Li Yu's momentary speechlessness seemed to stretch into an eternity as the fervent chanting of the cultivators echoed through Blackstone Gully. His mind raced, calculating, assessing. Jian's mad vision was becoming terrifyingly real.

He shook off the stupor and a cold resolve settled in his eyes. The show must go on.

With a powerful push, Li Yu shot downwards like a black comet. The chanting roared behind him, reaching a fever pitch as he descended towards the still dazed Ironhide Garo. The Soul Formation expert was slowly trying to push himself up from the crater he'd made. He was groaning as spiritual energy tried to mend his shattered soul and broken body.

Li Yu landed directly in front of him with his white robe billowing slightly. He raised his black staff as void energy surged. He plunged it downwards, piercing Ironhide Garo's spiritual sea directly.

A scream tore from Garo's throat but it was cut short as his eyes rolled back with all life draining from his body. His rocky form shimmered, then slowly began to crumble into dust, returning to the earth from which its power was derived. A Second Level Soul Formation expert was no more.

"Praise the God Crab!" "He has done it!" "The Little Crab has saved us!"

The cheers that erupted from within the formation were deafening. It was a roar of relief, triumph and belief. But the battle wasn't over. Garo's subordinates were still scattered throughout the gully. Some were trying to rally the others, while most were already in full retreat.

Torin Stonehand now seemed possessed by a fervor. He leaped onto a pile of rubble within the barrier, his stocky form silhouetted against the rising dust. "Allied forces! You heard them! The Crab God has saved us today! His chosen has delivered us from annihilation! Now, we must honor him! Pursue the enemy! Crush them! And continue the chant! Let our faith empower our Crab God!"

Inspired by their miraculous deliverance and Torin's impassioned cries, the allied cultivators surged forward, their morale completely rejuvenated. The barrier dropped and they poured out of the outpost attacking the retreating Beast and Human Faction forces with a ferocity born of terror averted and excitement. It was a complete reversal. The hunters became the hunted.

Li Yu was treated to a truly surreal scene. It was like a battlefield of Jian Xuan clones. Everywhere cultivators would charge, chanting the two verses of the Crab God's creed, their voices hoarse with exertion and belief. No, it wasn’t right to call it belief, it was more of being caught up in the moment, the excitement of being saved and going along with the mob. They mercilessly cut down their demoralized enemies.

Li Yu, still slightly bewildered but nevertheless moved to assist. He didn't chant but he moved like a black blur across the battlefield. He targeted any particularly strong enemy cultivators or those trying to coordinate a last-ditch stand. Eliminating them swiftly and silently with Abyssal Javelins, water qi arts or staff. His goal was to make the clean-up as safe and efficient as possible for the now zealous allied forces.

Once the gully was completely clear and the last enemy had either fled or fallen, the victorious cultivators began to gather back at the outpost. They were exhausted, many bearing wounds but their spirits were soaring. As they tended to their injuries and began the process of securing the area, their eyes constantly flickered towards Li Yu.

He was their hero today, the divine instrument of their salvation. Many whispered about how they wished they could wear such a robe as his, a symbol of direct connection to the Crab God. Most of, if not all of these feelings would be gone by tomorrow, born out of coming out alive in the face of certain death. Cooler heads would prevail once the emotion of the moment died down.

Li Yu found himself regretting his impulsive self-serving lie. All he had wanted was a convenient way to explain away his monstrous power and void abilities without having to hide his true secrets. It had backfired spectacularly.

Torin Stonehand, still glowing with a mix of spiritual exhaustion and righteous zeal, approached him, his voice lowered respectfully. "Commander Little Crab," he began, then hesitated, glancing around. "I am disciple Torin Stonehand. If... if I may be so bold... how does one join the Abyssal Crab Cult? We saw the power! We saw the miracle! I… I wish to… simply know is all."

‘This guy truly is a lunatic. He truly belongs in this crazy cult with Jian Xuan!’ Li Yu thought to himself while he looked at Torin. But the cult was not taking members.

Li Yu quickly formulated a response. "One cannot simply join the Abyssal Crab Cult by wishing to, Brother Torin," Li Yu replied, just now remembering that he had seen this name on the top 10 disciple ranking list.

His voice carefully modulated, attempting to convey an air of mystic gravitas. "Membership is not sought. It is... granted. People are chosen by the God Crab himself. It is a sign, a calling, not a simple application." He half-expected this would dampen Torin's enthusiasm, perhaps even extinguish it.

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But Li Yu underestimated the power of belief, especially when sparked by a desperate miraculous deliverance. Torin's eyes lit up even further. "Chosen? Yes! Of course! An elite chosen few! That makes perfect sense! So exclusive! So profound!"

He was practically vibrating with excitement. This only made him more determined. An elite group with no recruiting, no easy entry – you had to be great enough to be divinely selected.

