As Xuan Li lay unconscious in the forest, the sky above Yuanfeng transformed ominously. Dark clouds rapidly gathered, swallowing the heavens and casting an oppressive shadow over the entire country. Each passing second seemed to deepen the darkness, as though the very heavens were being devoured by an overwhelming force.
Suddenly, the ominous clouds split apart with a thunderous roar that defied the heavens. The sound was so intense that the ground trembled, and even the mountains quivered as if the earth itself feared this power. A bone-chilling wind swept across Yuanfeng, penetrating to the very core of anyone who felt its touch.
At the Shen Wu Sect, Heavenly Edge Sect, and other sects, every cultivator felt a shiver run down their spine. Jian Tian, the master of Heavenly Edge Sect, was struck with a rare moment of fear as he gazed up at the darkened sky. He thought, "What in the world could trigger such a catastrophic phenomenon? It's as if the world itself is on the brink of collapse."
Nearby, Ling Yuna, the Ten Thousand Sword Empress, who bore the blessing of a true god, found herself feeling powerless. Despite her incredible ability, she felt no more significant than a speck of dust in front of this overwhelming catastrophe. Her thoughts churned with fear. "What's happening to me? Why do I feel as though I'm being judged by an unimaginable power? And why am I so certain that if I move even an inch, not even a god could save me from the eternal pain that would follow?"
Sweat soaked Ling Yuna's back as fear gripped her. Suddenly, the clouds roared with another earth-shaking thunder, a sound so fierce that Jian Tian, Ling Yuna, Shen Wu Sect's master Tian Wu, and Lei Zhen—who had awakened the high-tier thunder element—all cried out in pain, instinctively dropping to their knees.
The dark clouds, once roaring with pure white thunder, now crackled with intense red and purple lightning. Everyone present could only stare in awe at this unprecedented display of power, a force that seemed to transcend their understanding of the heavens. Even Lei Zhen, proud of his thunder affinity, was humbled. Watching the raw power of this thunder, he realized just how insignificant his own ability truly was. "This thunder in the clouds hasn't even fully manifested," he thought, "and yet its fraction of power could destroy the world. What have I been so proud of? Not to mention me—even the heavens aren't qualified to stand before this mysterious force."
The clouds continued to rumble, the red and purple lightning tearing through the dark sky, shaking not only the earth but also the very souls of those watching this celestial phenomenon. It was a display of power so absolute that every cultivator, no matter how powerful, felt utterly dwarfed by its presence.
However, Xuan Li didn't feel anything, for he was surrounded by a mysterious force. The warmth and comfort of this power wrapped around him like a gentle embrace. A soft breeze blew toward him, wiping the tears from his face. Above Xuan Li, as he lay unconscious, the dark clouds began to swirl, creating a small gap in the ominous sky. Through that gap, sunlight streamed down and illuminated Xuan Li's body, which shimmered with tiny, star-like dots.
Everyone present witnessed this incredible sight. The disciples of both the Shen Wu Sect and Heaven's Edge Sect watched in stunned silence. Jian Tian, the sect master of Heaven's Edge, muttered, "That light... it's falling in the direction of the Shen Wu Sect. But why?"
Ling Yuna, who stood nearby, felt a knot tighten in her chest. "Could it be because of Xuan Li? Come to think of it, this catastrophic phenomenon began the day after I broke the marriage contract. Why does it feel like there's a killing intent emanating from this unnatural event? Perhaps... it's connected to Xuan Li..." She quickly shook her head, dispelling the thought. "No. No, that's impossible. He's just a trash disciple. There's no way he could be the source of this."
Back at the Shen Wu Sect, Tian Wu, the sect master, was watching the light fall near his sect. He ordered his disciples to investigate. Several disciples and elders were sent to follow the light's path.
They soon reached the forest where the light had fallen. As one disciple attempted to enter, his body was suddenly torn apart as if shredded by an invisible force, his blood splattering into the air. The other elders gasped in shock, their faces paling. Fear gripped them.
A few of the elders joined their efforts, preparing to strike at whatever force was blocking their path. But to their horror, their combined attack was swallowed up, dissipating as if it had never existed.
One of the elders, pale and trembling, spoke in a grave tone. "We cannot enter this forest for now. Let's contact the master immediately. Whatever is inside is causing this catastrophic event... I'm certain of it."
Several disciples rushed to report the incident to the sect master of the Shen Wu Sect. Tian Wu, upon hearing the news, ordered solemnly, "No one is allowed to enter the forest from this point onward."
Meanwhile, in the sky, within the dark clouds, a sharp, ominous click echoed as a vortex began to form, distorting space and time. From this vortex, a mysterious item dropped, falling straight toward Xuan li. As the object landed upon his head, Xuan li's eyes snapped open, his voice hoarse as he muttered, "Huh? Where am I?"
Confused, he looked up at the chaotic sky. "Why is there such a phenomenon? And why is the light falling on me...?" he wondered aloud, bewildered by the strange event unfolding around him.
The clouds above hummed ominously, crackling with the energy of red and purple thunder, which seemed to converge at a single point above the Heaven's Holy Ground.
Within the Holy Ground, the elders, who had been watching in horror, knelt in front of the Heavenly Pillar, trembling as they whispered, "Heavens, please protect us from this catastrophe…"
The pillar responded to their desperate plea, glowing with a brilliant golden light. The ancient inscriptions upon it shimmered, and a barrier materialized above the Holy Ground. As the red and purple thunder roared, the clouds above seemed to charge, unleashing a devastating blow toward the barrier.
Just as the thunder was about to strike, the barrier shattered like paper, torn apart by the raw power of the attack. The elders' faces changed instantly, fear spreading across their features.
"No... the barrier is broken! Everyone, retreat!" one elder screamed, panic creeping into his voice.
But it was too late. The thunder struck the pillar with tremendous force, shattering it into pieces. The once proud and mighty Heavenly Pillar disintegrated into dust, its essence erased from existence. The entire area, once vibrant and sacred, was consumed by molten magma, turning into a barren wasteland.
The Heavenly Holy Ground, once a symbol of the heavens' favor, had been wiped off the map. Even the pillar, which had once rejected Xuan Li, now lay destroyed—its power nullified, erased from the world entirely.