---
Thunder rolled across the shattered sky.
Shen Li tightened his grip on his twin swords. Each blade pulsed with power—one humming with pure golden light, the other leaking darkness like ink.
The Void King hovered above the battlefield, its six eyes dripping black fire.
"You are but an insect," it hissed. "No mortal dares stand before me."
Shen Li lifted his chin. "I've already died once. I'm not afraid to die again."
Yue Qian rushed to his side, her eyes bright with fear. "You can't fight that alone!"
"I have to," he said, voice steady. "But I'll win."
Yan Su stepped forward too, wiping blood from his mouth. "Then we'll buy you time."
---
⚔️ The First Clash
The Void King raised a clawed hand.
BOOOOM!!!
A blast of shadow energy exploded across the mountain. Black flames swallowed the rocks, melting them into pools of darkness.
Shen Li lunged forward.
He swung his blades in a perfect arc—light and darkness fused as one.
CLAAAANG!!!
The blow smashed into the Void King's claw. Sparks of dark lightning flew in all directions.
For an instant, Shen Li felt the force behind that arm. It was like trying to stop a falling mountain.
He gritted his teeth and shoved forward.
The Void King's six eyes narrowed. "Interesting…"
---
✨ Yue Qian's Hidden Power
Yue Qian pressed a trembling hand to her heart. She had always known there was something inside her—something she feared.
But seeing Shen Li pushed back—seeing him bleed—she felt it wake.
Her skin glowed softly, then brighter, until her whole body was wrapped in silver light.
Yan Su stared. "What… What are you doing?!"
She stepped forward, her hair floating around her like a living halo. "I won't let him fight alone."
The Void King laughed, a horrible, echoing sound. "So the girl carries the Spark of Origin… Delightful. I will consume it."
"No," she said. "You won't."
She reached out—and light shot from her palm, striking Shen Li's back.
He gasped as power flooded through him, stronger and purer than any pill or treasure. His wounds closed in seconds. His muscles burned with fresh energy.
He turned his head, awe in his eyes. "Yue Qian…"
"Win," she whispered.
---
⚔️ Shen Li Awakens
He closed his eyes.
A memory stirred in the darkness—an old voice:
> Balance is not only peace. It is power. You will become the storm and the calm together.
He opened his eyes, twin glows blazing brighter than ever.
WHOOSH!
He vanished.
In a heartbeat, he reappeared above the Void King's skull. His blades crossed.
"Duality Breaker—Final Form!"
The Void King swung upward, too slow.
SLAAAAASH—BOOOOOOM!!!
A pillar of blinding light and bottomless shadow exploded down the mountainside. The entire peak cracked and split apart.
Yue Qian shielded her eyes as the blast blew past her.
When the dust cleared, Shen Li stood panting, his blades smoking. The Void King was forced back several paces—a first.
Its body was split along the chest, dark ichor dripping onto the rocks.
---
😈 But the Monster Rises Again…
The Void King lowered its head. All six eyes locked on Shen Li.
"You…will…die…"
Its voice shook the sky.
All at once, black flames roared across its wounds, sealing them shut. Horns cracked and grew longer. Its claws glistened with deadly power.
Shen Li's breath quickened. That last attack had drained him more than he wanted to admit.
But he raised his swords again.
"If you want this world…you'll have to go through me."
The Void King spread its arms, darkness pouring down like rain.
"So be it."