Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The creature’s roar of pain and rage was answered by its companions, and suddenly the coordinated nature of their assault became even more apparent. The black dragons weren’t just fighting individually—they were supporting each other, covering retreats, setting up combination attacks.

Ao Shun was being pressed hard by his opponent, the corruption in the black dragon’s claws eating away at his ice defenses like acid. Each strike that connected left dark marks on his scales, and Grim could see the Dragon King’s strength beginning to falter.

"Father needs help!" Lin called out, sending spears of ice toward Ao Shun’s attacker. The black dragon avoided most of them, but the distraction gave Ao Shun a moment to recover his footing.

Bi’an had managed to break free from his opponent’s coils, but not without cost. His tiger-striped hide bore multiple cuts, and one of his wings hung at an awkward angle. The black dragon circled him like a predator, looking for an opening to finish what it had started.

"You always were too eager, little tiger," the black dragon spoke, its voice was deeper than expected. "No patience. No planning. Just charge ahead and hope for the best."

"At least I fight with honor," Bi’an snarled back, feinting left before striking right with his good wing. The dragon avoided the attack easily, laughing as it did so.

Suanni’s battle with the whale-creature had devolved into a grappling match, both combatants locked together as they rolled across the ancient plaza. The lion-dragon’s flames continued to wash over his opponent, but the creature’s corrupted hide was proving remarkably resistant.

"This isn’t working!" Suanni called out, his voice strained as he struggled to avoid the creature’s snapping jaws. "Its corruption is protecting it from my fire!"

Xu Wu was being driven back by his two opponents, their coordinated assault leaving him little room to maneuver. Ice barriers formed and shattered under their relentless attacks, and it was clear he couldn’t maintain this defensive pattern much longer.

"The corruption makes them work together," he observed, parrying a strike that would have taken his head off. "They’re sharing tactical information somehow!"

Grim’s opponent pressed its advantage, its claws leaving trails of dark energy in the air. Where that energy touched the ancient stones, corruption began to spread—black veins creeping outward like some kind of infection.

"Celestial Mist: Seven Sword Strike!" Grim unleashed one of his more powerful techniques, his sword seeming to multiply as his blades attacked from seven different angles.

The black dragon couldn’t dodge them all. Three of the phantom strikes found their mark, carving deep wounds in the creature’s hide. But instead of weakening it, the injuries seemed to make it more vicious, more desperate.

"Pain only makes us stronger, human," it hissed, dark energy gathering around its wounded form. "Corruption feeds on suffering, grows with each drop of blood spilled."

Around the battlefield, the other combats were reaching critical points. Ao Shun stumbled, a particularly vicious strike from his opponent sending him to one knee. The black dragon reared back for a killing blow.

"No!" Lin screamed, ice erupting from her in all directions. The sudden barrier caught the black dragon off-guard, deflecting its strike and giving her father a chance to roll away.

But the effort left her drained, and Grim’s opponent immediately took advantage, lunging toward her with claws extended.

"Celestial Mist: Cleave!" Grim poured everything he had into the technique, his sword erupting with energy that carved through the air toward the attacking dragon.

The blast caught the creature center-mass, sending it flying backward into one of the ancient buildings. But even as it crashed through the golden stone, it was already recovering, the corruption in its system healing the wounds at a visible rate.

"We can’t win this," Lin gasped, blood running down her arm where flying debris had cut her. "They’re too strong, and they heal too fast."

Jiaolong, who had been watching the battle with detached interest, finally spoke. "Did you really think you could stand against forces that have been planning this for centuries? You’re fighting the inevitable."

He began moving toward the portal, his corrupted wings folding against his back. "I tire of this entertainment. The South Sea awaits, and Ao Qin won’t surrender his key as easily as you might hope."

"You’re not going anywhere!" Grim broke away from his opponent, sprinting toward the portal with his sword raised.

But the black dragon he’d been fighting intercepted him, its claws raking across his back and sending him sprawling. Pain lanced through his system as the corruption tried to take hold, black veins appearing under his skin before his body’s natural resistance fought them off.

Jiaolong was already at the portal’s edge, the swirling energy reflecting in his corrupted eyes. "The Dragon Emperor’s power will be mine," he declared. "And when I return with it, this petty resistance will be nothing more than a memory."

He stepped into the portal, and immediately the black dragons began to retreat, their purpose served. They moved covering each other’s withdrawal.

"He’s escaping!" Lin cried, ice forming wings around her shoulders despite her exhaustion.

The whale-creature released Suanni with a contemptuous shove, following its master toward the portal. The black dragons disengaged from their opponents, moving backward while maintaining defensive positions. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Without thinking, Grim struggled to his feet and sprinted toward the portal. The pull of the gate was overwhelming, like being drawn into a whirlpool of pure energy. Behind him, he could hear Lin calling his name, then felt her presence as she followed him toward the swirling void.

"Grim, wait!" Ao Shun’s voice echoed behind them, but it was too late.

The last of the black dragons disappeared into the portal, and the energy began to fluctuate as its activation cycle completed.

"If we’re going to follow, it has to be now!" Lin called out, reaching the portal’s edge just as Grim did.

Together, they leaped into the swirling energy, leaving behind the devastated Heart of the Abyss and their wounded companions.