The sixth chain split with a sound like shattering stars.
Dark mist erupted from the crystal obelisk. The Wraithlord's form began solidifying arms extending, spines cracking into place, his mouth stitched shut by shadow threads.
Elena stood paralyzed, her silver resonance flickering uncontrollably.
Ethan's breath caught in his throat.
This thing this ancient abomination wasn't just powerful.
It was wrong.
Even the very air seemed to scream as it formed.
Back!
Aeliria shouted.
Everyone fall back.
But the exit was sealed the tomb, sensing the Wraithlord's nearing resurrection, had closed off all retreat.
Vane swore.
We're not just fighting power. We're fighting a curse that wants to infect reality.
Elena stumbled, her knees hitting the stone.
She clutched her chest.
The Wraithlord's dragging my bloodline to him.
Ethan's eyes flared,
Not while I'm breathing.
He turned to Vane.
What kind of chain is left?
Only one: Soulfire Chain. A seal that must be reinforced with someone's soul Qi.
Ethan sheathed the Dragon Slayer Sword.
Then, without hesitation, stepped toward the obelisk.
Ethan, no!
Elena gasped.
He reached into his pouch, pulling out a small crimson pill the Blood Lotus Pill he'd prepared not long ago, just in case of fatal injury.
He swallowed it whole.
His blood surged, boiling hot.
Vane's voice trembled.
If you use your soul Qi to reinforce that chain you'll burn out part of your core. You could lose the ability to cultivate for years maybe forever.
I said,
Ethan growled, not while I'm breathing.
He slammed his palm against the seventh chain.
It resisted. Then it accepted him.
Pain. A scream of a thousand fractured memories ripped through his mind. His meridians flared.
But he pushed his soul Qi forward, weaving it into the broken seal.
The chain flickered. The energy of the Dragon Vein inside Ethan surged to reinforce it.
Aeliria's eyes widened,
He's merging with the seal.
The Wraithlord howled half-formed, its presence burning away as the final chain began to rebind the crystal obelisk.
Ethan dropped to one knee, blood dripping from corner of his mouth.
BOOM!
The obelisk flared gold and violet, and all six skeletal guardians shattered like porcelain.
The Wraithlord's final scream echoed through the chamber:
You have not destroyed me.
You have only delayed me.
The obelisk sealed again.
Ethan collapsed.
Elena ran to him, tears already pooling in her eyes. She cradled him, shaking.
Ethan! Wake up.
His skin was pale. His spiritual flame faint.
Then his eyes flickered open.
Did it work? he whispered.
She nodded, brushing hair from his face. You saved us. You stupid man.
He smiled faintly, then groaned.
Can't feel my Qi.
Vane scanned him.
You've burned out your core pathways. Your cultivation's sealed maybe for months.
Aeliria's voice echoed solemnly,
There is a way to restore it but it lies beyond this continent. In the floating ruins of the Celestial Battlefield.
Before they could react, a tremor rocked the tomb again.
From above footsteps.
Vane's face went pale,
We're not alone.
A massive surge of Qi burst through the stone ceiling.
The wall exploded!
And descending from the sky was a cloaked figure wrapped in lightning, surrounded by disciples bearing the insignia of the Thunder and Lightning Sect.