Swallowed Star: Heavenbreaker

The Deep Vein had grown restless since the first chain shattered. Each pulse of its imprisoned heartbeat reverberated through the stone walls, a drumbeat of growing power. Lin Xuan stood at the edge of the glowing river, silver aura flickering with sharp, restrained energy.

Above, in the tunnels leading to the surface, the Codex whispered danger. A presence was descending — vast, focused, and unlike any foe before.

"…Harbinger… their blade… forged for your end…"

The imprisoned entity's whisper shivered through Lin Xuan's mind, tinged with anticipation.

So, they send a true executioner, Lin Xuan thought. Good. I was growing impatient.

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I. Preparing the Sect

Lin Xuan gathered his disciples before the fractured chain. Zhang Wei, Mei Yan, and Luo Jin knelt, their silver-tinged auras burning brighter than ever from relentless cultivation within the Vein.

"The Shadows will strike soon," Lin Xuan said. "A Harbinger approaches — a foe beyond any champion you've faced."

Zhang Wei clenched his fists, silver veins pulsing. "Can we even fight something like that?"

"No," Lin Xuan said bluntly. "You are not yet ready. When it arrives, you will hold the line. I will break it."

Mei Yan frowned. "And if you fail?"

Lin Xuan's silver-lit gaze met hers, the faintest trace of amusement in his voice. "Then you die. Accept this, and fight anyway."

Luo Jin nodded grimly. "We understand."

"Good." Lin Xuan turned toward the deeper tunnels. "While I prepare, continue tempering yourselves in the Vein. Your lives will depend on it."

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II. Descent of the Harbinger

The first tremor came hours later, a pulse of oppressive killing intent that rolled through the tunnels like a tidal wave. Cavern walls cracked as the presence drew nearer, the very air thickening with a crushing weight that set weaker disciples trembling.

Lin Xuan rose, silver aura blazing in answer. So you've come.

The Harbinger emerged from the upper tunnels in a storm of violet and black. Its towering frame dwarfed even the champions, its segmented armor inscribed with shifting runes that devoured the light around it. In one hand it carried a blade of condensed void, longer than Lin Xuan was tall; in the other, a shield pulsing with the power of collapsed stars.

"Heavenbreaker," it intoned, its voice a resonant whisper that rattled the stone. "By decree of the Eternal Thrones, your Path ends."

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III. The First Clash

They met in a cataclysm of silver and violet. Lin Xuan's Heaven-Sundering Palm collided with the Harbinger's void blade, the impact detonating in a shockwave that split the cavern floor and hurled torrents of liquid Qi into the air.

The Harbinger pressed the attack, its movements precise and inexorable, each blow of its blade cleaving through layers of stone like parchment. Lin Xuan flowed between strikes, his silver aura devouring tendrils of void energy and returning them as sharpened strikes of his own.

It's stronger than the Inquisitor, Lin Xuan noted, his expression impassive even as the Harbinger's shield absorbed a Heaven-Sundering blow without so much as a scratch. Its defense rivals its offense. Interesting.

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IV. Battle in the Vein

The duel raged through the Deep Vein, their clash painting the cavern in alternating flashes of silver and violet. The imprisoned entity pulsed in excitement, its heartbeat thundering in time with the strikes.

Zhang Wei, Mei Yan, and Luo Jin herded the civilians deeper into the cavern, shielding them from the shockwaves.

"Master… can he win?" Mei Yan whispered, fear mingling with awe.

Zhang Wei's gaze remained fixed on the duel. "He must."

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V. Shattering the Shield

The Harbinger's blade descended in a killing arc, its weight cracking the stone beneath Lin Xuan's feet. Lin Xuan twisted aside, his palm tracing a spiral in the air. Silver Qi condensed into a blade of pure force, striking the shield in a burst of light.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the shield's surface, the Harbinger's violet eyes flaring in alarm. Lin Xuan pressed the attack, his movements accelerating, each strike of the Heavenbreaker Path hammering the fractures deeper.

At last, the shield shattered, fragments dissolving into mist. Lin Xuan's silver-lit gaze met the Harbinger's, a thin smile curving his lips. "Now you fall."

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VI. Sundering the Harbinger

The Harbinger lunged, void blade sweeping in a desperate counter. Lin Xuan met the strike with the Heavenbreaker Codex's Third Form: Sundering Void.

Silver light erupted, devouring the violet blaze in a cataclysmic explosion that left the Harbinger bisected, its form dissolving into motes of black and purple.

As the last fragments faded, the ground shook violently. Another of the obsidian chains binding the entity cracked, a deep fissure racing along its length.

"…Two chains undone… my heart nears freedom…"

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VII. Aftermath and Revelation

The disciples approached cautiously, their auras ragged from the oppressive weight of the battle.

"You destroyed it," Zhang Wei said, awe in his voice.

Lin Xuan nodded once, silver aura fading. "And in doing so, we revealed the second chain's weakness. Each Harbinger draws strength from the seals themselves — severing them weakens the Shadows' hold."

Mei Yan's gaze shifted to the cracked chain. "How many more?"

"Four remain," Lin Xuan replied. "And each will demand greater strength than the last."

Luo Jin wiped sweat from his brow. "Then we keep training. No matter what comes."

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VIII. The Path Forward

That night, Lin Xuan stood alone before the chains, silver-lit eyes reflecting the flickering glow of the Vein.

"…Break the rest… ascend with me… and we will unmake the Shadows…"

Lin Xuan's lips curved into a faint smile. I will break them — but I do not serve. When I shatter these chains, your heart will beat at my command.

Above, in the distant reaches of the tunnels, Lin Xuan felt the ripples of gathering power. The Eternal Shadows were moving their forces in earnest.

Good, he thought, silver aura blazing like a second sun. Let them come.

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End of Chapter 13.