Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A Glimpse of Darkness
The battle between Xiao Yan and Tian Hao erupted with a ferocity that shook the very foundations of the fortress. The air crackled with energy, and the ground trembled as their powers clashed. Tian Hao was a 9-Star Dou Zong, his strength far surpassing anything Xiao Yan had faced before. Each movement of the older cultivator was deliberate, precise, and filled with an overwhelming aura of dominance. Yet, despite the immense power Tian Hao exuded, Xiao Yan felt no fear. Instead, his body surged with energy, a mix of raw strength and the system's enhancements driving him forward.
His first strike was met with a deflecting wave of energy from Tian Hao, but Xiao Yan's body twisted mid-air, landing gracefully and immediately launching another attack. He was faster now, more powerful than ever, his body honed by countless battles and the power of the system that constantly urged him to push further. But even as he closed in, Tian Hao's calm, amused expression never wavered.
"You're strong, Xiao Yan," Tian Hao said, his voice carrying an eerie calm amidst the chaos. "But strength alone isn't enough to defeat me. You lack something crucial."
Xiao Yan's brow furrowed, his fists tightening. "What's that?"
Tian Hao raised an eyebrow. "Control. Willpower. And most importantly—balance. You've forsaken everything in your relentless pursuit of power, and now you're on the brink of losing everything you once held dear. Your path has consumed you, little by little."
Xiao Yan's chest tightened, the words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. For a moment, he hesitated, his focus faltering. Could it be true? Had he truly lost his way? Was this power worth the price? The thought nagged at him, but he quickly shoved it aside.
"I'm not here to listen to your lectures," Xiao Yan snapped, his voice colder than ever. "I'm here to end this."
With a fierce roar, he surged forward, unleashing a barrage of attacks. Each punch, each kick was an explosion of energy, a culmination of everything he had learned. But Tian Hao moved effortlessly, dodging and countering with devastating precision. The ground beneath their feet cracked, and the walls shook as if the fortress itself was struggling to contain the raw force of their battle.
But despite his power, Xiao Yan felt something shifting inside him. The system's influence was there, pushing him forward, telling him to keep going, to never stop. Yet beneath it all, the doubt remained—a quiet, insistent voice that whispered in the back of his mind. What was the point of all this? Was strength truly the answer?
"Your obsession with power will be your undoing," Tian Hao said, almost as if reading Xiao Yan's thoughts. "You've already lost your humanity. You've let the darkness inside you take root, and now it's too late to turn back."
Xiao Yan's chest tightened at his words. The system had given him everything—more power than he had ever dreamed of—but was it worth losing himself in the process?
"Shut up!" Xiao Yan roared, launching a series of devastating energy blasts, each one more destructive than the last. The room was filled with the deafening sound of their battle, the power shaking the very walls of the fortress. Yet Tian Hao stood unfazed, his presence like a mountain, immovable and unyielding.
Then, with a single movement, Tian Hao raised his hand, a brilliant energy field forming around him. He pushed forward, his energy spiraling outward with overwhelming force. The shockwave sent Xiao Yan flying backward, crashing into the wall with a bone-rattling thud. His body groaned in pain, but he quickly recovered, his determination never wavering.
"You're strong," Tian Hao said again, his voice carrying an edge of respect. "But you're not ready."
Xiao Yan's breath came in ragged gasps as he stood, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His mind was swirling with confusion and doubt, but his heart remained steadfast. He could not back down now. The power he sought—he needed it. It was the only way to survive, the only way to secure his future.
Despite the words of caution, despite the hollow feeling that grew with each victory, Xiao Yan stood tall. His eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening once more. He could feel the system's presence urging him forward, urging him to push beyond his limits, to break through.
The time for hesitation had passed.
Xiao Yan's energy surged, and with it came a new, fierce resolve. He would defeat Tian Hao. He would claim the power that had eluded him for so long. He would not stop until he was the strongest—no matter the cost.
Tian Hao's gaze hardened as he watched Xiao Yan's transformation. "So be it," he said, his voice cold as he prepared for the next strike. "But remember—this battle is more than just power. It's your soul that's at stake."
Xiao Yan charged forward again, his body fueled by both the system and his own desire for strength. This time, he wouldn't hesitate. He wouldn't stop.
The final clash had come, and nothing would stand in his way.
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