Li Xuan stood alone in the heart of the Upper Realms, the sky above him shifting with chaotic colors as if reflecting the turmoil within his soul. The battle against the Eclipsed Sovereigns had been a simple step in his journey, a challenge easily overcome. But as the echoes of their defeat reverberated through the realm, a heavy realization weighed down on him: this was only the beginning. The true test of his power was still to come.
The Sutra whispered in his mind, its endless teachings now ingrained in his very being. He could feel the power coursing through him—limitless, infinite—but it came at a cost. The pain, the agony, the sensation of his body and soul being torn apart with every ascent, every victory—it was unbearable. Yet, Li Xuan had learned to embrace it, for with every shred of pain, there was an equal measure of enlightenment.
He had transcended the mortal limits, but at what cost? His connection to the lower realms, his ties to the world he had once ruled, were slowly fading. The karma he had manipulated to build his empire no longer felt as tangible. He had risen above it, but in doing so, had he lost a part of himself?
The question lingered in his mind as he continued his journey deeper into the Upper Realms. The inhabitants of this realm, sensing the disturbance in their world, began to turn their attention toward him. Whispers of his arrival spread like wildfire. The other factions of the Upper Realms—the Celestial Conclave, the Astral Dominion, and the Elder Consortium—all now knew of Li Xuan's presence. They understood the threat he posed.
But Li Xuan was not concerned with their petty politics. The only thing that mattered was power, the unrelenting drive to climb higher. The God Realms, the next stage of his ascension, loomed on the horizon like a distant mountain waiting to be conquered.
Yet, despite his unyielding determination, the voices of the Sutra grew louder, more insistent. It was as if it were warning him, reminding him that the path he walked was one of irreversible consequences. The Sutra's wisdom was not without a price. The more he advanced, the more his humanity was stripped away, piece by piece. His emotions, his attachments—they were all being erased, replaced by cold calculation and ruthless ambition.
But what was left to care for? He had no allies, no family. His rise was solitary, and his power was his only companion. He had seen the futility of relationships in his rise to the top. Trust was a commodity in short supply in these realms. Everyone was out for their own survival, their own gain. And Li Xuan was no different.
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An Unexpected Encounter
As Li Xuan ventured deeper into the Upper Realms, his presence did not go unnoticed. It was not long before a messenger from the Celestial Conclave appeared before him, an ethereal figure cloaked in silver robes that shimmered with starlight.
"Li Xuan, the one who has defied the natural order," the figure spoke with an unsettling calm, its voice echoing as if coming from every corner of the realm. "We have been watching you."
Li Xuan did not respond immediately, his eyes narrowing as he studied the messenger. He could feel the immense power radiating from the figure, but he was not intimidated. The Celestial Conclave was one of the most powerful factions in the Upper Realms, a group of beings who controlled the flow of time itself. They were masters of manipulation and had the ability to shape the very fabric of reality. But Li Xuan had already seen through their tactics. Power, true power, was not something they could control.
"I have no interest in your games," Li Xuan finally spoke, his voice cold and firm. "I seek only ascension."
The messenger's eyes gleamed with a knowing smile. "Ascension, yes. But at what cost? You have already begun to ascend beyond the limits of the mortal realm. Your presence here disturbs the natural flow of the worlds. It is not a matter of if you will fall, but when. No one has ever risen this far, and we are not prepared to allow you to continue without consequence."
Li Xuan's expression remained unchanged. "I do not fear your threats. If the Celestial Conclave stands in my way, I will destroy you."
The messenger did not flinch. Instead, it nodded slowly, as if Li Xuan's words were expected. "Very well, Li Xuan. But know this: your rise will be tested. The price of your ascension will not be measured in mere power alone. It will be measured in blood, in the sacrifice of those who stand in your path. And there will be many who will stand against you. Do not think your journey will be easy."
The figure vanished in an instant, leaving behind only the lingering scent of stardust in the air.
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A Shattering Revelation
As the messenger's words echoed in his mind, Li Xuan felt a strange chill crawl down his spine. He had never been one to entertain warnings or threats. The path of destruction he had chosen was one of certainty—he would climb higher, and no force would stand in his way. Yet, the messenger's words carried an undeniable weight. The price of ascension, the cost of power—it was something Li Xuan had always understood in the abstract, but now, it felt real. The Sutra had warned him of the consequences, but he had never truly comprehended them until now.
It was then that he felt it—a sudden, sharp pain coursing through his chest, as if something inside him had cracked. His body trembled, the pain intensifying with every heartbeat. The Sutra's influence over him had never been more intense, its presence in his mind like a flood of raw energy, overwhelming his senses. It was as if the very core of his being was being torn apart.
He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The pain was unbearable, far worse than anything he had endured before. His vision blurred, and his hands shook as he reached for the very foundation of his power, the Sutra. But even the Sutra could not protect him from the agony that coursed through him.
He had ascended beyond the realms of the mortal, but now, the Sutra's price was becoming clear. The higher he climbed, the more his body and soul would be tested. The Sutra demanded everything from him—and it was no longer a gradual process. The pain had reached its peak, and there was no turning back.
Li Xuan screamed, his body writhing as the pain threatened to consume him. But even in the midst of his suffering, there was a strange satisfaction. The Sutra had always promised enlightenment through pain, and he was finally beginning to understand the true meaning of that promise. Power was not merely about strength—it was about sacrifice. And Li Xuan was prepared to sacrifice everything.
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The Road Ahead
As the pain began to subside, Li Xuan stood shakily, his breath ragged. He had endured the worst of it, but he knew that the road ahead would be no easier. The Celestial Conclave's warning had been a reminder—ascension was not a path to be taken lightly. The higher he climbed, the more he would lose. But that was a price he was willing to pay.
With newfound clarity, Li Xuan set his sights on the God Realms. The Upper Realms had been only a stepping stone, a test. The real challenge lay beyond. And he would stop at nothing to claim the power that awaited him there.
The journey had only just begun.
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End of Chapter 15