Soul-Rending Gorge

When Hill flew over a lifeless gorge, she halted mid-air, eyes sweeping the bleak stone like a hawk tracking prey.

"Vice Chair, we’ve lured them in." A woman’s voice drifted through the empty, shadowed chasm like a reed flute in mist.

"Aisha, well done. Let’s begin—our operation."

An old voice followed, dry as wind over bone. As it fell silent, figures stepped from the gloom, a net of shadows closing around Hill.

"Uh!" The sudden crowd left me stunned—eighteen in all, every one a Sacred Realm mage, with two standing at Holy Peak like twin cold suns.

I also spotted Anying and Shahun, the pair Hill had driven off last time, skulking like bruised wolves.

"What do you want?" I stared at them after a beat, anger rising like heat off stone. It screamed trap—one laid for us.

"Hmph. Nothing much. Just come quietly with us." A Holy Peak middle-aged man answered, his sharp eyes locking on me like knives over old blood.

"Who are you? Do I know you?" I frowned at him, a storm gathering behind my eyes.

"Hmph. You don’t, but I know you. Yintra died by your hand, didn’t he? I’m his father—Jafa Yin Kaich!" Jafa glared, hatred coiled like a viper.

"I see. And you?" I turned to the black-robed crowd, their hems whispering like crows’ wings.

"I’m Gu Aosun Lat Fakedir, Vice Chair of Dark Demon. Last time, that dragon wounded two of my disciples." The other Holy Peak elder pointed at Hill, calm as stone in rain, not blazing like Jafa.

"Served them right. Who told them to mess with the boss?" Hill’s voice snapped, disdain curling like smoke.

"Dammit!" The surrounding Sacred Realm experts bristled, pressure rolling out like a storm tide that battering-rammed the air.

"Hmph. Exactly. A swarm of flies buzzing for trouble—flies that drive you mad." Hill snorted and unleashed her Dragon Aura, vast and crushing like a falling mountain.

"It seems talking’s pointless. In that case, wage war. Myriad Demon Domain—open!" Gu Aosun lifted an ancient wand like a totem and unfurled his domain.

With his domain, the grim gorge grew grimmer—dead air like ash, wraiths, dead souls, and demons swirling like black snow.

Unlike ordinary demons, those within Gu Aosun’s domain had no bodies; they appeared as souls, pale flames drifting like lanterns on a night river.

"Darkflame Domain—open!"

"Curse-Sprite Domain—open!"

"Darkness Domain—open!"

...

Seeing Gu Aosun open the Myriad Demon Domain, the other Sacred Realm mages hastened to unfurl theirs, like banners blooming in a storm.

As for summoners like Shadow, they chanted nonstop, calling demons, undead, and beasts, a hail of sigils beating like drums.

In moments, the whole gorge turned riotous with colors, every domain dyeing the world like stained glass, energy so vast the void trembled and stuttered.

No surprise—ten-plus Sacred Realm mages opening domains together pushed power beyond what this space could bear; the air itself buckled like thin ice.

Spectacle, yes—dozens of domains blazing at once, painting heaven and earth in a wild palette, demons, undead, and monsters blanketing the canyon like ants.

"Servant, I’d love to swat these noisy ants, but this is a perfect chance for you to grow fast. You and Hill will strike." Xinuo’s gaze swept the fields of color, voice cool as moonlight.

"But, Xiao Nuo..." Hesitation pricked my chest like thorns. "They’re all Sacred Realm. I’m at best SS-class Magus. In a battle this big, what can I do?"

"Don’t worry about that. Servant, quickly return Shattered Light to its sword form."

"Oh. Fine." I followed Xinuo and changed the bracelet on my wrist back into the Shattered Light Sword.

"Servant, it’s a bit early, but this time you’ll feel Shattered Light’s power yourself." Xinuo lifted a slender, flawless finger and tapped the blade.

!!! At that touch, the Shattered Light Sword burst with blazing gold, a dawn outshining every domain’s glow like sun over storm.

Next, a force unimaginable roared from the blade, spearing the sky; clouds high above shuddered and cracked like glass struck by thunder.

After a breath, the sword’s blinding gold faded, replaced by a soft aureate sheen, a pale halo that looked stunning against the canyon’s gloom.

"All right, Servant. I’ve awakened one percent of the Shattered Light Sword’s power. The rest is up to you." Xinuo pinched my cheek, playful as a spring breeze.

"Mm. Got it." The power pulsing from the hilt throbbed like a heartbeat; confidence bloomed bright in my chest.

"...What are you waiting for?! Attack!" Staring at the sword in my hand, Gu Aosun’s face went dark as storm clouds. He shouted at the stunned Sacred Realm mages around him.

"Yes!" Jerked awake by his roar, they launched a barrage of spells at us, boosted by their domains until each strike hit like a falling star.

"Elemental Shield!" Facing so many Sacred Realm experts, Hill didn’t dare slack. A shimmering ward wrapped her, then she raised her vast, razor dragon claw high. "Shatter!"

Hill’s roar cracked like thunder. Her claw came down and slapped the storm of spells, a mountain dropping onto waves.

When her talons fell, the spells around us—and the space itself—splintered together like mirrors smashed in one stroke.

Hiss! Everyone present drew a sharp breath, shock flaring like sparks in dry grass.

One claw, and the arena quaked. One roar, and hearts faltered.

...