Chapter 55: Shadows Gather Beyond the Horizon
Shadows Gather Beyond the Horizon
As Nux remained immersed within the endless cycle of battle and reincarnation, the courtyard fell into complete silence.
Only the soft rustling of leaves and the distant songs of birds could be heard.
Victor quietly observed the transformation taking place before him.
Every expression on Nux’s face reflected the countless trials unfolding within the Samsara Intent. Sometimes his brows tightened as though facing an impossible enemy. At other moments, his expression relaxed, as if he had finally grasped a long-forgotten truth.
Victor knew that true growth could never be forced.
A person’s path had to be walked by that person alone.
He had merely opened the door.
Whether Nux could cross it depended entirely on his own will.
At the same time, Damien remained completely immersed in his own enlightenment.
The pure Sword Intent surrounding him continued to evolve.
The Sword Principle he had comprehended from Victor’s heaven-cleaving strike became increasingly complete. Invisible strands of Sword Intent revolved around him, occasionally producing faint metallic chimes that echoed softly through the courtyard.
The two young geniuses stood side by side.
One walked the path of the sword.
The other stepped toward the Dao of Slaughter.
Different roads.
Different destinies.
Yet both possessed limitless futures.
Just then, another familiar notification sounded within Victor’s mind.
[Ding! Legacy Investment successful!]
[Congratulations! Obtained Legendary-grade Eternal Soul Beacon!]
A warm golden glow briefly flashed through Victor’s eyes before disappearing.
The reward quietly entered his personal storage space.
He did not examine it immediately.
His attention remained on the two youths before him.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Excellent."
"My efforts weren’t wasted."
His voice was calm, but genuine satisfaction could be heard within it.
Since the awakening of the Eternal Legacy System, every blessing bestowed upon the Salvatore Family had begun producing remarkable results.
The permanent increase in comprehension...
The Sixth-Rank Celestial Spirit Convergence Grand Formation...
The Three-Eyed Auspicious Destiny Dragon...
The Eternal Heavenly Rune Codex...
The Primordial Blood Refining Cauldron...
Every treasure was steadily strengthening the family’s foundation.
Then there was today’s heaven-cleaving sword.
That single strike had done far more than eliminate an enemy.
It had planted more than a dozen Sword Principle Seeds among the younger generation.
Those seeds might slumber for years.
Some might never awaken.
But those who succeeded...
Would one day become the future pillars of the Salvatore Family.
Victor slowly lifted his head.
His golden eyes looked beyond the distant mountains.
Far beyond Aurelia City.
Far beyond the Azure Sovereign Kingdom.
His gaze seemed capable of crossing endless lands.
A cold smile gradually appeared.
"Crimson Abyss Sect..."
"Heh..."
He softly repeated the name.
Within his abyss-like eyes, a faint killing intent flickered before vanishing once more.
The elder he had erased today had merely been the beginning.
The moment the Crimson Abyss Sect chose to target the Salvatore Family...
Its fate had already been decided.
Victor’s gaze continued toward the distant horizon.
In his vision...
A land soaked in endless crimson seemed to appear.
Towering mountains surrounded a vast valley.
Dark Spiritual Energy rose endlessly from beneath the earth.
The entire region was drenched in the scent of blood.
That place...
Was the headquarters of the Crimson Abyss Sect.
Far away...
Inside the Crimson Abyss Sect...
Several elders sat within the grand hall.
The atmosphere was solemn.
They had gathered to discuss the selection of disciples for the upcoming Heavenly Secret Realm.
One elder recommended his direct disciple.
Another argued for the younger generation of his own lineage.
The discussion gradually became more intense.
Suddenly—
Several elders shivered at exactly the same moment.
An inexplicable chill swept through the entire hall.
The Great Elder had just opened his mouth to continue speaking when his expression froze.
His pupils contracted violently.
His face turned pale.
"...The Sixth Elder..."
"...has fallen."
The words echoed through the silent hall.
Instantly...
The entire meeting room became deathly quiet.
No one spoke.
No one even breathed loudly.
The Sixth Elder was a Third-Layer Heavenly Genesis Realm expert.
Although his direct combat ability wasn’t the strongest within the sect, he possessed the sect’s treasured concealment artifact and was famous for surviving seemingly impossible situations.
Once his concealment technique was activated, even peak Heavenly Genesis Realm experts found it nearly impossible to discover him.
Yet...
He had died.
Cleanly.
Without even sending back a final message.
One elder slowly broke the silence.
"The Sixth Elder’s disciple came from the Ashthorn Family of Aurelia City."
"We originally intended to nurture the Ashthorn Family and gradually control Aurelia City."
"They would have served as useful pawns during the exploration of the upcoming Heavenly Secret Realm."
"But his disciple was killed."
"So the Sixth Elder personally traveled to Aurelia City."
"He intended to avenge his disciple and bring the Salvatore Family under our control."
The elder paused.
His expression grew increasingly solemn.
"But now..."
"It appears this Salvatore Family is anything but ordinary."
The Great Elder slowly nodded.
His face remained grim.
"The Crimson Abyss Sect is filled with fanatics."
"That much is true."
"But we are not fools."
"The Sixth Elder was the most difficult person in our sect to kill."
"In direct combat, several elders could defeat him."
"But in a true life-and-death struggle..."
"Even four or five Heavenly Genesis Realm experts joining forces might fail to keep him from escaping."
"And yet..."
"He died without leaving behind even the slightest trace."
Silence returned once again.
Everyone understood the implication.
If someone capable of escaping from multiple Heavenly Genesis Realm experts had died so completely...
Then the enemy’s strength far exceeded their previous estimates.
Finally, the Sect Master, who had remained silent from beginning to end, slowly opened his eyes.
"Send people to investigate in secret."
"Do not act rashly."
"The Heavenly Secret Realm will soon appear."
"We shall proceed step by step."
He paused briefly.
A dangerous light flashed through his eyes.
"But..."
"If an opportunity presents itself..."
His voice turned cold.
"...spare no effort."
Every elder nodded in agreement.
The discussion came to an end.
Yet none of them realized...
A shadow had already begun descending over the Crimson Abyss Sect.
A shadow whose name was—
Victor.
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