Swallowed Star: Heavenbreaker

The Deep Vein pulsed with restless light, illuminating the carved stone walls of the cavern in hues of silver and violet. Lin Xuan stood at the edge of the bound entity's prison, his gaze tracing the lattice of obsidian chains that held it captive. Each link pulsed with alien sigils, burning cold against the senses.

The first seal must be broken, he thought, his silver-lit eyes narrowing. Only by testing the strength of the chains will I gauge the Shadows' true hold over this world.

---

I. Understanding the Bindings

Lin Xuan pressed his palm to one of the chains. The runes flared, a surge of hostile void energy lashing out, meeting his silver aura in a burst of light. The Heavenbreaker Path devoured the foreign power, drinking deeply of its essence.

"Interesting," Lin Xuan murmured. "Each chain is a nexus of Shadow Qi, interwoven with the planet's ley-lines. Sever one, and the bindings weaken. Sever all, and the heart below is unbound."

Zhang Wei approached cautiously, silver veins flickering faintly beneath his skin. "Can we help?"

Lin Xuan didn't turn. "Not yet. The force bound here will crush you."

Mei Yan stepped forward, her expression grim. "Then what do we do?"

Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly. "Grow stronger. Quickly."

---

II. Tempering Trials

That day, Lin Xuan led his disciples into the jagged tunnels branching off from the Deep Vein, where beasts twisted by Primordial Qi prowled. Each creature radiated a feral aura, its form warped by centuries of exposure to the Vein's essence.

"These beasts are born of raw Primordial Qi," Lin Xuan said, silver-lit gaze sweeping over the cavern. "Defeat them, and you will temper your own essence. Fail, and you will feed theirs."

The disciples squared their stances, blades drawn. Zhang Wei met the first beast head-on, his silver-tinged blade cleaving through a mass of sinewy limbs in a spray of ichor. Mei Yan wove silver threads of Qi into precise, lethal cuts, her movements fluid and deliberate. Luo Jin fought with raw ferocity, his strikes lacking polish but fueled by relentless will.

Lin Xuan observed in silence, arms folded. Each disciple bore the mark of the Heavenbreaker Path — tempered in pain, strengthened through relentless trial.

Not yet refined, he thought. But they will be.

---

III. The Inquisitor's Descent

Days later, a tremor shivered through the Codex's heightened senses. Lin Xuan's silver-lit gaze snapped upward, tracing the ripple of hostile energy as it tore through the tunnels above.

A new threat. Stronger than the champions.

Moments later, the air thickened, the oppressive weight of killing intent flooding the cavern. A figure stepped into the glow of the Deep Vein — a towering silhouette clad in segmented black armor, its helm adorned with jagged horns. Its presence bled cold authority, and in its hand it carried a blade of condensed void.

"Heavenbreaker," it said, its voice a distorted whisper that reverberated through the stone. "I am the Inquisitor. By decree of the Eternal Shadows, your existence ends here."

Lin Xuan's silver aura flared, illuminating the cavern in stark brilliance. "Another pawn sent to test me? Very well."

---

IV. Duel of Wills

The Inquisitor struck first, a blur of black and violet that split the cavern floor with the force of its blow. Lin Xuan met the attack head-on, silver Qi flaring in a Heaven-Sundering Palm that clashed with the void blade in a detonation of force. Shockwaves tore through the chamber, hurling debris like shrapnel.

They clashed in a storm of light and shadow, each exchange of blows shaking the cavern. The Inquisitor's strikes carried crushing weight, each swing of its blade cleaving through stone like paper. Lin Xuan flowed between attacks, the Heavenbreaker Path devouring each surge of hostile Qi and returning it with amplified force.

"Zhang Wei, Mei Yan, Luo Jin," Lin Xuan called, his voice cutting through the roar of battle. "Hold the civilians. Do not interfere."

---

V. Fracture

The Inquisitor's assault intensified, its armor flaring with runes that pulsed in time with the chains binding the entity below. Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed as understanding clicked into place. This one draws strength directly from the seals.

He shifted his stance, gathering his Qi into a single, devastating strike.

Heavenbreaker Codex – Third Form: Sundering Void.

Silver light erupted, condensing into a blade of pure will. Lin Xuan met the Inquisitor's charge with a single sweeping strike, silver and violet colliding in a blinding explosion.

When the light faded, the Inquisitor stood frozen, a thin line of silver bisecting its armor. A moment later, the figure dissolved into mist, its essence devoured by Lin Xuan's Path.

---

VI. First Seal Broken

The ground trembled as one of the obsidian chains binding the entity cracked, a web of fissures racing along its surface. The imprisoned heartbeat thundered louder, the whisper surging in Lin Xuan's mind.

"…Yes… the first seal shatters… break the rest, and ascend with me…"

Lin Xuan lowered his hand, silver aura still flickering. One chain undone. Five remain.

---

VII. Aftermath

The disciples gathered, awe and relief etched into their expressions. Zhang Wei stared at the fractured chain, silver veins pulsing faintly. "You… actually broke it."

Lin Xuan turned, silver gaze sweeping over them. "This is only the beginning. Each chain will bring a stronger foe. Each victory will demand more of you."

Mei Yan tightened her grip on her blade. "Then we'll keep getting stronger."

Luo Jin nodded, his expression hardening. "No matter what."

Lin Xuan allowed the faintest trace of a smile to touch his lips. "Good. The Heavenbreaker Sect endures by the strength of its Path. Prepare yourselves — the Shadows will not remain idle."

---

VIII. The Whisper's Warning

That night, as the disciples cultivated, Lin Xuan knelt before the fractured chain, silver-lit eyes closed.

"…The Shadows know… their next blade comes not as a champion… but as a harbinger. Even you will bleed…"

Lin Xuan's smile sharpened. Then let them send it. Each battle brings me closer to shattering their hold — and breaking the heavens themselves.

---

End of Chapter 12.