The Heavenbreaker's awakening was not quiet. Hidden watchers stirred — remnants of the sects that once ruled in silence. Some wanted the blade returned. Others wanted it destroyed.
Tianming fled deeper into the mountain temples. There he met a blind monk named Soryu, who recognized the weapon.
"It only chooses the desperate," he said. "Or the damned."
Tianming trained under Soryu. Not just in combat — but in restraint, patience, the listening of stillness. But the Heavenbreaker would not rest. It demanded action.
And when the temple was attacked by assassins, Tianming's choices were stripped away.
He fought.
And the sword sang.