The Eternal Star Chasm roared with celestial flames, its jagged cliffs bathed in a crimson glow that danced across the shrine's moonlit runes. Ye Tian stood firm, the Lunar Fang in one hand, its blue steel humming, and the Starshatter Fragment in the other, its black steel pulsing with the Starlit Map's clue: "The blade's heart burns where stars die."
The Void Scar in his dantian throbbed, its black Qi weakened but persistent, a jagged reminder of the Celestial Court's curse. The Celestial Inferno Beast, a Stage 10 monstrosity wreathed in starfire, loomed before them, its molten eyes blazing, its claws radiating corrupted Starshatter Qi.
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 gleamed, 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 traps—and Hua Qing's betrayal—fueling Ye Tian's suspicion.
The beast's roar shook the chasm, its voice a molten growl. "The blade's heart burns for the worthy. You are not."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed, Sword Intent rippling the air. "My blade proves my worth." The Void Scar pulsed, a memory flashing—Hua Qing, her cold eyes glinting in a Court ritual, a Void Shard in hand. "The Oath is mine," she had whispered. Pain blurred the vision, but Su Mei's melody cut through, steadying him.
Her jade eyes met his, fierce yet warm. "We'll face the fire 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 inferno.
Xiao Lan's voice snapped, sharp with frustration. "Burn it down!" Her gaze flicked to Su Mei, rivalry crackling, but she charged, her crescent slashes slicing the air.
Lian Yue's aura surged. "The beast's tied to a Void Shard array. Find the shards!"
Chen Wei's hand twitched, his voice low. "The array's in the shrine's core. I saw its runes in the vale."
Ye Tian's gaze hardened, the Void Scar whispering doubt. "You're too precise, Chen Wei." He stepped forward, the Lunar Fang ready, Su Mei at his side.
The beast lunged, its claws a blaze of starfire. 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—Lin Feng, his disciple, forging a Void Shard under Hua Qing's command, his voice cold. "The ritual binds the blade." Ye Tian roared, channeling Starlight Resonance. The chasm's starlight surged into his blade, amplifying his Qi, his strikes glowing as he slashed the beast's flank, flames and sparks flying.
Su Mei's Starlit Melody swelled, summoning a Starlit Phoenix, its wings scattering the beast's starfire. The bird dove, talons grazing its shoulder, but the beast's claw lashed, shattering the phoenix and sending Su Mei staggering. Ye Tian caught her, their hands clasping briefly, her touch a warmth against his pain. "I'm here," she whispered, her melody rising again, vines binding the beast's claws.
Xiao Lan's slashes carved the beast's side, molten blood spraying, but its tail grazed her leg, her grunt sharp. Lian Yue's Crescent Moon Slash unleashed a blue arc, slicing its hide, but the beast roared, its aura intensifying. Chen Wei struck, his blade precise, but his eyes darted to the shrine, hesitation flickering. "The shards—destroy them!" he shouted.
Ye Tian's gaze snapped to him, doubt coiling. "Show us!" He ducked the beast's claw, the starfire nicking his arm, blood sizzling. Pain surged, but Su Mei's melody wrapped around him, a Starlit Barrier shielding him. "Stay with me," she urged, her jade eyes fierce with resolve.
The beast's claw flashed, aiming for Ye Tian's heart. He parried, Sword Intent quaking the air. Su Mei's melody shifted, vines tightening, slowing the beast. Ye Tian lunged, Iron Vein Slash infused with Starlight Resonance, slashing its chest. Molten blood erupted, the beast staggering, but the shrine's runes flared, a Void Shard Array activating, summoning Void Wraiths, Stage 8, their red eyes glowing in the flames.
Xiao Lan and Lian Yue fought back-to-back, their blades felling wraiths, but more emerged. Chen Wei dashed to the shrine, his blade striking a Void Shard at its core. 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 beast's core. The creature roared, collapsing into ash, the array dimming.
The chasm stilled, the fragment's glow softening. Ye Tian panted, blood dripping from his arm, the Void Scar quiet but lingering. Su Mei steadied him, her hand lingering on his shoulder, her touch a warmth against his pain. "You conquered the inferno," she said, a faint smile breaking through. "My mother's faith in you burns true."
Ye Tian's heart stirred, her faith a mirror to his resolve. "Her courage lights your path," he said, their gazes holding, a spark of unspoken connection flaring under the starlight.
Xiao Lan's voice cut through, sharp. "We're not safe! They'll hunt us." Her eyes lingered on Su Mei, tension raw, her rivalry a smoldering flame.
Lian Yue frowned, her aura probing. "The map's clue points to the shrine's fragment, but a trap lingers."
Chen Wei's voice was urgent. "The tablet's runes warn of a Court agent with a Void Shard, tied to Hua Qing's ritual. I saw it in the vale."
Ye Tian's gaze hardened, the Void Scar pulsing. "Show us." He approached the shrine, a vision flashing—Hua Qing, her cold eyes fixed on a Void Shard, chanting in a Court ritual. The third betrayer's ambition was clear.
They searched the shrine, finding a hidden compartment with a Starshatter Fragment, its glow resonating with the others. As Ye Tian grasped it, a celestial alignment stirred above, stars blazing, their light flooding the chasm. A figure emerged from the shadows—a Court Agent, Core Formation Stage 9, its blade radiating corrupted Starshatter Qi, a Void Shard pulsing in its hand. "Hua Qing sends her regards," it hissed. "The Oath's heart is ours."
Su Mei's melody surged, her jade eyes narrowing. "She betrayed my mother's trust." Her voice trembled, her pain mirroring Ye Tian's.
Ye Tian raised the Lunar Fang, their energies entwined. The Void Scar burned, but her presence steadied him. Was this agent Hua Qing's pawn, or a key to her ritual's heart?