The Hall of Rewards was grand. Pillars of gold held up a ceiling painted with constellations. In the center sat a skeleton on a throne, holding a jade scroll and a sword that radiated pure white light.
The Horizon Sword. A Quasi-Heaven Rank weapon.
And the Horizon Sword Art.
Mo Tian walked into the hall. It was empty. The sound of his boots echoed on the marble.
"So this is the prize," Mo Tian said, unimpressed.
He walked up to the throne. He looked at the skeleton.
[Eye of Truth] [Target: Remains of the Horizon Sword Saint] [Status: Dead... mostly.] [Hidden Threat: A remnant soul is hiding in the sword, waiting to possess a talented body.]
"A possession trap," Mo Tian sighed. "Why are old masters always so cliché?"
He reached out to grab the sword.
"Stop!"
A voice boomed from the sword. A phantom image of an old man with a white beard appeared. He radiated a majestic, righteous aura.
"I am the Horizon Sword Saint! Only the pure of heart may touch my blade! You... your aura is thick with sin! Begone, demon!"
The pressure of the Remnant Soul descended. It was strong enough to crush a Core Formation cultivator.
But Mo Tian didn't kneel. He laughed.
"Pure of heart?" Mo Tian mocked. "I checked your barrier outside. It runs on blood. You aren't a Saint. You're just a hypocrite who died before he could become a Devil."
"Insolence!" The Ghost Saint roared. "Die!"
The white sword flew from the skeleton's hand, aiming for Mo Tian's heart.
Mo Tian's left eye flared purple.
"Purple Nether Flame."
A wall of purple fire erupted, catching the white sword.
"An Earth Flame?!" The Saint gasped. "How can a brat like you control such a thing?"
"I don't control it," Mo Tian stepped through the fire, his hand reaching for the ghost's throat. "I am the disaster that carries it."
He grabbed the ghost.
The [Heaven-Devouring System] roared.
"Devour."
"NO! I waited three thousand years! I need a body! I need—AAAAHHH!"
The Saint was sucked into the vortex.
[Consumed: Remnant Soul of Sword Saint] [Spirit Power +500] [Gained: Horizon Sword Art (Complete)] [Gained: Horizon Sword (Corrupted)]
Mo Tian picked up the sword. The white light turned grey, then black. The blade vibrated, submitting to its new master.
"A good sword," Mo Tian swung it. A rift of black Sword Qi cut the golden pillar in half.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Ye Chen, Yan Luo, and Lei Ming burst into the hall. They were bloody, battered, but alive.
They saw the masked figure standing by the throne. They saw the shattered skeleton. They saw the black sword in his hand.
"You!" Ye Chen shouted, pointing his heavy sword. "Who are you?! Put down the inheritance!"
Mo Tian turned slowly. The white mask stared at them.
"You are late," Mo Tian's distorted voice filled the hall. "The Saint has already chosen."
"Chosen a demon?" Lei Ming spat. "That sword is corrupted! You stole it!"
"Stole?" Mo Tian tilted his head. "I walked in the front door. You were just... too slow."
He raised the black sword.
"Ye Chen," Mo Tian said, using the protagonist's name.
Ye Chen froze. "How do you know my name?"
"I know everything about you," Mo Tian said. "I know about your sister. I know about your village. And I know that today..."
Mo Tian vanished.
He reappeared behind Lei Ming.
Slash.
Lei Ming didn't even scream. His head slid off his neck.
The Violet Sword disciples screamed.
"Today," Mo Tian finished his sentence, standing over the corpse, "is a good day to die."
[System Mission Update] [Geniuses Killed: 1/50] [Target: Ye Chen. Difficulty: High.]
"Come, Hero," Mo Tian beckoned with a bloody hand. "Let's see if your plot armor can stop a sword that cuts the horizon."