Veil of the Shattered Heavens

Two days had passed since Xuan Li's breakthrough, and the Forest of Veiled Shadows was alive with the quiet rustle of leaves and the distant cries of unseen beasts. The path ahead was dense with fog, the ground uneven and littered with gnarled roots. Mei Xue strode confidently in front, her lightning-infused aura sparking faintly with each step. Behind her, Xuan Li trailed with a more measured pace, his expression distant as he listened to the voice resonating in his mind.

"Disciple," Veldris's calm yet commanding tone broke the silence in Xuan Li's thoughts. "Your Primordial Core has been restored, and your inner world has expanded significantly. With this, you've achieved a breakthrough. However..." Veldris paused for emphasis. "Your progress is still lacking. The heavenly origin will stop at nothing to suppress you. You must grow stronger. Remember, the path ahead will only grow more dangerous."

Xuan Li nodded subtly, acknowledging his master's words. His mind was set—there was no room for complacency. Suddenly, Mei Xue's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"Xuan Li," she called over her shoulder. "Why are you lagging so far behind? Don't tell me you've gotten slower after your breakthrough!" Her teasing tone carried a hint of genuine curiosity.

A sly smile tugged at Xuan Li's lips. "Don't get full of yourself, Mei Xue," he replied coolly. "Try to keep up with me."

With that, Xuan Li reached deep into his Primordial Core, channeling the refined cosmic energy through his body. A sense of exhilaration washed over him as the energy coursed through his veins like a revitalizing current. "Ahh, I missed this feeling," Xuan Li thought, a small smirk forming. "When my foundation was shattered, I could only rely on the rough cosmic energy from the surroundings. But now... refined energy from my core? It's a whole new world."

Cosmic energy flared to life around him, enveloping him in a dazzling blue aura that shimmered like starlight. With a sudden burst, he propelled forward, the ground beneath him cracking slightly as he shot past Mei Xue like a streak of light.

Mei Xue blinked, startled by the shadow that blurred past her. "What the—?!" she exclaimed, quickly realizing it was Xuan Li. "Is that his speed now?"

With a determined grin, she muttered, "Don't underestimate me!" Red thunder patterns appeared at the corners of her eyes, and her lightning aura surged. The faint crimson hue from the snake core she had refined infused her energy, adding a sharp edge to her movements. With a deafening crack of thunder, she dashed forward, matching Xuan Li's pace in an instant.

Noticing her rapid approach, Xuan Li glanced back, genuinely impressed. "Mei Xue, is that a new technique?"

Mei Xue caught up, her expression smug. "Of course! This is thanks to the monster core you gave me. When I refined it, I unlocked this new ability. Cool, right?"

Xuan Li nodded, a small laugh escaping him. "That snake core really helped you, huh? Well, it's good progress."

Before Mei Xue could reply, a feral roar echoed from deeper within the forest. Both of them turned toward the sound, their expressions sharpening. A pack of beasts emerged from the shadows—each creature radiating the energy of a mid-Stage Level 1 monster.

Xuan Li's grin widened. "Perfect timing," he said, flexing his fingers. "Mei Xue, I'll take the lead." Without waiting for a response, he surged forward, cosmic energy pulsing through his body.

The monsters snarled, rushing toward him with razor-sharp claws and fangs glinting in the faint light. Xuan Li raised his fist, condensing a sphere of cosmic energy into his palm. The energy pulsed brightly, growing more intense as he concentrated it. "Let's see how much this punch can do," he thought.

With a sharp exhale, Xuan Li threw his fist forward, releasing a devastating shockwave. The air screamed as the concentrated energy tore through the pack, obliterating the lead monster instantly. Its body disintegrated into bone fragments, and the force of the blow carried through to the three beasts behind it, reducing them to mangled heaps.

Xuan Li paused, surveying the aftermath. Blood splattered across the forest floor, and a faint stench filled the air. He frowned slightly, muttering, "Maybe I should hold back next time. This is a bit... messy."

Unbeknownst to him, another monster crept up from behind, its gleaming fangs aimed at his unprotected back. Mei Xue, however, was quick to react. In a flash of thunder, she appeared behind him, her fist crackling with electricity. She struck the beast with a precise blow, sending it flying through the air. The monster's body convulsed as lightning scorched its flesh, leaving it charred and lifeless.

"Xuan Li!" Mei Xue scolded, her voice filled with both concern and frustration. "How could you let your guard down like that?! You could've been killed!"

Xuan Li turned to her with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'll be more careful next time," he said. But inwardly, he thought, "You don't need to worry, Mei Xue. I sensed that monster approaching me long before you did. I just wanted to see how you'd handle it."

His gaze drifted upward, focusing on a faint shimmer in the air above them. A thin, blue barrier—about fifty meters wide—encased their surroundings. It was a sensing technique he had developed after his breakthrough, utilizing his refined cosmic energy. The barrier detected movements within its radius, alerting him to any potential threats.

Satisfied that there were no remaining enemies, Xuan Li dispelled the barrier. The subtle technique went unnoticed by Mei Xue, as her heavenly energy couldn't perceive cosmic energy.

In the locket, Veldris observed the scene with a faint smile. "This disciple of mine... to recreate a technique tailored to his needs so quickly... He truly is something special," Veldris mused. "But the path ahead will test him far beyond this forest. I hope he's ready for what's to come."

As the forest quieted once more, Xuan Li and Mei Xue continued their journey. Though danger lurked around every corner, the bond between them grew stronger, even as the secrets of Xuan Li's cosmic path remained his alone—for now.