Chapter 32 - 32: The Path to the Nether Vault
Chapter 32: The Path to the Nether Vault
The jade talisman pulsed faintly in Leon's grip, its warmth sinking into his skin like a living thing. His mind was still racing, replaying the cryptic words of the stranger who had vanished into mist.
The Nether Vault.
An ancient place filled with secrets and forbidden knowledge—a place that could hold answers about his power.
But was it a trap?
Leon's instincts told him not to trust it, yet the lure of truth was undeniable. If he turned away, he might never discover the full extent of his abilities, or why the title Heir of the Golden Dawn had been whispered to him in secrecy.
He exhaled slowly.
"I have no choice. I have to see this through."
But first—he needed preparation.
---
Return to the Sect
By the time Leon returned to Celestial Dawn Sect, the first hints of dawn were painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.
The sect was quiet at this hour, the disciples either meditating or still asleep. But for someone like Leon, rest was a luxury he couldn't afford.
He made his way to the inner courtyard, where he found his senior sister, Feng Ruyan, practicing her sword techniques beneath the ancient cherry blossom tree.
Her movements were flawless, each stroke of her blade slicing through the air with an elegance that was both deadly and mesmerizing.
Leon paused, watching for a moment before speaking.
"Senior Sister."
Feng Ruyan finished her final stroke, sheathing her sword before turning to him with a raised brow. "You're back sooner than I expected," she said. "That means either your mission went too well... or something went wrong."
Leon hesitated before tossing her the jade talisman.
She caught it effortlessly, her amber eyes narrowing the moment her fingers brushed against its surface.
"The Nether Vault?" Her voice carried an edge of disbelief.
Leon nodded.
"I met someone—someone who knew about my power, my title. He gave me that and told me the Nether Vault holds the answers I need."
Feng Ruyan studied him for a long moment before sighing.
"This... is dangerous, Leon."
She tossed the talisman back, shaking her head. "The Nether Vault is not just some ruin or ancient site. It is said to be a gateway to the unknown—a place where powerful beings once sealed away forbidden knowledge."
Leon clenched his jaw.
"Then that means it's exactly where I need to go."
She exhaled, clearly troubled. "You won't reconsider?"
"No."
A flicker of something—concern?—passed through her gaze before she finally nodded.
"Then at least take precautions. This isn't a place you can walk into blindly."
Leon smiled. "I never do."
---
Gathering Strength
For the next three days, Leon focused on strengthening himself.
✔ Refining his Qi to its peak state.
✔ Meditating on his golden energy, sharpening his control.
✔ Forging a new set of talismans to use in battle.
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He knew that the Nether Vault would not be a simple trial—if anything, it would test him in ways he had never been tested before.
But Leon had long discarded fear.
"If I fear the unknown, how can I ever reach the peak?"
When the third night arrived, he stood at the sect gates, dressed in a black and gold robe, his sword strapped to his back.
Feng Ruyan and a few other disciples watched him leave, their expressions filled with a mixture of concern and respect.
"Don't die," she muttered.
Leon smirked. "I don't plan to."
Then, without looking back, he vanished into the night.
---
Journey to the Nether Vault
The Nether Vault lay beyond the Twilight Abyss, a place where few dared to tread. The journey would take three days of travel, cutting through ancient forests, deadly ravines, and lands long abandoned by men.
As Leon traversed the landscape, he remained vigilant.
His Qi flickered like a golden flame around him, warding off the lesser beasts that lurked in the shadows.
But as he drew closer to his destination—
A feeling of unease settled in his chest.
Someone was following him.
Leon halted, standing beneath a twisted, dead tree, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of his sword.
"Come out."
Silence.
Then—
A figure stepped forward, their form barely visible in the dim moonlight.
Leon's eyes narrowed.
It was a woman—her features obscured by a flowing veil, her robe embroidered with silver phoenixes.
A cultivator.
And judging by her presence, a strong one.
"Who are you?" Leon asked coldly.
The woman tilted her head slightly before finally speaking.
"One who shares your goal."
Leon's grip tightened.
"Is she an enemy? Or something else?"
Before he could decide, she smiled beneath her veil.
"You are walking toward the Nether Vault," she said, stepping closer. "And where you are going... you will need my help."
Leon stiffened.
This journey had just become far more complicated.