The air trembled with divine resonance as Li Tianming stepped into the Eighth Trial Zone—"The Sky-Splitting Abyss." It was said to be created by an ancient Void Emperor, sealed with laws that tested not just strength, but fate itself. The moment his foot touched the obsidian stone platform, a chilling voice echoed from the heavens:
> "Only those who can split the heavens may walk past the veil of destiny."
Around him, the Trial manifested. A storm of a thousand astral swords rained from above, each forged from fragments of ancient celestial steel. Their roars carved through space.
But Li Tianming's eyes narrowed—calm, focused.
> "Heaven's Desolation Sword Art — First Form: Void Severing Fang!"
He drew his father's ancient blade — Wujian, the Sword of No Bounds — and slashed upward. The single strike tore through hundreds of astral swords, leaving behind a sky-splitting vacuum that even space couldn't heal immediately.
From the shadows emerged another challenger—Dugu Jue, the Lone Sword Immortal, a cultivator at the peak of True Immortal Stage 9. His presence was like a looming monolith of despair.
> "You are powerful, Tianming, but still shackled by Heaven's Will. Let me show you despair!"
> "Abyssal Hell-Cutting Sword — Fifth Incarnation: Blood Moon Guillotine!"
The blood-red arc rushed like a demon's wrath, but Tianming's aura exploded. The symbol of Void Flame Lotus burned on his palm, channeling the sealed technique from his late forefather.
> "Heaven's Desolation Sword Art — Second Form: Starcrash Rend!"
A swirling galaxy erupted from his blade. The two attacks collided. The world fractured. Land and sky screamed.
Dust settled. Dugu Jue knelt i
n defeat, his sword split in half.