At sunrise, the initial golden rays of dawn cut through the thick, emerald cover of the Star Dou Great Forest, bathing its mystical surroundings in light. In a mist-shrouded secret glade, Tang Yan stood stiff and unmoving, his weathered, scarred face half-kissed by the light of dawn. His piercing, determined eyes betrayed an aura of tranquil purpose, as if he was ready to face the very soul of nature itself.
At his waist and along his limbs, the intricate rune-carved armor he had spent so much time creating shone with a dim, otherworldly glow. Lightweight as it was, each piece was covered in delicate carvings—unobtrusive but potent patterns designed to tap into and magnify the colossal gravity his partner, Da Ming, could impose at will.
"Okay… let's see what this body can really take," he muttered, an inner fire of determination igniting within him.
☀️ Morning: Under Gravity's Weight
A mere inclination of his head by Tang Yan was enough to compel Da Ming to invoke his power. The air condensed, enshrouding Tang Yan in a dense shroud. The earth beneath him creaked and shook under the prodigious pressure, boulders cracking ominously. Tang Yan's knees buckled as the instant weight bore down on him, his breathing in painstaking gasps.
Rather than fighting, he yielded to the force, letting it penetrate into his muscles and bones. He could sense each shuddering fiber realigning, stabilizing under the heavy burden. There was a moment of quiet, and then he moved.
Every intentional step was a struggle with gravity, beads of sweat on his jaw as he struggled on. Straight push-ups yielded to single-arm ones, every motion a tribute to his determination. He moved into sprints, the ground beneath him sagging under his strides, puffs of dust rising in his wake. Although his heart pounded in his chest, he fought on incessantly.
⚔ High Noon: Dance of Arms
With hours of punishing conditioning behind him, Tang Yan could feel the familiar buzz of his armor, now energized with pent-up energy. His muscles, weary but alive, seemed to throb with anticipation of the coming fight. "Time to test the martial souls." he said, his voice firm.
He called them one at a time, each sword embodying its individual aura, filling the clearing with electric tension.
???? Blue Gold Trident
The initial weapon was the well-known trident. He struck it tentatively, enjoying its balance in his hand before driving it hard.
**Severing Radiance Fang:** Golden energy burst in waves to the points of the trident, condensing into a killing beam that cut through the air, burning into the ancient rock and carving a sharp line deep into its surface.
**Crimson Hunt Lock:** A scarlet-colored chain of energy sprang forth from its tip, whirling around a nonexistent enemy with cold calculation, its tip blazing with a hot, intent killing edge. Tang Yan could sense the urgency in his actions—it was smooth, automatic, as his body responded to his command willingly.
???? Clear Sky Hammer
Then there was the hammer, incredibly huge, and yet in his hand.
**Mountain Breaker Smash:** He raised it above him, the weight sinking into the bones before slamming it home. The earth shook with intensity, rocks flying like dust before the impact of his blow.
**Rolling Thunder Strike:** Sideways swung the hammer, releasing a revolving shockwave that ripped through air and flung leaves aflap from branches overhead. Though his arms trembled with the kickback, it seemed as though the hammer was part of his own essence.
☠ Undead Monarch Scythe
Darkness curled in his palm, forming into a scythe with a foreboding scarlet edge that vibrated with power.
**Deathly Severance:** With a diagonal slash so swift, he cut through the air, leaving behind a wisp of a red line frozen in time before it dissipated into nothing.
**Ghoul's Pursuit:** Following his slash, a ghostly trail trailed after, cutting through the air where the sword had momentarily been. The aura of death around it made Tang Yan shiver as a shiver of death coursed down his spine.
???? Hell's Champion Armour
This wasn't just a weapon but a further coating of powerful defense over his designed armor.
**Abyssal Shell:** Black, shining energy surrounded him, coating a shield that was both ominous and empowering.
**Spiteful Rebound:** Imagining a ferocious assault aimed at him, he commanded the barrier to throb outward, repelling an unseen energy with precise calculation. The cold of the defense was comforting, personifying a determination not of flight but of bitter counterattack.
???? Dragon God Gauntlets
Dual gauntlets manifested, with scales glinting purple and gold, terminating in raptor-like ridges that sparkled ominously.
**Dragon's Fang Punch:** He advanced, his fist punching into a rock. The blast shattered rock splinters outward, a testament to unbridled brute force.
**Sovereign Break:** As he punched downwards, soul energy coursed through his body, leaving a visible wave that shattered the ground where his fist struck—a close-up, powerful display of raw domination.
⚔️ Demon King Slaughter Sword
Lastly, he called forth the blade of black-red, its surface shining with a dooming aura.
**Blood Soaked Edge:** Glowed softly, cutting gently through hard rock, cutting a deep groove with no hesitation whatsoever.
**Slaughtering Spiral:** He spun his body, the blade extended, unleashing a spiraling aura of red that left vicious claw-like marks on nearby tree trunks. Panting heavily, Tang Yan exhaled, his chest heaving, the adrenaline pounding in rhythm with his heart.
**System (teasingly):** "Host, why the rush? You've been testing your limits since sunrise."
???? Afternoon: The Urgency
Tang Yan straightened up, beads of sweat shining on his forehead as he let it fall onto the dry earth below. "Because," he said softly, placing a hand over his chest where the symbol of the Clear Sky Hammer rested, "I feel it. within the inheritance I've received."
If I can unleash the full extent of that legacy… it will give me unimaginable power. A great surprise. And I cannot wait; the danger could come sooner than I expect."
A soft breath of quietness fell around them, and the system buzzed in acquiescence.
???? Evening: Shadow of the Heart
With the sun setting below the horizon, painting the sky with colors of molten gold, Tang Yan couldn't stay still, pacing through the clearing. His forehead creased, a tempest brewing in his heart—black and grouchy.
Even Da Ming observed, looking at Er Ming with worry.
"Yan'er," Er Ming's voice echoed, low and calming, "you might want to face your inner being. There is a war waging within you that needs to end."
Tang Yan looked up, startled by the insight. "Inner self?" he echoed, unable to grasp the concept. All that surged within him was an unsettled energy and a simmering anger.
**System (voice softening):** "Host… since your second journey through time, your heart has grown more ruthless. Yet within you, a fragment still opposes that change. This internal conflict is what feeds your agitation."
Lapsing into silence, Tang Yan looked at his disfigured self, struggling with the realities hidden deep inside.