Abyssal Awakening

Sizzling meat, the smell of sea salt lingering in the air, cries of the birds and the countless dragon lanterns being flown in the sky.

Marital artists activating their Sigils in tandem to form the illusion of a great golden dragon circling around the airspace of the city.

The Dragon Descent Festival, a tradition held within the coastal city of Baichuan that celebrates the slaughtering of the first Dragon Lord within this part of the abyss.

A celebration for the first Ascension of the original master of the Empyrean Dragon sect master.

The name, Dragon Descent, was a play on two sides. One side is the dragon falling from grace. The other is the Sect leader becoming a dragon amongst men, returning from battle in glory.

"Come one come all, sit and enjoy a cup of tea. This is no short tale, this is no fairy tale. This! This is a legendary feat of the great Jian Xuanyin, the dragon slayer and the great founder of the Empyrean Dragon sect!

"A story of defiance, blood and fate written into the stars and reflected upon the depths of the Abyss itself!."

As the storyteller stood up on the stage, several travellers paused and sat down, wanting to hear the tale of the legendary figure of the Empyrean Dragon sect.

Children who were raised in the city sat down with eagerness, holding toys and books that documented the feat as music began to play.

In the back, a pair of master and disciple sat down with interest.

"Long before the city of Baichuan was built, before the formation of the Empyrean Dragon sect, this was a land of no return. The shores of death, river styx the lair of the dragons.

"The lands were charred and withered, the skies were blocked by ash and the waters ran dark with blood of anyone unfortunate enough to approach. Within the heart of the shores of death, a maelstrom whirled with the Abyssal gate as its centre.

"Waves upon waves of beasts, the scourge of the dark below poured into reality seeking to end humanity. Many died and many fought back. But humanity was on the losing side.

"'We have already lost our lands, our brethren! What more do you wish to lose before you finally find the spirit to fight back!? If you believe that no man can slay the tyrant beast down below, then I will go beyond mere mortality! I will peel its scales, wear its wings, feast upon the blood of that you call the tyrant beast. I will rip out its heart and offer it as the sacrifice to revitalize our lands!' The founder Jian Xuanyin shouted as he roused the spirits of his fellow warriors.

"For he knew, that in order to bring freedom to his people, to bring liberation to this land, he had to slay the beast himself. To crush its heart and inherit the power of a dragon for man to use. And so, with only his trusted warriors by his side, Jain Xuanyin dove down into the Abyss."

As the storyteller spoke up to this point, the music began to pick up as actors appeared behind him.

Each with a different outfit with a handsome man in the middle.

"Seven days and seven nights did they travel through the scorching deserts. Light was swallowed whole and even the very air was polluted with malic from the tyrant beast. A false moon lurked above with an ominous crimson while beasts clawed at them from beneath the sands.

"Yet Jiang Xuanyin did not falter. He could NOT falter for the hopes of his people rest on his shoulders. He cut through the hordes, strikes swift and firm as tides and his will unyielding. No matter what beast tried to stop his advance, the general cut them down with overwhelming might!

"A river of fallen lined his path as he finally stood before it. The tyrant beast, the dragon commander that ordered the beasts to spill into our realm. A beast of black and gold. Twisted horns coiling from its skull, its wings blocking out the sky! Each step caused the ground beneath them to tremble as the colossal beast loomed over our heroes!

"Its eyes, burning with the malice of a thousand beasts bore down on Jiang Xuanyin, dripping with hatred against humankind as a whole. With a bellowing voice, the beast roared!

"Putrid invader! You will become the nourishment of my brethren!

"Yet the tyrant beast's words only served to fuel the anger within Jiang Xuanyin's chest. Invader? Him? He has watched his family perish, his brothers and sisters torn apart by beasts. How dare this monster claim that he was the invader? And so the battle began.

"The tyrant beast struck first and fast! Its claws tore through space itself, its breath scorching the very air they breathe but Jiang Xuanyin would not be defeated so easily! Weaving between life and death, his blades carved through scale flesh and bone!

