Chapter 9: Trial of Blood
The night air was thick with tension as Leon trudged through the dense, fog-covered valley beyond the ruins. The whispers of the past still clung to his mind—the vision of the Abyssal Forge, the voice that spoke of power forged from the blood of the damned.
He didn't know if it was a memory or a warning.
All he knew was that the next step in his journey lay ahead.
As he continued forward, his Ascension System chimed.
[New Quest: Trial of Blood]
Objective: Survive the Blood Moon Arena
Reward: ???
Failure Penalty: Permanent Cultivation Deviation
Leon's breath caught in his throat. Permanent Cultivation Deviation? That wasn't a simple loss—it meant his path to power could be crippled forever.
The wind howled as he pushed forward, his surroundings shifting. The mist grew heavier, and soon, he could barely see more than a few steps ahead. Then, the air shifted.
He wasn't alone.
The Arena of the Forsaken
The fog suddenly thinned, revealing a massive circular platform of black stone stretching into the void. The sky above burned with a crimson glow—the Blood Moon hung ominously in the heavens.
At the center of the arena, an altar of bones stood, dripping with dark energy. It pulsed in rhythm with Leon's heartbeat. He could feel it—this place was ancient, soaked in the memories of battles long forgotten.
And then the system's voice rang in his mind.
[Trial of Blood Initiated]
[Defeat All Opponents to Survive]
Leon barely had time to react before the first enemy materialized.
A shadowy figure stepped forward from the altar, wielding twin blades. Its eyes glowed with malevolent hunger. The system identified it instantly.
[Opponent: Shade of the Forsaken]
Cultivation Level: Peak Spirit Realm
Combat Style: Shadow Blade
Ability: Phantom Strikes (Illusions + Speed Boost)
Leon tensed. He was still recovering from the battle in the ruins, but there was no time to hesitate. The shade attacked without warning.
Dancing with Death
Leon barely dodged the first strike. The moment he stepped back, the shade split into three, each copy attacking from a different angle.
"Illusions… no, something more."
He blocked one strike, ducked under another, but the third cut deep into his shoulder. A burning pain spread through his body, but there was no time to falter.
He focused, activating his battle instincts.
Instead of looking at the illusions, he closed his eyes and listened. The sound of footsteps—the displacement of air—the shift in energy.
The real one was…
There.
Leon pivoted at the last moment, his sword flashing in the crimson light. His blade cut through the real shade, shattering its form. The illusions faded instantly.
The first opponent was defeated.
The system chimed.
[First Trial Completed. Next Opponent Incoming.]
Leon barely had time to catch his breath before the second challenger arrived.
A massive, four-armed warrior covered in obsidian armor emerged, wielding dual axes that crackled with blood-red lightning. Its eyes locked onto Leon, filled with nothing but endless rage.
[Opponent: Warlord of the Forsaken]
Cultivation Level: Mid-Earth Realm
Combat Style: War Bringer
Ability: Thunderclap Strike (Shockwave + Paralyzing Effect)
Leon gritted his teeth. He had barely handled the first opponent, and this one was already stronger.
"I can't hold back."
Activating his Abyssal Fang, his blade burned with abyssal energy, corroding the air around it. Sparks crackled as the Warlord lifted its axes, letting out a thunderous roar.
The second battle had begun.