The Obsidian River
They arrived at the Obsidian River.
A place untouched by time.
The river did not flow. Its surface was dark and absolute, like a wound carved into the world. Legends said immortality meant nothing here—fall once, and even gods would not return.
The disciples and Saints stationed themselves along the bank, weapons drawn, formations forming instinctively.
Then—
The sky turned red.
Black, violent prowess churned above like a storm of hatred. From the horizon, shadows advanced—demons, devils, ranks upon ranks.
They stopped just across the river.
Mi-An stepped forward.
"Nem. Evil god," she called, her voice unwavering. "You caused unrest a thousand years ago. The Ansha is not here today—but we will not fail."
The evil god laughed, his voice shaking the air.
"With the Ansha dead, the world will be mine."
Nem stepped beside him, smiling coldly.
"When I heard the prophecy—that Xiao Yan would kill the Ansha—I saw hope. Nature chose me. Why would I refuse?"
He laughed, and his army laughed with him.
"Attack," the evil god commanded.
Hell surged forward.
Mi-An raised her voice.
"Fight. The peace of the world rests in your hands."
Steel met flesh. Cries echoed.
Minutes passed—and blood soaked the ground.
Disciples fell. Screams tore through the battlefield.
Mi-An's eyes widened.
"What did you do to them?!"
Nem grinned.
"I gave them my blood. Now they fight like rabid dogs."
Rage consumed her.
"You knave!" she screamed, surging forward.
Nem dodged—and kicked her aside.
She crashed to the ground, blood spilling from her lips.
Saint LuQi was stabbed.
The Saint of YiWu Sect followed.
One Saint lost footing—
—and fell into the Obsidian River.
Mi-An screamed.