Chains Of Heaven

I felt like throwing up by using a sword art that came from my blood, from that caused side of me, but I at least wasn't using a real sword. That alone was enough to make me mentally able to use these techniques or at least those I have proper knowledge of. It pains me that using these sword techniques are by far the most natural for me, my strongest strikes even if I never delved into them deeply.

With my palm as a sword, I hacked at Ning Chuan, the Qilin moving through space and evading my strike as he got close, in his head a drill like power could be seen as his only horn pinned in place at extreme speed, space itself twisting as he did so.

"Take this!" He yelled as he got close.

With a wave of disgust, I changed from a palm to a single finger.

"One drop of blood, piercing the firmament and reaching beyond." I mentally said as the second move from the Heaven Smiting sword arts came forward. It pierced through space itself, facing that terrifying attack head on.

We both were thrown away as the space between us broke. It quickly returned to normal but it still was broken by our strikes.

Raising himself a bit Ning Chuan moved his roof down, on the sky a roof-like construct the size of a mountain could be seen, smashing down at me.

"Crushing the Heavens, devastating the Earth, only I live supreme." I said emotionless, my strike representing the absolute destructive power of the sword as I used my entire arm to clash with that mountain-like roof.

Moving to him I used my chains, trying to capture him but he moved too fast, vanishing in space as he did so.

Looking from one side to the other I could not find him in the slightest, no trace of him to be seen. If I can't find him, then just make him come out.

With both fists clenched tightly I released two powerful punches in both directions, each one carrying the power of the Pulse of the World with it. As this pulse traveled outwards it would turn to dust everything in it's path. Waiting for a few seconds I saw a place where the pulse was blocked slightly, that was enough for me as I dashed at that direction, my fist pressing down as I punched that place.

BAM

My fist connected with the side of Ning Chuan, the youth being thrown out of his hiding in space and glaring violently at me as he was pushed back. It didn't hesitate, turning in mid air it released a loud roar and my mind got blanc for a moment, not able to think anymore as it happened.

It was only for a single moment but it was enough for him to get close and come piercing down at my c.h.e.s.t, intent on crushing my heart in one swift motion. I moved to avoid it but it still pierced my torso, my stomach pierced through and almost having my spike broken by this strike as well.

As blood rushed up my mouth I pressed down, putting my hands over Ning Chuan's head I began to try and crush it, but his head is far too sturdy and he began to move theoretically, trying to get me off him. I use my entire strength to crush his head but it just is not working, I guess I should aim at something a bit more 'soft'.

PLOP PLOP

"MY EYES! HOW DARE YOU DESTROY MY EYES?!" He shouted, his movements now managing to throw my off him. Blood gushing out of the glaring hole on my torso as I could feel the acid inside of my stomach trying to leak out into my other organs. With quick movements I blocked the arteries aimed at that location to lower the bleeding as much as possible while also operating my entire understanding of Light energy to close the wound.

Pain long stopped being something I care much about, learning to cut my emotions and feelings when regarding pain was something I had to learn while on the Heaven Smiting clan so this pain doesn't really bother me as much. Winning now is more important so I move to face him.

However, this time he did not move to face me directly, instead about a hundred of his scales flew out, each one turning into a heavenly horse covered in fire or thunder, all of them majestic as they appeared. They all came down on me, all aiming to trample me to death, make me into mincemeat.

Weaving through them I try and avoid the horde, but they just keep coming as they move from one side to the other, their power great and might unstoppable. Releasing a roar I used all my power to crush these horses, trying to break through and reach Ning Chuan but regardless of how many I kill they just keep coming.

With my hand as a sword I use the fourth move of the Heaven Smiting Sword Arts.

"What harm is there in slaughtering the world?"

As I said that deep killing intent shot out from within my very essence, the killing intent creating a domain around me as it pressed down on all as I moved my palm, cold radience suing forward as I clashed with Ning Chuan again, space between us bending and twisting.

