She placed a hand on her chest, frowning at the unfamiliar feeling.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Long Yifan’s face was glowing with both pain and joy. His heart still bled from her cruel words, but his eyes sparkled with hope.
"She felt something," he whispered to himself. "Even if it was anger. Even if it was bitterness. She finally felt something again."
He clenched his fists tightly, determination burning in him. "If I must take her grudges, her hatred, her coldness, then I will. Because one day... one day, she will look at me again with love."
Long Yifan placed the steaming dishes on the table. The smell of food filled the small room. He had cooked carefully, remembering what Gu Jin liked.
"Dinner is ready," he called softly. His voice was steady, but his heart was beating fast.
Gu Jin walked over, her face calm as always. She sat down without saying a word.
Long Yifan sat across from her, watching quietly as she picked up her chopsticks. For a while, there was only the sound of food being eaten.
Finally, Long Yifan broke the silence. "Do you like it?"
Gu Jin looked at him for a second, then looked down again. "It is edible."
He smiled bitterly, but he still felt joy inside. At least she was eating.
After finishing her meal, Gu Jin stood up. "I will rest," she said calmly, and walked back to her room.
Long Yifan stayed at the table, staring at her empty seat. His hands tightened around his knees, but he whispered, "Step by step. She is still here. That is enough."
The next morning, instead of returning to Beijing City, they both sat down and discussed their next move. And soon they reached a conclusion.
Long Yifan nodded. "Then our next stop is Abyss Rift. The Chaos Stone is dangerous to take, but we must try."
It took them four long days to reach Abyss Rift. The road was harsh, with steep mountains, dense forests, and endless winds. They camped at night, took turns guarding, and walked without rest in the mornings.
Finally, on the fourth evening, they reached it.
Abyss Rift spread out before them like a scar on the earth. It was a giant crack, stretching endlessly across the land. The air around it was heavy and dark, filled with strange energy that made the skin crawl. Thick black mist rose from the depths, carrying whispers that made one’s head ache. The sound of wind echoed strangely, almost like the cries of ghosts.
Gu Jin stood at the edge, her eyes narrowing. "So this is the Abyss Rift."
Long Yifan stepped beside her, his jaw tightening. "It feels alive. Like the earth itself is breathing."
The crack went down so deep that they could not see the bottom. Faint glowing lights shimmered from below, moving like spirits. The stone walls of the rift were sharp and jagged, and strange runes glowed faintly on the rocks.
Long Yifan took a deep breath. "The Chaos Stone should be near the heart of the rift. But it will not be easy. The stone is guarded by Abyssal Beasts."
Gu Jin frowned. "Abyssal Beasts?"
"They are creatures born from the chaos energy here," Long Yifan explained. "They have no soul, no mind, only endless hunger. They are hard to kill, and they multiply quickly if the battle drags on."
Gu Jin paused. "Then we must be fast. Take the stone before they overwhelm us."
Long Yifan nodded, but his expression was cold and calm. "It is not only speed. We need a plan."
That night, they set up a camp near the edge of the rift. A small fire burned, though the air felt heavy as if it tried to crush the flame.
Long Yifan spread a map on the ground. "I have read about this place before," he said. "There are three paths down into the rift. The north path is filled with collapsing rocks. Too dangerous. The south path has poison mist. That leaves the middle path."
Gu Jin studied the map, her fingers tracing the middle path. "The middle path leads to the Abyssal Core. That is where the Chaos Stone lies. But once we enter, there is no turning back until we reach the bottom."
Long Yifan looked at her. "Are you afraid?"
Gu Jin’s eyes were cold. "Fear is useless."
He chuckled softly. "I should have known you would say that."
The next morning, they prepared to descend.
As they walked to the middle path, the ground under their feet rumbled faintly. The sound came from the rift itself, as if it were alive and watching them.
Gu Jin’s voice was low. "Once we enter, we must not separate. If you fall behind, I will not save you."
Long Yifan smirked slightly. "Then I will make sure I never fall behind."
The path into the rift was narrow and steep. The rocks were sharp, and black mist clung to their bodies like wet cloth. Strange whispers brushed against their ears.
"Do you hear it?" Long Yifan asked, his voice tense.
Gu Jin’s face did not change. "Ignore it. The abyss wants to break our minds. Do not listen."
They walked deeper and deeper. Hours passed, though it felt like days. The light from the surface grew smaller above them.
Suddenly, a growl echoed from the darkness. Red eyes appeared, glowing like fireflies in the mist.
"Abyssal Beasts," Gu Jin whispered.
The creatures stepped out from the shadows. Their bodies were twisted, half stone and half flesh. Their jaws opened wide, dripping with black liquid.
Long Yifan ordered. "Stay behind me."
But Gu Jin lifted her hand, green vines of poison surging out. "Do not command me. And let me practice."
The beast lunged at her. She did not move back. Instead, she lifted her hand, and green vines burst out from the ground. The vines glowed faintly, their tips shining with deadly poison.
The vines whipped forward, wrapping around the beast’s arms and legs. The poison burned its skin, making smoke rise. Follow current novels on novel⁂fire.net
But the beast roared and pulled hard, breaking some of the vines. Its strength was terrifying.
Gu Jin’s expression stayed calm. She spread her fingers, and more vines shot out. This time, they pierced into its body like spears, the poison spreading inside.
The beast screamed and staggered, black liquid dripping from its wounds.
"Not enough," Gu Jin whispered. She raised her other hand, and flames shot out, covering the vines. Green fire spread along them, burning the beast from the inside.
The monster thrashed violently, smashing against the rocks. Pieces of stone rained down, but Gu Jin stood firm.
Finally, with a last roar, the beast collapsed, smoke rising from its body. Its eyes dimmed, and the air grew quiet again.
Gu Jin breathed slowly, her chest rising and falling. That single fight had drained a lot of energy.
Long Yifan, who had been watching carefully, stepped forward. "You fought well."
Gu Jin glanced at him coldly. "I did not ask for your praise."
But before Long Yifan could say more, more glowing red eyes appeared in the mist. This time, it was not one beast. It was many. Dozens of shadows crawled forward, their bodies scraping against the rocks, their growls echoing together like thunder.
Long Yifan and Gu Jin’s expressions changed. They never thought they would encounter so many beasts.
"Rest. I will handle this." Long Yifan ordered.
Gu Jin’s lips tightened. "I do not need protection."
But her hands trembled slightly. The poison vines and fire had taken much from her. She knew that if she fought all these beasts alone, she would collapse before killing even half.
The beasts charged like a flood of shadows, their claws scraping the stone, their red eyes glowing brighter in the black mist.
The sound of their growls shook the path, as if the whole rift was waking up.
Long Yifan took a step forward, raising his hand. His palm glowed faintly, golden light gathering around his fingers.
He pressed his hand into the air.
A powerful wave of wind burst out, sharp as blades. The gust swept forward, cutting through the mist and smashing into the first line of beasts.
Their bodies cracked as the wind tore into their stone-like skin. Several of them screamed and fell, their black liquid spilling onto the rocks.
But more came from behind.
The second wave leapt over the dead, their jaws opening wide.
Long Yifan raised his other hand, and fire appeared, bright and blazing.
The flames twisted into the shape of a dragon, roaring as it flew forward. The fire dragon slammed into the beasts, burning them.
The flames spread quickly, covering the narrow path, and the smell of burnt flesh mixed with the mist.
Gu Jin watched silently. She could see sweat forming on his forehead, but his body never shook. His fire burned brighter with every attack, and his wind grew sharper.
One of the bigger beasts, almost twice the size of the others, charged at him.