Chapter: The Sword of the Last King
One night, Xu Jian saw a terrifying figure in his dream—a man cloaked in black flames, his eyes burning like the depths of hell.
Sword King: "Xu Jian, I am a part of you. You are my heir... Seek my sword in the Valley of the Last King. Do not let anyone claim it before you."
Xu Jian woke up trembling, but despite his doubts about the true nature of this entity, he decided to search for the sword.
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The Final Trial
After weeks of grueling training, Kaneki stood before them and declared:
Kaneki: "You have mastered the basics. Now, I will see if you are ready to wield your true strength. Sharpen your senses beyond human limits."
He blindfolded them and began striking them with a massive wooden staff. They struggled at first, but Xu Jian recalled Kaneki's words:
Kaneki: "Do not think. Let your body speak and your instincts guide you."
In the end, Xu Jian successfully dodged the strikes, followed closely by Li Wei.
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Journey to the Valley of Death
After completing their basic training, Kaneki presented them with a new challenge.
Kaneki: "You are now ready for a true mission. There is a sword hidden in the Valley of the Last King. It is said to grant power to those who are worthy. But the valley is cursed—only those with pure spirits and unbreakable will can escape."
Xu Jian: "I have seen this sword in my dreams... It calls to me."
Li Wei: "Are you sure? This could be a trap. How do we know if the Sword King is a friend or a foe?"
Xu Jian, filled with confidence: "Friend or foe, I need strength. I will take the risk."
They set out on their journey after Kaneki provided them with an ancient map and some supplies. The path was treacherous, filled with steep cliffs and relentless winds.
At the entrance to the valley, they found an inscription carved into the stone:
"Only those with a pure spirit and unwavering will shall wield the sword. The rest... shall be consumed by the shadows."
Li Wei: "Are you sure we're ready for this?"
Xu Jian: "I have no other choice. If I want to avenge the fallen and survive, I must become stronger."
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The First Trial: The Mirror of Truth
As Xu Jian stepped forward, a guardian engulfed in black flames emerged.
Flaming Guardian: "State your last will. Are you ready?"
The moment Xu Jian faced the guardian, an overwhelming presence filled the air. The flames surrounding the guardian were unlike any fire he had seen before—they devoured everything in their path, leaving nothing but ash.
The air grew heavy, and each heartbeat reminded Xu Jian that he was facing something beyond human comprehension.
Xu Jian: "Li Wei, this is no joke. You need to leave now!"
Li Wei: "Do you think I would abandon you? If we die, we die together!"
Xu Jian's eyes filled with sorrow and rage. There was no time to argue. With a swift strike, he knocked Li Wei unconscious and hurled him away with his newfound strength, ensuring his safety.
Flaming Guardian: "A noble act, but it will not save you."
The flames around the guardian flared violently, mirroring his wrath. In an instant, he lunged at Xu Jian with blinding speed, and the battle began.
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Xu Jian vs. the Guardian
Xu Jian knew he couldn't win with brute force. Every attack he launched was swallowed by the black flames before reaching the guardian. Every attempt to counter was met with a fiercer response. But then, he noticed something unusual—the flames did not behave like normal fire. They seemed to feed on the spirit rather than mere physical matter.
Amidst the battle, Xu Jian realized that the only way to defeat the guardian was to seize control of the flames themselves. He concentrated his energy, aligning his soul with the flow of the fire. With each blow he endured, he grew closer to mastering its power.
At the critical moment, Xu Jian let out a primal roar as the black flames coiled around his hands. The guardian halted in shock.
Flaming Guardian: "Impossible... How can you control my flames?!"
Xu Jian: "Because I refuse to lose. This fire is now a part of me!"
The battle reached its climax, and Xu Jian prepared to claim his destiny.
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To be continued...