92: The Real Abyssal Dust

Stepping through the rift was like being plunged into a void of darkness so complete, it felt as if the very concept of light had been extinguished. The Myriad Races Blood Army, now in the heart of the Abyss, quickly realized that the simulated environment they had trained in barely scratched the surface of the true horrors they faced.

The real Abyssal Dust was an entity of its own. It was a fearsome force that invaded every pore, a constant pressure that sought to infiltrate and corrupt the bodies of the cultivators. Even the mighty Mahayana Cultivators and Immortal Cultivators felt its relentless assault. Without the alchemical pills and the specially tuned equipment provided by the academies, they would not have lasted a minute.

I felt the Abyssal Dust trying to seep into my body, an insidious presence that pressed against my defenses. The pill I had taken formed a barrier, keeping the dust at bay, but the sensation of its malevolence was ever-present. Each breath was a struggle, and every step required immense willpower to resist the overwhelming pressure.

Despite the absolute darkness of the Abyss, we had long since honed our wills and senses to perceive the world around us without relying on sight. We could feel the area around us for miles, sensing the vibrations and energies that defined this hostile realm. The darkness was not a hindrance; it was merely another obstacle to overcome.

Our Crimson Battle Robes, imbued with spiritual energy, provided some comfort, but the true challenge lay in maintaining our composure and focus amidst the constant threat. The landscape was alien, filled with twisted formations and grotesque plants that pulsed with a dark, unnatural energy.

We moved cautiously, our senses on high alert. The first signs of life—or rather, the twisted semblance of it—came in the form of Abyssal Plants. These plants, which we had studied in the simulation, were even more menacing in reality. Their dark tendrils reached out, seeking to ensnare and consume any living being that came too close.

Our mission was to gather samples, and so we approached with the utmost care. I watched as one of my comrades, an expert in spiritual botany, deftly extracted a sample from a particularly aggressive plant. The tendrils snapped at her, but her skill and speed ensured she completed the task without incident.

We had to remain vigilant at all times. The Abyss was a place of perpetual danger, and the Abyssal Dust was only one of many threats. I could feel the presence of other entities lurking in the darkness, watching us, waiting for a moment of weakness. Our senses were our greatest asset, allowing us to detect these threats before they could strike.

Despite the oppressive environment, we continued our mission. We gathered samples, mapped the terrain, and documented the various forms of life—or unlife—that inhabited this forsaken realm. Each discovery brought us closer to understanding the Abyss and how we might defend against its encroachment.

As we paused to regroup and share our findings, I couldn’t help but reflect on the words of Boundless Dream. “This is the type of world the Abyssals want to turn our cosmos into,” she had said. The reality of her warning was stark and undeniable. The Abyss was a realm of despair and corruption, a place where life was twisted into something monstrous.

Boundless Dream’s voice echoed in my mind. “Will you let them?” The answer was clear. We would not allow the Abyss to consume our cosmos. We would fight, we would gather the knowledge and resources needed to defend our worlds, and we would ensure that the light continued to shine.

We pressed on, our determination unshaken. Each step we took in this hostile realm was a step toward safeguarding our home. The Abyssal Dust was a formidable enemy, but we had the strength and will to resist it. We were the Myriad Races Blood Army, and we would not falter.

The oppressive weight of the Abyssal Dust bore down on us as we navigated the twisted landscape of the Abyss. Our mission was clear: gather information, collect samples, and return with knowledge to help defend our cosmos. But as we ventured deeper, the malevolent presence of the Abyss grew stronger, and we knew it was only a matter of time before we encountered something far more dangerous than the environment itself.

Our senses, honed to a razor’s edge, picked up the first signs of danger long before we saw it. The air grew colder, and the darkness seemed to thicken around us. I felt a ripple of unease pass through our group, a silent acknowledgment that we were not alone.

“Stay alert,” I whispered to my comrades. “Something’s coming.”

The ground beneath us trembled slightly, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the darkness. My heart raced as I tightened my grip on my weapon, preparing for whatever might emerge.

From the shadows, a group of Abyssal Beasts materialized. Their forms were grotesque and twisted, their bodies pulsating with dark energy. These creatures were unlike anything we had faced before—vicious and relentless predators born from the depths of the Abyss.

“Formation!” I shouted, and we quickly fell into our battle stances.

The first beast lunged at us, its claws slashing through the air. I parried its attack, feeling the sheer strength behind its blow. My comrades moved with practiced precision, their weapons striking in unison. The clash of steel and the roars of the beasts filled the air, a cacophony of chaos and violence.

The battle was fierce and unforgiving. The Abyssal Beasts were relentless, their attacks coming in waves. Our training and preparation had made us formidable warriors, but the true test of our strength was now upon us.

One of the beasts broke through our defenses, targeting a fellow warrior. I saw the panic in his eyes as the creature bore down on him. With a swift movement, I leaped to his aid, my blade slicing through the beast’s thick hide. It let out a deafening roar before collapsing to the ground.

“Thank you,” my comrade gasped, quickly regaining his stance.

“No time for thanks,” I replied. “We need to stay focused.”

Despite the ferocity of the Abyssal Beasts, we began to gain the upper hand. Our coordinated attacks and unwavering resolve turned the tide of the battle. One by one, the beasts fell, their dark energy dissipating into the abyssal void.

As the last beast fell, a moment of eerie silence enveloped us. We stood among the fallen creatures, our breaths heavy and our bodies aching from the exertion. The darkness around us seemed to recede slightly, as if acknowledging our victory.

We took a moment to regroup and tend to our wounds. The battle had been intense, but it had also reaffirmed our purpose. We were here to gather knowledge and protect our cosmos from the Abyssal threat. This first encounter was just the beginning.

I looked around at my comrades, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination. “This is what we’re up against,” I said, my voice steady. “But we fought well. Remember this moment. Remember what we’re fighting for.”

As we prepared to move forward, Boundless Dream’s voice echoed in our minds, a comforting presence amidst the darkness. “You have faced your first challenge and emerged victorious. The Abyss is a place of constant danger, but you have the strength and resolve to overcome it. Stay vigilant, stay united, and know that the light of the cosmos is with you.”

Her words bolstered our spirits, reminding us of our mission and the support of those waiting for us back home.

With renewed determination, we continued our journey through the Abyss. The first battle had been a stark reminder of the dangers we faced, but it had also strengthened our resolve. We were the Myriad Races Blood Army, and we would not falter.

As we pressed on, the twisted landscape of the Abyss stretched out before us, filled with unknown dangers and hidden secrets. But we were ready to face whatever came our way, united in our mission to protect the cosmos and bring back the knowledge needed to defend against the Abyssal threat.