The Sea of Azure Fire parted before him.
Each step Lin Feng took sent ripples across the molten surface, and the flames whispered like living things, murmuring a name they once feared — Sovereign.
Ahead, beyond the tranquil waves, the Azure Tomb Palace floated in midair — vast, ancient, and solemn. Its towering gates were engraved with countless runes of flame and sword aura. Between them stood a single being — a figure of divine light and blue fire.
A pair of radiant wings unfurled from its back, each feather a burning sword rune. Its face was obscured by a serene mask, and its voice was neither male nor female — it was judgment itself.
"Inheritor of the Azure Sword," the being said softly.
"You have endured the trial of flame. But to walk the Sovereign's path, you must now confront the truth of power."
The Azure Seraph raised its hand. A sword of pure azure energy manifested, its edge humming with divine will.
"Show me your sword, mortal child."
---
Lin Feng drew his blade, azure light blooming around him. His aura condensed until it seemed the world itself held its breath.
Then, they moved.
In an instant, the realm exploded with blinding light.
The Seraph's first strike cleaved through the sky itself — a slash so vast it left a scar in the heavens. Lin Feng met it head-on, his body surging with dragon essence and Sovereign flame.
The impact shattered continents within the sword world. Mountains crumbled into the fire sea below.
But Lin Feng did not fall — he countered.
"Azure Sword Art — Fifth Form: Heaven-Breaking Flow!"
His sword curved like a crescent wave, splitting through the aftershock. The Seraph blocked it effortlessly, yet for the first time, its divine aura flickered.
"Impressive," the Guardian murmured. "Yet still incomplete. You wield strength… without harmony."
It vanished.
The next moment, countless copies of the Seraph surrounded him — each one a mirror of sword intent. From every direction, blades of azure fire descended.
---
Lin Feng's eyes burned bright. He swung his sword in all directions — a blur of motion faster than thought.
Each strike clashed against a Seraph, scattering divine flame and light.
But for every illusion he cut down, ten more rose in its place.
"Sword without unity is chaos," the Seraph's voices whispered from every direction.
"And chaos cannot hold the Sovereign's will."
Lin Feng's defense broke. One strike slipped through — slicing across his chest. Blood scattered like molten starlight.
He staggered back, breathing hard. The Azure Sword trembled in his grasp, as though questioning his worth.
But then — he smiled.
"No… the sword doesn't need harmony. It needs truth."
His aura exploded outward — a tidal wave of raw intent. His dragon blood burned, scales flickering across his arms as his qi coiled into a vast storm.
"Azure Dragon… awaken."
The world darkened.
---
From within the storm, a dragon's roar erupted — deep, ancient, and thunderous. Azure light burst from Lin Feng's body, coalescing into the image of a colossal dragon spiraling into the heavens.
Its scales shimmered with sword light; each beat of its wings tore through the Seraph's illusions.
"This… is my sword."
He swung — one clean, unbroken strike.
The dragon roared as his sword cut through every copy, cleaving the world in two.
The Seraph's body cracked — divine light leaking from its form.
It smiled for the first time.
"Yes… that is the Sovereign's truth. A sword not of submission, but of awakening."
Its body dissolved into radiant motes, each one swirling around Lin Feng before sinking into his chest.
"You have inherited a fragment of the Azure Law — the Law of Fusion. Let it temper your soul."
---
Silence returned. The raging flames grew calm once more. Lin Feng fell to one knee, clutching his sword.
The Azure Dragon essence within him pulsed, merging seamlessly with his qi and sword intent.
He could feel the difference — his energy no longer moved in layers, but as one unified tide.
The Azure Dragon Severing Sky technique was born — a perfect harmony of dragon blood and Sovereign flame.
When he rose again, his aura radiated through the world. The once-distant gates of the Azure Tomb Palace creaked open with a deep, echoing groan.
From within came a faint whisper — the Sovereign's voice.
"You have taken the second step upon my path… Now, face the one who sleeps within."
Lin Feng's expression hardened. His hand brushed against his chest, where the Azure Law pulsed faintly.
"I'll continue," he murmured. "Not as your shadow… but as your successor."
And with that, he walked into the light of the palace — where the next trial awaited.