The Falling Heavens Valley glowed faintly under a waning moon, its cliffs etched with moonlit runes that pulsed with fading celestial Qi. Ye Tian stood before the shrine, the Lunar Fang in one hand, its blue steel humming, and the Starshatter Fragment in the other, its black steel resonating with the Starshatter Scroll's words: "Forged in the heavens' fall, the blade's heart binds the sect's soul to eternity." The Void Scar in his dantian throbbed, its black Qi weakened but persistent, a lingering reminder of the Celestial Court's curse.
The Starlit Revenant, a spectral figure woven from moonlight, loomed before them, its Stage 9 aura radiating pure Starshatter Qi, its blade gleaming with ancient intent. Its voice echoed, mournful yet commanding: "The Oath's keeper must face the sect's soul." Behind Ye Tian, Xiao Lan gripped her crescent blade, blood seeping from her wounds, her eyes fierce with defiance.
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 Starlit Melody a quiet anchor against the Void Scar's chaos. Chen Wei lingered, his scarred face tense, clutching the stone tablet, his knowledge of the Court's ritual fueling Ye Tian's suspicion.
The Revenant's blade gleamed, its aura pressing like a mountain. "Prove your heart, or the Oath dies with you."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed, Sword Intent rippling the air. "My heart forged that blade. Test me." The Void Scar pulsed, a memory flashing—a cloaked disciple, face hidden, chanting in a Court ritual, a Celestial Relic glowing. The third betrayer. Pain blurred the vision, but Su Mei's melody cut through, steadying him.
Her jade eyes met his, fierce yet soft. "We'll face it together," she said, her flute's notes weaving a shimmering barrier. The melody synced with his Qi, easing the Void Scar's burn, their bond a spark in the dark.
Xiao Lan's voice snapped, sharp with frustration. "Prove it with steel, not words!" Her gaze flicked to Su Mei, rivalry crackling, but she charged, her crescent slashes slicing the air.
Lian Yue's aura surged. "The Revenant's tied to the Oath. It's a test of Fallen Moon's will."
Chen Wei's hand twitched, his voice low. "The tablet's runes—they hint at a relic's power in the shrine. I saw it in the vale."
Ye Tian's gaze hardened, the Void Scar whispering doubt. "You know too much, Chen Wei." He stepped forward, the Lunar Fang ready, Su Mei at his side.
The Revenant struck, its blade a flash of moonlight. Ye Tian flowed into Body Sword Stance, parrying with a burst of silver sparks. The impact rattled his bones, the Void Scar flaring, a vision searing—Zhao Wuji, his sworn brother, kneeling before a Court elder, a Void Shard in hand. "I had no choice, brother." Ye Tian roared, channeling Starlight Resonance. The valley's starlight surged into his blade, amplifying his Qi, his strikes glowing as he slashed the Revenant's arm, moonlight mist spraying.
Su Mei's Starlit Melody swelled, summoning a Starlit Phoenix, its wings scattering the Revenant's pure Qi. The bird dove, talons grazing its shoulder, but the Revenant's blade lashed, shattering the phoenix and sending Su Mei stumbling. Ye Tian caught her, their hands clasping briefly, her touch a warmth against his pain. "I'm with you," she whispered, her melody rising again, vines binding the Revenant's legs.
Xiao Lan's slashes carved the Revenant's side, mist spraying, but its blade grazed her arm, her grunt sharp. Lian Yue's Crescent Moon Slash unleashed a blue arc, slicing its form, but the Revenant reformed, its aura intensifying. Chen Wei struck, his blade precise, but his eyes darted to the shrine, hesitation flickering. "The relic—it's the key!" he shouted.
Ye Tian's gaze snapped to him, doubt coiling. "Find it!" He ducked the Revenant's strike, the moonlight blade nicking his shoulder, blood dripping. Pain surged, but Su Mei's melody wrapped around him, a Starlit Barrier shielding him. "Stay strong," she urged, her jade eyes fierce with resolve.
The Revenant's blade flashed, aiming for Ye Tian's heart. He parried, Sword Intent quaking the air. Su Mei's melody shifted, vines tightening, slowing the Revenant. Ye Tian lunged, Iron Vein Slash infused with Starlight Resonance, slashing its chest. Moonlight erupted, the Revenant staggering, but the shrine's runes flared, a Celestial Relic pulsing within, amplifying its power.
Chen Wei dashed to the shrine, his blade striking a hidden compartment. A jade orb—the same Celestial Relic from the vision—rolled free, its star runes glowing. Ye Tian seized it, a vision erupting: a Court ritual under a blood moon, Void Shards circling a shadowed altar, a cloaked disciple chanting, their amulet glowing. "The Oath binds the blade's heart," they intoned. The third betrayer's voice was clearer, almost familiar. Pain spiked, but Su Mei's hand steadied him, her melody anchoring him. "My mother saw that ritual," she whispered, her jade eyes shimmering. "She died to stop it."
Their shared loss bound them tighter, her touch a quiet vow. Ye Tian crushed the orb, its light fading, the Revenant faltering. He struck, the Lunar Fang piercing its core. The spectral figure dissolved into starlit mist, its voice echoing, "The Oath's heart awaits where stars perish."
The valley stilled, the fragment's glow softening. Ye Tian panted, blood dripping from his shoulder, the Void Scar quiet but lingering. Su Mei steadied him, her hand lingering on his arm, her touch a warmth against his pain. "You're their fear," she said, a faint smile breaking through. "My mother knew you'd reclaim the Oath."
Ye Tian's heart stirred, her faith a mirror to his resolve. "Her sacrifice drives us both," he said, their gazes holding, a spark of unspoken connection flaring under the moonlight.
Xiao Lan's voice cut through, sharp. "We're exposed! They'll come for us." Her eyes lingered on Su Mei, tension raw, her rivalry a simmering flame.
Lian Yue frowned, her aura probing. "The Revenant's words—'where stars perish.' It's the Eternal Star Chasm."
Chen Wei's voice was urgent. "The tablet's map—it points to a shrine in the chasm, hiding the next fragment. But the runes warn of a Court trap."
Ye Tian's gaze hardened, the Void Scar pulsing. "Show us." He clutched the map, a vision flashing—a disciple, face half-seen, placing a Void Shard in a chasm shrine, a Court elder nodding. The third betrayer, closer than ever.
They searched the shrine, finding a hidden compartment with a Starlit Map, its star runes detailing the Eternal Star Chasm, a place where celestial Qi burned eternal. A new clue etched below read: "The blade's heart burns where stars die."
Before Ye Tian could study it, the valley trembled, a massive aura surging. A Court Vanguard—Core Formation Stage 8—emerged from the mist, its blade radiating corrupted Starshatter Qi, a jade slip pulsing in its hand. "The Oath's heart is ours," it hissed. "You'll perish, Sovereign."
Ye Tian raised the Lunar Fang, Su Mei's melody rising beside him, their energies entwined. The Void Scar burned, but her presence steadied him. Was this vanguard the traitor, or a pawn guarding the Oath's final secret?