Arrival at the Peaks
The Sky Shattered Peaks stood like the bones of a fallen god—vast mountains cracked from ancient celestial impact, their peaks floating in midair, held by chaotic ley currents.
Li Shen and Jinhai reached the base after a ten-day journey, crossing a forest of petrified trees and whispering winds.
Even the birds didn't sing here.
At the edge of a ruined cliff lay the Vault Gate—an obsidian arch with a lock of flowing jade runes.
[Location Reached: Shattered Peaks – Sovereign Vault Gate]
[Warning: Sovereign Qi Distortion Active – All cultivation realms suppressed by 1 stage.]
[Root Unseal: 97% → 99%]
[Final Trial Approaching…]
The Gatekeeper
They weren't alone.
A man in black robes stood before the gate. Tall. Pale. Familiar.
Li Shen's blood chilled.
The man turned, and Li Shen looked into his own face, older, sharper, eyes hollowed by power.
"Another cycle," the clone said, voice tired. "Another Li Shen trying to change what cannot be changed."
"I am the Sixth."
Li Shen clenched his fists. "You're dead. You failed."
Six smiled.
"No, boy. I survived. I ascended. And I chose to stay. Because the Sovereign Root is meant to rule."
Clash of Reflections
Six raised a single hand, and the mountain shook. Twisting roots burst from the stone, forming spears, cages, and spectral blades.
"I came to guide you," Six said. "But if you resist…"
He vanished—then reappeared behind Li Shen with a Rootstep, blade poised.
Li Shen blocked with Threadguard.
[Boss Fight Initiated: Li Shen – Sixth Echo / Sovereign Prototype]
[HP: ??? | Power Suppression: 80% | Domain Unstable]
[Skill Unlocked: Mirror Break – Counter one inherited technique with an improvised variant. Cooldown: 90 seconds.]
[Jinhai Bonus Activated – Oracle Field: Predictive delay of 0.8s for all attacks within range.]
The two Shens clashed—Root versus Root, Thread versus Thread.
Each strike revealed what could be, not what should be.
The Turning Point
Jinhai stepped in, burning her blood to cast Thread Severance—a technique that cut through fate's bindings.
Six staggered.
Li Shen used the opening.
"I'm not you."
And he wasn't.
Li Shen's threads shimmered not with hunger, but with choice.
He didn't bind his enemies.
He freed himself.
[Fusion Activated: Root Reforged – Break the inherited form. Forge a new path.]
[Trait Unlocked: Sovereign of None – Immune to legacy-bound techniques. Root is now adaptive, not controlling.]
[Root Unseal: 99% → 100%]
[System Evolution: Complete.]
Six fell.
Laughing.
Weeping.
"Maybe this time… you'll be better."
Then he crumbled—dust scattered by the wind.
The Sovereign Core
The Vault Gate pulsed, responding to Li Shen's presence. It opened not with force, but with acceptance.
Inside lay the Sovereign Core—a crystal seed larger than a heart, pulsing with infinite qi.
Jinhai reached for Li Shen's hand.
"This is it."
[Final Choice Detected: Assimilate, Destroy, or Integrate the Sovereign Core]
Assimilate – Embrace total Root power. Gain dominion, lose freedom.Destroy – End the Root legacy. No one shall wield it again.Integrate – Bind the Root to choice. Share power, keep control.
Li Shen stared at the options.
Then smiled.
And chose.
[Choice Made: Integrate the Sovereign Core]
[New Class Unlocked: Pathforged Rootmaster – Adaptive cultivation through will, not lineage. Skills now evolve based on intent, not bloodline.]
[Jinhai Sync: MAX – Bond Awakening Triggered. Trait Gained: Shared Fate Thread – Damage or healing may be transferred voluntarily.]
[Sovereign Core State: Purified and Shared – Root System now available to future cultivators as a path, not a prison.]
The World Shifts
Lightning cracked the sky.
Across the world, old Root-bound seals shattered. Forgotten cultivators woke screaming—then, peacefully.
Some wept.
Some laughed.
In the Sky Shattered Peaks, the mountain bloomed with silver blossoms. A new thread of cultivation was born.
And at its centre stood Li Shen and Jinhai.
Unbroken.
Unbound.