The heavens trembled.
The ancient blood oath Xiao Wang had sworn within the ruined temple burned across his veins like molten gold. His heart pounded, every beat echoing like a war drum between realms. The sky itself split apart, revealing cracks of pure silver light that dripped down like celestial rain.
His body hovered in midair, the Sword of Devouring floating before him—its edge humming, its aura devouring light, air, even sound.
"You have taken the oath of the ancients… Now bear the weight of eternity."
The sword's voice was no longer the calm whisper of before. It was layered—ancient, divine, and terrifyingly alive. The very air bent beneath its tone.
Xiao Wang's vision blurred. He saw fragments—of past lives, burning worlds, shattered heavens. He saw himself standing atop mountains of corpses, his blade piercing through gods. Then darkness consumed everything.
A single, mechanical chime broke the silence.
[Initializing…]
[Soul Synchronization: 27%... 54%... 92%...]
"What… what is this voice?" Xiao Wang muttered, his breath ragged.
The sword pulsed in answer, its edge bleeding crimson light.
[Synchronization Complete — Host: Xiao Wang recognized.]
[The Celestial Devourer System has awakened.]
The words weren't spoken aloud—they resonated within his soul, vibrating through every cell of his being. He felt it: the melding of divine will and mortal body. The sword wasn't just a weapon anymore—it was alive within him.
Then came pain.
A tidal wave of energy burst from his core, forcing his body backward. Rocks shattered, mountains cracked, rivers boiled. Xiao Wang fell to one knee, his hands clawing at the ground as the system's voice boomed again—no longer calm, but commanding.
[Bloodline detected: Fragmented Celestial Origin.]
[Compatibility: 98.7% — Perfect Host Achieved.]
[Activating Devourer Path Interface.]
He screamed as countless runes carved themselves into his flesh. Each symbol glowed, sank, and vanished beneath his skin. The Sword's spirit laughed softly, a sound equal parts proud and sinister.
"At last… you've reached the first step, my heir."
"System… Sword… what are you?" Xiao Wang gasped. "Are you… one being?"
"Two sides of the same blade," the sword answered. "I am will. It is law."
The system's tone changed—divine, yet mechanical:
[Devourer Core Activated.]
[New Function Unlocked: Soul Assimilation.]
[Ability Gained: Essence Extraction.]
[Bloodline Rank: Mortal → Spirit Ascendant.]
A torrent of golden Qi erupted from Xiao Wang's dantian. The aura around him twisted, reshaping itself into something fierce and foreign—an ethereal armor of devouring light that made the air quiver.
He clenched his fists. His senses expanded. The world was no longer the same. He could feel every living being around him—their Qi signatures flickering like candles in a storm.
"This power… It's endless," he whispered.
The sword's spirit chuckled again, almost teasingly.
"Careful, little emperor. Too much power, and even gods choke on their own arrogance."
Suddenly, the system chimed again.
[Quest Initialized — Devourer Trial I: Feast of the Hundred Souls.]
[Objective: Devour 100 Spirit Beasts within seven days.]
[Reward: Sword Domain Expansion + Bloodline Awakening (Stage 2).]
Xiao Wang blinked. Then he laughed. A low, confident sound that echoed across the valley.
"So, the heavens finally give me a game to play? Fine." His eyes flashed with crimson light. "Let's play."
He stood, the wind whipping around him. His long hair danced, his robe torn and burned from battle, yet his presence was majestic—terrifying even. He raised the Sword of Devouring high.
Lightning gathered. Thunder bowed.
Then—
"System," he said, his grin sharp as the blade itself, "show me my first prey."
[Scanning nearby lifeforms…]
[Detected: Tier 4 Beast — Thunderfang Chimera, 3,000 meters ahead.]
[Initiating Hunt Mode.]
The moment the words appeared in his mind, Xiao Wang vanished. His body became a blur of shadows and divine flame. The ground he once stood on exploded, leaving a crater behind.
Somewhere deep within the forest, the Thunderfang Chimera roared—its scales gleaming with electric fury. But as it turned, the sword's laughter filled the air, chilling and divine.
"Feed me, Xiao Wang… Let the heavens remember our hunger."
The battle began.
Each clash of blade and claw tore through the sky. Energy waves flattened the terrain. The beast's roars mixed with Xiao Wang's laughter—mad, fierce, unstoppable.
Lightning struck him, and he only smiled wider.
[Essence Absorbed: Thunderfang Chimera.]
[New Trait Unlocked: Storm Veins — Lightning Affinity + 25%.]
Xiao Wang's eyes glowed a radiant blue, thunder coursing through his veins.
The sword hummed in delight.
"Yes… More. Devour everything. Even the stars shall tremble before you."
And far above, hidden within a celestial rift, unseen beings watched—their eyes ancient, their voices hushed.
"The Devourer has awakened."
"The seal has been broken."
"The Heavens will burn again."
A crimson moon rose. The winds carried whispers of destiny.
And Xiao Wang, the reborn Sword Emperor, stood beneath it all—his blade gleaming, his laughter echoing into eternity.
"Heaven's will?" He raised his sword. "Then let's see whose will devours the other."
The sky split open once more.