Chapter 40: The Crimson Dawn Rises
The Bloodshade Abyss border was a desolate frontier. Lin Xuan, at the edge of the 6th Layer Qi Transformation, led the Soul Lamp Hall. He used Internal Fracture Wave to shatter the outer barriers. Xiao Fen's smoke bombs and the recruits' Void Pulse Kick scattered the scouts.
A 7th Layer Bloodshade elder emerged. Lin Xuan's Vein Fortress Body absorbed the elder's strike. He countered with Crimson Lance Burst and Starlit Void Fist, forcing the elder to retreat. The victory came at a cost, but the breach was made.
In Dawnriver City, Ji Yunjing was crowned king, his 3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura a regal force. "Senior Brother, your help secured my throne," he said, bowing to Lin Xuan. On the battlefield, Liu Yue's legacy art, a crystalline expanse of ice, awakened, and she advanced to the 3rd Layer Qi Transformation. Liu Yang's blood core stabilized, his 8th Layer Body Refining qi a steady anchor.
The morning found Lin Xuan refining a pill, his qi nearing the 6th Layer. "The dawn rises—what's next?" Liu Yue asked. "We're ready for whatever comes," Liu Yang added, his sword gleaming. Lin Xuan's resolve hardened, his eyes fixed on the horizon, ready to confront Ironfang's core.