The scroll in Xuan Li's hand began to glow, its light intensifying until it became almost blinding. He instinctively shielded his eyes, but the brilliance seeped through his fingers, bathing the surroundings in a radiant aura. The light was alive, pulsing with an energy that seemed to transcend mortal comprehension.
As the glow reached its peak, a vision unfolded before Xuan Li's eyes—a vivid scene that made him hold his breath.
In a vast, ethereal battlefield shrouded in mist, countless black humanoid figures emerged from the shadows. They were ominous, their forms indistinct yet radiating an overwhelming malice. Surrounding a single white figure at the center, they moved like a tidal wave, their intent clear: annihilation.
The white figure stood tall and serene, his presence exuding unshakable confidence. Draped in a radiant aura, he raised his sword high, its blade gleaming with unparalleled brilliance. As the sword ascended, the air around him shimmered, and suddenly, multiple spectral swords materialized, hovering in a protective formation around him.
Each spectral sword carried a terrifying sword intent, sharp enough to slice through the void itself. They pulsated with raw energy, their presence an unspoken warning of the devastation they could unleash.
The black figures hesitated for a fraction of a second, but the white figure did not. With a calm, deliberate motion, he swung his sword downward.
In perfect silence, the spectral swords merged with the white figure's blade one by one. Each fusion caused the sword's aura to surge exponentially, resonating with a hum so powerful it felt like the heartbeat of the world itself. The air grew heavy, trembling under the sheer force of the condensed sword intent.
When the final spectral sword merged, the white figure's blade glowed with an otherworldly brilliance. The oppressive silence shattered as he unleashed his strike—a cataclysmic arc of light that tore through the battlefield.
The brilliant light engulfed everything, swallowing the black figures in its path. The sheer magnitude of the sword's power left Xuan Li breathless, his mind struggling to process the spectacle.
As the light finally began to fade, the aftermath was revealed. The black figures lay strewn across the ground, their forms lifeless, as though the very essence of their being had been obliterated.
Xuan Li's astonished gaze lingered on the white figure, who stood calmly amidst the devastation. He was a master of unparalleled skill, wielding a technique that transcended mortal limitations.
The vision faded, and Xuan Li found himself back in his secluded training ground, the scroll glowing faintly in his hands. He couldn't help but voice his amazement.
"Wow… the second sword is entirely different from the first," he muttered, his voice tinged with awe. "The first technique was focused on one-on-one combat, a close-range strike that demands precision and power. But this second sword… it's designed for battlefields. Its range is far greater, and it can take down multiple opponents at once."
As if responding to his realization, the scroll lit up again. This time, the glowing runes unraveled, their energy coalescing into a stream of information that surged directly into Xuan Li's mind. He gasped as the knowledge of the Starfall Cleave – Second Sword technique was imprinted into his consciousness.
The complexity of the technique was overwhelming, yet it resonated with him on a deep level. Every motion, every energy flow, every intent—it was as if the technique had become a part of him.
Xuan Li lowered the scroll, his hand trembling slightly. His lips curled into a determined smile. "So, this is the power of the second sword," he murmured. "If I master this, my strength will grow by leaps and bounds. But..." He paused, his expression turning serious. "This is not just a weapon—it's a responsibility. A technique like this can change the course of a battle, or even a war."
In the locket, Veldris observed quietly. His eyes glimmered with a mix of pride and caution. The boy is growing stronger. But with every step he takes, the path ahead becomes more treacherous. I can only hope he's prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Xuan Li clenched his fists, his resolve solidifying. "There's no time to waste," he said to himself. "If I'm to face whatever fate has in store for me, I need to grow stronger. No… I must grow stronger."
The scroll's light dimmed, its purpose fulfilled, but the spark it ignited within Xuan Li burned brighter than ever.
As the glow of the first scroll faded, Xuan Li took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with effort. The knowledge of the Starfall Cleave – Second Sword resonated within him like an unlit flame, waiting for the right moment to ignite. The intricacy of the technique left him both awed and determined—it was a weapon unlike anything he had wielded before.
Yet before he could fully absorb the depth of the first technique, the second scroll in his possession began to stir.
