Chapter 40: Into the Rift
The air shimmered with an ethereal glow as the rift began to open. Pulses of energy rippled outward, casting the landscape in an otherworldly light. Disciples from the gathered sects looked on with a mixture of awe and anticipation, their faces illuminated by the swirling portal.
Ye Tian stood at the forefront of the Jade Serpent Sect's group, his expression calm but alert. Beside him, Jiang Hao and Zhou Lie kept their focus sharp, their demeanor reflecting the gravity of the moment. The sect's banner fluttered behind them, a proud symbol of their lineage.
The atmosphere around them was tense. Some disciples muttered prayers, others stood in determined silence. From across the clearing, the Silver Frost Sect disciples glared coldly at their competitors. Nearby, the Radiant Sun Pavilion maintained an air of serenity, though their golden-robed leader surveyed the rift with a calculating gaze.
Jiang Hao leaned closer to Ye Tian. "The rift is finally opening. But remember, Brother Ye, once we step inside, we'll be on our own. The dimension will separate us."
Ye Tian nodded. "Good. That means no one can interfere with our plans."
As the portal stabilized, Elder Shen, who had been standing near the sect leaders, turned to the Jade Serpent Sect disciples. "You three are the chosen ones. This is a chance to bring glory to the sect, but remember—survival comes first. Whatever treasures or knowledge lie within, claim what you can and return alive."
The rift's energy intensified, and one by one, disciples from various sects began to step through. The Silver Frost Sect moved with synchronized precision, their icy auras leaving a chill in the air. The Crimson Blade Alliance followed in a chaotic rush, their aggressive nature evident even now.
"It's time," Zhou Lie said, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Ye Tian took a step forward, his Golden Sovereign Power simmering just beneath the surface. The energy within him pulsed, as if eager to face the unknown. Without hesitation, he stepped into the rift, the world around him dissolving into a vortex of light and shadows.
When Ye Tian emerged, he found himself in a dense jungle. The air was humid, thick with the scent of earth and vegetation. Towering trees stretched into the sky, their leaves forming a canopy that blocked most of the light. Faint, bioluminescent glows from nearby plants provided the only illumination.
The Golden Sovereign Power within him thrummed, sensing the shift in the environment. Ye Tian adjusted his breathing, his senses heightened. He was alone, as expected. The rift had scattered everyone across the dimension.
He crouched low, examining the ground. The faint indentations of footsteps suggested someone had passed through recently. "Another disciple," he mused. He stood, his gaze sharp. "No matter. My goal is clear."
Elsewhere in the rift, Jiang Hao found himself in a barren wasteland. The ground was cracked and dry, with jagged rocks protruding from the earth like broken teeth. A faint heat haze distorted the horizon.
Jiang Hao scanned his surroundings, his sword drawn. The solitude didn't bother him; he thrived in such conditions. But the eerie stillness of the wasteland kept him on edge.
A low growl broke the silence. Jiang Hao turned swiftly, his blade at the ready. From behind a cluster of rocks emerged a beast—its form a grotesque mix of scales and fur, with glowing red eyes that locked onto him.
"Perfect," Jiang Hao muttered, a smirk playing on his lips.
The creature lunged, but Jiang Hao was faster. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The clash of steel against flesh echoed across the wasteland as the battle began.
Zhou Lie, meanwhile, found himself in a mist-shrouded valley. The thick fog obscured everything beyond a few feet, creating an oppressive sense of isolation. He gripped his spear tightly, his muscles tense.
The faint sound of footsteps reached his ears, and he spun around, his weapon raised. But the mist revealed nothing. Zhou Lie's eyes narrowed. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice steady.
A shadow flickered in the distance, then another. Zhou Lie steadied his breathing, his mind racing. The rift was already playing tricks, and he hadn't even encountered any creatures yet.
"Calm yourself," he muttered, pressing forward cautiously. "This is just the beginning."
For hours, Ye Tian navigated the jungle, encountering peculiar plants and hearing distant growls that hinted at the presence of beasts. But his focus never wavered.
The jungle suddenly opened into a clearing, where ancient ruins lay in disarray. Weathered stone pillars jutted from the ground, their surfaces covered in faded runes. In the center stood a pedestal, its top glowing faintly.
Ye Tian approached cautiously, his Golden Sovereign Power alert for any threats. As he examined the pedestal, he noticed a small orb resting atop it. The orb radiated a subtle energy, its surface swirling with faint golden patterns.
He reached out, and the moment his fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy coursed through him. The Golden Sovereign Power within him reacted, absorbing the energy effortlessly. Ye Tian's eyes widened as the newfound energy melded with his own, enhancing his strength and control.
"Interesting," he murmured, stepping back. "This place truly holds treasures worth claiming."
In another part of the dimension, disciples from various sects were already clashing over resources and territory. The chaotic nature of the rift forced everyone into a survivalist mindset, alliances forming and breaking in an instant.
But amidst the turmoil, one figure moved with purpose—Lan Yue. She had slipped away from her group shortly after entering the rift, her goals known only to herself.
Hidden in the shadows, she observed the movements of other disciples, her keen eyes taking in every detail. For now, she remained unseen, her presence in the rift a mystery to all but herself.
As the first day in the rift drew to a close, Ye Tian found shelter among the ruins. The jungle around him was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, their calls echoing through the darkness.
He leaned against a stone pillar, his thoughts focused. The rift was vast, its dangers and opportunities countless. But he was prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The dimension was a test of strength, cunning, and survival—a test he intended to pass with absolute dominance.