The stone chamber behind the ancient wall led into a long, narrow path.
Ye Tian stepped in first, the mark on his chest growing colder with each step. It no longer burned—it whispered.
Find us... Return what was broken...
Yue Qing followed, her grip tight on her blade. "This place feels different."
[System Alert: Proximity to Corruption Source – 24%][Warning: Hostile guardian detected ahead.]
They stopped at a vast circular hall.
In the center stood a massive armored statue with six arms and no face. The symbol on its chest matched the one now engraved in Ye Tian's skin.
As they entered, its head turned.
It moved.
[Trial Guardian Activated: Abyss Watcher – Tier: Earth Core.][Objective: Survive and destroy.]
Without warning, the statue roared and charged.
Ye Tian dodged fast, the new dark energy inside him reacting on its own. A wave of shadow burst from his palm, knocking the guardian back.
His eyes widened. "That wasn't me… that was the mark."
"Careful!" Yue Qing shouted. She dashed forward, distracting the statue with quick strikes. Its blades grazed her arm, leaving glowing black cuts.
Ye Tian roared and jumped high, his sword glowing with both system energy and the corrupted flame. "If this power came from them—then I'll use it to break them!"
He struck.
With a loud crack, the guardian fell, breaking into stone and ash.
[Trial Complete.][Map Fragment Unlocked – Corruption Temple Location Added.][Power Stabilized: Abyss Touch – Skill Acquired.]
Ye Tian panted. The path to the truth had opened. But so had a gate for something far worse.