The next morning dawned gray and cold. Clouds hung low over East City, their heavy silence broken only by the rumble of distant thunder.
Lin Tian stood at the edge of the university's old library, his gaze fixed on the sealed stone tablet embedded in the courtyard ground.
Students passed by, unaware of its significance — but to Lin Tian, the faint ripples of qi beneath it were impossible to miss.
This world truly hides remnants of the divine…
He placed his palm gently on the tablet.
At once, the carvings glowed faintly — old runes he recognized from the upper realms. They spoke of a place hidden "beneath the mortal pulse," where heaven's energy and earth's roots met — the Celestial Nexus.
[Ding!]
System Data Extracted:
Ancient Leyline Intersection detected below East City. Estimated location: 3.6 kilometers beneath the surface.
Warning: Access sealed by unknown formation energy.
Lin Tian smiled faintly. "Sealed, hm? Then I'll just break it."
He sat cross-legged on the grass, forming the first hand seal of the Spirit Eye Technique — one of the simplest arts from his immortal memory, but perfect for seeing through illusions.
As his vision sharpened, the world shifted. Layers of spiritual energy became visible — streams of silver and blue light running like rivers through the earth.
At their convergence point, deep below, something glowed — vast, ancient, pulsing with celestial rhythm.
Meanwhile, far from campus, Elder Mo watched the same city through a swirling orb of dark energy.
"So… the Nexus still breathes beneath this world," he hissed. "If Lin Tian reaches it first, he'll regain his strength."
He clenched his fist, demonic energy rippling outward. "That cannot happen."
He gestured to the shadows around him. Three figures emerged — cloaked, their eyes burning crimson.
"Go," Elder Mo commanded. "Find the Nexus. Kill the Immortal before the seal breaks."
Later that evening, Lin Tian prepared for the descent.
He gathered a few necessary items: a spiritual compass, a low-grade qi crystal (the only one he could refine from Earth's weak aura), and a talisman for concealment.
Su Mengyao appeared at his door as he was about to leave.
"You're going somewhere again," she said softly.
He didn't answer immediately.
Finally, he said, "There's a place beneath this city — a Celestial Nexus. If I can reach it, I might be able to stabilize the spiritual balance and strengthen my cultivation."
"And what happens if you fail?" she asked.
He looked at her, a rare smile touching his lips. "Then you'll probably need to find a new tutor for your math classes."
She frowned, unamused. "Lin Tian, I'm serious. You almost died last time."
He turned toward the night sky. "The heavens don't wait for mortals to prepare. If I don't act now, the demons will."
Su Mengyao hesitated, then pressed a small silver pendant into his palm. "Take this. It's… something I've had since childhood. Maybe it'll bring you luck."
He looked at it, sensing the faint aura of moonlight around it. "This is no ordinary pendant. It carries pure lunar essence. I'll keep it safe."
By midnight, Lin Tian reached the outskirts of the city, where an abandoned metro construction site lay forgotten. The readings from his compass pulsed wildly.
"This is it," he murmured. "The entrance lies beneath."
He drew a formation circle on the ground using condensed qi, chanting softly. The earth trembled. Dust fell from the tunnel ceiling. A deep hum echoed below as the seal cracked open, revealing a spiraling staircase descending into darkness.
[Ding!]
Host has activated Celestial Nexus access point.
Caution: Energy interference detected. Presence of hostile entities probable.
Lin Tian descended calmly, the faint glow of his sword illuminating the ancient stone walls. Strange carvings lined the path — celestial beasts, constellations, and runes written in a long-forgotten divine language.
After what felt like hours, he reached a vast underground chamber. At its center hovered a massive crystal — blue and gold energy swirling within it like a living star.
The air was heavy, filled with divine pressure.
"So this is the heart of Earth's ley lines," Lin Tian whispered. "The Celestial Nexus…"
But before he could step forward —
A cold wind swept through the chamber. Shadows crawled along the walls. Three cloaked figures appeared from the darkness, red eyes gleaming.
"The Nexus belongs to our master," one hissed. "Leave, mortal."
Lin Tian sighed. "Always the same words. Always the same arrogance."
He raised his sword, its edge glowing brighter with each heartbeat.
"Very well, then. Let's see how long you last in front of a fallen immortal."
The chamber filled with the roar of battle — the clash of steel and shadow, light against darkness.
Even weakened, Lin Tian moved like flowing wind, each strike precise, each step divine. The first assassin fell, his body dissolving into black smoke.
But the others were stronger — coordinated, relentless. Lin Tian parried one strike, then another, but a blade of shadow grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.
[Ding!]
Host condition: minor injury. Qi reserves at 42%.
Lin Tian gritted his teeth. "Then I'll finish this quickly."
He thrust his sword into the ground, channeling all remaining energy into the formation below.
Heavenly Sword Art — Celestial Domain!
Light exploded through the cavern, blinding and pure. The shadows screamed as the energy consumed them.
When the glow faded, only Lin Tian remained standing — barely conscious, his breathing ragged.
But before he collapsed, he looked up. The Nexus crystal pulsed once — and a strand of golden energy flowed toward him, entering his body.
[Ding!]
Host has absorbed fragment of Celestial Nexus energy.
Cultivation base advanced: Spirit Awakening Stage (Early).
A faint smile crossed his lips. "At last… a step forward."
Then everything went dark.
Far above, in her sleep, Su Mengyao stirred suddenly — her pendant glowing softly. A tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered a name she didn't remember ever knowing:
"Tian…"
End of Chapter 9: "The Celestial Nexus"