Rui was currently training in the Sword Immortal’s private training room, his sword moving to the fastest speed he could output.

His body was covered from head to toe in sweat, something that was almost impossible for rune masters unless they purposefully allowed it to happen.

Rui wasn’t using any runic energy and only training with his pure physical body, the sword he was using being a simple wooden sword that would break if too much force was used.

He was instructed to use this sword and not break it no matter what. The sword itself was also extremely light and made from very poor materials, ready to break with the slightest force.

Since his runic energy was sealed, Rui had to use his spiritual energy to keep the sword intact. Since Rui wasn’t great at using it, it was extremely exhausting for him.

His long dark blue hair was cut a slight bit shorter and was tied up so it wouldn’t bother him while he was training. Ever since the time of the invasion lowered to 200 years, he began training non-stop for days on end, consuming all pills he could find, not caring for the aftereffects.

He was being extremely reckless with his body, but the results were evident. Thanks to his unique constitution, pills didn’t cause him any side effects, and the impurities were automatically removed. However, he was slowly building up an immunity to their effects.

His cultivation had already neared the fourth rank and he was almost on the verge of a breakthrough. His advancement speed could only be called astonishing, but his heart didn’t calm down in the slightest.

“Why, why, why…”

He muttered while slashing his sword, his eyes turning slightly bloodshot. The pain in his chest intensified as if he knew he was doing something wrong.

He slowly stopped swinging his sword and collapsed on the ground since the pain had become unbearable. No matter what he tried, the pain didn’t cease and he couldn’t find the reason why it was there.

Not even his ancestors could do anything about it, finding him to be completely normal. The Sword Immortal speculated that something was going on with his soul, but his soul was in pristine condition and the system had completely merged with his soul.

So no matter how many tests and exams he went through, no one could find a solution to his pain.

"Why... why won't it stop?"

He whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of his ragged breathing.

He had pushed himself to the limit, training relentlessly day and night in a desperate attempt to become stronger. But no matter how hard he tried, the pain in his chest only seemed to worsen.

With a deep breath, Rui forced himself to sit up, his muscles protesting the movement. He couldn't afford to give in to despair. He had to find a way to overcome this obstacle and become stronger.

But as he glanced at the wooden sword lying on the ground beside him, a seed of doubt crept into his mind. Was his relentless training really the answer? Or was he only pushing himself further into darkness?

With a heavy heart, Rui reached out and picked up the sword, his fingers trembling slightly. He knew that he couldn't stop now, that he had to continue fighting, no matter the cost.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Is this truly the path you wish to walk?"

Rui had heard this voice before. It was when he had experienced his heart demon tribulation and he realized a fragment of causation.

[A fragment of █▐▐▀▀▀██▒█ has appeared]

[You have come into contact with a being of a higher level than the system]

A system window appeared before him as soon as his thoughts reached this point, but they didn’t stop there.

[You have entered a bizarre state]

[Your ‘mentality’ has been partially released]

[Ansuz rune has been activated]

[User has entered enlightenment state]

His vision soon began blurring and he had once again returned to the familiar empty void, this time the spectral figure was covered in shadows and its frame was more understandable.

Rui could tell that it was the figure of a very tall man with a lean body. Sadly, his observations ended there, as the figure’s voice echoed in his mind.

“This isn’t you. You are a Warlord, an Emperor, a Ruler. You were never desperate and you always sought out the hard path. You thrive in matters of life and death.”

Rui frowned at those words, not understanding what the figure was saying.

“Who are you? Why are you talking like you know me?”

The figure remained shrouded in darkness, its features obscured by the shadows that enveloped it. Yet, its voice carried a weight that seemed to resonate within Rui's very soul.

"I am but a fragment, a remnant of something greater," the figure replied cryptically. "As for why I speak as if I know you... perhaps it is because, in a way, I do."

Rui's frown deepened. The figure's words only served to deepen his confusion.

"You must seek out the Abyssal Arcane Realm," the figure continued, its voice echoing in Rui's mind. "There, you may find the answers you seek."

Before Rui could respond, the figure began to fade, its form dissolving into the empty void. Rui reached out instinctively, but his hand passed through the spectral figure like smoke.

"Wait!" he called out, but his voice fell on deaf ears.

Alone once more in the void, Rui couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him. The spectral figure's words echoed in his mind, leaving him with more questions than answers.

What was the Abyssal Arcane Realm, and why did the figure believe he would find answers there? And who or what was the figure itself?

----------------------------------------

“Damn it, why did it have to be now…”

Guang Yuan cursed, his face pale as he clenched his blood-covered fist. In front of him, the corpses of the royal guard were sprawled around.

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“Guang Mo!”

Guang Yuan shouted as rage clouded his vision. His brother had investigated him thoroughly after Ren’s descendants returned and was able to get some unnerving evidence of Yuan’s involvement in Ren’s death.

Dread encompassed Guang Yuan’s entire body, knowing fully well that if he didn’t kill his elder brother here and his father found out the truth, everything would be over for him.

