The world fell silent.
The moment Xiao Wang's blade cut through Elder Gu's throat, the clouds above the Azure Sky Sect churned like an ocean of wrath. The sect's disciples froze mid-breath. Then, from the heavens themselves, came the sound of chains — thousands of them — clashing and howling like ancient spirits breaking free.
"Blasphemy against Heaven!" a voice boomed across the sky. "The Devourer's heir dares to draw mortal blood beneath the Azure Heavens!"
The pressure alone split mountains.
A vast golden sigil ignited in the clouds, forming the outline of an armored figure — radiant wings spreading from its back, eyes burning like twin suns. Every living being in the sect knelt by instinct.
"The Heavenly Warden…" someone whispered in horror. "A divine enforcer!"
Xiao Wang stood alone at the center of the shattered arena, his clothes torn, his chest heaving, blood running down his chin. The Devouring Sword in his hand trembled — its edge humming as if warning him to flee.
But there was nowhere to run.
Lightning fell like divine punishment. Every strike that hit the ground vaporized entire buildings.
The Warden descended slowly, his voice cold and absolute. "You, vessel of the Devourer. You were meant to perish in the Forbidden Forest. Heaven erred in sparing you."
"Err?" Xiao Wang coughed, spitting blood and laughing darkly. "Then maybe Heaven should learn to correct its mistakes in person."
The Warden raised a hand. Chains of light surged toward Xiao Wang.
He swung his sword — one desperate slash. The blade sang, dark light consuming the holy glow. The shockwave cracked the air itself, but it wasn't enough. The chains wrapped around his limbs, crushing his bones.
Crack! Crack!
"Still defiant?" the Warden said, lifting him from the ground. "You are nothing. A shadow of a dead calamity."
The sword in Xiao Wang's grip pulsed faintly — almost like a heartbeat.
"Do not… yield…"The whisper echoed inside his mind — ancient, calm, but fading.
"Old friend…" Xiao Wang muttered weakly. "If I fall here, at least let me fall standing."
He poured every drop of his Qi into the sword. The Devouring Blade screamed. The earth beneath him shattered into dust as a surge of black and crimson light erupted skyward.
The chains broke.
For an instant, Xiao Wang stood tall again — his eyes blazing with killing intent.
"Even Heaven will bleed before I bow."
He vanished. Reappeared above the Warden. Struck downward.
Their powers collided — divine light and devouring flame, Heaven and defiance — splitting the sky into night and day.
The Warden's armor cracked slightly.
He frowned. "You… dare harm a servant of Heaven?"
"I dare kill one."
He raised the sword again, but his body gave out. His vision blurred. His veins burned like fire. The Devouring Sword's glow flickered — it had already reached its limit.
The Warden descended, his aura growing heavier with each step. "Pitiful mortal. Even your sword is breaking under Heaven's decree."
He thrust his spear through Xiao Wang's abdomen.
Blood burst from his lips.
The crowd gasped. Disciples turned away. Even the elders averted their eyes.
But Xiao Wang… laughed.
Through blood and pain, he laughed.
"You think this ends me?"
He gripped the spear impaled through him — and pushed it deeper.
The Warden hesitated.
The Devouring Sword, still in Xiao Wang's hand, began to dissolve into motes of light — fragments rising into the air, orbiting him like dying stars.
"Foolish child," the Warden said. "Your weapon abandons you."
"No," Xiao Wang said hoarsely. "It's saving me."
The fragments melted into his body. His veins turned black and silver, his heartbeat echoing like thunder. The ground split beneath him. A pillar of dark light erupted toward the heavens, swallowing the divine glow above.
"Impossible!" The Warden retreated a step. "What power is this!?"
Xiao Wang raised his head. His eyes — no longer mortal — reflected countless galaxies devoured by darkness.
"Power that Heaven itself fears."
The Warden roared and lunged forward, thrusting his spear — but before the strike landed, a hand caught it. Bare-handed.
Crimson lightning exploded from Xiao Wang's palm.
"You talk too much."
He pulled the spear forward — and headbutted the Warden with such force that cracks spread across the divine's faceplate.
The crowd could hardly breathe.
"Is… is he fighting a Heavenly Warden bare-handed?"
The air trembled. The skies darkened.
The Warden's body erupted in holy flames as he summoned Heaven's Wrath — ten thousand golden swords forming above him.
"Then perish alongside your sin!"
Xiao Wang staggered, every muscle screaming. His body was collapsing from within. Yet his eyes remained fierce, alive, defiant.
He smiled bitterly. "Guess it's time to see if Heaven can be devoured too."
He slammed his hand into his chest. His blood spilled onto the broken ground, seeping into the remaining fragments of his sword.
The pieces shone.
"Foolish… but worthy."
"You would burn your soul… for power?"
Xiao Wang grinned through blood. "Didn't you say… never yield?"
The ground exploded.
Dark fire consumed the sky. The ten thousand heavenly swords disintegrated before touching him. The Warden screamed as black tendrils wrapped around his body, dragging him toward Xiao Wang.
"W-what is this?! Unholy—!"
The tendrils pierced through him, siphoning divine energy. Xiao Wang's aura swelled, but so did the pain — his mortal vessel fracturing from within.
"Enough, child," the sword's whisper softened. "If you continue, you will die."
"Then let me die standing."
With one final roar, Xiao Wang swung what remained of the Devouring Sword — the blade now forged entirely of his own blood and the sword's essence.
He cleaved the Warden in half.
Silence.
The golden light above faded. The chains shattered. The sky itself darkened.
Then came the echo of Heaven's fury — thunder rolling endlessly across the horizon.
Xiao Wang collapsed to one knee, his vision dimming. The sword's fragments floated around him, flickering weakly.
"Old friend…" he whispered. "Rest now. You've done enough."
"No… not yet. You have yet to awaken… what you once sealed."
The world around him blurred — sound fading, light twisting. His consciousness began to sink into a vast, endless void.
He could hear his heartbeat slowing.
Then…
A voice unlike any other filled his mind — neither divine nor mortal, but something ancient, mechanical, and omniscient.
[Synchronization Detected…]
[Host Soul Resonance: 89%...]
[Warning: System Fragment Awakening Imminent.]
Xiao Wang's fading eyes widened. "System…? What—"
The sword's voice interrupted, softer than ever.
"Do not fear it. This is the power you once forged… before even the heavens knew your name."
Then—
[System Synchronization: 99%...]
[The Devouring Sword recognizes you as its True Host.]
[The "Celestial Devourer System" has been activated.]
Light exploded behind his closed eyes.
And just before his consciousness faded completely, he heard the system's final whisper:
[Welcome back… Creator.]