At nightfall, Li Feng and Yan Mei stood before the cracked stone gates.
“There’s a reason sects avoid this place,” she whispered. “It was cursed after the Heavenfall War. Every artifact inside is bound by soul chains.”
“Good,” Li Feng replied, eyes cold. “Then I won’t be the only one in chains.”
[System Mission: Infiltrate the Celestial Vault]
– Objective: Secure any one legacy item from the inner sanctum
– Optional Objective: Break a Saint’s Seal
– Bonus: Rare Martial Scripture, Hidden Title
– Danger Level: ★★★★★
Inside, the vault was a tomb of light and shadow.
Ancient murals bled stories of betrayal—saints killed by their disciples, heroes betrayed by emperors. It felt personal.
Yan Mei lit a frost lantern. “This place responds to emotions. Suppress your anger, or it will wake the sentinels.”
“Then I won’t suppress it,” Li Feng muttered. “I’ll weaponize it.”
A ghostly voice rang out as they entered the first chamber:
“Only the fallen may touch the truth.”
Twelve armored statues moved. Not puppets—will-bound sentinels forged from war-forged jade.
[System Alert: Saint Guardians Detected – Martial Tier: Peak Gold Core]
– Combat Viability: 12%
– Suggestion: Flee or exploit emotional resonance
Yan Mei’s eyes widened. “We can’t beat them!”
Stolen story; please report.
Li Feng smiled as red lines glowed beneath his skin.
“Then we don’t beat them. We burn through them.”
[Skill Unlocked: Sin Flame Requiem – Lv. 1]
– Converts personal betrayal into sentient fire
– Effect: Devours constructs with ego-based cores
– Limit: One use per week
He stepped forward, recalling the Sect Master’s final words—“He has no use.”
His veins lit up with pain, grief, and rage.
“Sin Flame Requiem!”
A storm of red-black fire surged from him, forming spectral wings. The flames whispered—words of vengeance, rejection, and hunger.
The sentinels trembled. Then screamed.
Their jade bodies cracked, twisted, shattered into soul ash.
Behind the broken chamber lay a crystal sarcophagus. Inside: an ancient scroll, sealed with nine burning chains.
“That’s a Saint’s Technique,” Yan Mei whispered. “It could cost your life.”
“It already did,” Li Feng replied, stepping forward.
[Optional Objective Activated: Break a Saint’s Seal]
– Warning: Legacy Consciousness Detected
– Caution: Willpower Clash Imminent
He pressed his palm to the scroll.
A golden figure emerged—ghostly, divine-eyed, clad in ancient war robes.
“Only one who has died in spirit may bear this burden,” it said.
“Then I qualify,” Li Feng growled. “Because everything that made me who I was… you burned it all away.”
[System Clash: Willpower vs Legacy Spirit Initiated]
– You: 31% Stability
– Legacy: 72% Resistance
– Soul Feedback Damage Imminent
“Who are you?” the spirit demanded.
“I am the wrath of every broken disciple.”
“Prove it.”
“Then burn with me.”
A scream echoed across time. The chains shattered. The sarcophagus exploded in crimson light.
[Legacy Obtained: Heaven-Breaking Art – Saint Rank (Fragmented)]
– Passive: Martial Techniques ignore spiritual defenses
– Skill: “World Splitter Slash” unlocked
– Title Gained: “Saintbane”
Outside, Yan Mei covered her eyes from the light.
When it faded, Li Feng stood alone in the ruin. The spirit was gone. The air tasted like divine smoke and defiance.
[System Update: Li Feng – Level 9]
– Qi Capacity: +20
– Martial State: Half-Step Saintbane
– New Trait: Legacy Bearer – Cursed by Saints, Feared by Heaven
“What now?” Yan Mei asked.
“Now?” Li Feng said, his eyes glowing.
“Now we show the sects that what they abandoned… was the beginning of their end.”
End of Chapter 7