Xuan Li stood in the forest, his gaze fixed on the shattered remnants of the Heavenly Holy Ground. The once-mighty pillars that had symbolized the heavens' will now lay in ruins, reduced to dust and consumed by molten fury. The destruction was beyond comprehension, a violent testament to the power that had torn through the land. The dark clouds had receded, and with them, the eerie stillness settled, as if the very heavens had been humbled by the immense force that had been unleashed.
In that quiet aftermath, Xuan Li's heart pounded with awe. This event—it was more than just a calamity. It was a glimpse into a power that far eclipsed even the heavens themselves. His breath caught in his throat as a gnawing uncertainty tugged at him. Was this destruction a mere coincidence, or was it something far greater than he could comprehend, an omen for what was yet to come?
As the weight of the moment pressed down on him, he finally broke his silence. "I need to get back to the sect," he muttered, his resolve slowly hardening. Yet, as he began to move, a strange sensation crept over him. The necklace, which had materialized from the storm, now hung conspicuously around his neck, its presence undeniable. Without thinking, he hurriedly stuffed it into his pocket, his mind racing.
Unbeknownst to him, his actions hadn't gone unnoticed. The storm had drawn the attention of many, and both the Shen Wu Sect and Heavenly Edge Sect had already begun to prepare for an investigation into the event.
In the Heavenly Edge Sect, Jian Tian, the Sect Master, stood solemnly on a balcony, his eyes narrowing as he reflected on the unimaginable power that had erupted from the clouds. "If someone triggered that vision," he murmured to himself, "they must be from the Shen Wu Sect. We need to establish a relationship with them before this force spirals further out of control." His sharp gaze flickered as he considered the threat that such power posed in the hands of another sect.
Meanwhile, back at the Shen Wu Sect, Tian Wu, the Sect Master, had ordered the elders to scour the forest for answers. "There is far more to this than we can comprehend," he said, his tone grave. "We must uncover who or what is behind this disaster."
Back within the Shen Wu Sect, Xuan Li sat alone in his room, his mind spinning with the events he had witnessed. The image of the Heavenly Holy Ground's destruction was burned into his mind, but one thought lingered above all others: Why had the light fallen on me?
He sighed, trying to push his worries aside. "It's a good thing I left the forest before anyone found me out," Xuan Li muttered to himself. "If anyone discovered I was there during the catastrophe, I'd be the center of attention." His fingers brushed the pocket where the necklace now lay, and a wave of unease washed over him. What do I do with this relic?
Pulling it out, he examined the necklace, its design intricate, as if it held centuries of forgotten secrets. There was something about it that felt far more than just an artifact. A strange, ancient energy pulsed from it—both foreign and familiar. Without thinking, he placed it around his neck.
In an instant, the room was flooded with a brilliant white light, so intense it seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality. The light condensed, forming into a towering figure. Xuan Li could hardly breathe as he gazed upon a being of immense stature, draped in black robes embroidered with gold. His hair was as dark as the night sky, his eyes like windows into the cosmos itself, seeing far beyond time. A deep, otherworldly power radiated from him.
Xuan Li was frozen in awe and fear, his mouth dry as the figure's voice, deep and ancient, echoed through the room. "It has been an eternity… and yet, this is all I can sense—a planet-level consciousness," the being murmured to himself, his voice laced with a quiet sorrow. "It seems my powers have not fully manifested yet."
"Who are you?" Xuan Li stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "What are you talking about?"
The figure's gaze shifted toward him, eyes narrowing as if trying to peer into Xuan Li's very soul. "Who are you... and in what incarnation era am I?"
Xuan Li's confusion deepened. "Incarnation... era? This... this is Yuanfeng, the era of the heavens," he replied, his voice trembling.
The figure frowned, his brow furrowing as though struggling to recall something distant. "Heavens? What is this? Are they the celestial lords of this dimension?"
"Dimension... celestial lords?" Xuan Li echoed, his mind spinning as he tried to grasp the weight of the conversation.
Before Xuan Li could gather his thoughts, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. His heart skipped a beat. "Quick, hide!" he whispered urgently. "Someone's coming!"
The being raised a hand, and with a swift motion, ancient runes appeared, swirling in the air and enveloping them both. For a brief moment, the runes shimmered, and then the room fell into complete silence as they became invisible.
The door to Xuan Li's room creaked open, and Sect Master Tian Wu stepped inside. His sharp gaze swept the room, lingering for a moment, but finding nothing unusual. His brow furrowed slightly in suspicion before he turned and exited, closing the door behind him.
Xuan Li let out a long breath, his heart still racing. "Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice tense. "You're treating the Sect Master like a joke. Did you not put him in your thoughts?"
The figure smiled faintly, a hint of amusement in his ancient eyes. "On this entire planet, no one is worth my attention—not even the heavens you speak of."
Xuan Li froze, the weight of the words sinking in. He's not joking. He truly means it. The oppressive pressure in the air grew heavier, as if this being was far beyond anything Xuan Li could ever comprehend. The heavens themselves seemed like mere children in comparison.
"Who are you?" Xuan Li asked...