The forest was engulfed in chaos, a maelstrom of energy that could tear apart the heavens and the earth. On one side, the swirling blue cosmic aura surrounded Xuan Li like a living entity, pulsating with the rhythm of the stars. On the other, the heavens roared with fury, forming a vortex in the darkened sky. Thunder cracked and condensed into a massive, glowing sword of pure energy. The blade hung ominously above the forest, its purpose clear: obliteration.
The scene was a clash of titanic forces—cosmic energy and heavenly tribulation repelling and colliding, creating shockwaves that uprooted trees and scattered debris. Monsters in the vicinity turned to blood mist under the sheer intensity of the opposing forces.
Xuan Li stood amidst this tempest, his blue starry cosmic aura spiraling around him, the light it emitted contrasting sharply with the ominous darkness of the heavens. He gazed at the colossal thunder sword looming above, his expression calm but laced with defiance. Sweat dripped from his brow as he muttered under his breath, "Damn... this attack is on par with the late stage of Level 1. The heavens are truly determined to destroy me."
Yet, despite the overwhelming pressure, a faint smile played on his lips. Stretching out his hand, he whispered, "But I'm not backing down. Let's see what you've got, heavens."
In his palm, the cosmic aura swirled, condensing into a glowing orb of concentrated energy. He gritted his teeth, focusing his will. No... this isn't enough. I need more. Condense more. The orb grew brighter, denser, the energy within vibrating the very air around him.
The heavens roared in response, their wrath manifesting in the thunder sword, now fully formed and ready to unleash its fury. Its descent would signal annihilation.
Mei Xue, seated cross-legged nearby, was caught in the eye of this storm. She couldn't run, even if she wanted to. Her path forward required passing the heavenly tribulation or dying beneath it. The realization struck her like a blow: her life now hinged on surviving the thunder sword's wrath. As the oppressive energy closed in, she thought, Xuan Li... why are you going this far for me? We barely know each other. Guilt churned in her chest, anger at her own weakness bubbling to the surface. Why can't I stand on my own?
The orb in Xuan Li's hand pulsed violently, emitting a hum that resonated through the forest. But the heavens were not idle. A deafening crack split the air, and the thunder sword began its descent.
Xuan Li's eyes sharpened. Without hesitation, he hurled the condensed cosmic orb upward, directing it to intercept the sword. The two forces collided midair with an ear-piercing screech. The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending shockwaves across the forest. Trees were uprooted, and weaker monsters in the vicinity disintegrated into mist.
The collision sparked an apocalyptic display of power, cosmic energy and heavenly origin devouring and rejecting each other in a chaotic dance. But the cosmic orb faltered. Xuan Li's gaze hardened as he realized the imbalance. The heavens' wrath was overpowering.
As the orb burst with a deafening bang, releasing a wave of unstable energy, the thunder sword pressed forward, unharmed and unyielding. It raced toward Mei Xue and Xuan Li, its chaotic power promising certain death.
For the first time, Xuan Li hesitated. His voice trembled as he muttered, "I... I lost. I actually lost. All my hard work, all my effort... and it still wasn't enough. Haha." He laughed bitterly, memories flooding his mind. Ling Yuna's insults, the rejection of the heavenly pillars, and his years of humiliation and isolation came crashing down on him. Anger, frustration, and despair boiled within him, igniting a storm of emotions. "Why am I the only one who has to suffer?" he roared.
From deep within, the black flames of rage surged forth, spiraling around him. The flames twisted and coalesced, manifesting into an ancient, oppressive form. But Xuan Li barely noticed. His focus was on Mei Xue. Steeling himself, he rushed to shield her. I won't let her die because of me. Damn it all... why does it have to be like this?
In the depths of his soul, a voice echoed—a voice unlike any he had ever heard. It was neither his master's nor any familiar presence. This voice dripped with chaos, anger, and majesty, shaking him to his core. The chant it spoke reverberated in his mind:
Whispers of chaos, silence that speaks,
A rift in the void where the darkness leaks.
The heart of the gloom beats heavy and cold,
Its hunger consuming both young and old.
A bringer of doom, destruction's bane,
A shadowed harbinger born from pain.
Cosmic emeralds in shadows gleam,
A fractured light in a nightmarish dream.
The roar of rage shakes heavens and ground,
A cry of torment, a deafening sound.
From blackened flames, a figure takes form,
A tempest of wrath, a shadowed storm.
In its wake, the living shall cower,
Before the force of its darkened power.
The shadowborn rises, dread to inspire,
The chant echoed in Xuan Li's mind, its haunting cadence resonating with an unfathomable power. Each word seemed to carve itself into the depths of his soul, carrying a weight that transcended time and space.
Suddenly, the world around him vanished, swallowed by a boundless darkness. Xuan Li found himself standing in an endless void, its silence oppressive yet profound. The air here felt thick and alive, humming with chaotic energy that brushed against his skin like tendrils of shadow.
His heart pounded as he glanced around, the vast emptiness stretching infinitely in all directions. Yet, it was not the void that unsettled him—it was the sensation of being watched. An overwhelming presence bore down on him, suffocating yet oddly familiar.
Then, from the abyss, a light emerged—not bright, but cold and piercing. Two enormous white eyes, hollow yet filled with boundless majesty and chaos, opened before him. They radiated a primal energy that seemed to devour the very fabric of existence.
Xuan Li froze, not out of fear, but because of the strange connection he felt to these eyes. It was as if they were a mirror, reflecting the chaos, pain, and rage buried deep within him.
The white eyes moved closer, their gaze penetrating through him. Xuan Li didn't flinch. Instead, he stood tall, meeting their gaze with defiance. The connection grew stronger, a flood of emotions surging through him—rage, sorrow, determination, and an unyielding will to rise above everything.
the space around Xuan Li trembled violently, as though it could no longer contain the sheer power of the entity before him. The white eyes began to merge with his body, a torrent of energy pouring into him like a flood.
Pain seared through his soul, yet it was accompanied by an intoxicating surge of strength. He felt his own existence expanding, intertwining with the chaos, the void, and the power of the unknown.
When the merging was complete, Xuan Li opened his eyes. The void around him shattered like glass, and he was thrust back into reality. The thunder sword, its chaotic energy descending toward him and Mei Xue, loomed just a few meters away.
But now, Xuan Li felt different. The oppressive force of the heavens no longer weighed him down. Instead, he sneered, his voice carrying an unshakable confidence.
"You wanted me dead? Do you think you have the qualifications?"
Raising his hand, cosmic energy spiraled around his fingers, condensing into a shape not seen before—a sword, small but impossibly dense. The air trembled at its formation, a testament to its unparalleled power.
"Cosmic Sword... that breaks the heavens... CONDENSE!" Xuan Li roared. His voice carried across the forest, shaking the very ground. From within him, a primal roar resounded, echoing across the world.
The cosmic sword, now fully formed, radiated an overwhelming aura. With a wave of his hand, Xuan Li directed the blade toward the descending thunder sword. The two collided, and the resulting explosion was cataclysmic.
A sharp cracking sound echoed as the thunder sword began to splinter. Sparks of lightning erupted, but they were no match for the cosmic sword's devastating might. With a final, thunderous roar, the heavenly tribulation shattered, the dark clouds above dissipating into nothingness. The heavens' wrath was over.
Xuan Li stood amidst the ruins, his aura still surging but his expression calm. Mei Xue, trembling, stared at him in disbelief. The one who defied the heavens and emerged victorious stood before her, unyielding and unbroken.
Xuan Li turned, his gaze softening. "It's over," he said simply.
But in his heart, he knew—this was only the beginning.