Shattering star

They didn't waste any time. No one thought about checking the city. What happened in the city was out of their reach. Without enough strength, meddling in that would be dangerous for them.

But Asher had a lingering feeling - he would meet that man in the near future. That feeling was both exciting and disgusting. He was so confused by it.

'In any case, I am not afraid.'

....

Watching their retreating backs, a man stood in the sky. If someone looked closely, they could see that he was just standing there without any aura of a cultivator. Behind him, a skeleton sword floated.

He slowly raised his hands to remove the skeleton mask from his face. His face was deathly pale, like that of a corpse. But what was eerie about him was an eye on his forehead. It didn't have an eyeball but a grey flame.

Wherever his eyes moved, there would be different shadows. They were both humans and different species. One thing was most common in these shadows: they all looked at him with extreme fanaticism.

"Nexus, do you really think that boy could kill me in the future?" a deep voice sounded from his mouth. But no answer came.

However, a screen appeared in front of his eyes. [Yes. He is the owner of the Chaos sword... and you...]

'Heh,' a disdainful chuckle came from his mouth. "Nexus, don't you see? He didn't even care about the people I killed. But he quickly followed her when he knew that woman's father was injured. Such a man, do you really think he will care about the existence of the universe?"

[Heroes will also have women and wives. Not like you, a living corpse.]

"Nexus, ah Nexus, you really underestimate me. Even if he has the Chaos sword now, don't I also have you..." He laughed.

[But do you think I am the only system out there? If that system awakens and chooses him, he will come to our world. The...]

"Stop. He was not the only one improving. Even if he comes there, it doesn't mean that he will oppose us." His voice cooled down a little.

[Rian, don't forget what you really are. Even if you tried your best to become a hero, the bloodline flowing through your body has already decided your fate. You were born with a cursed bloodline, while he...]

"Enough. Anyway, he is so weak now. I am ashamed to kill such a weak chicken. I will wait for his arrival." He stopped more words from Nexus.

As he looked in the direction of Asher leaving, a crazy fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.

"Born as a cursed child, I, Adrian, have reached the power I now possess. Even if the nine heavens blessed him, I will never fall under him. I will be waiting for you at the Void Realm - Chaos Sword Master."

...

Asher felt an intense gaze on him, but when he looked back, he didn't see anyone. However, doubts still lingered in his mind.

'Who was that man?'

He decided to forget about that matter for now and followed behind Ember and Austin. Austin glanced at him with a strange look from time to time, which started to annoy Asher after a while.

"Are you falling in love with me?" Asher quipped.

"Cough." Austin choked on his own saliva. Seeing a frown appear on Ember's face, he quickly smiled warmly.

'I suppose you'll meet your end in the near future.'

Austin felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at Asher again and managed a smile.

"I'll rip open your mouth before your death.' Seeing his smile, Asher thought viciously.

The Divine Sword Academy was located a hundred miles away from Skyrise City. If an ordinary human tried to reach there on foot, it would take about a day.

However, as cultivators, they could make the journey in just two hours. Perhaps due to the turmoil in Skyrise City scaring off the monsters in the forest, they didn't encounter a single beast. They felt somewhat relieved about that.

After some time, they arrived near the base of the Divine Academy. Asher looked at the towering mountain in front of him with surprise.

The mountain appeared to have been shaped like a sword, as someone had cut it. Its height reached above the clouds, and snow could be seen on its upper slopes. Chains were intricately connected along the slopes, forming regular triangles.

At the end of each chain, platforms and buildings came into view. This academy had been constructed by being suspended from chains. At first sight, he marveled at how the architecture had planned such a design.

'I suppose he must be quite remarkable.'

He quietly followed Austin and Ember as his eyes wandered around the architectural wonder before him. Disciples could be seen from time to time, ranging in age. Despite the age differences, they all shared a common factor - they wielded swords.

The atmosphere here felt more competitive yet less scheming compared to what he was used to. Smiles were exchanged between everyone, and he felt as though this academy was like a sun shining in the darkness.

'I guess it's because they are all sword cultivators.'

Unbeknownst to him, a smile crept onto his face. He also shared the same mentality as them - fighting without any hidden agendas.

However, he was aware that in order to survive in this world, he needed to adopt the mindset of this world.

Taking in the surroundings, he shadowed Ember and Austin. Yet, the tranquility shattered with a resounding explosion from above. His gaze instinctively shot upward, witnessing the once radiant star fracture into countless fragments.

"What..." Reflexively, he moved toward Ember, gripping her in a tight embrace. An unshakable premonition urged him that any further delay could lead to their parting.

"Ember, return to your sword form and conceal yourself within me," he murmured into her ear, his voice firm enough to stifle any retort. As Ember transformed and merged with him, Austin's incredulous gaze bore into him.

Unperturbed by Austin's bewilderment, Asher looked at the sky. His thoughts returned to the enigmatic man from earlier.

'Did you plan this?'

The star's explosive disintegration plunged the world into consuming darkness. Gradually, an intense coldness began to seep into every corner.

Even as a cultivator, he could feel the coldness spreading through his bones. If this situation persisted for another day, everyone here would die.

Contemplating that grim possibility, his eyes darkened. He once hoped for death, but now he clung to life.

'How ironic.'

A deafening silence enveloped the world, an eerie stillness where no voice dared to break. Suddenly, a crimson light pierced the void, Asher's eyes involuntarily snapping open in response.

An excruciating throbbing emerged on his forehead, something within seeking to rupture free. A wave of excruciating pain crashed over him, affecting not only him but also countless others across the world.

Their collective cries of pain echoed through the air. Struggling, he cast his gaze skyward, at last catching sight of the celestial object.

The tranquility he once felt receded like a tide, replaced by a maelstrom of emotion.

"This..."