Douluo Dalu: The Abandoned Child

When I awoke, the pain was gone, but its memory lingered, etched into my soul. I found myself lying on a cold, hard surface. Slowly, I pushed myself up, my body trembling from the effort. The world around me was unrecognizable. The oppressive darkness of Hell Road had vanished, replaced by a strange, serene landscape. The air was crisp, tinged with an odd stillness that felt almost unnatural.

I touched my chest, half-expecting to find my heart no longer beating. To my surprise, I felt stronger than ever. The killing intent that had once been foreign and invasive now felt like an integral part of me, as natural as breathing. It flowed through my veins, no longer oppressive but empowering, like a dormant storm waiting to be unleashed.

In my right hand, I noticed the Dragon Slaying Saber. Its once-imposing aura was subdued, its hilt marked by faint white lines that hadn't been there before. Unlike its previous form, it seemed almost… tired. I frowned, trying to summon its familiar power, but nothing happened. It was clear the saber had expended a significant amount of its strength. For now, it was dormant. With a thought, I called it back inside my body, resolving to let it rest.

Turning my focus inward, I sought out the new domain. When I found it, my breath caught. It was vast, filled with swirling torrents of killing intent that radiated power. Without hesitation, I activated it.

The moment I did, the air around me shifted. A chilling wave of cold, controlled slaughter intent emanated from my body. My vision tinged red, and I knew my eyes were glowing with the same crimson light. Everything in my surroundings seemed sharper, more defined, bathed in an ominous hue. Any living being within range would be paralyzed with fear and suppressed by an overwhelming aura. It was the effect of Domination, an imposition of pure will that forced my enemies to falter and restricted their strength.

I exhaled, marveling at the power coursing through me. Yet, as I immersed myself in this newfound strength, words surfaced in my mind. They weren't my own but carried an ancient weight, as though left behind by the domain itself. Understanding dawned on me as the words coalesced into meaning.

This wasn't the Deathgod Domain that Tang San had acquired. No, this was something far more profound. This was the Asura Domain. My mind raced, trying to piece together the implications. The Asura Domain belonged to the Asura God, but it wouldn't be the first time a human was able to use the domain of a god. After all, Qian Renxue had been able to use the Angelic Domain before ascending to godhood, but her domain hadn't been perfected until her ascension. The same likely applied here.

Despite my doubts, I couldn't deny the raw potential I felt. There was power in this domain, but it was fragmented, waiting to be full again. For now, the only course of action was to test its capabilities.

I activated the domain again, letting the chilling intent wash over me. The abilities of the domain began to manifest in my mind, as though they had always been there, waiting for me to claim them. Among them were the familiar techniques Tang San had wielded after evolving his Deathgod Domain: Slaughter Assault, Asura Hell, and Asura Manifestation.

I couldn't sense Asura Descent, though. The devastating ability that marked the pinnacle of the domain's power. Still, I couldn't complain. The abilities I had gained were more than sufficient for now. Slaughter Assault amplified my combat capabilities, making each strike more precise and devastating. Asura Hell created a field that enhanced my killing intent while suppressing my enemies' strength. Asura Manifestation… I hadn't tested it yet, but the sheer potential it radiated sent shivers down my spine.

Satisfied for the moment, I deactivated the domain and let my thoughts wander. What had happened back there? Who were those beings—the white light and the red light? Their words echoed in my mind, a puzzle I couldn't yet solve. "You didn't keep your word." What did that mean? And why did the red light refer to me as the " your chosen one"?

I had my theories, but without more information, they were little more than guesses. Perhaps the Asura God had intervened directly, deeming me worthy of wielding this fragment of his power. Or maybe there was another force at play. Whatever the truth, one thing was certain: I needed to grow stronger if I was to uncover the answers.

Resolving to push forward, I took a deep breath and summoned the Asura Domain once more. This time, I focused on honing its abilities, testing their limits and learning their intricacies. I started with Slaughter Assault, feeling the way it enhanced my every movement. Each strike became faster, sharper, more lethal. It was as if the domain itself guided my attacks, ensuring they struck with maximum efficiency.

Next, I tried Asura Hell. The air around me grew heavy as the domain expanded, creating an oppressive field of killing intent. I could feel its effects on the environment, the way it warped the very fabric of reality within its range. If there had been an enemy nearby, they would have been crushed under its weight, their strength sapped by its relentless pressure.

Finally, I turned my attention to Asura Manifestation. Activating it was unlike anything I had experienced before. The domain seemed to condense around me, forming a tangible aura that pulsed with raw power. For a moment, I glimpsed the faint outline of a figure behind me, a shadowy form that radiated authority and menace. It was as if the Asura God himself stood at my back, lending me his strength.

When I deactivated the domain, I was left breathless, my body trembling from the exertion. But the exhilaration outweighed the fatigue. This power was mine. The Asura Domain was a part of me now.