When the Heavens Shattered

The hall was silent, save for the crackling of the torches lining the walls.

Li Wei stood at the back of the room, his heart pounding as Elder Zhang addressed the gathered disciples. The elder's voice was grave, his words heavy with urgency. "Last night," he began, "a star fell in the Ethereal Abyss. The balance of the universe has been disrupted, and the Celestial Observatory has called for volunteers to investigate."

A murmur swept through the crowd, but Li Wei barely heard it. His mind was racing, his fingers brushing against the pendant hidden beneath his robes. The voice in his head had warned him about this—about the fallen star and the danger it posed.

Before he could second-guess himself, Li Wei stepped forward. "I'll go."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him. Elder Zhang frowned. "You? A disciple who hasn't even awakened his Qi Seedling? This is no place for a child."

Li Wei met the elder's gaze, his jaw set. "I may not be strong, but I'm not afraid. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect this world."

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, to everyone's surprise, Elder Zhang nodded. "Very well. But know this, Li Wei—the Ethereal Abyss will test you in ways you cannot imagine. And if you fail, you will not return."

As the meeting adjourned, Li Wei felt a mix of excitement and dread. He had volunteered on impulse, driven by the voice in his head and the pendant around his neck. But now, the reality of what he had agreed to was sinking in.

"You're either very brave or very stupid," a voice said behind him.

Li Wei turned to see Yue Ling, one of the sect's most talented disciples. She was tall and graceful, with long black hair that shimmered like silk in the torchlight. Her almond-shaped eyes were sharp and intelligent, but there was a kindness in them that Li Wei hadn't noticed before.

"Maybe a bit of both," Li Wei replied with a wry smile.

Yue Ling studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "The Ethereal Abyss is no joke. People don't come back from there."

"I know," Li Wei said, his voice steady. "But someone has to go. And if I don't, who will?"

Yue Ling's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're either a fool or a hero. Either way, you're going to need help."

Li Wei blinked, surprised. "You're coming with me?"

Yue Ling nodded. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble."

The next morning, Li Wei and Yue Ling set out for the Ethereal Abyss. The sect had provided them with supplies—food, water, and a map of the mystic realm—but Li Wei couldn't shake the feeling that they were woefully unprepared.

As they walked, Yue Ling filled the silence with stories of her training and her dreams of becoming a legendary cultivator. Li Wei listened, grateful for the distraction. But as the day wore on, the landscape began to change. The air grew colder, and the trees became twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

"We're close," Yue Ling said, her voice low. "The entrance to the Ethereal Abyss is just ahead."

Li Wei nodded, his heart pounding. He could feel the pendant around his neck growing warmer, as if it was reacting to the energy of the mystic realm.

As they approached the entrance to the Ethereal Abyss, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. The air grew thick and heavy, and a low, ominous hum filled the air.

"What's happening?" Li Wei asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yue Ling's eyes widened. "It's a trial. The Ethereal Abyss is testing us."

Before Li Wei could respond, the ground beneath them gave way, and they were plunged into darkness.

When Li Wei opened his eyes, he was in a vast, shadowy cavern. The walls were covered in glowing runes, and the air was thick with the scent of decay. Yue Ling was nowhere to be seen.

"Yue Ling!" Li Wei shouted, his voice echoing through the cavern.

There was no response.

As Li Wei stood there, his heart pounding, the voice in his head returned, louder and more urgent than before.

"You are not ready."

Li Wei clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "Then help me! Tell me what to do!"

The voice was silent for a moment, as if considering his plea. Then it spoke again, its tone softer but no less commanding.

"To survive the Ethereal Abyss, you must face your fears. Only then will you unlock the power within you."

Before Li Wei could respond, the ground beneath him began to shake, and the shadows around him began to move. He turned, his heart racing, as a massive, shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

It was a Void Wraith, a creature of pure darkness with glowing red eyes and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. It lunged at Li Wei, its claws slashing through the air.

Li Wei barely had time to react. He dodged to the side, his movements clumsy but determined. The Void Wraith snarled, its eyes burning with malice.

"I'm not afraid of you," Li Wei said, his voice trembling but defiant.

The Void Wraith lunged again, and this time, Li Wei stood his ground. He raised his wooden practice sword, his heart pounding as he prepared to strike.

But before he could, the pendant around his neck began to glow, and a surge of energy coursed through his body. The Void Wraith hesitated, its eyes narrowing as if sensing the change.

Li Wei didn't wait. He swung his sword with all his might, and to his surprise, the blade cut through the Void Wraith like it was made of smoke. The creature let out a deafening roar before disintegrating into nothingness.

As the Void Wraith disappeared, the cavern began to collapse. Li Wei turned and ran, his heart pounding as the walls crumbled around him. He could hear Yue Ling calling his name, but her voice was faint, as if she was far away.

"Yue Ling!" Li Wei shouted, his voice desperate.

But before he could reach her, the ground beneath him gave way, and he was plunged into darkness once more.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a place unlike anything he had ever seen. The sky above him was shattered, with glowing cracks spreading across it like a spider's web. The ground beneath his feet was made of shimmering, crystalline shards, and in the distance, he could see a massive, shadowy figure looming on the horizon.

It was the Void Devourer, and it was watching him.