The cold air of the Abyss trembled.
Ye Tian sat by a broken pillar in the resting chamber, trying to focus his breath. But something was wrong.
His chest burned.
Not from wounds or battle, but from deep inside. A strange heat pulsed in his body, spreading from the spot where Mo Han had struck him weeks ago.
[System Alert: Corruption Mark Reactivating.][Foreign energy detected: Origin – Mo Han, Skyfall Sect.]
His vision blurred. Images flashed in his mind—Mo Han's twisted smile, his mocking words, the moment he stabbed Ye Tian and left him for dead.
A dark pattern started forming on Ye Tian's skin, like black veins crawling outward.
"Ye Tian!" Yue Qing rushed to his side, her voice sharp. "You're burning up."
He pushed her hand away weakly. "This… mark… it's not normal."
[System Interference Detected.][Warning: Willpower test commencing.]
Ye Tian gritted his teeth. His mind felt like it was being pulled—twisted. Mo Han's voice echoed inside:
"You should've stayed dead."
But Ye Tian wasn't the same weak disciple anymore.
He slammed his fist into the ground, forcing his mind to stay clear.
[System Purification Protocol: Engaged.]
His body shook. Flames of red and silver burst from his core, burning the corruption.
After long minutes of pain and struggle, it stopped.
But a small black symbol remained, like a scar.
The mark hadn't been fully removed.It was watching. Waiting.