As the ancient stone door slowly ground open, Feng Yuntian could feel the intense power resonating from beyond the threshold. The air was thick with spiritual energy, and the sheer weight of it would have crushed a weaker cultivator. But to him, it was invigorating. He had faced far greater pressure in his past life, when he was Xuan Jiutian, standing at the pinnacle of the Chaos. Now, this was but another step toward reclaiming his former strength.
Li Xue, by his side, marveled at the sight. Her eyes glimmered with awe, reflecting the golden hue of the runes that illuminated the entrance. "This is it," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "The legacy of the Skyshatter Sect... We've finally reached it."
Feng Yuntian said nothing, his gaze fixated on the darkness beyond the door. There was no telling what lay within this hidden realm, but he knew one thing for certain: it wouldn't be unguarded. Powerful legacies always came with trials, and those trials were rarely easy to overcome.
Without a word, he stepped through the threshold, Li Xue following close behind.
The passageway stretched deep into the mountain, winding through narrow corridors and expansive halls. The further they went, the stronger the presence of spiritual energy became. The walls, though carved from ancient stone, were embedded with glowing crystals that pulsated with raw power.
Suddenly, they entered a vast chamber, and Feng Yuntian stopped in his tracks.
In the center of the room stood a towering statue, a figure clad in flowing robes, wielding a mighty sword raised high. The figure was unmistakably the founder of the Skyshatter Sect, a legend whose name had been lost to time, but whose power had left an indelible mark on the cultivation world. Around the statue, intricate formations and arrays flickered with a faint light, a testament to the skill and mastery of the sect's ancient formation experts.
Li Xue let out a quiet gasp. "The Founder... This is where he left his legacy."
Feng Yuntian's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary legacy. The spiritual energy in the room was concentrated to the point of being nearly suffocating, and the formations surrounding the statue were not just decorative—they were protective. Anyone who wished to claim the power hidden here would have to prove themselves worthy.
As he stepped closer, he noticed something etched into the base of the statue. Ancient characters, written in a language few cultivators could understand, but one he recognized instantly from his previous life in the Chaos. His eyes flickered with recognition as he read the inscription.
"Only those who command the three principles of the Skyshatter Path—Power, Spirit, and Will—may inherit the true legacy of the Founder."
The words were simple, but their meaning was clear. This was not a test of raw strength alone. To claim the legacy, one would need to demonstrate mastery over all three aspects of cultivation. Power was obvious—strength in battle, mastery over one's own energy. Spirit referred to the cultivation of one's mind and soul, the ability to resist mental and spiritual attacks. Will was perhaps the most difficult of the three: the unwavering determination to continue, even when faced with overwhelming odds.
Li Xue frowned, stepping up beside Feng Yuntian. "It's a trial of the three principles... but where do we even begin?"
Before he could answer, the room trembled, and the formations around the statue flared to life. The air around them crackled with energy as three distinct figures began to materialize in front of the statue, each radiating an aura that corresponded to one of the principles. The trial had already begun.
The first figure, representing Power, was a towering warrior clad in ancient armor, his muscles rippling with unrestrained strength. He wielded a massive halberd, its blade crackling with lightning.
The second, representing Spirit, was a robed monk, his eyes glowing with a serene but overwhelming spiritual presence. His very gaze seemed to pierce into their souls, testing their resolve.
The third, representing Will, was a silent, shadowy figure, almost indistinguishable from the darkness around him. His aura was one of pure, indomitable willpower, a force that could not be shaken or moved.
Feng Yuntian's eyes sharpened. These weren't mere illusions or constructs—they were tests, and they would not hold back.
"We fight together?" Li Xue asked, her hand already on the hilt of her blade.
Feng Yuntian shook his head. "No. These trials are meant for me. Stay back. You can observe, but don't interfere."
Li Xue's expression showed a flash of protest, but she knew better than to argue. She stepped back, giving him space, but remained alert in case something unexpected occurred.
Feng Yuntian stepped forward, his gaze locking onto the warrior first. "Power, is it?" he muttered to himself. "Let's see how strong you really are."
