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Emberfrost Ascendant
Chapter 20: The Chains of Allegiance

Chapter 20: The Chains of Allegiance

The walls of the Black Sect’s fortress loomed high and foreboding as Kalen made his way back to his quarters. His mind was heavy with the weight of the Abyssal Codex’s teachings. The power contained within its pages was intoxicating, but it came with an even greater price—submission to the sect’s absolute authority.

As he approached the secluded part of the fortress reserved for core disciples, Kalen felt the eyes of his fellow cultivators on him. Word of his success in the Night Trials had spread, and now, after his access to the Abyssal Codex, the other disciples watched him with a mix of awe and suspicion. Kalen had risen quickly in the sect, too quickly for some. It was a dangerous position to be in, especially in a place where strength dictated survival.

The cold wind howled through the corridors as Kalen pushed open the door to his room, sealing himself away from the prying eyes. Inside, the room was sparsely decorated, its walls lined with shelves filled with cultivation scrolls and manuals. A single brazier burned in the corner, casting flickering shadows across the stone floor.

Kalen sat cross-legged on the floor, his hands resting on his knees as he began to circulate his Qi. He could feel the Abyssal Qi from the Codex still swirling within him, fighting to take hold. But his icefire energy was strong, steady, and balanced the volatile nature of the Abyssal power.

He closed his eyes, focusing on the **Abyssal Ascendant Art**, the first step toward mastering the Abyss. As the runes from the Codex replayed in his mind, he began to guide the Abyssal Qi into his dantian, carefully stabilizing its chaotic nature.

The process was slow and arduous. Unlike the elemental Qi he had been familiar with, the Abyssal Qi was wild and unpredictable, requiring constant attention. But Kalen was determined. He had chosen this path, and he would see it through, no matter the dangers.

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#### **Abyssal Infusion**

Hours passed as Kalen continued to cultivate. The first stage of the Abyssal Ascendant Art, **Abyssal Infusion**, was brutal on his body. Each time he absorbed the Abyssal Qi, it threatened to tear his meridians apart, like shards of broken glass flowing through his veins. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm. If he lost control for even a moment, the energy would consume him.

He visualized the Abyss as a vast ocean of darkness, endless and unyielding. His icefire energy acted as a boat, navigating the treacherous waters, keeping him afloat. The cold, steady flame of his core stabilized the Abyssal Qi, forcing it into submission.

Suddenly, Kalen felt a breakthrough. The Abyssal Qi, which had been resisting him, finally settled into his dantian. His core expanded slightly, the dark energy merging with his own, creating a new, hybrid power within him.

He exhaled, the tension leaving his body as he realized he had successfully completed the first stage of the Abyssal Ascendant Art. He could feel the difference immediately—his connection to the Abyss was stronger, more stable. His control over the Abyssal Qi had improved, and with it, his overall strength had taken a significant leap forward.

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But this was just the beginning.

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#### **The Summons**

Just as Kalen was about to continue cultivating, a sharp knock came at his door. His eyes snapped open, and he sensed the familiar presence outside—one of the elder’s envoys. He had been expecting this.

With a heavy sigh, Kalen rose to his feet and crossed the room, opening the door to find a black-robed disciple standing in the hallway. The disciple’s face was hidden behind a veil, but their posture was stiff and formal.

“The elders summon you, Kalen,” the disciple said, their voice emotionless. “It is time.”

Kalen nodded, feeling a chill creep up his spine. He had known this moment would come ever since he resisted the Abyssal Bind in the elder’s chamber. Now, the sect would test his loyalty again, but this time, the stakes would be much higher.

“Lead the way,” Kalen said, his voice steady despite the growing sense of unease.

The disciple bowed slightly before turning on their heel and leading Kalen through the dark corridors of the Black Sect’s fortress. The path they took was unfamiliar, winding deeper into the heart of the sect’s stronghold. The air grew colder as they descended, the oppressive weight of the Abyssal Qi growing thicker with every step.

Eventually, they arrived at a set of massive, iron-bound doors, guarded by two black-armored sentinels. Without a word, the guards stepped aside, allowing the disciple to push the doors open.

Beyond was a vast chamber, its walls lined with dark stone, glowing faintly with Abyssal runes. At the center of the room stood a circular platform, surrounded by high-ranking elders of the Black Sect, their faces obscured by shadowy hoods. At the far end of the room, seated on a throne of black stone, was the sect master.

His presence was overwhelming. The air around him vibrated with an almost suffocating intensity, as if the Abyss itself had taken physical form in the room. The sect master’s eyes gleamed from beneath his hood, locking onto Kalen as he entered.

“Kalen,” the sect master’s voice was deep, resonating through the chamber like a distant thunderclap. “You have proven your strength and your potential. But strength alone is not enough. The Black Sect demands loyalty, and it is time for you to demonstrate yours.”

Kalen stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He had known this test was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier. “What do you want from me?”

The sect master’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Simple. You will undergo the **Abyssal Oath**.”

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#### **The Abyssal Oath**

A murmur ran through the gathered elders as the words left the sect master’s mouth. Kalen had heard whispers of the Abyssal Oath before, but few had ever spoken of it openly. It was said to be an unbreakable bond, a pact made with the Abyss itself, tying the disciple’s fate to the sect for eternity.

“The Abyssal Oath is the final trial for those who wish to rise within the Black Sect,” the sect master continued, his voice calm and commanding. “It is a binding of the soul, a ritual that ensures your loyalty not just in life, but beyond. Those who take the Oath are bound to the Abyss forever.”

Kalen’s mind raced. He had already resisted the elder’s Abyssal Bind, but this was something far more dangerous. The Abyssal Oath wasn’t just about control—it was about submission. If he took the Oath, he would never be free of the Black Sect’s influence.

But if he refused, there would be no mercy.

The sect master’s gaze bore into him, waiting for his response. The gathered elders watched in silence, their faces hidden, but Kalen could feel their eyes on him, judging, waiting for him to make his choice.

Kalen clenched his fists. He had come too far to turn back now. He would not submit to the Black Sect, but he couldn’t fight them head-on either. He needed more time, more strength.

“I will take the Abyssal Oath,” Kalen said, his voice steady.

The sect master’s smile widened, pleased by his decision. “Good. Step forward, and let the Abyss bind your soul.”

Kalen approached the center of the platform, where a dark, swirling pool of Abyssal energy awaited him. The air around it crackled with raw power, and the very sight of it made Kalen’s skin crawl. He could feel the malevolent force within the pool, eager to claim him.

But Kalen wasn’t about to let the Abyss have its way. As he stepped toward the pool, he summoned his icefire energy, letting it flow through him, stabilizing his core. He would take the Oath, but he would do so on his own terms.

The sect master raised his hands, and the pool of Abyssal energy surged upward, forming a towering column of dark, writhing tendrils. Kalen closed his eyes, steeling himself for what was to come.

As the Abyssal energy wrapped around him, he felt its cold, invasive presence sink deep into his core, searching for his soul. But Kalen’s will was strong, and his icefire energy flared in response, pushing back against the dark tendrils.

The room grew silent as the ritual began, and Kalen’s mind focused on one thought: he would master this power. He would bend the Abyss to his will, not the other way around.

And when the time came, he would break free from the chains of the Black Sect—no matter the cost.