Chapter 2: A Step Ahead of Fate
The chill before dawn wrapped the mountains of the Taichu Holy Land in silence.
While the sect slept and even the patrolling disciples were few, a single shadow slipped between crags and stone bridges, careful not to disturb a single pebble.
Xiao Tian's breaths were shallow, his hands wrapped in rough cloth. The Life Script System had shown him the coordinates of the Star Sword God's inheritance—hidden in the outer ranges, buried beneath an abandoned trial hall long forgotten by even elders.
He gritted his teeth, legs sore from hiking all night.
"I shouldn't be able to do this… but the system's pathfinding and danger alerts kept me alive."
> Time Until Lin Chen Arrives: 3 Days, 7 Hours
Environment: Stable – No Spiritual Beasts Detected
Sword Resonance Detected – 7%
Location Confirmed: Outer Trial Hall, Sword Burial Valley
Before him stood a cracked stone archway, nearly devoured by vines and time. Faded characters read: Trial of the Star Sword God.
Xiao Tian stared at it, awed. "So this is where Lin Chen was fated to awaken his Nine Star Sword Body…"
He walked inside.
Dust rose from the floor, disturbed after who knows how many years. The walls whispered with ancient echoes—of swords drawn, blood spilled, and oaths made beneath starry skies.
Then, at the center of the chamber…
…a single sword hovered in the air.
Rust-coated, worn, chipped—yet even a fool could sense it was extraordinary.
> High Spiritual Grade Weapon Detected
[Name: Star Grave Sword]
[Attributes: Sword Soul Resonance, Body Tempering Enhancement]
[Owner: None]
[Compatibility: Low… Adjusting – Compatible]
[Status: Sealed]
Xiao Tian's hand trembled as he reached for it.
The moment his fingers brushed the hilt—
> Ding! Triggered Incomplete Star Sword Inheritance – Trial Initiated!
[Phase 1: Temper the Flesh. Survive 108 Sword Light Baptisms.]
Suddenly—whoosh! Blades of light tore through the air, aimed straight for him.
He screamed, instinctively rolling aside. The first wave burned his shoulder, drawing blood.
But his eyes lit up.
Not in pain, but excitement.
"Refining my body with sword light… this is a body tempering opportunity! This is how Lin Chen was supposed to awaken the Nine Star Supreme Sword Body!"
He gritted his teeth.
"Then I'll take it."
> Body Tempering in Progress…
[Current Constitution: Mortal Grade]
[Evolving…]
---
Far away, in the inner sect, Lin Chen suddenly frowned as he meditated.
Somewhere… he felt something important slip away, like a string of fate cut short.
He didn't know it yet…
But his destiny was no longer his.