Episode 60 – Heaven-Breaking Sword, Second Form
Recap
In the depths of the abandoned quarry, Faizi Tian finally confronted the source of the South Road's curse. A Demon General, guarding a living nest of darkness, stood between him and the trapped villagers whose souls were being drained into a massive black cocoon. That cocoon was no mere container, but a Demon Seed capable of corrupting the entire southern region once awakened. When shadows and golden Qi clashed, Faizi Tian proved that even a Demon General could be forced back. As light and darkness collided, the true battle for the fate of the South Road began.
Episode 60 – Heaven-Breaking Sword, Second Form
The shockwave from their collision tore through the quarry like a raging storm. Stone walls cracked open, and ancient demonic runes flickered erratically before shattering into dust. Faizi Tian slid backward several steps, his boots carving deep marks into the ground. Across from him, the Demon General steadied itself, shadows coiling tighter around its massive frame.
For the first time, silence fell.
Faizi Tian could feel it clearly now. The Demon General was strong, far stronger than the enemies he had faced on the road so far. But it was not invincible. Its power was bound to the cocoon behind it. As long as the Demon Seed continued to absorb souls, the demon's strength would keep rising.
"I don't have time for a prolonged fight," Faizi Tian thought calmly.
Behind him, the villagers cried out weakly. Their life force was fading, thread by thread.
The Demon General lifted both arms, and the shadows around the quarry surged like a black tide. From the darkness, enormous demonic blades formed, each one radiating murderous intent. With a deafening roar, the Demon General charged again, its steps shaking the earth.
Faizi Tian did not retreat.
Instead, he closed his eyes.
Golden Qi surged through his meridians, far deeper than before. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat steady and controlled. The world around him seemed to fade, leaving only the sword in his hands and the path ahead.
"Heaven-Breaking Sword Art…" he whispered.
The golden light around his blade condensed, growing sharper, heavier. Symbols of ancient power briefly flashed along the edge of the sword before sinking into it.
"Second Form."
When Faizi Tian opened his eyes, they shone like twin suns.
He stepped forward and swung.
There was no explosive wave this time. Instead, a thin line of golden light cut through the air, silent and absolute. It pierced straight through the Demon General's shadow blades as if they did not exist. The next instant, a deep裂 mark appeared across the demon's bone armor.
The Demon General staggered back, roaring in disbelief. Dark blood seeped from the crack, sizzling as it hit the ground.
"A sword art… that cuts the source," it growled.
Faizi Tian did not pause. He advanced again, each strike of the Heaven-Breaking Sword carrying the weight of his will. With every clash, the Demon General was forced further away from the cocoon. The shadows protecting the Demon Seed weakened, flickering like dying flames.
Sensing danger, the cocoon pulsed violently. Thick tendrils shot outward, trying to bind Faizi Tian and drag him closer. He twisted mid-step, slashing through them with ruthless precision. Golden light burned away the corruption, and the cocoon let out a shrill, unnatural screech.
The Demon General panicked.
"If the seed falls… everything falls."
With a furious roar, it abandoned defense and unleashed its full power, shadows exploding outward in a desperate attempt to overwhelm Faizi Tian. The quarry trembled on the verge of collapse.
Faizi Tian planted his feet and raised his sword high.
"This ends now," he said coldly.
Golden Qi surged skyward, answering his resolve. The second form of the Heaven-Breaking Sword Art reached its peak, aimed not at the Demon General alone, but at the heart of the nest itself.
The blade descended.
Light engulfed the quarry, and the fate of the Demon Seed was about to be decided.
To be continued in Episode 61 – Shattered Cocoon, Broken Fate