"Their battle shook the earth and the ground split with each attack. Unlike the beast, Jiang Xuanyin was still just a mortal. Each wound he sustained would slow down his movements, each misstep could mean his demise. But he pushed on!

"His body may be weaker, his powers may not break the lands like the dragon but his will burned brighter than any flame the beast could produce! Even if his flesh was turned to ash, even if his body could not fight, his spirit would push on! For his brothers, for his sisters, for humanity!

"Three days and three nights did their battle rage. Jiang Xuanyin fought desperately despite being the last man remaining. As the cry of the dragon marked the fourth day of their battle, Jiang Xuanyin leapt.

"His body was on the verge of breaking, his sword was broken but his eyes burned with intensity. Even after three days of constant fighting, his will had not diminished even in the slightest! With one final strike, Jiang Xuanyin pierced the scales of the dragon with his dulled blade!

"He knew this was his final chance! To end things once and for all!"

The music picked up with the actor fighting the puppet of a dragon. Tearing away his outfit, he revealed a bruised and battered body thanks to make up. Letting out a shout of pain, anger and determination, the actor tore through the puppet and hid himself from within.

The music slowly faded out as the listeners held their breath. Even those familiar with the story couldn't help but wait in anticipation. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire

With a loud trumpet, a pillar of light erupted from within the puppet!

"Jiang Xuanyin won! With his own hands, he crushed the dragon's heart! The tyrant beast fell and the Abyss trembled! A lord has fallen and in its place, a new Lord emerged!!! Jiang Xuanyin! The Empyrean Dragon!" The storyteller announced as the actor stepped out of the puppet adorned with a new outfit.

On top of the black and gold outfit, there was black plated armour that made him look like a dragon with a pair of wings unfurled behind him.

With the story reaching the apex, the crowd began to clap as the actors and storyteller performed a bow to all those who were watching.

Alice, who was drinking some alcohol while listening to the tale, couldn't help but clap as well.

If the story was to be taken at face value, then indeed it was a feat of human will and determination. For this kind of fight, praise was needed.

"Didn't you say you were going to mock the ancestor? How come you're clapping your hands now?" Jin asked, enjoying a bit of tea rather than alcohol.

"That was before, this is now. I know how to praise someone when they deserve it." Alice chuckled elegantly as the two of them were still in disguise.

[I don't recall there being a unique title like the Empyrean Dragon. Maybe it's something recent.] Cayla frowned.

She knew that unique titles were possible if the feat was recognized by the Abyss. Theron being called the Slayer was evident of that.

However, just killing an Abyss Lord wasn't enough to bestow a unique title. He either had a true title following the usual outline or there was more to this story than what the storyteller was revealing.

'I'm sure the tale was embellished a little since he's seen as the hero of this city after all. Plus, he's the founder of the sect so I'm sure they want his story to sound more impressive than it already is.' Alyss was a little skeptical of certain details.

Before they could continue their conversation, the sounds of ceremonial drums echoed out in the distance, signaling the beginning of a different event during the festival.

In order to honor the will power and legacy of Jiang Xuanyin, an open tournament was held every time the festival began. Anyone could join in whether they be from the sect or not. Even outsiders were allowed to join in.

A battle to prove their strength and 'carry on' Jiang Xuanyin's legacy.

Should you win or rank high up in this tournament, you'll be allowed to enter the Abyss or make a request to the sect. Beasts that can't be hunted usually would be allowed, weapons, equipment and even the treasures of the sect is given as a reward.

As the fireworks lit up the sky, Alice smiled and stood up.

Since they were currently acting out the role of a wandering master and disciple, it was only natural for them to participate in this tournament.

"Come on, it's time for us to go. If you dare let yourself be eliminated early, I'll be forced to modify the training a little." Alice chuckled with an ominous smile as Jin felt a chill down his spine.

Nodding his head furiously, he was ready to face any kind of opponent!