The Eternal Star Chasm pulsed with fading starfire, its cliffs casting jagged shadows as the celestial alignment's glow dimmed. Ye Tian faced the Core Formation Stage 10 Court Enforcer, the Lunar Fang in one hand, its blue steel humming, and the Starshatter Fragment in the other, its black steel resonating 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 by the Moonlit Purification Art but still a persistent thorn, whispering pain and doubt.
The Jade Relic's vision of Hua Qing's ambition—"The Oath's heart will make me a god"—burned in his mind, her betrayal tied to the Court's ritual. The enforcer's blade radiated corrupted Starshatter Qi, a jade slip pulsing with malice, its words echoing: "Hua Qing's ritual begins."
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 Hua Qing's ritual fueling Ye Tian's suspicion.
The enforcer's voice hissed, cold and commanding. "Hua Qing's ritual will bind the Oath, Sovereign. You'll fall."
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed, Sword Intent rippling the air. "Her ambition ends with my blade." The Void Scar pulsed, a memory flashing—Hua Qing, her cold eyes fixed on a Void Shard, chanting in a Court ritual under a blood moon. Pain blurred the vision, but Su Mei's melody cut through, steadying him.
Her jade eyes met his, fierce yet warm. "We'll shatter her ritual 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 starlit dark.
Xiao Lan's voice snapped, sharp with frustration. "Cut this pawn down!" Her gaze flicked to Su Mei, rivalry crackling, but she charged, her crescent slashes slicing the air.
Lian Yue's aura surged. "The enforcer's tied to a Void Shard. Find it!"
Chen Wei's hand twitched, his voice low. "The shard'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 certain, Chen Wei." He stepped forward, the Lunar Fang ready, Su Mei at his side.
The enforcer struck, its blade a storm of corrupted Qi, starfire trailing. 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—Hua Qing, forging a Void Shard with Lin Feng, her voice cold. "The ritual will make me eternal." Ye Tian roared, channeling Starlight Resonance. The chasm's starlight surged into his blade, amplifying his Qi, his strikes glowing as he slashed the enforcer's arm, blood and sparks flying.
Su Mei's Starlit Melody swelled, summoning a Starlit Phoenix, its wings scattering the enforcer's flames. The bird dove, talons grazing its chest, but the enforcer's blade 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 with you," she whispered, her melody rising again, vines binding the enforcer's legs.
Xiao Lan's slashes carved the enforcer's side, blood spraying, but its blade grazed her shoulder, her grunt sharp. Lian Yue's Crescent Moon Slash unleashed a blue arc, slicing its armor, but the enforcer pressed forward, relentless. Chen Wei struck, his blade precise, but his eyes darted to the shrine, hesitation flickering. "The shard—destroy it!" he shouted.
Ye Tian's gaze snapped to him, doubt coiling. "Find it!" He ducked the enforcer's strike, the corrupted blade nicking his arm, blood sizzling. 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 enforcer'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 enforcer. Ye Tian lunged, Iron Vein Slash infused with Starlight Resonance, slashing its chest. Blood arced, the enforcer staggering, but its jade slip flared, summoning Void Wraiths, Stage 9, their red eyes glowing in the chasm's 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 enforcer's core. The figure roared, collapsing into ash, the jade slip dimming.
The chasm stilled, the shrine'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 broke their pawn," she said, a faint smile breaking through. "My mother's faith in you was unyielding."
Ye Tian's heart stirred, her faith a mirror to his resolve. "Her sacrifice fuels us both," 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 come for us." Her eyes lingered on Su Mei, tension raw, her rivalry a smoldering flame.
Lian Yue frowned, her aura probing. "The Jade Relic—it reveals Hua Qing's motives. We need to understand it."
Chen Wei's voice was urgent. "The tablet's runes mention a map to the next fragment, tied to her 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 jade tablet, chanting in a Court ritual. The third betrayer's ambition was clear.
They searched the shrine, finding a hidden compartment with a Starlit Map, its star runes detailing the Starfall Abyss, the next fragment's resting place. A vision erupted as Ye Tian touched it: Hua Qing in a Court ritual, Void Shards circling a shadowed altar, her voice cold. "The Oath's heart will ascend me beyond mortality." Her motive was clear—divinity through the Starshatter Sword. Pain spiked, but Su Mei's hand steadied him, her jade eyes shimmering. "She betrayed my mother for power," she whispered, her voice breaking. "We'll stop her."
Their shared betrayal bound them tighter, her touch a quiet vow. Before Ye Tian could study the map, the chasm trembled, a massive aura surging. A Court Ritual Array activated, black runes flaring, summoning a Starshadow Wraith, Stage 10, its form woven from void and starlight, its blade pulsing with corrupted Qi. "Hua Qing's ritual claims the Oath," it hissed.
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 wraith Hua Qing's creation, or a guardian of the Starfall Abyss?