In the realm of void and echoes, Lin Tianming stood face-to-face with a twisted reflection of himself—a shadow version born from his potential for absolute power. This other Tianming was cloaked in a dark crimson aura, his sword weeping with black flame.
"I am the path you denied," the voice reverberated through the endless darkness. "You seek justice, balance, restraint—but your enemies don't. What good is mercy when the heavens bleed?"
Tianming gripped his blade tighter. "I don't need to become a monster to slay them."
The dark twin smiled. "You already are. Let's see how deep the blood runs."
The void lit up as the two clashed. Sword against sword, light against shadow. Each blow echoed across invisible dimensions, shaking the very laws of spiritual space. The Celestial System surged with energy.
> System Notification: New Protocol Unlocked—True Body Integration Mode.
> Synchronization: 79%... 86%... 100%
> Initiating: Celestial Soul Armor Phase I
Golden light erupted from Lin Tianming's core. Celestial armor—shimmering, carved with star-runes—wrapped around him. His speed tripled, power multiplied tenfold.
His dark counterpart responded in kind. The blood armor grew spikes and crimson chains. Their swords clashed again—and the entire realm cracked.
"Only one of us walks away from this," the dark figure growled.
"So be it."
Tianming pushed forward with everything he had. His sword carved a path of light through shadow. A final clash—
—and the void exploded.
---
Crimson Sky Altar – Real World
Zhao Yueyin caught Lin Tianming's body just as he collapsed. A pillar of red and gold light burst from the altar into the sky, visible across five provinces. The second star hovered above, pulsing.
He woke a moment later, eyes glowing faintly.
"You saw it?" she asked.
"I fought myself."
"And won?"
He looked at his hands. "I don't know yet."
---
Meanwhile: In the Eastern Lotus Sect
Sect Master Bai Yuchan received a jade slip bearing one message: The second star has awakened. The bearer has chosen light.
He crushed the slip and turned to his disciples.
"Mobilize the Lotus Guard. Tell the clans: war is coming."
---
Hidden Star Sect
Upon returning, Tianming found his master, Elder Mo, waiting by the Sevenfold Pagoda.
"You've stirred the old heavens. The ancient sects will not ignore the signs."
"They already tried to kill me."
Mo handed him an ancient token shaped like a lotus. "Then it's time you entered the Hidden Trials. Only ten have ever passed. You'll be the eleventh—or die."
Tianming nodded. "Where is it held?"
"Within the tomb of the Celestial Ancestor."
---
Three Days Later – Tomb of the Celestial Ancestor
Deep beneath Mount Xingyun, a sealed cave opened. Tianming stood alone at its entrance. Runes glowed faintly along the archway: Only the worthy shall awaken the soul of the stars.
He stepped through.
Instantly, the world shifted. He stood in an endless library—floating books, echoing voices of the past.
> Trial One: The Test of Memory
A dozen figures appeared—illusions of his past. His father's death. The loss of his village. His first fight.
He relived them, feeling each pain anew.
He did not falter.
> Trial One Complete. Proceed.
The realm transformed again. Now he stood on a cliff, and above him—a beast descended.
> Trial Two: Defeat the Star-Eater Hydra
The creature was massive, heads writhing, teeth glowing with ancient fire.
> System Support Active: Summon—Starlight Spear Formation
Dozens of spears formed from pure qi appeared in the sky.
Tianming leapt into the air, guiding them down.
The hydra roared, but the spears pinned its heads, and with a final burst of qi, he severed the core.
> Trial Two Complete. Proceed.
He barely had time to breathe before the third trial began. The world shifted again.
> Trial Three: Face the Spirit of the Ancestor
A towering figure, clad in celestial robes, holding a staff of stars, stepped forward.
"You would wield my legacy?"
"I will forge my own path, but honor yours."
"Then fight me."
No system help this time. Only raw strength.
They clashed, thunder echoing in the void. Tianming's sword sang. He bled, faltered, but never stopped.
Finally, with a roar, he pierced the spirit's heart.
The world shattered.
---
Outside – Mount Xingyun
A pillar of light erupted from the tomb. Lightning cracked the sky. All of Hidden Star Sect turned to watch.
Lin Tianming emerged—changed. His eyes burned with starlight, a silver cloak on his back, and a new blade at his side—Starpiercer.
The elders knelt.
Even the Grand Elder whispered, "The heir has awakened."
Tianming looked to the sky. "I need to prepare. The Grand Convergence is coming."
Zhao Yueyin appeared beside him. "Then let's begin. The world won't wait."
---
To Be Continued in Chapter 35: The Gathering Storm