Chapter 74: The Abyssal Assault

The abyssal warriors charged forward, their blades slicing through the air with eerie precision. Jin Long tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the leader—the man clad in dark armor. The aura radiating from him was suffocating, a twisted blend of abyssal energy and bloodlust.

Yue Lan cracked her whip, sending arcs of lightning through the advancing warriors. The electric currents danced through their bodies, momentarily halting their charge. "Jin Long, focus on the leader! I'll handle these goons!"

Jin Long nodded, his gaze locked onto the armored man. He surged forward, his sword gleaming with Genesis energy. The ground trembled beneath his feet as he propelled himself toward his target.

The armored man met Jin Long's attack head-on, his own blade cloaked in dark mist. Their swords clashed, sending shockwaves through the forest. Jin Long gritted his teeth, feeling the impact reverberate through his arms.

"You're strong," the man sneered, pushing back against Jin Long's blade. "But you're not ready to control the Core's power!"

Jin Long's eyes blazed. "I don't need to be ready to defeat you!"

He twisted his wrist, redirecting the man's sword and landing a swift kick to his abdomen. The man staggered back, but a wicked grin spread across his face.

"Not bad," the man said, wiping blood from his lips. "But let's see how you handle this!"

Dark energy surged from his body, forming shadowy tendrils that lashed out like whips. Jin Long leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the attack. The tendrils crashed into the ground, leaving craters in their wake.

Yue Lan dodged a swing from one of the abyssal warriors, her whip wrapping around his leg. With a swift tug, she sent the warrior crashing to the ground, unconscious.

"Jin Long!" she shouted, her eyes darting toward him. "His power is growing! Be careful!"

Jin Long's jaw clenched as he landed, his boots skidding against the dirt. The Genesis Core pulsed within him, and he could feel it reacting to the dark energy. It was as if the Core itself recognized the abyssal power, as if it had faced it before.

The man chuckled, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "You're struggling to control it, aren't you? The Core is too powerful for someone like you."

Jin Long took a deep breath, centering himself. The Core's energy surged, flooding his veins with warmth. The world around him seemed to slow, his senses sharpening.

"Let me show you what true power is," Jin Long said, his voice echoing with a newfound confidence.

He lunged forward, his sword blazing with Genesis energy. The light from the blade cut through the darkness, forcing the man to shield his eyes. Jin Long's attack was relentless—a barrage of swift, precise strikes that left no room for the man to counter.

The man grunted, his dark armor cracking beneath the onslaught. "You... How are you—"

Jin Long's final strike connected, sending the man crashing into a nearby tree. The impact echoed through the forest, shaking the ground.

Yue Lan rushed to Jin Long's side, her eyes wide. "You did it!"

Jin Long exhaled, his body trembling from the exertion. "No," he said, his gaze fixed on the man. "It's not over yet."

The man groaned, rising to his feet. Dark mist swirled around him, mending the cracks in his armor. His eyes glowed crimson, and his smile widened.

"You think you've won?" he sneered. "This was just a test. The real battle is only beginning."

A dark portal opened behind the man, abyssal energy pouring from it. The air grew colder, and a low, ominous hum filled the forest.

Jin Long's heart pounded. The abyssal presence was growing stronger, more suffocating. He glanced at Yue Lan, who nodded, her whip crackling with renewed energy.

"Prepare yourself," the man said, stepping into the portal. "Mo Tian is waiting for you."

The portal closed with a deafening crash, the dark energy dissipating into the air. Silence fell over the forest, but the ominous chill remained.

Yue Lan placed a hand on Jin Long's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Jin Long nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on the spot where the portal had vanished. "Mo Tian... He's preparing for something big. And he's not alone."

Yue Lan's expression hardened. "Then we need to reach the Lunar Shrine quickly. If the Oracle knows anything about the Celestial Keys, we need to find out before Mo Tian does."

Jin Long sheathed his sword, his jaw set with determination. "Right. Let's go."

The forest around them grew darker, the trees swaying as if whispering secrets. The battle had ended, but the true war was only beginning.