Hey guys, the first part of my next audiobook is now published on youtube. This part's only ten minutes long but it probably has as much work put into it as half a book of NPOA so I'd really appreciate it if you'd go over and check it out and like and subscribe if you want to see more. 

https://youtu.be/SYCVAL5Zy3o

You can find the ebook chapters on my wattpad profile as well, but they'll run behind the audiobook!

Here's to going big this year! Thanks so much for continuing to read!

Lineir felt himself sliding into an empty hole. His mind shivered, the light in his eyes fading as the red world of Madness turned to ashen grey. No! This isn't happening! Why? Why are Kings so far from me? After all the cultivation, all the fighting, why am I still so weak! Can I really do nothing?

I can you show you a path.

The voice of Madness inside him was tantalizing. It offered him hope. All around, demons watched him struggle, watched him die. The lich clenched his fist, the dark swarm around Lineir mangling his body through the Midnight Armor. He salivated at the thought of the Yin-Yang Iceflame. It's mine. That boy has truly brought me a great gift! No one else knows yet. But soon the greatest power source will be mine!

Lineir's mind slipped. He entered a shadowy realm between waking and sleep. It was like everything was frozen, the darkness outside smothering him. He could see the The Mortal King cackling, Jian Baraaz's horror, and the Three Step King's impassive stare. It was like there was a bubble between him and the world. This was his inner mind, his Third Heart. Just outside of him, he saw a shadow, screeching profanities and obscenities.

Rotten brat! You're going to get us both killed! I waited for an entire generation to escape the Hells. Even pretended to be a mentor and taught that damn fool. Do you know how annoying it was to act like he did? Insufferable, insufferable!!

Lineir was disgusted by the shadowy spirit's words. So that's what you are then? Just a shadow, that pretended to pass on a legacy to Yu once upon a time. And when he died, you used the disturbance in the Hells to latch onto me and impersonated him! Bastard...BASTARD!

Are you interested?

Lineir's attention turned away from the spirit. His hatred burned sharp and deep as he saw the Mortal King's lecherous grin. He wanted to clench his fist, but in the swarm of darkness and inside his Third Heart, he could do little. Something else appeared inside this strange place. A distortion in the air, some other spirit perhaps. It whispered to him.

What do you want?

Lineir normally knew better than to bandy with spirits. But the time was desperate and his doom was at hand. Additionally, this spirit seemed to be related to the Nine Paths so he answered it.

Who are you?

The voice was impassive, dull, uncaring. But even still, it cut through Lineir's mind like a knife.

I am an echo. One part left behind to show you a truth...or a lie.

What do you offer?

What do you want?

I need power. Power to defeat that lich over there, power to overcome the demon in my head. Can you give me that?

I know of a path. But it would cost you dearly. You do not deserve such power yet. There is always a price for everything. What are you willing to give to slay your enemies?

For a second, Lineir thought about it. Thought about how foolish this was. But then he saw the lich's glowing green eyes and he remembered Mei's words to him once upon a time and how the Mortal King had taken her away from him. 

"Let's climb the staircase to the Heavens together!"

His decision was made in an instant.

Everything. I would give you everything for the chance to slay this monster. The demon in my head, the gem in my hand, the very life in my body. Take it! So long as it's enough! TAKE IT ALL!

So be it.

The foggy shroud faded, and Lineir exited his Third Heart, reentering the swarm of darkness. The Yin-Yang Iceflame in his hand gleamed, and he felt like his Second Heart was on fire. Pain, indescribable pain roared through him. Something was happening...it was like molten fire was streaming out of him and Lineir knew what it was. My life, my cultivation, it's all burning now. The voice is helping me sacrifice it all.

NOOOOO YOU BASTARD! BRAT HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS! HOW ARE YOU MELTING MY SOOOOUUUUL!!!! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU CAN'T! REMEMBER YOUR FRIEND, YU! IF YOU DESTROY ME, YOU'LL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN! I REFUSE TO DIE TO SO----------

The shivering soul which had haunted him for so long was burned away as well when the sacrificial technique of the Madness inside reached it. Lineir felt everything...everything going from his chest into his left arm. Then it flowed into the Yin-Yang Iceflame.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

"What's happening?" The watching demons, the Mortal King, even the Three Step King blinked as a blinding dot of light appeared within the lich's darkness. It exploded forth, the wretched energy scattering and the lich felt his Second Heart tremble as his technique broke. A shadowy figure appeared inside, wreathed in pure black. In his hand, a stone, glowing incandescent white, seemed to rage as red fire poured into it.

"Is that?" Jian Baraaz's eyes widened. "No boy! Don't do it! You'll destroy yourself!" He tried to reach out an arm, but it was too late.

CRAAAAAAACCKKKK!

The stone split...and the light was let loose. However, instead of escaping, Lineir clenched his arm fist, grasping it in a claw. Blinding fire and ice spewed together in an unholy mix with his own lifesblood and the Midnight Armor absorbed it all inside. Streaks of lightning ran across the darkness and Lineir's eyes gleamed as the Madness intensified to the maximum! He raised his hand, the Black Blade surging out of the armor and solidifying into a deadly line. The Mortal King trembled, even though he was a King. 

"T-This...you're just a boy. A mere weakling. Do you really think it will make a differ-"

BOOM!

There was an explosion as Lineir's feet smashed the ground so hard the rocky floor of the Hells gave way. He exploded forwards with such speed that even the King level fighters lost track of him. The Mortal King's eyes widened as he lost track of the boy.

"WHAT IN THE HELLS!" He cried out, spewing dark techniques in every direction. A sword appeared in the midst of his attacks, slashing through a hazy serpent and carving a path to the lich's face! He stumbled backwards, failing to execute his movement technique before throwing out his hands to block.

SHING!

There was a light noise as the blade failed to reach the lich's body this time, but still crossed his hands. Every single soul at Deep Loss Cliff shuddered as three bony fingertips fell to the ground and shattered. 

"You cut me! You actually cut me!" The lich howled, fear filling his eyes for the first time. He retreated backwards, horrible curses building on what remained of his hands. However, how could Lineir fail to press the advantage? He ducked in and hammered another blow.

"This is for my MASTER!!!!!"