Veil of the Shattered Heavens

Ten days had passed since Xuan Li first stood before the Huze Boulder, drenched in sweat and blood, relentlessly pushing himself to master the first sword of the Starfall Cleave Sword Technique. Yet, his efforts yielded no progress.

His trembling hands clenched his black-bladed sword, its blood-red runes pulsating faintly, as if mocking his inability. His body was exhausted, his spirit strained to the brink.

"Why?" Xuan Li growled, his voice hoarse. "I've tried more than a thousand times… trained every day, pushed my spiritual power to its limit, yet I still can't execute the first sword. Is this… not enough?"

He swung his blade in frustration, carving a jagged scar into the boulder, only for it to remain unyielding, a silent reminder of his failure.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind, calm yet tinged with a faint reprimand.

"Disciple, it seems you've reached a bottleneck."

Xuan Li froze, his frustration momentarily replaced by respect and surprise. "Master Verdris?"

The locket around his neck shimmered with energy, and a translucent form materialized beside him—Verdris, his master, . His piercing eyes studied Xuan Li with an unreadable expression.

"You've trained yourself on the brink of death, over and over," Verdris began, his tone even. "And yet, you've failed to grasp the essence of the technique."

Xuan Li lowered his gaze, shame bubbling within him. "Master… I've tried everything."

"No, you haven't." Verdris extended his hand, and the air around them grew heavy. Black particles gathered in a vortex before him, swirling with a menacing energy. Ancient runes flickered in and out of existence, radiating a power both foreign and oppressive.

In a burst of dark light, a humanoid figure materialized. Its body was pitch black, etched with glowing purple runes, and its presence radiated an overwhelming sense of dread. A long, jagged spear rested on its back, crackling with ominous energy.

Xuan Li staggered backward, his eyes wide. "Master, what is this… thing?"

Verdris regarded the figure with a blank expression. "This is the Abyssal Warden, a manifestation of pure combat intent. It was forged from my own power and will serve as your training partner."

Xuan Li's heart raced as the Warden's soulless eyes locked onto him, its aura pressing down like a mountain. "Train… with that?!"

"Yes," Verdris replied simply. "Your problem is not your lack of effort, but your lack of true combat understanding. Techniques such as the Starfall Cleave require one to face overwhelming pressure, to stand against impossible odds. Only then can the sword's essence reveal itself to you."

He gestured toward the Warden, whose spear glowed faintly as it assumed a battle stance. "The Abyssal Warden will push you beyond your limits, just as a true opponent would. It will not hold back."

Xuan Li's grip tightened on his blade as he straightened himself. Despite his exhaustion, his eyes burned with determination. "If this is what it takes to master the technique, then so be it."

Verdris allowed a faint smirk to cross his lips. "Good. Prepare yourself, disciple. The Abyssal Warden shows no mercy."

Before Xuan Li could respond, the Warden vanished, its movements faster than his eyes could follow. He barely managed to raise his sword as the Warden's spear descended in a blur, the impact sending shockwaves through the clearing.

Xuan Li gritted his teeth, his arms trembling under the force. His thoughts raced. "So fast… its strength… it's like fighting an endless abyss!"

The Warden didn't relent, its attacks relentless and precise. Xuan Li was forced to dodge, parry, and counter with everything he had. Each clash left his body screaming in pain, yet his resolve only grew stronger.

As the night stretched on, the clearing was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and ragged breaths. Xuan Li's movements began to change—his strikes became sharper, his footwork more fluid, as he adapted to the Warden's unrelenting assault.

From the sidelines, Verdris watched with an approving nod. "Good. Now you're beginning to understand, disciple. The first sword of the Starfall Cleave is not about perfection—it's about survival. Only when you grasp this will the technique become yours."

And so, the battle raged on, the night bearing witness to Xuan Li's unyielding determination to surpass his limits.

At the break of noon, Xuan Li knelt in front of the towering pillar within the Tomb of the Forgotten Gods, sweat drenching his robes and blood trickling from his mouth. His breathing was labored as he endured the oppressive mental pressure emanating from the ancient construct.

He had reached the second block of the pillar, a feat that doubled the intensity of the first. The weight bore down on him, not only on his body but deep into his mind, testing the very limits of his spirit. It felt as though an invisible hand was crushing his soul.

An hour passed. Xuan Li, trembling and pale, finally exhaled a long, steady breath. He pushed himself to his feet, his knees shaking but his resolve unbroken.

"Not enough…" he muttered, wiping the blood from his lips. Turning, he directed his weary gaze toward the Abyssal Warden, which stood motionless like a grim sentinel. Its black body, inscribed with pulsating purple runes, seemed to mock him silently.

Xuan Li gripped his sword tightly, the blood-red runes along its black blade glowing faintly. He stepped forward, his eyes resolute. "Okay," he said, his voice steady despite the fatigue coursing through his veins. "Let's start."

The Abyssal Warden came to life, its purple runes flaring brilliantly as if answering his challenge. The spear it carried hummed with deadly precision, vibrating with raw energy. Without hesitation, the Warden lunged forward, the spear aimed directly at Xuan Li's heart.

Xuan Li's eyes widened as he reacted instinctively, sidestepping at the last moment. Yet, despite his effort, the spear's tip grazed his face, leaving a shallow but stinging scar across his cheek. Blood trickled down, and the sharp pain reminded him of the Warden's merciless nature.

"Too slow," Xuan Li growled to himself, gritting his teeth as he adjusted his stance.

The Warden didn't relent, spinning its spear with a terrifying speed that caused the air around it to ripple. It advanced again, its strikes faster and more precise. Each attack pushed Xuan Li further back, forcing him to parry and dodge with all his remaining strength.

With every clash, Xuan Li could feel himself improving. The spear's overwhelming power made him sharper, his instincts more honed. He began to see faint patterns in the Warden's movements, subtle tells that allowed him to anticipate its next move.

"This isn't just about strength," Xuan Li thought, his breathing heavy. "It's about focus… and control. I need to feel the flow of the fight, not just react to it."

The Warden's spear thrust again, but this time, Xuan Li stepped into the attack, deflecting the strike with his blade. The clash sent vibrations up his arm, but he used the momentum to pivot, slashing at the Warden's side.

The blade struck true, leaving a shallow mark on the Warden's runed body.

For the first time, Xuan Li felt a surge of triumph. "I can do this," he muttered, his grip on his sword tightening.

From the side, Verdris observed silently, his expression unreadable. He noted the subtle shift in Xuan Li's aura—his disciple was adapting, evolving through the relentless trials.

The Abyssal Warden paused, its runes flickering as though assessing the damage. Then, with renewed ferocity, it lunged again, its movements even faster and more erratic.

Xuan Li smiled grimly, his body aching but his spirit burning brighter than ever. "Come," he said, bracing himself for the next round. "I'm not done yet."

The training continued, each clash a step closer to mastering the Starfall Cleave Sword Technique and unlocking the potential within himself.