Veil of the Shattered Heavens

Three days had passed since Xuan Li began his journey anew. Now, he stood on the edge of a vast, foreboding chasm. The pit stretched over twenty miles wide, its depths hidden by an impenetrable darkness. A suffocating aura of malice surrounded it, and the air was filled with constant howls—inhuman, chilling sounds that seemed to come from the abyss itself.

Xuan Li hesitated, his feet rooted to the ground. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he stared into the void.

Suddenly, Veldris's voice broke through his thoughts, resonating with authority. "What is the matter, disciple? Why are you hesitating?"

The locket around Xuan Li's neck glowed, and from it emerged the figure of his master, Veldris. Clad in his cosmic aura, Veldris's expression was calm yet commanding.

Xuan Li's body trembled slightly as he turned to face his master. "Master... are you absolutely certain this is the right place?"

Veldris nodded, his eyes fixed on the abyss. "Yes. I can sense a strong presence emanating from within. This is precisely where you need to go. Moreover, there's no one here to interfere."

Xuan Li let out a helpless laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Master, I don't think you're aware of what this place is called." He gestured toward the pit. "This is the Tomb of the Forgotten Gods—also known as the Abyss. It's infamous for having a zero survival rate. No one who's entered has ever come out alive. According to legend, a god sealed a power here so dangerous that it threatened the entire land."

Veldris's expression remained unreadable as he stared into the abyss. His cosmic energy swirled faintly, illuminating the area around him. "A god, you say? Interesting."

Xuan Li stepped back slightly, his unease growing. "Master, maybe we should reconsider—"

Before he could finish, Veldris snapped his fingers. A wave of cosmic energy burst forth, striking Xuan Li like an unstoppable force.

"Master, wait—!"

The force shoved him forward, and he fell headfirst into the abyss.

As the wind roared in his ears and the darkness swallowed him, Xuan Li gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over. "Every single time," he muttered. "Every place, every opponent—Master always picks something that feels like I'm signing my own death certificate. Dammit!"

The abyss seemed to echo his thoughts with a low, guttural howl, as if mocking his plight. Darkness surrounded him, and the malice thickened, pressing against his very soul. Yet, despite his frustration and fear, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Fine. Let's see what's waiting for me down here," he muttered, clenching his fists as he prepared for the unknown.

Xuan Li plummeted into the abyss, the wind howling around him like a mournful dirge. The oppressive darkness pressed against him, thick and suffocating. Taking a deep breath, he channeled his cosmic energy, his body glowing with a radiant blue light. The starry aura surrounding him illuminated the void, pushing back the malice as he descended further.

After what felt like an eternity, his feet finally touched solid ground. The impact sent a resounding bang through the cavern, creating a shallow crater beneath him. Dust and debris swirled in the dim light, obscuring his surroundings.

As Xuan Li steadied himself, Veldris materialized behind him in a burst of cosmic energy. His master's form exuded an almost otherworldly presence, the faint shimmer of the cosmos surrounding him like a divine mantle.

Without a word, Veldris raised his hand and pointed a finger. A small spark of cosmic energy flickered at the tip before expanding into a glowing orb of fire. The orb hovered midair, its warm light chasing away the shadows and illuminating the cavern.

Xuan Li watched the process in awe. "Master," he asked, his curiosity piqued, "do you have flame abilities as well?"

Veldris's expression remained blank as he replied, his tone calm and precise. "Disciple, this is not a flame ability. It is merely the manipulation of cosmic energy and the comprehension of cosmic laws. Unlike your heaven, which bestows abilities upon individuals, the cosmos operates on understanding and mastery."

Xuan Li furrowed his brows, his interest growing. "Master, can I learn to manipulate cosmic energy like this?"

Veldris turned his piercing gaze toward him, his tone unchanging. "Your comprehension of cosmic energy is still lacking. If you attempt to manipulate it now with your unstable condensing technique, the backlash will overwhelm your body. Your foundation, would collapse."

The words hit Xuan Li like a thunderclap. Shock flashed across his face as he thought, Even after all those grueling months of training, I'm still so far behind?

Veldris observed his disciple's reaction but offered no comfort. Instead, he continued, his voice steady and unyielding. "There is a time for everything, and now is not the time for manipulation. There are other things you must focus on."

Xuan Li swallowed his frustration, clenching his fists as he nodded. "Understood, Master," he said, determination flickering in his eyes. He resolved to push forward, knowing that this was only the beginning of the challenges the abyss would bring.

The light from the fire orb danced across the cavern walls, revealing ancient carvings and twisted, unfamiliar markings etched into the stone. A low, guttural growl echoed from the depths of the pit, sending shivers down Xuan Li's spine.

"Then what's next?" he asked, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his heart.

Veldris's eyes narrowed as he stared into the darkness beyond. "Prepare yourself, disciple," he said, his tone carrying a weight that sent a chill through the air. "What lies ahead will test not only your strength but your very existence."

From the darkness ahead emerged a colossal creature emerged, cloaked in a black and red malice aura. Its 200-foot serpentine body, glistening with jagged obsidian scales, moved on four massive legs tipped with razor-sharp talons. Six monstrous heads, glowing red eyes burning, roared in unison. Serrated fangs dripped acid, while tendrils of malice corroded everything in their wake.