Systemless Villain

275  A Mother's Resolve

Long Tian and Alexia stepped into the colossal temple, its towering doors swinging open to reveal an abyss of darkness that seemed endless.

Unfazed by the darkness, Alexia charged ahead, her determination eclipsing any fear of what might lurk within. To her, the potential of confronting formidable adversaries paled in comparison to the urgency of rescuing her daughter.

Following closely behind, Long Tian summoned flames that engulfed their surroundings, consuming the wooden floors and structural supports of the temple.

With their immunity to fire, the inferno posed no threat, even if it consumed the entire edifice.

They traversed the seemingly desolate halls of the temple, the once level ground now giving way to stairs descending further into the abyssal depths ahead.

As they ran, Long Tian reached for Alexia's hand, urgency etched in his expression. "We must hasten," he urged.

Alexia nodded resolutely, clasping Long Tian's hand tightly. Her surprise was evident when he suddenly swept her up into his arms, his eyes conveying a sense of urgency.

"We cannot afford to delay any longer," he insisted, his tone grave.

Though Alexia remained silent, her concern was palpable.

In response, Long Tian unleashed his lightning abilities, streaking through the darkness with unparalleled speed. Each movement left behind a trail of blazing destruction, yet even with their swiftness, the journey seemed endless.

After more than 5 minutes, they halted before a towering glass door, over 50 meters high and just as wide.

Behind the glass door lay a chilling scene that shook both Long Tian and Alexia to their core.

Spread out before them was a vast chamber consumed by raging flames, teeming with dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of savage soul beasts of various shapes and sizes.

But what truly caught their attention were the two figures locked in combat amidst the chaos. Even from a distance, Long Tian and Alexia could discern the familiar forms of Liu Qian and another woman.

While Alexia didn't recognize the second woman, Long Tian's sharp memory identified her as Lin Xian'er, a woman he encountered prior to entering the portal.

Driven by desperation, Alexia dashed towards the glass barrier and delivered a series of powerful blows, but to no avail. The glass remained unyielding, impervious to her assault.

Undeterred, she continued her relentless barrage, accompanied by flames of infernal fury.

"Why won't this damn thing break?! Qian'er, hold on!" she screamed in frustration.

Observing Alexia's futile efforts, Long Tian stepped forward and touched the glass, confirming that it bore no special properties.

Though Alexia had tried and failed to shatter it, Long Tian saw no harm in attempting himself.

With clenched fists, he summoned forth his aura, veins bulging with power as he struck the glass with precision.

Yet, to his dismay, the barrier remained unscathed.

Witnessing Long Tian's unsuccessful attempt, Alexia ceased her assault, placing both hands on the surface with a worried expression as she watched her daughter battle against exhaustion.

"Qian'er..." she murmured, eyes widening in helplessness. Then, turning to Long Tian, she asked, "Can you not break through either?"

Long Tian shook his head in frustration. "It seems this glass is specifically designed to resist destruction," he admitted, furrowing his brow.

Despite his desire to aid Liu Qian, it appeared his strength was futile against this formidable barrier.

"Of course, you'll find my creation indestructible," a sudden voice echoed from behind.

Startled, both Long Tian and Alexia whirled around to behold a man in his thirties, with long black hair and clad in spectral white.

Frowning, Long Tian demanded, "Who are you?"

Alexia, her anger palpable, also regarded the man warily. It was clear he was likely responsible for trapping her daughter inside.

The man grinned, stroking his chin with satisfaction as he observed Long Tian and Alexia.

"So, you two are the dual cultivation heirs of my wife? I hadn't anticipated meeting you," he remarked.

Both Long Tian and Alexia were taken aback by his revelation.

"So, the lovely woman in the cave is your wife? And you, her husband, are conducting some sort of trial to inherit a legacy?" Long Tian inquired, his curiosity piqued.

In contrast, Alexia's voice rose with urgency. "You must be the one who trapped my daughter in there! Release her this instant!" she demanded.

Hearing this, the man raised an eyebrow, "So, the blonde girl is your daughter? Actually, there were six individuals who entered, but only three could exit. The rest remain here, locked in battle with Chi, a five-star soul beast, the primary key to this world. By defeating it, all who entered this realm can return to their world," he explained.

Long Tian furrowed his brow, grappling with the immense challenge posed by a five-star soul beast, a rarity even in the original storyline. Though encountering this 'Chi' was unexpected, it presented a stroke of luck; by defeating it, he would finally be able to exit the portal.

Having been trapped here for what felt like more than three days, he was truly eager to leave.

On the other hand, Alexia appeared undaunted by the prospect of facing such a formidable opponent. "Allow me to enter and fight!" she declared fearlessly.

The man smiled knowingly. "I understand a mother's devotion to her daughter. You both must be fine parents," he remarked.

Long Tian shifted uncomfortably at the implication. The man would undoubtedly be surprised to learn that Liu Qian was actually his girlfriend and Alexia her mother.

Yet, Alexia paid little heed to the man's words. "Just open the door and let me enter that chamber!" she insisted.

"Me too," Long Tian added.

With a smile, the man reassured them, "Fear not. I've been tasked as the guide from the start." With a flick of his finger, the glass barrier vanished.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. What you just saw was an event from yesterday, even a few days ago, and what lies ahead of you is not reality. It's not a door leading directly to your daughter's location; it's merely an illusion. So, as for your daughter's condition, I truly have no idea whether she's alive or dead," he said. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hearing this, Alexia seemed to freeze in place, her eyes widening with disbelief.

Without further ado, she immediately ran towards the open door, and indeed, it seemed as though she entered the portal and disappeared inside.

Long Tian didn't want to waste much time either and darted inside.

What he saw next was an empty space akin to the inside of a vast cave. Unlike what he saw before, this place was not filled with fire but with hundreds of soul beast corpses and an eerie silence.

Long Tian crouched down and examined one of the corpses, analyzing it. "Corpses that have been lying here for more than 24 hours..." he murmured under his breath.

Then his gaze turned serious with concern. "Qian'er..." he said.

"QIAN'ER!" Suddenly Alexia's scream startled him, making him promptly look towards the source of the sound, which came from far ahead.

Things in this place were not very clear; he immediately ran at full speed, and it didn't take long to see that there were two women lying with severe injuries.

A woman with black hair wearing stylish but torn cultivator attire lay unconscious, Lin Xian'er.

And beside her was a beautiful blonde girl with severe injuries, blood scattered from her body and clothes, clearly Liu Qian.