With a roar, the warrior charged, his halberd descending like a thunderstrike. The sheer force of his attack caused the ground to quake, but Feng Yuntian was ready. He sidestepped the blow with ease, his movements fluid and precise. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword and countered, aiming directly for the warrior's exposed side.
The clash of weapons rang out as sparks flew from their clash. Feng Yuntian's swordsmanship was impeccable—every strike was calculated, every move efficient. The warrior's strength was immense, but it lacked the refinement of Feng Yuntian's technique. After a series of rapid exchanges, Feng Yuntian saw his opening.
With a sharp twist of his wrist, he disarmed the warrior, sending the halberd flying across the room. A heartbeat later, his sword was at the warrior's throat.
The figure froze, then dissipated into a cloud of energy, the trial of Power complete.
Feng Yuntian didn't pause. He turned his attention to the monk, who had remained silent but watchful throughout the battle.
The trial of Spirit was next. The monk's eyes glowed brighter, and suddenly, Feng Yuntian felt a wave of pressure wash over his mind. It wasn't physical—it was a direct assault on his soul. Voices whispered in his ears, illusions formed in the corners of his vision, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to blur.
But Feng Yuntian had faced far worse in the Chaos. His mind was a fortress, honed by centuries of cultivation. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, pushing back against the assault. The illusions faded, and the whispers grew distant, unable to breach the walls of his consciousness.
The monk's serene expression faltered for a brief moment, and then he, too, vanished into mist.
Only the shadowy figure remained.
The trial of Will was unlike the others. There was no physical attack, no mental assault. The figure simply stood there, an embodiment of pure willpower. Its presence was overwhelming, like a mountain that could not be moved, a force that could not be overcome.
Feng Yuntian understood immediately. This was a test of endurance—of persistence. To pass, he would need to prove that his will was stronger, that nothing could break him.
He closed his eyes and focused, drawing upon the core of his being. Memories of his past life, his failures, and his rebirth surged within him. But rather than burden him, they fueled his resolve. He had survived the fall from the heights of the Chaos, endured the humiliation of starting over as a mortal, and faced countless dangers on his path to reclaiming his power. This trial was nothing compared to what he had already overcome.
Minutes passed, then hours. The pressure intensified, but Feng Yuntian stood firm. His will was unshakable, his determination unwavering.
Finally, the shadowy figure bowed its head in acknowledgment before dissolving into nothingness.
The room grew still, the trials complete. Feng Yuntian stood before the statue, breathing steadily. The legacy of the Skyshatter Sect was now his to claim.
As the last remnants of the trials faded away, a brilliant light erupted from the statue, and a scroll materialized in the air before him. It was ancient, bound in black jade, and pulsed with immense spiritual power.
Feng Yuntian reached out, grasping the scroll. The moment his fingers touched it, he felt a surge of knowledge flow into his mind. This was no ordinary legacy—within this scroll was a cultivation technique that surpassed anything he had encountered in this life.
The Skyshatter Codex, a forbidden technique that had once been wielded by the Founder himself. With it, Feng Yuntian could break through the limits of cultivation and ascend to heights unseen in the current world.
As he absorbed the knowledge, Li Xue stepped forward, her eyes wide with amazement. "You did it," she breathed. "You've claimed the legacy."
Feng Yuntian nodded, his expression unreadable. "This is just the beginning," he said quietly. "The path ahead is still long, and the enemies we face are far greater than you can imagine."
Li Xue met his gaze, her determination evident. "Then let's face them together."
For now, their alliance held. But Feng Yuntian knew that the world of cultivation was ever-changing. Trust was a luxury few could afford, and even fewer survived long enough to enjoy.
With the Skyshatter Codex in his possession, his path to power was clearer than ever before. The Chaos still awaited him, and when he returned, he would not return as the fallen Xuan Jiutian. He would return as Feng Yuntian, the cultivator who had conquered life, death, and the very heavens themselves.
Outside the hidden realm, storm clouds gathered, and a distant rumble of thunder echoed across the land. Far beyond the reach of mortal eyes, ancient forces stirred, sensing the shift in power.
The Skyshatter Sect's legacy had been claimed, and with it, the balance of the world was about to change.
But for Feng Yuntian, it was merely one step in a much grander plan.