With a pu sound I was pushed back, spatial blades flying from Ning Chuan's body as his scaled moved about as if to cut the universe into ribbons.

With gritted teeth I moved my arms, using both palms as swords to compete but this was not enough. Using my hands as swords does not make them actual swords and the power I can display not being my best.

That I only used a weapon I made for myself seemed smart back then, but now that I am on this situation I wish I had made more than one or just obtained some superior weapons.

///---///

Gugalana was watching from above, being astonished by what Enkidu was showing. That he was part of his misstress' clan was a point on his favor in Gugalana's eyes but that he also could display so much of the mysteries carved into the Heaven Smiting Sword Arts also made Gugalana quite pleased.

He was, however, quite in doubt about why he used light profound energy instead of darkness profound energy. If he had devil blood he should not be able to produce light energy no matter what and considering he is her descendant he should have the best control over darkness energy possible. The more Gugalana looked the more confused he got, but that also made Enkidu highly interesting in his eyes.

TREMBLE

Suddenly, from within Gugalana's treasury something reacted. Gugalana's eyes became shocked when he saw that thing moving slightly, as if it wanted to go out and break through space itself for it's destination.

"... Is this also destiny?" Gugalana said to itself as he looked at that thing, many emotion flying through his mind as he saw that thing reacting.

That was something his master had started preparing in the past, not yet complete as he could no longer care for it after that incident, but it's base was still formed, it's core already complete. For that thing to actually be stored up, was it just reacting to Enkidu due to how extraordinary he is or is it because it simply wants to be used, to be completed?

Gugalana could not say, but this too may be the will of the heavens, so Gugalana did not doubt anymore, sending it out to Enkidu, let it see if that thing would be enough.

///---///

Enkidu's P.O.V.

I continued facing this horde, every scale on Ning Chuan's body becoming a divine horse able to trample everything, hard to stop and hard to fight against.

This all is when he isn't even fully developed yet, when his body is yet to become like that of a True Qilin, still with some deficiencies. This race must truly be domineering beyond reproach, powerful to the extreme. With a roar from the back of my throat I launched several strikes at any who approached me, fighting even as injuries acc.u.mulated one after the other, blood splashing down and bone being visible.

I was using everything I have, every scrap of power I have at my disposal, but I still am a bit short. My Dongfang bloodline is not yet at the level I can use any of it's unique abilities, not even knowing how to, and my Heaven Smiting sword arts can only be fully displayed if someone has a proper sword to use. I don't have that in hand, while the enemy Qilin bloodline is already perfectly active and able to be fully displayed, he is also of a higher cultivation level than me and is incredibly talented. That we are fighting on the sky where I have a disadvantage also doesn't help either.

My techniques work best on the ground, in the sky I am not able to use some of my skills and my experience with flying battles are basically just this one, it is just not a good thing.

SHIU

A swift sound approached from the distance, the sound of the wind and clouds being cut coming fast as I moved to avoid another horse, using my fist to smash it's side to crush head, the head turning into mist and reforging after a moment.

This technique is just too terrifying, even if it is weaker than it could have been the power it can display is still terrifying to the extreme. I definitely do not wish to fight it head on but that is pretty much the only option.

The sound of something approached got extremely close to me and I moved to evade it but it still came to me, appearing before me as if summoned from far away.

It was a sword core, it did not yet have an edge, the appearance clearly that it was not completed yet. It was only about 30 or so centimetres long and four wide, the pommel was the only thing that looked proper about it, being properly made but even then it was clear that it was not completed. It was what one might find if a cave-men were trying to make a sword based on some vague instructions, completely unsightly and looking like it did not belong anywhere except the most barbarian tribes of the long pass. It certainly was nothing like those swords cultivators use so often, looking pristine and grand, heroic and marvelous to look at.

