Far across the endless expanse of land that separated the many domains of the Xuanlong Continent, beyond the territory of the Ethereal Dao Sect, there stood a world of steel and silence—the Heavenly Sword Abyss.
Carved into the face of a colossal cliff, the sect's central hall overlooked an ocean of clouds. The wind carried faint traces of sword intent, as though even the air had been cut too many times to remain still.
Within the solemn confines of the Grand Azure Hall, the core elders of the Heavenly Sword Abyss sat cross-legged upon stone seats carved with ancient runes. At the highest seat, beneath a hanging sword veiled in flowing starlight, sat Sect Master Shin Wutai, eyes half-lidded, his expression unreadable.
Then he smiled.
"A promising generation," he began, voice low but laced with undeniable pride. "Among the new batch of inner court disciples, three have awakened rare physiques—two within the top twenty, and one… One has awakened the Eternal Sword Heart Physique. Ranked fifth under the heavens."
The elders stirred, some smiling faintly, others nodding in approval.
"He is my son," Shin Wutai added calmly, "but more importantly, he is a future sword sovereign. With this physique, his path is destined to be painted in immortal sword light. A Mythic Origin Root and the Eternal sword heart physique… he is our sect's sharpest blade."
But after a long pause, the Sect Master's expression dimmed. His gaze turned toward the north, as though piercing through clouds and distance to reach the lands beyond.
"However… the Yiluan World is stirring. A day ago, a strange phenomenon erupted in the territory of the Ethereal Dao Sect. The skies trembled, and karmic light surged." His voice deepened. "Our spies—stationed among their outer court disciples—have sent us word. They caught only fragments of what transpired, but even from the fringes, the waves were immense."
An elder narrowed his eyes. "Did they witness the event clearly?"
Jian Wutai shook his head. "No. Starshroud Peak is heavily warded, and the outer court lies too far to see much. But the tremors were undeniable. It is said that the Sect Master's son awakened a physique… one that shocked the entire sect. Even now, the inner and outer court disciples only know rumors. That the Sect Master's son awakened a top-ten physique. That the Supreme Elder's grandson also awakened a physique in the top ten. That multiple extraordinary physiques have emerged."
Murmurs rippled through the hall. The air grew heavier.
Every great power knew the truth: no sect existed without spies. From disciples to servants, from merchants to even elders, all the major sects and clans planted eyes in each other's soil. In peace, they gathered whispers. In war, they turned to blades.
Jian Wutai rose to his feet.
"The Ethereal Dao Sect has been our greatest rival since the founding of our order. They walk the path of Dao Laws; we walk the path of the sword. We have clashed too many times, shed too much blood. If a Heaven Ascension Monarch rises from their line while we have none to counter… we may not be destroyed, but we will be crippled. Irreversibly."
His eyes glinted like steel. "The same is true in reverse. This balance has kept us from annihilating one another—but only barely. And so, I say this clearly: should a chance arise to strike down any of those brats with top-ten physiques before they mature... we take it."
The elders responded with silence—not of disapproval, but of agreement. Their gazes were sharp, their intentions colder than the mountain winds outside.
"But we must also raise our own." Shin Wutai's voice softened, returning to the youth behind him. "My son, Shin Wusheng, is our brightest sword. , He may one day reach the Monarch Realm. We will spare no resource in grooming him."
He looked out over the elders one by one. "And we will remain vigilant. Already, word comes from the other overlord sects. In the Jade Moon Union, the Thousand Blood Cult, even the Golden Furnace Pavilion… monstrous talents are awakening. This generation…"
He paused, then finished with solemn weight:
"…this generation may be the most glorious in ten thousand years. And glory... is never shared freely."