Incense burned over several grave markers. Most of them showed great care but the passage of centuries was clear. All of the symbols varied save one part. The venomous snake engraved below each.
Some had black etching, a few silver, and only a handful gold. It marked at what level they died. Black was in the Soul Realm, silver the World Realm, and gold for Sky Realm. A new marker had been erected for over 6 years.
An old but hale man was currently drinking from a shallow ceramic cup. It was a tradition to honor the dead once a year by being with them. The old man was bitter but his power was unquestioned at the low Star Tier of the Heaven Realm.
He was the only one of his clan to reach that height but he could already tell he was at the end. Ascending to the world above was pointless but his clan had founded the Sword Breakers.
It had been almost a billion years and now he was the last.
