The battle began before Lin Xian could think.
One moment the boy was still. The next—he was behind him.
> [Shadow Displacement Detected]
[Warning: Mental Interference Incoming – Resisting…]
Too late.
Voices screamed in Lin Xian's head—the dying gods, the loyal students he failed, the cursed oaths he broke.
He fell to one knee, blood spilling from his eyes.
Kehras smiled wider.
"You carry too much memory. Let me hold it for you…"
"Burn. In. Silence." Lin Xian growled.
And activated Infernal Bloodline.
The fire returned—but it was black this time, tinged with red lightning. The system glitched for a moment as flames consumed the dark around him.
> [System Skill Activated: Hellfire Draw – Purge Form]
[Temporary Buff: Memory Lock – Fear Resistance +50%]
He struck.
The blade cleaved through Kehras's illusion.
But not the real him.
The boy reappeared above, floating upside down, laughing. "You think that's enough to touch me?"
"No," Lin Xian said.
He raised his hand.
And summoned the Icepetal Aurelia left behind.
> [Item Activated: Frostpetal from the Lotus Beyond Time]
— Trait: Nullify Space for 2.5 Seconds
Time froze.
So did Kehras.
Just long enough.
Whisperfang pierced his chest.
The shadows shrieked. Stars flickered inside the boy's body. His laugh broke into a thousand shattered voices.
And then—he collapsed.
Dust.
> [Eclipse Apostle Eliminated: Kehras]
[Loot Gained: Hollow Soul Shard]
[New Trait: Shadow Veil – Rank C+]
[System Corruption Reduced: 0%]
---
Lin Xian stood still, breathing slowly.
But deep inside the temple, something began to awaken.
Not another enemy…
But a voice.
One that had waited eons.
"Sword God. You have found me again. Come forth."
A seal cracked open on the stone wall.
And behind it—an ancient armor glowing red with divine sigils.
> [Temple Seal 3 Broken: 3/9]
[New Item Available: Emberglaive – Fragment of War God's Armament]
And yet, the final system alert was not victory.
> [Message Intercepted.]
[Sender: ???]
"You're not the only one who has returned, old friend."