Inside the Heavenly Sacred Border, the very air crackled with an unseen force, a quiet storm of energy lying dormant within the ancient domain.
Nie Li and Ye Yan faced each other, their silhouettes stark against the dim, flickering luminescence of soul remnants lingering in the space. Soul force danced along the quite realm, cast by an ethereal glow emanating from deep within the Border's depths.
Ye Yan's translucent form, like a fading candle in the wind, stiffened with unease. His spectral eyes darkened as he spoke.
"No, you can't." His voice carried a weight of finality. "The Thunder God's Meteorite Sword is not something you can handle. Do not go close to a certain death."
Nie Li, however, was unfazed. He simply stroked his chin, an amused glint flashing in his eyes. A. I. Chip has no records about this weapon.
"Thunder God's Meteorite Sword? What is that? Sounds interesting."
Ye Yan sighed, his ancient soul stirring with memory. "The Thunder God's Meteorite Sword is an extremely powerful weapon. It has devoured countless demon spirits in battle, becoming a blade of unimaginable power."
His words carried a deep reverence, but also fear.
Nie Li's gaze turned toward the unseen depths of the Sacred Border, where a faint pulse—almost like a whispering heartbeat—called out to his Tempestfang Dragon. Lightning energy surged subtly through his veins, an undeniable sign of resonance.
"Lord Ancestor, I wish to at least see the sword. What if I can actually tame it?" Nie Li asked, his tone laced with curiosity and determination.
Ye Yan's expression turned grave. "Stupid brat, even if I allowed it, with your current strength, you couldn't control that divine sword! If you're careless for even a moment, the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword will strike you down where you stand!"
Nie Li chuckled. "Is it that dangerous?"
"Back then, of the five Legend Rank Demon Spiritualists who tried to claim it, only one managed to subdue the sword!" Ye Yan's voice trembled slightly.
Nie Li's eyes lit up with intrigue. "So someone did succeed? That means it's not impossible. I would like to try too. Don't worry, I have ways to protect myself if anything goes wrong."
Ye Yan fell silent, scrutinizing the young man before him. There was something about Nie Li—an unshakable confidence, an aura of mystery, and a power that didn't conform to the rules of this world. Even after all these years, Ye Yan had never met someone quite like him.
'Can this child really do it?'
If Nie Li is really able to control the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword, it is definitely a good sign for Glory City. Back then, the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword shined at the hands of Sheng Mu, who slaughtered millions of demon beasts. It's a terrifying bloodthirsty sword. Although Shen Mu died because of the drawback of the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword, the power of the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword is doubtless.
"Can Lord Ancestor, take me to see the sword? You know that I can reach there myself as well." Nie Li looked at the Ye Yan and said.
Finally, he sighed. "Okay." His spectral form flickered as he turned away. "Follow me."
Guided by Ye Yan's soul, Nie Li ventured deeper into the Heavenly Sacred Border. Each step forward was a step into the unknown. The air grew heavier, thick with remnants of long-forgotten battles.
Suddenly, illusions began manifesting around him.
Demon beasts with burning crimson eyes lunged from the shadows, spectral claws aiming to tear him apart. Roars of rage filled the air, the wails of the fallen mixing into a chaotic symphony of terror. However, to Nie Li, these illusions were nothing but a mild inconvenience.
He let out a slow breath and merged with his Abyssal Regal Lion.
A quiet transformation took place—his outward appearance remained unchanged, but his irises burned with a fiendish golden hue. The Eyes of Mahamaya, capable of repelling illusions, activated. The moment the technique took hold, the mirages shattered like brittle glass, dissolving into nothingness.
A pulse of power surged ahead. Nie Li stiffened. He could feel it.
The Thunder God's Meteorite Sword. Its murderous aura pressed against his soul, suffocating, oppressive, vast beyond measure. Even standing here, a great distance away, he could feel its undeniable pull.
His mind sharpened. 'AI Chip, scan the sword.'
A mechanical pulse vibrated in his consciousness.
[Beep! Scanning structure…A large remnant murderous aura detected. A relic of thunder class. Core structure analysis…Beep! The Thunder God's Meteorite Sword is the core of the Heavenly Sacred Border! The domain itself is being sustained by its power.]
Nie Li's eyes narrowed.
"Lord Ancestor, this sword is the foundation of the Heavenly Sacred Border. If I subdue it, you won't be able to remain here any longer."
Ye Yan smirked bitterly. "I know, brat. My soul is bound to the sword, which is why I still linger in this world. But I am a relic of the past. If you can truly master the sword, you can protect Glory City for generations. I have no complaints."
His voice grew colder. "But I doubt a brat like you can pull it off."
Nie Li didn't respond, instead he moved forward.
At the heart of an ancient altar, the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword stood, its blade wreathed in an eternal storm. Lightning arced along its length, dancing like living serpents.
Nie Li's Tempestfang Dragon let out a low, rumbling growl in his soul realm. Its power resonated with the divine sword, an undeniable connection forming between them.
Nie Li felt his soul force being rapidly strengthened.
'Xiao Ning'er.'
Far away from Nie Li, Xiao Ning'er felt her Tempestfang dragon resonate with Nie Li and she felt her soul force being rapidly strengthened. Her Stormfury Ascension cultivation technique accelerated on its own, her soul realm trembling under an unseen force.
Then—
BOOM!
A sudden explosion of soul force rippled through her veins. A vast power surged within her, shattering the limitations of her realm.
1-Star Gold Rank!
Nie Li felt the change through their connection and smiled. "Xiao Ning'er, your strength has finally caught up to your fate."
Ye Yan observed silently. "That twin dragon of yours… I've never seen such a peculiar demon spirit."
Nie Li shrugged. "Neither have I."
Ye Yan's eyes darkened. "Those boys who merged with their demon spirits… they are also with you, right? Who exactly are you?"
Nie Li smiled mysteriously. "Who am I? Well, I suppose my most notable achievement in Glory City is being the founder and headmaster of Glory Academy."
Ye Yan frowned. "Glory Academy? The Heavenly Orchid Academy changed its name?"
"No. The Heavenly Orchid Academy still exists. Glory Academy is just the future of Glory City."
Ye Yan fell silent, watching as Nie Li walked toward the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword.
Fifty meters away from the divine weapon, a tidal wave of murderous aura surged forth. The very air thickened, trembling under the sheer intensity of its will.
A normal Black Gold Rank expert would have already lost their mind under such pressure.
But Nie Li was no ordinary spiritualist, the moment the deadly aura struck him, he vanished.
Silent. Invisible. Untouchable.
Nie Li had merged with the Shadow Devil Demon Spirit and entered Void Form.
Ye Yan's spectral form shuddered. "Shadow Devil…?!"
That name alone carried the weight of fear.
The Shadow Devil Demon Spirit was an assassin's ultimate weapon, capable of rendering even Legend Rank Demon Spiritualists defenseless. It was a spirit of death itself, an executioner of untold carnage.
Ye Yan's thoughts whirled. "No wonder this brat is so confident."
Step by step, Nie Li ascended the altar, the lightning crackling wildly around him.
He finally stood before the Thunder God's Meteorite Sword.
Its soul—vast, boundless, and filled with endless wrath—turned its gaze toward him.
Nie Li's lips curled into a fearless smirk.
"Let's see if you're really as untamable as they say."