Kalen stood at the edge of the Black Sect’s outer training grounds, his gaze fixed on the towering mountains in the distance. Dawn had barely broken, the faint light casting long shadows across the stone courtyard. He had spent the entire night refining his techniques, his body and mind worn from the exertion. But the next phase of his journey loomed ahead. The outer disciples of the Black Sect were summoned for a challenge—a brutal test of strength, cunning, and adaptability.
Word had spread that only a select few would be allowed to advance to the inner sect, where the true secrets of the Black Sect were kept. Kalen had already distinguished himself through his methodical approach, but he knew that wasn’t enough. He needed to prove his superiority in direct combat, especially against those who sought power through more reckless means.
The challenge was simple in concept: survive a series of one-on-one battles against other outer disciples. But there were no rules. Life and death were entirely in the hands of the participants. If Kalen wanted to climb higher within the Black Sect, he had to demonstrate his command over not just the Abyssal Qi, but his ability to think beyond the savagery that dominated the minds of the other initiates.
As the first rays of sunlight began to creep over the horizon, the overseer of the challenge—a towering figure cloaked in black—stepped forward.
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#### **Fighting Style: Abyssal Suppression**
Kalen observed the other disciples from the edge of the courtyard. He could sense their anticipation, their hunger for power radiating from their auras. Many of them would be relying on brute strength and the overwhelming force of their Abyssal Qi, but Kalen had no intention of meeting their aggression head-on. His strategy would revolve around *Abyssal Suppression*, a technique that focused on weakening an opponent's connection to their own qi.
He had been working on this technique for weeks, drawing on the principles of the *Unseen Abyssal Flow* to subtly disrupt the flow of energy within his opponent's body. By sending out tiny, nearly imperceptible pulses of Abyssal Qi, Kalen could interfere with his opponent’s ability to harness their power. The result was a slow, insidious weakening of their strength, leaving them vulnerable without them even realizing what was happening.
As the overseer called the first set of names, Kalen’s focus sharpened. His name was not among the first challengers, but he watched closely as two disciples squared off. The first was a hulking figure, his skin marred by the telltale marks of unstable qi cultivation. His opponent was smaller but more agile, darting around the courtyard with bursts of Abyssal energy.
The battle was chaotic, both disciples launching heavy attacks with no regard for strategy or precision. Kalen could see the flaws in their techniques immediately—wasted energy, inefficient strikes, and a lack of awareness of their surroundings. The larger disciple won the bout through sheer brute force, but Kalen noted how unstable his Abyssal Pulse had become during the fight. A few more hits and it would have backfired, leaving him vulnerable.
Kalen’s mind whirred. He didn’t need to overpower his enemies. He needed to outlast them, to suppress their energy and wear them down until they were too weak to fight back.
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#### **Core Technique: Abyssal Mantle**
Kalen knew his next step was mastering a defensive technique that could hold against the relentless onslaught he was about to face. He had experimented with the concept of the *Abyssal Mantle*, a shroud of dark energy that could absorb incoming attacks and turn them against the attacker. It wasn’t a perfect defense, but it allowed him to deflect the force of an opponent’s strike without taking the full brunt of the impact.
The trick was layering the *Abyssal Mantle* with his icefire energy, creating a thin shell of freezing cold around the dark qi. This not only strengthened the mantle but also had the added effect of sapping his opponent’s strength with each blow they landed. The cold would seep into their limbs, slowing their movements and dulling their reactions.
Kalen wasn’t sure if the technique was fully ready for battle, but he didn’t have much choice. He had seen the other disciples fight—raw, untamed power was their main weapon, and he needed something that could blunt that force.
He breathed deeply, his pulse steadying as he summoned the Abyssal Qi into a protective shroud around his body. The dark energy swirled around him, mixing with the icy blue of his icefire. The air around him chilled, a faint frost forming on the stone beneath his feet.
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#### **The First Battle: Facing Brutality**
Kalen’s name was called. His opponent was a broad-shouldered disciple named Varik, known for his devastating *Abyssal Crush* technique, a powerful strike that condensed all of the user’s Abyssal Qi into a single blow. Varik grinned as he stepped into the courtyard, clearly confident in his ability to crush any opponent who stood in his way.
The overseer raised his hand, signaling the start of the fight.
Varik wasted no time, charging forward with a roar, his fist glowing with dark energy as he prepared to unleash his *Abyssal Crush*. Kalen stood his ground, his eyes focused and calm. He raised his hand, summoning the *Abyssal Mantle* around him just as Varik’s fist slammed down.
The impact was tremendous, sending shockwaves through the courtyard. But instead of crumpling under the force, Kalen’s mantle absorbed the brunt of the attack, the icy energy around it freezing the air and dampening the power of Varik’s blow. Varik staggered back, his fist coated in a thin layer of frost.
For a moment, surprise flickered in Varik’s eyes. Kalen seized the opportunity, sending out a subtle pulse of Abyssal Qi—his *Abyssal Suppression* technique in action. The pulse slipped past Varik’s defenses, worming its way into his body and disrupting the flow of his qi. Varik didn’t notice at first, but Kalen could see the faint tremble in his movements, the slight hesitation as he tried to summon more power.
Varik launched another attack, this time a sweeping kick aimed at Kalen’s legs. Kalen sidestepped smoothly, his *Abyssal Step* carrying him a short distance away. He wasn’t interested in engaging Varik directly—he would let the suppression take its toll first.
Minutes passed, with Varik growing more frustrated with each failed attempt to land a solid hit. Kalen could see the effect of the *Abyssal Suppression* technique starting to show. Varik’s attacks were slower, his strikes less coordinated. The chaotic energy that had once fueled his brutal assaults was now working against him, disrupting his movements and leaving him open.
Kalen waited for the right moment. When Varik’s guard dropped, he moved in with a swift, precise strike—a modified *Abyssal Palm* that drained just enough of Varik’s life force to send him reeling. Varik stumbled, his strength fading rapidly.
With one final movement, Kalen sent his *Abyssal Chains* shooting forward, wrapping them around Varik’s arms and legs. The chains tightened, pulling Varik to the ground and immobilizing him completely.
The overseer stepped forward, nodding in approval. The match was over.
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#### **Beyond Victory: A New Target**
As Varik was dragged away, Kalen’s thoughts were already shifting to his next challenge. He had won this battle, but he knew that the real test was still to come. The other disciples had been watching, and they had seen his strategies in action. They would adapt, just as he had.
Kalen’s path within the Black Sect was growing more dangerous by the day. Each victory brought him closer to the core of the sect’s power, but it also drew more attention to him. The elders would soon take notice, and not all of them would be pleased with his progress.
But Kalen didn’t care. His goal was clear: to master the Abyssal Qi and forge a path that was uniquely his own. The Black Sect’s methods were tools—dangerous, powerful tools that he would bend to his will. He had no desire to rule or dominate like the other disciples. His ambition was something deeper, something more profound.
He would unlock the true potential of the Abyssal Qi, not just as a weapon, but as a force that could reshape the world itself.