"Is this the Pinnacle you promised? This... cruelty? Tell me, was the design flawed, or was the flaw always meant to be me?" It was not a scream, but spoken in a broken voice that echoed with vast power.
Standing in mid-air, a middle-aged man looked towards the sky. His long silver hair floated lightly. He was wearing a torn white robe. His body was covered in bruises, with blood flowing from every part. All of his limbs were almost crippled. Although his aura was fearsome, he was barely standing.
Rays from a huge, gigantic crimson moon fell upon the green grasses and trees, making the area somewhat dark. It was as if nature had joined the man's sorrow. Also, bloody dark clouds had started to accumulate, and fearsome dark red lightning was flickering.
"This is the best chance. Han Feng, you charge first; we'll cover you from the sides. Don't worry, guys, the loots will be distributed according to our plan, but we have to take him down first." A middle-aged man spoke to his comrades. Seven people were circled around the man.
At first glance, they were not falling out in terms of aura, perhaps because the man was injured. "Tian Ran, surrender the Heart of the Pinnacle and we may yet spare your life." Han Feng came forward with a smirk.
Tian Ran was a very upright and righteous genius cultivator. In 600 years, he reached the Half-God state starting from scratch. Today, he had started an important ritual for breaking through to the God-level cultivation.
'I turned all impossible things into possible, but it seems I failed to defy destiny,' Tian Ran thought in his mind. A hint of sadness was seen in his eyes.
"Hehehehe!" He laughed like a madman, a chilling sensation spreading through their spines. "Hahaha, give you it for why? I always treated you as my friends, as my comrades, but in return, you b*stards backstabbed me."
"Hmph! You always pretend to be righteous—so disgusting!" Bing Shuang spoke with a smirk on her lips. She has two full, pure black eyes.
"Han Feng, don't waste time! Charge! Before he turns that thing into his funeral pyre!" Mo Ying commanded with a fearful tone, Cold sweat was falling from his head.
"Oh, so you are the mastermind behind this" Tian Ran asked with grim. "And I hold the final key. Seven of you for one spark—how will you carve destiny?"
Hearing that, all the people stopped attacking and glanced towards Mo Ying.
"Don't fall for his tricks! He's obviously preparing for his last resort," Mo Ying told them.
They burst out their oppressive aura towards Tian Ran. "To settle our past account, we promise you: as long as you give us the crystal willingly, we'll let you go. Otherwise, we don't have other choices!"
"Hahahaha! So what if I die? I will make sure you accompany me in my grave." A dangerous aura burst out.
As Tian Ran's gaze fell upon the orb, it seemed to drink the light from the crimson moon. It didn't just shine; it held an entire, silent galaxy within its depths—a forbidden flicker of the true Pinnacle he had sought. The complex feelings in his eyes were a mix of reverence, failure, and a terrible, final resolve.
"Be careful" one of them shouted to his comrades.
Tian Ran started to create formations around the crystal. The aura was getting more dangerous. Some cracks appeared in the space.
"All of you, use your full power! He's going all out!" Han Feng shouted with a fearful tone.
They started to create protective shields, their eyes fixed on the glowing formation Tian Ran started to create around the Crystal. The air didn't just get dangerous; it felt like primordial law was being undone, and space began to crack. "He's not just breaking through... he's dragging the world down with the Source!" one of them gasped.
Tian Ran: "Formation Destruction!"
Boom!
Rumble! With the destruction of the orb, a world-rumbling destruction happened, causing space to collapse. An unimaginably gigantic crater appeared at the battlefield, and all trees and grasses burned. Absolute silence filled the atmosphere, a void of any life.
Time kept flowing.
An unknown amount of time passed.
Later, on Xuan Planet in the Arcanum Galaxy.
The world of Xuan was defined by its Five Great Continents, yet only one holds the Pinnacle of Heaven's Mandate. Located at the geographical and spiritual heart of the planet, the Central Continent was the cradle of the Ling Dynasty. The countless minor kingdoms of the Central Continent were but chess pieces in the Emperor's politics, while the other three Continents were known only as the Outlying Domains.
In the Capital of the Central Continent.
Early in the morning, light cut through the mist, pouring into the jade sky. The Imperial Palace seemed dazzling in yellowish radiance. The density of Qi was much denser than any other part of the Continent.
Clang! Clang!
Countless sword strikes could be heard. The Imperial Jade Training Ground was packed earth, scored by countless blade strikes. Many people, including soldiers and children, were training their sword skills there.
"Again! Your center drifts, Your Highness. You strike with the grace of a mountain, but the speed of a dying tiger." In the center of the imperial training ground, a tall man of muscular physique was fighting with a boy in his early youth. The boy, wearing a blue robe, was clearly the prince at first glance.
His breathing was steady, controlled, but the blue training robe was soaked in sweat. He ignores the insult, his eyes locked on the General. He doesn't look tired; only utter determination remained.
"Wah! Isn't this the Heaven's Art sword skill?" From the sidelines, a few young boys discussed among themselves.
"Yes, I heard in rumors that the Emperor himself gifted Prince Ling Xiao the technique on his 10th birthday. It's so impressive he learned the 3rd stage within 3 years," another boy said in an impressed tone.
"Hey, why does it sound like you know more about this sword skill? Harry, quickly tell us!" Others looked towards the boy with curious looks.
On the flash of his memories
A muscular, tall man wearing a golden robe stood in the void, calm like a monk. In the blink of an eye, he blocked two enemy attacks by a hair's breadth. On his next blink, he saw space twist. A few cracks appeared as the golden-robed man disappeared, and two heads fell to the ground. Every time he recalled the scene in the depths of his mind, his blood would boil with inspiration.
"General leo is so impressive! we only hope to reach that stage one day" they saw the General with admired faces.
"Your brother, Prince Ling Jiao, already mastered its 3rd stage a year ago. How are you going to compete with him with this slow speed? He is the Sky Fallen Star—you are no match for him." The General was trying to make him mad, and he succeeded.
Clang! With utmost power, he struck General Leo. General Leo did not block, but bent slightly. In the next second, he attacked the Prince's backside. With the blink of an eye, Ling Xiao kicked General Leo's hand with a backflip.
Clang ! Clang ! Sword dropped far away. General Leo felt a sharp sensation on his neck. It turned out that Ling Xiao had already predicted that move from the calculations of General Leo's earlier attacks.
"I was not born with the effortless stream, General. I was born with the will to carve my own river. The Mandate is earned through performance, not blessing." His voice was steady, without pride or embarrassment.
Ling Xiao lowered the sword with a calm face.
'His power isn't a gift. It's a debt paid in blood and sweat.' Watching his eyes. 'The concentration never wavers. He will never suffer from arrogance. He knows exactly what it took to bridge the gap. That relentless, unforgiving will is what gives him the true Pinnacle of Heaven's Mandate. It means he can't be dominated easily than any genius we've ever seen.' Although he did not complemented to him.
"If you been faster in your second last attack you clearly winned ageinst it. Speed is your great flaw. You better find some speed technique from imperial library." General Leo told with expressionless face.
"Thank you, General Leo," he respectfully bowed to General Leo and left.