Days—perhaps weeks—passed in the Trial Realm, though Chen Xin lost all sense of time. He
trained relentlessly, practicing sword forms, meditations, and honing his connection to the faint
pulse of Sword Intent.One night, as the mist curled low like spectral fingers, a distant whisper called to him.
Faint at first, it grew clearer—a melody of memories long buried.
Visions surged unbidden: the laughter of friends, the stern gaze of Ning Fengzhi, the proud
smile of Gu Rong. Faces of those he had fought alongside, those he had lost.
The pain was sharp, but beneath it lay something stronger: a resolve reborn.
Chen Xin knelt and closed his eyes, focusing on the emotions—the love, the loyalty, the
sacrifices that had shaped his mortal life.
"Those memories are my blade's edge," he whispered.
Suddenly, the Trial Realm shifted, revealing a new path — a narrow ridge stretching into the
unknown.
Beyond lay the next trial: the Broken Heaven Ridge — a place where swords clashed with
gods and men alike.
Chen Xin rose, tightening his grip on the Merciless sword.
"This is only the beginning," he thought.
And with that, he stepped forward into the unknown.