Soon, red runic energy rushed out from his body and his eyes turned fully black. Two horns protruded from his forehead while two wings sprouted on his back.

Guang Yuan had transformed into a demon, which was obviously impossible unless he somehow used a forbidden technique or consumed demon blood.

With a guttural growl, Guang Yuan launched himself forward, his movements fueled by the dark energy coursing through his veins. His senses heightened, he could feel the fear emanating from those around him, a satisfying sensation that only fueled his thirst for blood.

"Guang Mo!" he roared, his voice echoing through the empty halls of the palace. "You dare to challenge me? You dare to question my authority?"

His words were met with silence, save for the sound of his own rapid footsteps echoing against the marble floors. But Guang Yuan knew that his brother was nearby, hiding in the shadows like a coward.

"I will find you, Guang Mo," he snarled, his voice laced with venom. "And when I do, you will pay for your treachery."

“It’s too late, brother.”

At this moment, Guang Mo’s figure appeared flying above him, staring down at Guang Yuan with clear pity.

“What have you turned yourself into… I had doubts since the start, but you are my brother so I never looked too deeply. In the end, my suspicions were true. Not only are you an evil cultivator now, but you’ve conspired against our family, nation, and our father. You have killed Ren and also many other clan members to use them for your sick sacrifices.”

Guang Yuan opened his eyes wide, not expecting Guang Mo to have already informed their father. This meant that things weren’t looking good for him. He completely ignored Guang Mo’s words and only focused on fleeing.

Guang Mo's expression hardened as he watched his brother's reaction. Despite the pity in his eyes, there was also a glint of determination, a resolve to confront the darkness that had consumed Guang Yuan.

"You cannot escape your crimes, Guang Yuan,"

He said, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him.

"You must face the consequences of your actions."

Guang Yuan's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a snarl as he took a defensive stance. The dark energy surrounding him crackled with malevolence, casting eerie shadows against the palace walls.

"Consequences?"

He scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"I answer to no one but myself. I am beyond the petty judgments of our father and clan. I am power incarnate!"

With a swift movement, Guang Yuan lunged forward, his claws aimed for Guang Mo's throat. But Guang Mo was ready, his own aura flaring to life as he met his brother's attack head-on.

Their clash echoed through the palace halls, a symphony of violence and desperation. Each blow landed with the force of a thunderbolt, shaking the very foundations of the ancient building.

The two manifested their physique avatars, both of them holding giant swords. The two soon merged with the avatars and their physiques further changed to match those avatars.

“Great Heavenly Strike: Second Path!”

Guang Mo Shouted, unleashing a barrage of sword strikes, the uniquely shaped sword rune on his forehead shining brightly.

Similarly, Guang Yuan’s rune also glowed in an eerie light, its shape becoming slightly more reminiscent of a saber rather than a sword.

“As if that would work on me!”

Guang Yuan shouted while parrying all the sword strikes with a single big sweep of his sword.

“We have trained together ever since we were children, do you think these attacks will work on me? You should know better than to think you can defeat me with the same techniques we both mastered!"

Guang Yuan roared, his voice echoing through the palace halls. His dark energy surged, and he pushed forward with renewed fury, his strikes becoming faster and more unpredictable.

Guang Mo gritted his teeth, his resolve unshaken.

"This isn't just about technique, Yuan. It's about righteousness. It's about the lives you've taken and the chaos you've wrought. I won't let you destroy everything we stand for."

Their swords clashed again, a brilliant flash of light filling the room as their auras collided. The force of their battle sent shockwaves through the palace, causing the very walls to shatter and creating a great commotion in the surrounding towns.

Since they were both 8th-rank rune masters, without a protective barrier, many innocents would be harmed by their battle.

Guang Yuan's laughter echoed through the sky, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Guang Mo's spine.

"Righteousness? You're still clinging to those outdated ideals, Mo. Power is the only truth in this world. And I have embraced it fully."

Guang Mo's eyes blazed with determination.

"Power without purpose is meaningless, Yuan. And I will show you the true strength of our clan's legacy."

With a roar, Guang Mo unleashed his ultimate technique.

"Heavenly Sword Art: Divine Judgment!"

A brilliant light enveloped his sword, and he swung it down with all his might. The sword rune on his forehead blazed with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the darkness surrounding Guang Yuan.

Guang Yuan's eyes widened in shock as he felt the overwhelming force of Guang Mo's attack. He raised his sword to defend himself, but the sheer power of the Divine Judgment shattered his defenses. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, his demonic transformation faltering.

The aftermath of the attack left a giant ravine behind that spanned a few dozen kilometers. As the dust settled, Guang Mo stood over his fallen brother, his sword still glowing with the remnants of his attack. Guang Yuan lay on the ground, his body battered and his runic energy flickering weakly.

"It's over, Yuan."

Guang Mo said, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Surrender and face the consequences of your actions."

