The dusty winds of Ashenfang Canyon gave way to rolling hills as Li Wei and his team pressed onward, the faint hum of the newly acquired fragment resonating within the pouch at his side. The battle with the Guardian of Ashenfang had tested them, but it was the vision he had seen that lingered most heavily in his mind.
The image of a shattered battlefield, warriors wielding the Heavenly Sword Art as both a weapon and a shield, haunted him. He couldn't shake the feeling that the fragments were tied to something far greater than his clan's legacy—a history that even the Li Clan's ancestors might not have fully understood.
Li Yan walked beside him, her bow slung over her shoulder. "You've been quiet since we left the canyon," she said, glancing at him. "That vision—what did it show you?"
Li Wei hesitated, unsure how to put it into words. "It wasn't just a battle," he said finally. "It felt… larger. Like the Heavenly Sword Art wasn't just a technique—it was a key to something. A weapon tied to the fate of the cultivation world."
Li Yan frowned. "That sounds more dangerous than I'd like. We're already facing rivals and curses. Do we really need to dig into something that might bring the entire world down on us?"
Li Wei stopped, turning to face her. "If we don't understand what we're carrying, we'll be walking blind into something far worse. We need answers—not just for the Li Clan, but for everyone this might affect."
Lan Fei, who had been walking a short distance behind, chuckled softly. "Spoken like someone destined for greatness—or disaster. The two are often indistinguishable."
Li Wei's gaze hardened. "If you have something to say, Lan Fei, say it."
Lan Fei raised their hands in mock surrender. "Only that the Heavenly Sword Art's fragments are drawing attention for a reason. You're not the first to seek them, nor will you be the last. The question is whether you're ready for the weight of what they carry."
A Path Through Dangerous Territory
Their journey led them toward the Obsidian Gorge, a treacherous stretch of jagged black rocks and deep ravines. The gorge was known for its unstable terrain and the creatures that thrived in its shadows—beasts drawn to the Qi of passing cultivators.
As they reached the edge of the gorge, Xin Ren moved ahead, her sharp eyes scanning the rocky expanse. "This place is a trap waiting to happen," she said. "The Qi here feels… wrong."
Li Wei nodded. "We'll move carefully. Stay close, and don't linger in one place too long."
They began their descent, navigating narrow paths carved into the cliffs. The rocks beneath their feet crumbled easily, forcing them to tread lightly. Above them, the sky darkened, the faint glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the gorge.
Jian Ming stumbled slightly, catching himself against a rock. "This place feels like it's watching us," he muttered.
"It probably is," Lan Fei said with a faint smirk. "The beasts here are patient hunters. They'll wait for the perfect moment to strike."
Li Huang grunted. "Then let's make sure they regret it when they do.
The Beast of the Gorge
As they reached the midpoint of the gorge, a deep growl echoed through the rocky expanse, the sound reverberating off the cliffs. The group froze, their weapons drawn, as a massive shadow moved across the ravine below them.
From the darkness emerged a creature unlike any they had seen before—a Voidfang Wyvern, its black scales shimmering with an eerie glow, its eyes burning with predatory intelligence. The beast unfurled its massive wings, letting out a deafening roar that sent rocks tumbling down the cliffs.
Li Wei's grip tightened on his sword. "Stay together. Don't let it separate us."
The wyvern lunged, its claws striking the ground with enough force to shake the earth. Li Wei dodged, countering with Celestial Ripple Strike, the energy wave slamming into the beast's side. It staggered but recovered quickly, its tail whipping toward him with incredible speed.
Li Yan's arrows rained down from above, striking the wyvern's wings and slowing its movements. "Aim for the joints!" she shouted. "Its scales are too thick for direct strikes."
Xin Ren darted in, her Phantom Step carrying her behind the wyvern. Her blade struck at the softer underside of its tail, drawing a roar of pain from the beast.
Li Huang moved to the front, his Ironwood Strike deflecting the wyvern's claws as Jian Ming supported him with quick, precise strikes to its legs.
Lan Fei hung back, observing the battle with a calculating gaze. When the wyvern turned its attention to Li Wei, Lan Fei finally acted, their blade flashing as they struck at the beast's exposed wing joint.
"It's not just strength," Lan Fei called out. "This thing's Qi flow is erratic—it's unstable. Use that to your advantage."
Li Wei focused his Qi, channeling the power of the Heavenly Sword Art. With a roar, he unleashed Heavenly Edge of the Void, his blade slicing through the wyvern's defenses and striking its core. The beast let out a final, shuddering roar before collapsing, its massive body falling still.
A Hidden Fragment
As the wyvern's body dissolved into ash, a faint glow appeared in its place—a small fragment of energy, pulsing with the same resonance as the ones Li Wei already carried.
He reached out, the fragment merging with the others in his pouch. Another piece of the Heavenly Sword Art fell into place, and with it came another vision. This time, he saw the art's creators—figures cloaked in light, their faces obscured as they forged the technique in a chamber of infinite stars.
When the vision faded, Li Wei staggered slightly, the weight of the knowledge pressing on him. "The art wasn't just a weapon," he said quietly. "It was a seal. A safeguard against something ancient—something dangerous."
Lan Fei's eyes narrowed, their usual smirk replaced by a thoughtful expression. "A seal? Now that's interesting. Perhaps what you're chasing isn't power, but responsibility."
Li Yan frowned. "What does that mean? What are we sealing—or unsealing?"
Li Wei shook his head. "I don't know. But if the fragments are tied to something greater, we need to be prepared for whatever we're walking into."
Tension Among the Team
As they made camp on the far side of the gorge, the tension within the group was palpable. Each member wrestled with the growing complexity of their mission, the fragments no longer just pieces of a legacy but keys to something far more dangerous.
Li Yan approached Li Wei as he sat by the fire, her voice low. "We need to talk about Lan Fei. They're useful, but I don't trust them."
Li Wei glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "They've helped us so far."
"And what happens when their goals stop aligning with ours?" she pressed. "They're hiding something—I can feel it."
Li Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But for now, they're an ally. If that changes, we'll deal with it."
Lan Fei, sitting a short distance away, chuckled softly. "You know, it's rude to whisper about someone when they're right here."
Li Yan shot them a glare, but Lan Fei simply smirked. "Don't worry. I have no intention of betraying you—yet."
Li Wei's gaze hardened. "Be careful, Lan Fei. Trust is a fragile thing, and you're walking a fine line."
Lan Fei's smirk faded slightly, their expression becoming more serious. "So are you, Li Wei. The path you're on leads to more than just glory—it leads to truths that could destroy everything you're trying to build. Let's hope you're ready for them."
End of Chapter 30