Kai stood at the center of the great hall as the guards announced the arrival of the envoys. He kept his breathing steady while the System displayed quiet notifications at the edge of his sight.The first envoy entered. He wore dark blue robes with a silver crest over his chest. He bowed slightly. “I greet Ascendant Lord Kai. I am Envoy Ren from Skyshroud Realm. I come with respect and the order to observe.”Kai nodded. “Welcome, Envoy Ren. Azure Cloud will treat you fairly.”The second envoy stepped in with a calm expression. Her green robes carried the symbol of a lotus. “I am Envoy Lian from Verdant Spirit Court. I offer greetings and hope for peaceful contact.”Kai gave a small bow. “Welcome. Your presence is noted.”The third envoy walked in slowly. His eyes scanned every corner of the hall. His robe was black with gold lining. “I am Envoy Sharo of the Iron Dominion. I have come to see if the stories about you are true.”The System whispered inside Kai’s mind.[Warning. Envoy Sha

Kai walked out of the inner hall early in the morning. His escort members were already waiting near the gates. Elder Ren stepped forward and asked, “Are we heading out now?”“Yes,” Kai said. “The Council summons will not wait.”Captain Lian adjusted his blade. “We will move in tight formation. If any force tries to intercept us, we will handle it.”The System spoke quietly in Kai’s mind. [Travel Protocol Active. Scanning surrounding sectors.]Kai nodded and said, “Stay alert from the start. We will be watched long before we reach the first marker.”Elder Ren let out a slow breath. “We expected this. The moment Azure Cloud gained influence, eyes began to turn.”Kai looked toward the road stretching ahead. “We go.”The group moved out. The valley winds were calm, and the old battlefield scars were visible far behind them. Captain Lian walked beside Kai and asked, “Do you think the Council is welcoming us or preparing a trap?”“Both,” Kai replied. “But they will not act openly. They want

Kai stepped out of the council hall with his escort behind him. The corridor was quiet, and the guards stationed around looked away as if they wanted no contact with him. His escort members whispered among themselves until Kai raised a hand and made them stop. He wanted the walk back to the guest quarters to be calm, but the System spoke in his mind.“Warning. Multiple hostile signatures approaching from both sides. Estimated impact: six seconds.”Kai slowed his steps. “Everyone stay behind me.”His escort stopped talking immediately. One of them asked, “What is happening?”“Ambush,” Kai replied.The System spoke again. “Four attackers in front. Three behind. Concealed energy signatures confirm advanced cloaking. All individuals match the council registry of sect leaders who voted against your freedom.”Kai exhaled once. “Stay close.”Footsteps echoed from both sides of the corridor. Seven figures stepped out of the shadows. Their robes carried the crests of different sects. Their exp

Kai stood at the center of the forest ridge where the earlier rift had appeared. Several council leaders, elders, and guards surrounded him in a wide formation. Everyone watched the empty air nervously.“Is it really gone?” an elder asked.Kai nodded slightly. “For now.”Before anyone else responded, the air vibrated. A sharp crack tore through the sky, and a thin line of light rippled across the ridge. Everyone froze.A deep voice rolled out from inside the unseen space.“Ascendant Lord… Kai of Azure Cloud… you are ahead of schedule.”Shouts broke out instantly.“What is that?”“Who is speaking?”Several leaders backed up several steps, but Kai remained still. He tightened his grip.The System spoke in a rapid whisper only he could hear.[Warning: Unknown higher realm frequency detected.][Locking core functions. Shield protocol active.][Do not respond until intrusion stabilizes.]The voice continued, louder this time. “Your rise interrupts the cycle. The path is not prepared. You m

Kai moved across the sky with his selected team behind him. Their formation was tight, and their expressions were tense. The System had reported that the largest unstable rift on the continent was showing rapid changes. Kai wanted to reach it before the situation grew worse.Captain Lian asked, “Lord Kai, how large is the fluctuation now?”Kai said, “The System says it expanded again thirty minutes ago. It is unstable but not fully torn open.”The System spoke into Kai’s mind.[Host, Rift Activity: Severe.][Energy Pressure: Rising.][Environmental Distortion: 63%.]Elder Mei heard the tone of Kai’s voice and asked, “Is it that serious already?”Kai nodded. “Yes. Prepare yourselves. We are almost there.”The team approached a large valley where the air trembled in uneven waves. Birds fled the area, and the trees bent unnaturally. The ground cracked under scattered bursts of blue and black light.Captain Ruo said, “This looks worse than the reports.”The System responded immediately.