The Oath in the Void

The world faded, and Long Chen found himself back in the Demon Cloud Mountain. Runes drifted through the air like the shattered remnants of a dream, circling the powerful beings of the Star Demon clan as they absorbed their essence.

Among those fractured runes, Long Chen could feel Nia’s presence. He could sense her confusion, her helplessness.

All her strength had been a facade. As the daughter of the Star Demon Emperor, she had to wear the mask of unwavering power.

But deep down, she was just a child.

Now that her mission was complete, a deep fear had settled in her heart. Would she ever see her mother again? Or had war stolen that hope from her forever?

Even the bravest warriors could not escape loneliness. Even if she had to die in battle, she had carried out her duty, swallowed by an unending storm of bloodshed.

Whoosh!

A delicate rune twirled in the air before Long Chen, flickering like a dying ember. It danced in front of him, reluctant to depart.

Long Chen extended his hand, his voice low yet firm. “Then leave your mark. One day, when I stand at the peak, when I command the Dao itself, if you still have not found your mother… I will find you in the cycle of reincarnation. And I will take care of you, for eternity.”

The tiny rune hesitated before landing softly in his palm, leaving behind a faint trace.

Long Chen clenched his fist.

This was his promise to her.

Yet, as countless enemies lurked in the darkness, he did not know if he would even survive to see that day. But if he reached that summit—

He would never break his oath.

His heart ached at the thought of Nia’s helplessness as she departed. War had devoured so much beauty in this world. How much longer would this senseless slaughter continue?

Long Chen’s gaze shifted to Yue Xiaoqian. Her face was pale, exhaustion clear in her soft features. She had not even had time to heal. Her frail form tugged at his heart.

He clenched his fists. “I’m still not strong enough. I need to become stronger. Xie Yue, protect me.”

Boom!

Crimson petals swirled through the sky, forming a massive barrier that once again sealed the Demon Cloud Mountain.

Long Chen sat in the void, hands forming seals. Purple flames erupted around him, rising like an inferno. Within the blaze, the seven-colored flames of his Supreme Bone ignited, intertwining with the purple fire.

He was using the imperial flames to assimilate the seven-colored flames. The process was slow. Though powerful, they did not resist. Compared to his dragon blood, the transformation would be swifter.

Once the supreme blood was fully integrated, he could harness the dual-blood power to refine his dragon blood, enhancing its might exponentially. And when that was done—

He would unlock the eighth gate.

The very thought sent a shiver down his spine. A deep, inexplicable fear gripped him. Something told him that opening the eighth gate would be a terrifying ordeal.

For that reason, despite his rapid growth in power, he had never dared to take that final step.

But as his strength increased, the flow of star energy within him became smoother. His control over the celestial battle armor grew sharper. The path ahead was becoming clearer.

Hummm…

An hour later, a faint, multicolored glow shimmered within his purple blood flames.

It was a sign.

The wild, untamed power of his supreme blood was being stripped away. Yet, even as the violent energy dissipated, wisps of black mist leaked from the flames, vanishing into the world like tendrils of darkness.

Long Chen narrowed his eyes. This black energy… It must be the reason the supreme blood and dragon blood are so violent.

But as he watched, the black mist merged seamlessly into the heavens and earth. His mind flashed back to the blood spirit power he had lost after his tribulation.

Then, he recalled the "Dao" that Kun Ding and Ni Ya had spoken of.

He was getting closer to the truth.

And the closer he got, the greater the dangers ahead.

He exhaled deeply.

Three days later, the seven-colored imperial flame had been completely purified. A sharp, destructive aura pulsed through the air, so intense that the very space around him fractured under its might.

Hummm… Hummm… Hummm…

The flames vibrated, distorting reality itself.

Long Chen waved his hand, retracting the fire. He clenched his fist, feeling the power surging through his veins.

This strength… It's overwhelming.

With the destructive force of the seven-colored flames added to his arsenal, his battle power had increased severalfold. The sheer thought of it sent a thrill through him.

But there was no time to celebrate.

Now, it was time to refine his dragon blood.

Long Chen glanced at Yue Xiaoqian and the others, still meditating, absorbing the runes left behind. The spirits of their ancestors had yet to fade.

Just as he was about to enter seclusion once more—

Whoosh!

A piercing divine light shot across the sky, splitting the heavens with its sheer force.

Long Chen’s eyes sharpened. It’s here.

His figure blurred, disappearing from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already outside the barrier.

The divine light arrived before him in an instant.

Snap!

With a swift motion, Long Chen caught the arrow midair.

Boom!

An explosion erupted in his hand. The force sent a numbing sensation up his arm, forcing him back a step. His gaze turned cold.

That archer… possesses immense strength.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before any enemy could be seen, a storm of arrows rained down upon him. Each one was as powerful as the first, their trajectories erratic and unpredictable, all aimed at his vital points.

Yet no figure could be found.

A ghostly presence, lurking in the shadows.

Long Chen snorted. “Cowards.”

Boom!

With a single stomp, violet energy erupted from beneath his feet, shattering the arrows into dust.

His eyes flashed coldly. His figure vanished—

And reappeared countless miles away.

Boom!

His fist slammed into the void, tearing it apart. From within the rift, black-feathered creatures wielding longbows were forcibly ejected, coughing blood.

A burst of sinister laughter echoed across the battlefield.

“Hahaha… You’ve fallen for it!”

A colossal figure materialized, towering over the battlefield. A giant, hundreds of meters tall, brandished a massive warhammer, bringing it crashing down towards the barrier.

The ground trembled.

The air howled.

And war erupted once more.

Final Thought:

Nia’s sorrow, Long Chen’s growing power, and the looming dangers—each piece falls into place, setting the stage for an inevitable storm. Can Long Chen unlock the eighth gate without losing himself? And who is behind this ambush? The battle begins… Stay tuned! 🔥