The Celestial Weep Lake shimmered under a fractured moon, its starlit waters rippling with celestial Qi that stung Ye Tian's senses. The Moonlit Compass in his hand vibrated, its needle quivering toward the altar where the Starshatter Fragment lay embedded, its black steel pulsing with a mournful hum.
The Void Scar in his dantian burned, a jagged pulse of black Qi echoing the corrupted shard wielded by the Core Formation Stage 4 assassin who now stood before them, cloaked in black, its jade slip glowing with malice. The Lunar Fang at Ye Tian's hip sang faintly, urging him to fight, but the weight of the assassin's aura pressed like a mountain.
Behind him, Xiao Lan's crescent blade gleamed, her face taut with defiance despite her wounds. Elder Lian Yue's silver hair caught the starlight, her Core Formation aura a steady shield. Su Mei stood close, her jade flute raised, its star runes glowing, her presence a quiet anchor against the Void Scar's chaos. Chen Wei lingered at the edge, his scarred face unreadable, his earlier claim—"a Void Shard trap"—gnawing at Ye Tian's trust.
The assassin's voice rasped, cold and mocking. "You clutch fragments of a broken dream, Sovereign. The Court will forge a new heaven with your blade."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed, the Void Scar flaring with pain. "My blade will carve your end first." He raised the Lunar Fang, Sword Intent rippling the air, ready to meet the assassin's corrupted shard.
Su Mei's flute sang a single, piercing note, her Starlit Melody weaving celestial Qi into a shimmering barrier. "Stay sharp," she whispered, her jade eyes locking with Ye Tian's, a flicker of resolve passing between them. Her melody steadied his pulse, dulling the Void Scar's burn, their shared connection a spark in the dark.
Xiao Lan's grip tightened, her voice sharp. "Less talking, more fighting." Her gaze flicked to Su Mei, a spark of rivalry flaring, but she stepped forward, blade ready.
Elder Lian Yue's aura flared. "He's not alone. More are coming."
The assassin lunged, its blade a whirlwind of corrupted Starshatter Qi, dark and jagged. Ye Tian met it with Body Sword Stance, the Lunar Fang clashing in a burst of silver and black sparks. The impact shook his bones, the Void Scar screaming, a vision flashing—Lin Feng, his disciple, kneeling before a cloaked figure, forging a jade slip. "For the Court," Lin Feng whispered.
Ye Tian roared, shoving the memory aside, channeling Starlight Resonance. The lake's starlight surged into his blade, amplifying his Qi, his strikes glowing silver as he parried the assassin's onslaught.
Su Mei's melody swelled, summoning a Starlit Phoenix, its wings of light scattering the assassin's dark Qi. The bird dove, talons grazing the assassin's shoulder, drawing blood. The assassin snarled, its jade slip flaring, summoning shadows that coalesced into Void Wraiths, Stage 8, their red eyes glowing. Xiao Lan's crescent slashes cut through one, blood and mist spraying, but another clawed her arm, her cry sharp. Lian Yue's Crescent Moon Slash carved a blue arc, dispersing two wraiths, but more formed, relentless.
Chen Wei struck, his blade precise, felling a wraith, but his eyes darted to the altar, hesitation flickering. "The shard's the key!" he shouted. "It powers the trap!"
Ye Tian's gaze snapped to him, the Void Scar pulsing with doubt. "How do you know so much?" He ducked the assassin's strike, the corrupted shard nicking his side, blood welling. Pain exploded, but Su Mei's melody surged, a starlit note wrapping around him like a shield, easing the curse's grip. Their eyes met, her determination a mirror to his own, a silent vow binding them.
"Focus!" she urged, her flute's notes weaving vines that bound the wraiths. Ye Tian lunged, Iron Vein Slash infused with Sword Intent, slashing the assassin's chest. Blood sprayed, the assassin staggering, but its jade slip glowed brighter, summoning a wave of dark Qi that shoved Ye Tian back.
Xiao Lan and Lian Yue fought back-to-back, their blades a flurry, but the wraiths pressed harder. Chen Wei moved to the altar, his blade striking the Void Shard. It cracked, black light erupting, the wraiths faltering. Ye Tian seized the moment, Starlight Resonance peaking, his blade a silver comet. He struck, the Lunar Fang piercing the assassin's shoulder. The figure roared, retreating into the mist, its jade slip dimming.
The lake stilled, the wraiths dissolving. Ye Tian panted, blood dripping from his side, the Void Scar quieting. Su Mei lowered her flute, her face pale but resolute. She stepped closer, her hand brushing his arm, steadying him. "You're reckless," she said, her voice soft, a faint smile breaking through. "But I'm starting to believe in you, like she did."
Ye Tian's heart stirred, her touch a warmth against his pain. "Your mother's faith drives me. So does yours." Their gazes held, a spark of something deeper—shared loss, shared resolve—igniting in the starlight.
Xiao Lan's voice cut through, sharp. "We don't have time for this. They'll be back." Her eyes lingered on Su Mei, tension crackling.
Lian Yue nodded, her aura probing the mist. "She's right. But the fragment's secure."
Ye Tian approached the altar, the Starshatter Fragment glowing brighter as he touched it. A vision flooded him—wielding the Starshatter Sword, splitting a mountain, Su Mei's mother cheering beside a forge. "For the sect," she'd said, her voice warm. The Void Scar pulsed, pain mingling with memory, but Su Mei's presence anchored him.
Chen Wei's voice was low, urgent. "I found something in the vale—a Fallen Moon relic, etched with Court runes. It's a clue to the spy."
Ye Tian's gaze sharpened, the Void Scar whispering. "Show me."
Chen Wei produced a jade tablet, its surface carved with moonlit runes overlaid with jagged Court symbols. "I took it from a scout. It mentions a traitor within Fallen Moon, guiding the Court."
Xiao Lan's eyes widened. "You kept this secret?"
"I needed proof," Chen Wei said, his voice steady but his eyes darting. "It's not me."
The Void Scar burned—a half-truth. Ye Tian gripped the Lunar Fang, doubt coiling. Before he could press, the lake trembled, ripples spreading. A spectral beast rose from the depths—a Celestial Drake, Stage 9, its scales glowing with starlight, its roar shaking the air. Its eyes locked on the fragment, its aura tied to the Court's malice.
Su Mei's flute sang, her Starlit Melody weaving a barrier, but the drake's tail lashed, shattering it. Ye Tian raised the Lunar Fang, Su Mei at his side, her melody syncing with his Qi. The Void Scar roared, but her presence steadied him. Was the spy among them, or was the Court's true agent this beast's master?