The reports of the Abyssal Crab Cult had spread like wildfire through the allied forces, twisting and exaggerating with each retelling. There was the "True Prophet Khaos," a terrifying figure who could kill Soul Formation experts like flies, though few had actually seen him.

Then there was the "Loud One, Jian Xuan," a graceful, singing, killing machine with no equals in combat, whose chanting could shatter enemy morale. And now, Torin had personally witnessed "Little Crab," a disciple whose strength was truly impressive.

Torin himself, a Fourth-Level Core Formation cultivator, was strong for his age but he was nothing compared to this "Little Crab." This monster who had just dazed and killed a Second-Level Soul Formation expert.

Li Yu, seeing the fervent look in Torin's eyes, decided it was best to simply extricate himself. "I must meditate now, Brother Torin." He gave a slight nod and walked away towards a quiet corner of the outpost, leaving Torin looking after him.

Li Yu sat down, closed his eyes and genuinely began to circulate his Qi, trying to process the absurdity of the situation. He checked his merit token. He noted the massive influx of points from killing Garo, enough to vault him to fifth place on the Disciple Division rankings. He still couldn’t see what his points were however.

He wondered briefly what Jian was up to, likely spreading the 'gospel' with even more enthusiasm now.

Later that evening Torin Stonehand activated his own merit token, connecting to the private chat group he shared with other prominent disciples and friends from various sects. His fingers trembled slightly, still buzzing from the battle and the divine intervention he had witnessed.

He began typing rapidly, recounting the entire event at Blackstone Gully: the desperation, the arrival of Little Crab, the chant, the impossible feat of dazing Garo, the collective empowerment through faith and the final decisive kill.

The reactions came flooding in almost immediately, a mix of awe, skepticism, and excitement from different corners of the alliance.

Evandra Vane (Ashen Blade Sect - Rank 2): "Garo?! The Second Level rock-head? Little Crab took him down too? By the ancestors... that's two Soul Formation kills! First Vespertine, now Garo! Is this 'Little Crab' even human?!"

Brennus (Stone Binders Sect - Rank 23): "Torin, are you sure? Garo? I fought one of his subordinates last week, nearly lost my arm. A Core disciple killed him? And you think your chanting helped?"

Jarek Volkov (Skyfire Academy - Rank 4):

"Fascinating. The psychological effect is proving potent. While the morale boost is undeniable, attributing direct power transfer via chanting requires further evidence. However, the result – Garo's death – is indisputable."

Seraphina Vale (Silver Serpent Sect - Rank 5): "Two Soul Formation kills... Little Crab is certainly making waves. And this 'chosen' aspect Torin mentioned... it adds a layer of mystique. Intriguing."

Torin Stonehand (Stone Binders Sect - Rank 7): "You weren't there! You didn't see it! Little Crab paused after the chant, gathering our power! He needed our faith! It was a miracle! And yes, Evandra, Brennus, that's two Soul Formation kills! The Abyssal Crab Cult is the real deal! I asked him how to join but he said you cannot join. You must be chosen!"

Mila (Verdant Guard - Unranked): "Chosen? Do you think there's a sign? Something you have to do to get the Crab God's attention? Torin, you're lucky you got to see him!"

Brennus (Stone Binders Sect - Rank 23): "Chosen or not, two Soul Formation kills... I wouldn't want to be on his bad side. Or Jian Xuan's. Heard he wiped out the entire area the other day. They say he was half naked and was doing a sword dance after his victory, praising the crab god."

Jarek Volkov (Skyfire Academy - Rank 4): "The exclusivity is strategically sound, if intentional. It prevents dilution and maintains an aura of power. I wonder if 'Little Crab' himself devised that response or if it's doctrine from this 'Khaos' figure."

The discussion raged. Most were impressed by the sheer power displayed, regardless of the source. Some were more skeptical about the divine empowerment aspect but acknowledged the results. Others, like Mila, were caught up in the mystique of being 'chosen'.

Very few actually expressed a desire to join this strange violent cult – their loyalties lay with their own sects – but the topic was undeniably fascinating, a bright, bizarre spark in the grim reality of the war.

Just then, Evandra sent another message.

Evandra Vane (Ashen Blade Sect - Rank 2): "Just checked the rankings again. Little Crab moved up. He's in fifth place now."

Brennus (Stone Binders Sect - Rank 23): "Fifth?! Ancestors above... He really did kill Garo..."

Jarek Volkov (Skyfire Academy - Rank 4): "Fifth place. Logical, given the target's rank. Unprecedented for a disciple, nonetheless. His trajectory is... alarming."

Torin Stonehand (Stone Binders Sect - Rank 7): "See?! Proof! The Crab God rewards his chosen! Fifth place! Soon he will be number one!"

The legend of Little Crab grew, fueled by Torin's testimony and the undeniable evidence on the merit board. He was a mystery, an anomaly. A terrifyingly powerful disciple wrapped in the bizarre trappings of an insane cult. He was climbing the ranks at a speed no one had ever seen before.