This sword core, despite being a sword, actually called out to me, reacting to me intensely as if it wanted me to use it. Just looking at it my disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e could be seen, using a sword is something I have no d.e.s.i.r.e for.

Whenever I see a sword I remember the torment, of the pain inflicted on me by those bastards for so very long. A sword is the symbol of that clan, of that caused blood that runs through my veins.

However, this is life or death. Should I not use it now then victory or defeat is hard to predict and I still have to face the last trial. I cannot waste time here, risk losing here.

There are those outside that still count on me, teacher gave me his most precious artifact in his trust I would make him proud and Cai'er still needs someone to help her, Levy may be a brat but I took him as a disciple, those who hate me might target him and he is certainly not able to deal with any of them, I still need to make sure Medusa gets back to her clan. And, most importantly, I still must get revenge for my mother, for the Dongfang clan whose blood runs through my veins.

I must understand what has happened and bring back the Supreme Being Bone that was stolen from me. I cannot die here, I refuse to die here.

And so, I take the sword core in hand.

The moment I held the sword in my hand, it was like if I felt myself complete, like if it fit perfectly and I could feel myself becoming one with the sword instantly. This is what one calls Sword and Body as one, a stage of sword cultivation that is not too bad.

With this primitive Sword Core in hand, I looked at the Qilin and the almost a thousand divine horses around me.

"This does not mean anything, I will bury you here you filthy devil!" The Qilin shouted as all the horses moved together to attack me, they moved as one huge flood and by the time they got close they were more like meteorites coming at me from all sides.

"The gates of the Palace shall withstand all tribulations, heart kept behind the sword edge." I said as I moved the sword, all attacks hitting the sword intent left behind and being blocked as if hitting steel walls, not one breaking through my defense. This is the only defensive move that I comprehended until now from the Heaven Smiting Sword Arts, capable of showing the paring attribute of the sword. It also connect with the sixth and final move I learned from this art as my blood is not yet pure enough for me to inherit more of the moves.

Looking at Ning Chuan I feel only hate towards him, had he not pressured me so I would not have had to use any sword art whatsoever, able to keep myself free from this terrible part of myself. However, if I have to use it then so be it.

Looking towards him I aim my sword and strike.

"Punishing the wicked, killing the insolent, who dares face this blow?"

BOOM

As I release that attack the entire space before me caved in, pure sword energy covered everything and I could not even see Ning Chuan anymore. By the time this wave of energy ended I could finally see Ning Chuan again, he was a mangled mess with half of his body blown away, his appearance really terrible and all his scales gone. His horn was broken off and he looked like he was barely holding on to life.

"Hehe, I guess killing a member of one of the four Emperor clans of the Devil side, of the strongest of the four no less, was a bit much even for me. I suppose only if someone from one of the three Emperor clans of the Gods side came could a youth kill you. A clan like the Novachrono, Dongfang, Otsutsuki, or Shi would certainly be able to defeat you. Even one thousand of you wouldn't be able to measure up to us from the God side!" Ning Chuan said and I actually could not help but scratch my head hearing this.

"... Actually, I do have Dongfang blood in me. I have both the Dongfang and Heaven Smiting blood in my veins." I said honestly and, upon hearing me, Ning Chuan laughed.

He laughed with a hint of mockery and fury.

"To think that I die in the hands of a pariah, a freakish taboo abomination who shouldn't even possibly exist. I pity you, when the moment of tribulation comes for you then it is sure to be your end, no chance of survival. Your death shall be miserable, and I shall be on the other side waiting to laugh at you again, taboo freak!"

With those final words he died, his soul greedily s.u.c.k.e.d by the magic cube but this time it did not sent out the information inside it. I have no idea how this cube does things but I can't move or operate it actively so focusing on it now would be useless. At best I should simply be grateful over what I managed to obtain before and just move on.

As soon as this was over, though, I threw that sword core into my spatial ring, hoping to not need to use it anymore. After this was done I finished my ascension over this cloud, the second trial was now over.