But Guang Yuan, despite his weakened state, refused to give in.

"Never."

He spat, his eyes burning with defiance.

"I will never surrender."

Before Guang Mo could react, Guang Yuan used the last of his strength to activate a forbidden technique. Dark energy swirled around him, and he vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only a lingering sense of malice.

Guang Mo lowered his sword, his heart heavy with the weight of his brother's escape. He wanted to end things himself, but seemed that his brother wanted the hard way out.

Gnashing his teeth, he spoke to the air.

“May you rest in peace, brother.”

----------------------------------------

Guang Yuan found himself standing in a dense forest as soon as his teleportation ended. He immediately spat a mouthful of blood as soon as the aftereffects of the spell got to him, his mind almost blank.

He glanced at his trembling hands with rage, blood running from his wounds. His runic energy was completely depleted and he had no treasures or medicine left on his body since he stored them inside a spatial storage ring. However, since he didn’t possess any runic energy, he couldn’t open the rings.

Guang Yuan let his body fall to the ground and glanced towards the sky. He felt weak. He hadn’t expected to lose the bout, especially after he had acquired the demon blood.

As he lay there, the forest around him seemed to darken. Shadows lengthened and the air grew cold. Guang Yuan struggled to lift his head, his vision blurred by pain and exhaustion. Suddenly, a powerful presence filled the clearing, and Guang Yuan's eyes widened as a tall, imposing figure appeared before him.

The Sword Immortal, his father, stood with an aura of unmatched power. His long, black hair flowed behind him, and his piercing gaze seemed to cut through the very fabric of reality. His expression was stern, but there was an undercurrent of sorrow in his eyes as he looked down at his fallen son.

"Father..."

Guang Yuan rasped, his voice barely audible.

"You... you came for me..."

The Sword Immortal remained silent for a moment, his eyes taking in the sight of his son, broken and battered. He stepped forward, his presence filling the clearing with a sense of finality.

"Guang Yuan,"

He began, his voice deep and resonant.

"You have strayed far from the path of righteousness. You have embraced darkness and forsaken our clan's honor."

Guang Yuan coughed, blood staining his lips. Tears suddenly started pouring from his blood-covered eyes, making it seem like he was crying blood.

“I… Wanted to be… the best… for you… father…”

The Sword Immortal clenched his teeth, trying to hold back the sorrow that he felt. He loved his children dearly. Unlike his descendants who were far too many to count, his children and wife were the most important.

However, it was obvious that he had neglected them for far too long and had become blind to the truth. His youngest son had become jealous of the middle child, killing him and hiding the evidence while also scheming many other heinous things.

It was obvious that he had failed not only as a father but as a ruler as well.

“Yuan. I named you Yuan because I divined your fate to be that of darkness and destruction. I wanted you to circle around your fate and return to your original state, but it seems that you are too far gone. Even now, all you feel towards me and your family is hatred and rage.”

Guang Yuan's bloodshot eyes fixed on his father, a mixture of pain and defiance in his gaze.

"No... father, you don't understand... I wanted to surpass my fate, to prove that I could be more than the darkness. But it consumed me... I... I couldn't stop..."

The Sword Immortal shook his head, sorrow deepening in his eyes.

"Yuan, you chose this path. You let the darkness in willingly, and now it has taken everything from you."

Guang Yuan's body trembled as he fought to rise, but his strength failed him. He collapsed back onto the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Is there... no redemption for me? No way... to make things right?"

The Sword Immortal's expression softened for a moment, a flicker of the fatherly love he still held for his son showing through.

"Redemption is a path you must choose for yourself, but the price you must pay for your actions is unavoidable. You must face the consequences, Yuan."

Guang Yuan's eyes filled with tears again, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.

"Consequences... I see now. I was blinded by my ambition, by the desire to be acknowledged. But now... it's too late."

The Sword Immortal stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. He knelt beside his fallen son, placing a hand on Guang Yuan's shoulder.

"It is never too late to seek redemption, Yuan. I will send you to the cycle of reincarnation. You can try to come back to me when you’ve cleared all your negative karma if you wish to redeem yourself that is.”

Guang Yuan’s breath hitched at his father’s words, the weight of his actions crashing down upon him. He nodded weakly, his eyes closing as he accepted his fate.

The Sword Immortal rose to his feet, his gaze never leaving his son’s broken form. With a heavy heart, he drew his sword, the blade gleaming with a divine light. He stepped back, raising the sword high, his movements precise and graceful.

"May you find peace in the cycle of reincarnation, my son. May you find the strength to redeem yourself in another life."

With a swift, smooth motion, the Sword Immortal brought the blade down. The light of the sword enveloped Guang Yuan, and his body stilled. It was a painless end, a mercy granted by a father who loved his son despite his failings.

The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with the solemnity of the moment. The Sword Immortal sheathed his sword, his heart heavy with sorrow and resolve. He offered a silent prayer for Guang Yuan's soul, hoping that in another life, his son would find the path to redemption.