Chapter 102: The Journey to the Abyss

Inside his dormitory room, the soft hum of a candle burning illuminated Li Yang's face. He summoned Lysar, who resided within his jade pendant, "Lysar, is there a way to become powerful in a short amount of time?"

Lysar let out a heavy sigh, "There is, but it comes with great risk... you must venture into one of the Forbidden Lands. Do you remember the three major Forbidden Lands?"

Li Yang nodded with determination, "Of course, the Demon Castle, which I've already faced, was one of them. The other two are the Abyss and the Flame Mountain. Which one should I choose? I fear nothing."

Lysar, with an air of seriousness, replied, "Choose the Abyss. Each layer below is a test, an opportunity to grow stronger and hone your abilities."

With his goal set, Li Yang began his preparations. Before leaving, he gifted two of his storage cards to Feng Xuan and Lisa. The joy on their faces was evident. "I'm going into deep cultivation. I might be out of touch for the next few months. But in case of any emergencies, drop me a voice message through the student card," he informed them.

Feng Xuan nodded with understanding, "I know you need to grow stronger. I too shall be focusing on my training. Let's compete together in the Ranking Tournament in five months."

Lisa, with her usual serene composure, said, "Take care and come back safely."

With farewells said, Li Yang embarked on his journey. The Abyss wasn't too far, only requiring a few days' travel. Thankfully, with the map given by Zephyr, he wouldn't get lost. 

The journey was a challenging one, with treacherous terrains and unpredictable weather. Mountain paths so narrow that one wrong step would mean a plunge into a ravine. Dense forests with shadows that seemed to dance, playing tricks on one's eyes. Rivers so fast that they roared like dragons.

However, with the help of his trusty Lion-Eagle, a majestic creature that combined the strength of a lion with the soaring capabilities of an eagle, the journey became significantly easier. The Lion-Eagle would scout the path ahead, ensuring safety and also helping Li Yang cross some of the more perilous paths.

One evening, as they were camping, a sudden downpour began. Rain pelted down, and within minutes, the ground became muddy and slippery. The Lion-Eagle, with its broad wings, provided shelter, shielding Li Yang from the rain. Such instances only strengthened their bond.

After overcoming countless challenges, they finally approached the entrance to the Abyss. It was a gaping hole, with winds howling out of it as if it were the very mouth of the underworld. Li Yang took a deep breath, his determination unwavering.

With Lysar's guidance and the unwavering support of his Lion-Eagle, he was ready to delve deep into the Abyss, ready to face whatever trials awaited him below, all in the pursuit of power and growth.