Chapter 44: Secrets of the Rift

The rift was a labyrinth of mysteries, each corner hiding its own danger or reward. The atmosphere grew denser, the air laced with the hum of ancient power. Those within its bounds felt the shift, an unspoken promise that the trials they faced were just the beginning.

Ye Tian's Breakthrough

Ye Tian stood before the altar, the remnants of the stone constructs scattered around him. As the dust settled, the runes on the pillars began to glow brighter, their energy coalescing into a single point above the altar.

The orb in Ye Tian's possession trembled, its resonance with the altar intensifying. He held it up, his eyes narrowing as the glowing script returned, clearer this time.

"Dominion claims the worthy. Submit the mark to awaken the path."

A low rumble echoed across the plateau as the energy surged, forming a shimmering portal above the altar. Ye Tian stepped back, his gaze sharp. The portal pulsed with an otherworldly light, its surface rippling like water.

"So this is what you've been hiding," Ye Tian muttered, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, the orb glowing brighter in his hand. The portal reacted immediately, its energy drawing him in. For a moment, the world blurred, and then he was gone, leaving the plateau silent once more.

Stepping into the glowing portal, Ye Tian found himself transported to a vast, otherworldly expanse. The sky above was a swirling mass of silver and gold, its light illuminating a grand platform suspended in endless darkness. Around him, towering pillars encased in ethereal flame encircled a single obsidian throne adorned with intricate runes. Seated upon the throne was a shadowy figure cloaked in shimmering energy.

The pillars flared to life, releasing a dozen spectral warriors, each wielding weapons that gleamed with ominous light. Their forms were both ethereal and solid, their movements swift and unpredictable.

Ye Tian smirked, raising his hand. With a flick of his fingers, gravity warped around the battlefield, pulling several warriors off balance. As they stumbled, his upgraded Flame of Nine Hells erupted in a fiery wave, consuming their forms in crimson fire.

Yet, the remaining warriors adapted quickly, closing in with deadly precision. One swung a massive halberd, its blade slicing through the air with terrifying speed. Ye Tian countered with a burst of concentrated gravity, the weapon's trajectory faltering as he sidestepped and delivered a precise strike to the warrior's core.

The battle raged on, each clash pushing Ye Tian's abilities to their limits. As the final warrior dissolved into ash, the figure on the throne leaned forward, its presence growing heavier.

"Impressive," it intoned. "But your journey is far from over. This Dominion does not yield easily."

The figure raised its hand, and the platform trembled. From the darkness emerged a monstrous beast, its form a chaotic amalgamation of shadow and flame. Its roar split the air, and Ye Tian's smirk deepened.

"Bring it on," he said, his Golden Sovereign Power surging anew.

Lan Yue's Duel

Lan Yue's blade clashed with the dark-robed man's weapon, the sharp sound echoing through the jungle. Their movements were a blur, each strike faster and more precise than the last.

"You're skilled," the man admitted, his tone laced with amusement. "But you're still out of your depth."

Lan Yue's smirk didn't waver. "Funny, I was about to say the same to you."

She feinted to the left, her blade flickering like a shadow as it arced toward his exposed flank. The man parried, his counterattack swift and brutal. Lan Yue danced back, her movements fluid and controlled.

As the fight continued, her gaze flickered to the crystal in his hand. Its glow pulsed in time with the energy of the rift, and she could feel its immense power.

"If you think I'll let you leave with that," she said, her voice cold, "you're mistaken."

The man chuckled, his grip on the crystal tightening. "Then come and take it."

Lan Yue's expression hardened. She surged forward, her Qi flaring as she unleashed a flurry of strikes. The man met her attack head-on, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks.

But as the battle dragged on, the man's confidence began to waver. Lan Yue's precision and stamina outpaced his, her strikes growing sharper and more relentless. With a final, powerful blow, her blade knocked the crystal from his grasp.

The man staggered, his eyes wide with shock as Lan Yue caught the crystal midair.

"Looks like it's mine now," she said, her smirk returning.

The man glared at her, but before he could make a move, she vanished into the shadows, her retreat as silent as her approach. 

Lan Yue's Discovery

Lan Yue moved through the jungle with practiced stealth, her newfound crystal resonating faintly in her palm. Each step brought her closer to her goal—a ruined temple half-buried beneath the dense foliage.

The structure was ancient, its stone walls etched with the same glowing runes that adorned the pillars near the altar. As she approached, a low hum reached her ears, the temple's energy pulsating in time with the crystal.

Inside, the air was thick with power. At the center of the temple stood a pedestal, upon which rested an orb similar to Ye Tian's. Surrounding it were three statues, their eyes glowing faintly as they turned toward Lan Yue.

"Guardians," she muttered, her blade sliding silently from its sheath.

The statues moved with unnatural grace, their stone limbs striking with deadly force. Lan Yue dodged and countered, her strikes precise and calculated. Each clash of steel against stone echoed through the chamber, her Qi flaring as she drove the guardians back.

With a final, powerful strike, she shattered the last guardian, its fragments scattering across the floor. She approached the pedestal, her fingers brushing the orb's surface. A surge of energy coursed through her, and she smiled.

"This power... it's far more potent than I imagined," she said, tucking the orb away.

As she turned to leave, a voice echoed through the temple, deep and foreboding. "You tread upon sacred ground, intruder. The price for such audacity is steep."

Lan Yue's smile faded, her blade ready once more. "Let's see if you can collect."

Zhou Lie's Tactic

Zhou Lie stood victorious, the Silver Frost Sect disciples scattered around him, groaning in pain. The artifact from the chest lay in his hand, its surface etched with intricate patterns that glowed faintly.

He examined it carefully, his brow furrowed. "This isn't just a treasure," he murmured. "It's a clue."

The energy within the artifact resonated faintly with the rift, its patterns reminiscent of the runes Ye Tian had described earlier. Zhou Lie tucked it away, his mind racing.

He glanced at the unconscious disciples, his expression cold. "Consider yourselves lucky. Next time, I won't leave survivors."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the canyon, his focus now on regrouping with Ye Tian and the others.