Veil of the Shattered Heavens

The ancient Tomb of the Forgotten Gods echoed with an eerie silence. Deep within its halls, Xuan Li sat cross-legged at the base of a towering stone pillar. His body trembled uncontrollably, sweat streaming down his face. Blood seeped from the corners of his eyes and ears, staining his pale cheeks.

Xuan Li exhaled slowly, his breath shaky as he ceased infusing the pillar with cosmic energy. Instantly, the crushing mental pressure the pillar exerted faded. He took a second, steadier breath, then rose to his feet. His dark blade rested in his hand, its weight both familiar and reassuring.

Emerging into the open ground, Xuan Li reached into his belongings and retrieved a scroll. As he unfolded it, the scroll radiated an otherworldly light, its surface shimmering with celestial energy. The words etched upon it glowed faintly: "Starfall Cleave Sword Technique."

Suddenly, a surge of sword intent erupted from the scroll, enveloping the entire area. The oppressive energy was sharp, almost tangible, and it made the air hum with anticipation. Xuan Li tightened his grip on his blade—a weapon of jet-black steel adorned with blood-red runes. Its presence alone exuded an aura of dread and power.

The scroll transformed into a vivid display, projecting an ethereal illustration. A figure clad in white robes stood with serene confidence, their gleaming blade reflecting an unseen light. Across from them loomed a figure cloaked in black, their form shadowy and menacing.

In a blink, the white figure vanished, only to reappear behind their opponent. For a heartbeat, the scene froze in eerie stillness. Then, multiple radiant arcs of sword energy erupted from the black figure's body. The arcs sliced through them with ruthless precision, reducing them to a mist of crimson that scattered into the void.

The scroll dimmed, leaving Xuan Li stunned. His grip tightened on his blade as he murmured,"The Starfall Cleave Sword Technique… consists of three techniques. This is only the first one, but it's already so ruthless. How much more terrifying must the other two be?"

As if reading his thoughts, a familiar voice resonated in his mind—his master, Verdris. "The scroll I gave you contains only the first technique. Master this one first, and I will provide you with the others later."

Xuan Li smiled helplessly. "Of course, Master. You always test me first."

Suddenly, the scroll glowed once more. Ethereal runes emerged from its surface, spiraling toward Xuan Li. The runes embedded themselves into his mind, flooding it with intricate knowledge of the Starfall Cleave Sword Technique. For a moment, Xuan Li stood motionless, his eyes closed as he absorbed the information.

When he opened his eyes, they shone with determination. He clenched his blade and stepped toward a massive boulder in the training area. Standing before the imposing rock, he exhaled, channeling cosmic energy into his weapon. The blade began to hum softly, its edge gleaming with a faint, otherworldly light.

Xuan Li moved, initiating the first sequence of the technique. As he swung his blade, the energy coalesced into a streak of light that cut through the air with deadly precision. But just as the technique began to manifest, an overwhelming backlash surged through him. The force threw Xuan Li backward, slamming him against the wall of the chamber. He coughed violently, spitting blood onto the ground

Lying against the wall, he wiped the blood from his lips and chuckled bitterly. "Just as I expected… This technique isn't easy to master."

Pushing himself up, Xuan Li steadied his breathing. He looked at the boulder again, its surface unmarred by his previous attempt. Determination flared in his eyes as he tightened his grip on the blade. "If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it."

Without hesitation, Xuan Li stepped forward and began again. Each movement carried the weight of his will, and though the technique pushed him to his limits, he refused to falter. Again and again, he attempted the Starfall Cleave, each failure leaving him battered but more resolute.

The tomb's silent halls bore witness to his relentless training, the sound of his blade cutting through the air echoing in the vast chamber. The night stretched on, but Xuan Li's resolve burned brighter than ever. He knew that mastering this technique was only the beginning, 

The morning sun bathed the royal palace training grounds of Yuanfeng in a golden glow, but the atmosphere was anything but serene. The air was charged with intensity as 100 disciples pushed themselves to their limits. The ground buzzed with the sound of clashing swords and bursts of elemental abilities—lightning crackled, flames roared, and whirlwinds twisted in the air. Each disciple wielded their skill with precision and fervor, striving to outdo one another.

High above the training grounds, the seven sect masters stood on a raised pavilion, observing the scene with satisfaction. Among them was Tian Wu, the sect master of the Shen Wu Sect. He glanced at the disciples and nodded in approval. "Thanks to pooling all our resources, the heavenly aura in this area has become incredibly rich, allowing breakthroughs to occur ten times faster than usual."

The other sect masters nodded in agreement. Zhu Yifeng, the venerable elder of the Rising Star Pavilion, stroked his beard and remarked, "I have even brought out my sect's secret treasure for this occasion."

The masters turned their gazes upward, their eyes settling on the massive barrier enclosing the training grounds. At its center floated a radiant crystal stone, exuding an ethereal glow that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the heavenly aura around it.

Zhu Yifeng gestured toward it, his voice laced with pride and reverence. "That crystal contains pure heavenly essence, refined to the highest degree. It is an artifact of immense rarity and power. To obtain one is a challenge of the highest order."

Tian Wu nodded, his expression calm yet thoughtful. "Indeed, such crystals are formed over centuries, condensing the essence of heavenly energy in the peaks of the highest mountain ranges. Their value is beyond measure."

Zhu Yifeng smiled faintly. "Sect Master Tian Wu, despite your youth, you are exceedingly knowledgeable. As expected of the leader of the Shen Wu Sect. If Ancestor Shen Wu were still alive, we would not find ourselves in such dire circumstances. He was the strongest and wisest person I ever had the privilege of meeting."

Tian Wu's gaze softened at the mention of his predecessor. "Elder Zhu Yifeng, your reputation precedes you as well. Even during my early days in the Shen Wu Sect, I heard many stories of your accomplishments and wisdom."

As the two continued their exchange, a sudden disturbance drew their attention. The air rippled with energy, and the ground trembled slightly. Then, without warning, two beams of light shot skyward, their brilliance piercing through the barrier above with a thunderous roar.

The entire training ground fell silent as the disciples and sect masters alike turned their eyes to the source of the phenomenon. The beams shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, one glowing a vibrant gold and the other a deep crimson.

Tian Wu's expression turned serious. "Two beams of light… That signifies a dual breakthrough."

Zhu Yifeng's eyes narrowed, his voice steady but tinged with awe. "Not just any breakthrough. These are profound advancements in cultivation. Whoever caused this has stepped into an entirely new realm of power."