Chapter 58: Reversal Tide

Chapter 58: Reversal Tide

North of the Dizhong Mountain Range, Ancient Battlefield.

"One, two, three... Petrification!"

Zhou Xiao’s voice rang out as his body rapidly coated itself in a black, stone-like layer. At that exact moment, the Bloodfiend’s claws slashed forward, slamming into his shoulder with bone-jarring force—yet no real damage was done.

Seizing the brief window between the Bloodfiend’s attacks, Zhou Xiao released his Petrification ability, sidestepped the creature’s snapping jaws, twisted his hips for leverage, and drove a crushing punch into the Bloodfiend’s neck.

Crack!

The sharp sound of snapping bones echoed as the Bloodfiend collapsed.

"Got it!"

The creature wasn’t dead yet, but its broken neck had severed control over its lower body. Zhou Xiao immediately launched into a flurry of punches, hammering the Bloodfiend’s skull relentlessly.

After several minutes, Zhou Xiao stopped, panting heavily as he slumped to the ground.

The fallen Bloodfiend’s body now began draining its own flesh and blood energy, merging the essence into Zhou Xiao’s obsidian mists.

[Challenger Notification: Defeated Malevolent Spirit Bloodfiend. Gained 118 Evolution Points, 23 Sacrificial Power.]

Just half a day earlier, Zhou Xiao had stumbled upon a forum thread while browsing strategies. The post detailed a unique technique exploited by Petrification-type Life Souls—timing attacks between the enemy’s openings.

The video, uploaded by the thread’s creator, showed a player using the Gargoyle Form’s retractable claws to precisely counter the Bloodfiend’s assault. Despite being four levels lower, the player had managed to kill it.

Stunned, Zhou Xiao realized how far he lagged behind. Though both used Gargoyles, the player’s skills made him feel like a clumsy beginner. The video’s hit-dodge-hit rhythm fascinated him.

After rewatching the footage countless times and calculating attack intervals, he’d decided to test the method himself.

The result? Ten minutes of meticulous maneuvering, repeatedly activating and releasing Petrification, had paid off. He’d snapped the Bloodfiend’s neck—a solo kill two levels above his own.

Gazing at the creature’s carcass, Zhou Xiao felt a surge of accomplishment. Before entering Darklands, he’d obsessed over Souls-like games. The pain of failure paled next to the euphoria of victory. Darklands’ hyper-realism amplified this thrill, making every conquest feel electrifying.

After resting, he stood to seek his next prey—but a shadow suddenly blocked his path.

Focusing, Zhou Xiao’s heart jolted.

"God of Wealth?"

Duan Xing’s expression remained icy, though inwardly he groaned. He’d lost count of how many "mystical beings" had addressed him this way. Every encounter began with these creatures waving cheerfully and shouting "God of Wealth!" as if they’d known him for years.

After days of fruitless searching for the shuttlecraft, he’d decided to take action. This enigmatic figure was his target.

"Where is the shuttlecraft?" Duan Xing demanded.

"Shuttlecraft? What are you talking about?"

Duan Xing studied Zhou Xiao’s unwavering gaze. Threats wouldn’t work. He softened his tone. "The shuttlecraft that arrived with me. Your kin have hidden it. Where?"

"How should I know? And why would I care?"

"They’re your kin. Naturally, this concerns you", Duan Xing pressed.

Zhou Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Now you’re just being unreasonable. Just because we’re from the same group doesn’t mean I’m complicit in whatever shady stuff you’re accusing me of!"

"As members of a single species, you cannot remain neutral."

"God of Wealth, that’s absurd—" Frustrated, Zhou Xiao rolled up his sleeve, ready to argue.

Eventually, the two sat on the grassy plain, surrounded by white-flowering plants, debating ideologies.

Duan Xing’s world treated clans as inseparable units—every member bore collective responsibility. But Zhou Xiao’s people, the players, valued individualism. Neither could sway the other.

Finally, Duan Xing interrupted. "Find my shuttlecraft", he said, offering a violet crystal. "I’ll reward you handsomely."

Zhou Xiao glanced at the item. His vision displayed:

[Item: Grade 7 Spirit Ore (Violet)]
Rarity: Exceptional
Description: A crystallized essence brimming with condensed soul energy. Can be consumed directly for Body Forge Rank experience, or used in crafting and sacrificial rituals.

Players had only ever encountered Grade 5 Spirit Ore since Darklands launched—sparking the first major player war. A Grade 7? Zhou Xiao’s breath caught.

Yet he didn’t reach out. Though this was "just a game", principles mattered. Unlike typical players, he treated this world as real—a place where choices shaped one’s soul.

No amount of Spirit Ore could change that.

"I’m sorry", Zhou Xiao said. "I can’t."

"Not enough?" Duan Xing frowned.

"You misunderstand. Even if you offered ten times this, I still couldn’t help. Your shuttlecraft… was likely sacrificed to the Imperial Omen long ago."

"Imperial Omen?" Duan Xing’s eyes widened. "You still worship them?"

Zhou Xiao tilted his head. "What’s wrong with that?"

"Imperial Omen vanished millennia ago. Once the god of all races in the Monster World, but today, few still revere them."

Curious about the lore, Zhou Xiao leaned in. "If not Imperial Omen, who do you serve?"

"Reversal Tide."

"Who’s that?"

Duan Xing’s mind flashed to ancestral memories—a towering figure seated on a throne of blood, face obscured by crimson energy. Before him stood countless armored warriors of the Abyssal Tide Legion.

That was Reversal Tide. Though the face remained hidden, the voice echoed eternally in Duan Xing’s soul:

"Imperial Omen self-terminated, the Four Gods fell. We lost hope of reigniting the Omen’s flame. But I will not surrender. We shall march against the Black Tide, reclaim our homeland… I need not inherit Imperial Omen’s mantle—I will surpass them!"

The declaration had ignited a roaring oath from the Legion.

Thus, the Abyssal Tide Legion was born. The Age of Imperial Omen ended, and Reversal Tide became the sole faith of countless pale-dwelling races. Becoming a Reversal Tide warrior was Duan Xing’s lifelong dream.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end