Chapter 19.3: Knowledge of the Celestial gate

Wei Shun charged forward, gripping his massive axe with both hands. 

He swung it in a wide arc, the sheer force of his attack making the very ground beneath us tremble. 

The ancient temple floor cracked slightly under the pressure, as if reacting to the raw power of his strike.

I quickly stepped to the side, barely avoiding the deadly swing. 

The axe sliced through the air where I had stood just moments before, creating a powerful gust of wind that whipped at my clothes. 

Without wasting a second, I countered with a swift slash of my sword, aiming for the exposed part of his side where his armor didn't fully cover.

But Wei Shun was fast despite his size. 

He raised his arm and blocked my attack effortlessly, his axe acting as a shield. 

The impact sent a numbing vibration up my arm, making me realize just how overwhelming his strength was. 

He wasn't just a brute who relied on raw power—he had skill, experience, and a battle-hardened body that could withstand countless attacks.

"Is that all you've got?" Wei Shun taunted, his lips curling into a wide grin. 

There was amusement in his eyes, as if he enjoyed the challenge.

I clenched my teeth, tightening my grip on my sword. 

I couldn't afford to let frustration get the better of me. 

This was more than just a fight—it was a test to prove my worth. 

If I failed, I wouldn't just lose a battle; I would lose the chance to gain a powerful ally.

Taking a deep breath, I focused inward. 

The system had granted me a new skill earlier—Blinding Radiance. 

I hadn't tested it before, but now was as good a time as any.

Channeling my spiritual energy into my blade, I activated the skill. 

The sword shimmered for a moment before a burst of brilliant light exploded from it, illuminating the entire temple.

Wei Shun flinched, momentarily blinded by the sudden flash. 

I seized the opportunity and lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air with precision. 

My blade struck his shoulder, forcing him to stagger back.

But even as he stumbled, he let out a hearty laugh. 

"Not bad," he admitted, rolling his shoulder as if shaking off the pain. 

"But you'll need more than tricks to win against me."

He recovered faster than I expected. 

Without hesitation, he launched another attack, swinging his axe downward in a crushing blow. 

I barely had time to react. Raising my sword, I parried the attack, but the sheer force behind it made my knees buckle. 

Sparks flew as our weapons clashed, the impact ringing through the temple like a bell.

The battle raged on, each strike more intense than the last. 

My sword clashed against his axe repeatedly, the sound of metal meeting metal echoing through the ruins. 

Every attack he delivered felt like it could break me, and every dodge I made left me more exhausted. 

My breathing grew heavier, my muscles ached, and sweat dripped down my forehead.

But I refused to give up. 

I had to win this.

Wei Shun was relentless, his attacks not slowing down in the slightest. 

His endurance seemed limitless, while my stamina was decreasing. 

My movements became slightly slower, my arms heavier with exhaustion. 

If I didn't end this soon, I would lose by sheer exhaustion.

I needed to think fast. Instead of meeting his strength head-on, I had to outmaneuver him.

Waiting for the right moment, I baited him into attacking. 

He raised his axe high, preparing for another powerful swing. 

The moment his arms lifted, exposing his chest, I moved. 

With a burst of speed, I ducked under his guard and slashed at his hands, forcing him to loosen his grip. 

Then, with all the strength I had left, I twisted my sword and knocked his axe from his grasp.

The heavy weapon clattered to the ground with a loud thud. 

Before he could react, I raised my sword and placed the blade at his throat. 

My breath was ragged, my body screaming in exhaustion, but I stood firm.

"Yield," I said, my voice steady despite how drained I felt.

For a moment, silence filled the temple. 

Wei Shun stared at me, his gaze unreadable. 

Then, instead of anger or resentment, a deep chuckle escaped his lips. 

He stepped back and raised his hands in surrender.

"You've proven your point, Li Wei," he said, his tone lighter than before. 

"You've earned my respect."

With those words, the tension in the room eased. 

The hostility that had lingered between us faded, replaced by something resembling mutual understanding.

From the side, Mei Lian and Xu Han watched the battle's conclusion. 

They exchanged glances before stepping forward.

"You've changed, Li Wei," Mei Lian said, her expression softer than before.

"Perhaps there's merit in this alliance after all."

Xu Han, however, wasn't as easily convinced. 

He crossed his arms, his eyes sharp with warning. 

"But know this," he said firmly. 

"If you falter, if you show even a hint of the arrogance that defined you before, we won't hesitate to turn against you."

I met his gaze without hesitation. 

"Fair enough," I replied. "But I won't falter. 

Together, we can end the Shadow Devourer's reign."

At that moment, a system notification appeared before me.

[System Notification: Alliance of the Fallen Formed.

[Rewards Acquired: 300 Faith Points, Knowledge of the Celestial Gate's First Seal.]

Tian Lan, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward. 

Her voice was calm but carried undeniable determination. 

"We're stronger together," she said. 

"Let's not waste this opportunity."

As we stepped out of the temple, the weight of what had just happened settled on me. 

This was more than just winning a fight. It was the first step toward something greater. 

We had formed an alliance—one that could change the course of this war.

The path ahead was still filled with uncertainty, and the Shadow Devourer's power loomed over us like an approaching storm. 

But for the first time in a long while, I felt something I hadn't felt before.

Hope.

A fragile yet unyielding light in the encroaching darkness.