A soft hum emerged, low and haunting, like a distant melody carried by an invisible wind. It grew louder, the vibrations rippling through the air and settling deep in Xuan Li's chest. His heart raced as the scroll's surface glowed, golden runes unfurling like celestial vines. They twisted and spiraled, forming a map of stars that radiated an otherworldly brilliance.
The energy in the training ground shifted, growing heavy and oppressive. Xuan Li staggered back slightly, his breathing labored. It felt as if the weight of the Cosmic Will was pressing down on him, forcing him to confront something far beyond his comprehension.
Instinctively, Xuan Li tightened his grip on the scroll, but it broke free from his hands, floating in mid-air. The golden runes unraveled, breaking apart into radiant streams of light that surged toward his forehead. He had no time to react before they struck him, piercing his mind like bolts of lightning.
A tidal wave of information flooded Xuan Li's consciousness. It was vast, overwhelming, and chaotic. Images of an immense, cosmic eye formed in his mind, its presence so powerful that it eclipsed all thought.
The eye was terrifying. Its center was an abyssal void, drawing in everything—light, hope, and existence itself. Surrounding it was a ring of searing purple and black energy, pulsating with raw, unrestrained power. Tendrils of energy spiraled outward from the eye, as though clawing at the edges of reality.
Xuan Li's mind reeled under the weight of the technique. Words etched themselves into his consciousness:
"Abyssal Cosmic Gaze."
The name resonated with a terrifying finality.
Pain lanced through Xuan Li's head as he tried to make sense of the technique's vast complexity.
His breathing quickened as he struggled to hold onto himself. His thoughts became fragmented, lost in the chaotic tide of knowledge. His mind screamed for relief, for a way out of the storm.
Then, a voice broke through the turmoil.
It was not Veldris's voice. This voice was deep and transcendent, resonating with an authority that surpassed mortal comprehension.
"Abyssal Cosmic Gaze. This technique is not just a weapon—it is a force of nature. The cosmic eye annihilates all hope, eliminating not just the body but the very essence of the soul. To wield it is to walk the line between creation and destruction. Remember this, for the eye spares no one, not even its wielder, if used carelessly."
The voice sent chills down Xuan Li's spine. It was ancient, commanding, and carried the weight of countless lifetimes. The sheer presence behind it made his knees buckle, his body trembling in awe and fear.
When the voice faded, Xuan Li slumped to the ground, gasping for air. Sweat dripped from his brow as he muttered to himself, "What kind of existence was the owner of that voice? I felt a chill just listening to it…"
He stared blankly at the ground, the words echoing in his mind:
"A cosmic eye that annihilates hope and eliminates the soul... This is a technique that doesn't just destroy—it obliterates everything. But... it's also terrifying. How do I even begin to master something like this without losing myself?"
From the locket, Veldris's voice rang out, calm yet firm, breaking through Xuan Li's daze.
"Boy, the techniques you've just inherited are tools to shape your destiny. But remember, power without control is a curse. The Abyssal Cosmic Gaze is not just a weapon—it's a judgment on existence itself. Do not use it recklessly. Mastery will require you to confront not just enemies, but your own soul."
Xuan Li raised his head, his breathing still uneven. "I understand, Master. These techniques are more than just power—they're a responsibility. But if I'm to face the trials ahead, I have no choice but to master them."
In the locket, Veldris's voice grew softer, tinged with a hint of melancholy. "The boy has inherited the legacy of destruction," Veldris thought to himself. "But will he have the strength to wield it without losing himself? Time will tell."
The training ground fell silent once more, but the air was heavy with the echoes of the techniques Xuan Li had just inherited.
He stood slowly, his legs still unsteady, his mind still processing the enormity of what had just happened. Yet deep within him, a flicker of determination burned.
"Power is a burden," he murmured to himself. "But I won't let it break me."
The brilliance of the Starfall Cleave – Second Sword and the overwhelming might of the Abyssal Cosmic Gaze now resided within him, waiting to be mastered. Xuan Li clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.
The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure—he had to become stronger. Not just to wield these techniques, but to uncover the truth behind his destiny and the forces guiding him.
With renewed determination, Xuan Li stepped forward, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.