhed in agony, but instead of retreating, it lunged at Jiang Cheng with reckless abandon.

Jiang Cheng met its charge head-on, his body shimmering as he activated Vajra Diamond Body, reinforcing his defenses. The serpent's fangs clashed against his skin, but they failed to pierce through.

"You're strong, but not strong enough," Jiang Cheng declared, raising his sword once more. This time, he combined Void Severing Edge with Speed of the Wind God, moving faster than the serpent could react. With a final strike, he severed its head, sending dark ichor spraying across the cracked ground.

As the beast collapsed, its body began to fade, leaving behind a pulsating Beast Core filled with spatial energy. Jiang Cheng picked it up, sensing its immense power.

"This might be useful for enhancing my techniques…" he mused, storing it away.

But before he could continue deeper into the valley, a powerful presence descended upon him. The air grew heavy, and a chilling aura spread through the area.

"You handled that beast well, but do you truly think you are invincible?"

Jiang Cheng turned to see a figure dressed in dark robes, their face hidden beneath a hood. He recognized the emblem on their chest—The Cult of the Abyss.

"So, the cult finally shows itself," Jiang Cheng said, gripping his sword tightly.

The figure chuckled. "We've been watching you, Jiang Cheng. Your actions have disrupted our plans more than once. It's time we put an end to your interference."

Jiang Cheng exhaled slowly, his battle intent rising. "Then come. Let's see if your darkness can stand against my blade."

The storm on the horizon raged on, mirroring the impending clash between light and shadow.