**CHAPTER 22 — Preparations Before the Abyss**
The journey back to Qinghe City was quiet, but tension hung in the air. The collapse of the Moonshadow Crypt had shaken everyone—especially Lily, who kept glancing at Jason Wu with a mixture of relief and worry.
Jason noticed. "If you keep staring at me like that, I'll start thinking something's wrong with my face."
Lily flushed. "N-No! That's not— I was just—forget it!"
Leon snorted. "She was definitely staring."
"LEON!"
Back in the city, their first destination was Lily's temporary residence—one of the Xueyin Pavilion's regional offices. Spacious, fortified, and filled with rare treasures, it was the perfect place to plan for the Hollow Abyss.
Inside, Lily unrolled large parchment maps while Jason traced potential routes. Leon, as always, raided the snack cabinet like a starving bandit.
Lily spread out several scrolls. "The Hollow Abyss is located at the border between the Eastern Ridge and the Desolate Fringe. It's a rift where spiritual energy collapses into nothing. Even powerful cultivators struggle to survive inside."
Jason folded his arms. "All the more reason to go."
Leon nearly choked on dried fruit. "Correction: All the more reason NOT to go!"
Jason ignored him. "What do we need?"
Lily took a deep breath. "Stabilizers. Formation anchors. Anti-void talismans. And… these."
She opened a lacquered case containing shimmering crystal shards.
Leon leaned in. "Pretty."
Lily slapped his hand. "Don't touch."
Jason examined the shard. "What is it?"
"Void-Repelling Crystal. Extremely rare. Perfect for preventing spiritual collapse."
Leon pointed at Jason. "You better marry her. She's literally saving your life every day."
Lily nearly choked on air. "W-WHAT?!"
Jason smiled faintly. "He's not wrong."
Lily's face turned crimson. "C-Can we focus?!"
Jason let out a soft chuckle. Leon gave him a victorious thumbs up.
They then moved to the training courtyard. Jason needed to adjust his spiritual foundation before entering the Abyss.
He sat cross-legged, Longwu Sword floating above his palm, vibrating lightly as if sensing danger.
A soft voice echoed in his mind.
*"Boy, that place will chew you up if you go in unprepared."*
Jason sighed. "Since when do you give warnings?"
*"Since I don't want the third-generation master of the Wu family dying like an amateur."*
Jason smirked. "Are you worried about me?"
*"I'm worried about how stupid you can be."*
Leon burst out laughing. "Your sword is roasting you again?"
Lily covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Jason glared at the weapon. "Can you not embarrass me in front of people?"
*"I do as I please."*
Leon whispered to Lily. "Best sword ever."
Lily nodded, giggling.
Jason resumed his cultivation. His qi surged like a rising tide, refining impurities from his breakthrough. His aura grew heavier, sharper.
Hours passed.
When he finally opened his eyes, Leon was dozing on the ground and Lily had fallen asleep at the table, half-buried in scrolls.
Jason stood and gently draped a cloak over Lily's shoulders.
She stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open. "Jason…?"
"Rest. You've done enough."
She smiled softly. "Just… don't take unnecessary risks. Not there. Not ever."
Jason held her gaze, serious. "I won't. I promise."
Leon woke with a yawn. "So? We ready to enter the super-death-pit now?"
Lily gathered her notes. "Almost. One last stop."
Jason looked confused. "Where?"
"The Xueyin Pavilion's main vault," Lily answered. "I need to retrieve something extremely important."
Leon's eyes sparkled. "Treasure?"
"Treasure," Lily confirmed.
Jason nodded. "Then let's go."
Tomorrow, they would leave Qinghe.
Tomorrow, their journey toward the Hollow Abyss would begin.
And the shadows hunting Jason Wu would soon realize—
they were not the only predators in this game.