Kai entered the hall slowly while elders from the five major sects turned toward him with mixed reactions. Elder Huan of the Iron Vein Sect spoke first and said, “Kai of Azure Cloud, your new title as Guardian of the Realm has spread faster than your people can handle.” His tone held no warmth.Kai stopped several steps from the center. “The title is not something I asked for. The rift stabilization demanded action, and I acted.”Elder Yuro of the Silent Frost Sect folded his hands behind his back. “Your strength is known, but strength alone should not give one man the right to make decisions for the entire continent.”Kai looked at him calmly. “I have not made decisions for the entire continent. I stabilized one rift that threatened every sect.”The room grew quiet for a moment until Elder Na Ren from the Thousand Spirit Sect spoke. “Our sect acknowledges your contribution. But there is worry that Azure Cloud is gaining too much influence.”Kai replied, “Influence comes from responsi

The day began with a long line of envoys outside Azure Cloud’s main gates. The guards tried to maintain order, but the groups kept arriving without pause. Flags of different sects waved in the wind as the messengers introduced themselves one by one.Kai stepped onto the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. He frowned at the sight of the growing crowd. “How many arrived today?”Elder Han stepped beside him. “Twenty-three groups so far. More are coming from the south. They want to renew alliances or create new ones after your stabilization success.”Kai nodded. “Bring their leaders to the main hall. We will speak with them.”Elder Han sighed. “You will not have enough time for all of them.”“I will try,” Kai said.The system spoke in his mind. “Warning. Diplomatic congestion detected. Recommend delegation protocols.”Kai whispered, “I know. We will handle it.”The elders gathered in the main hall as the envoys entered one group at a time. Some bowed deeply, some stayed stiff and cauti

The coastline was still settling when Kai noticed a faint glow on the wet sand. The disciples were finishing their final checks on the barrier seals, but none of them seemed to see the strange light.Kai walked toward it. “System, identify the energy source.”The system replied instantly. “Unknown shard detected. Energy signature: Higher Realm. Warning. Stand back.”Before Kai could take another step, a transparent barrier formed around him. The system enclosed him completely.“System, why did you activate a full protection field?” Kai asked.“Host may be targeted. Shard is emitting temporal pressure.”Elder Su approached from behind the barrier. “Sect Master, what is happening? That light feels dangerous.”Kai said, “A message from the higher realm, most likely.”The glowing shard lifted from the sand without being touched. It hovered inside the system’s barrier and pulsed once. The pressure spread across the beach. Several disciples stumbled back.Captain Ren said, “I can barely bre

Kai entered the sealed chamber the system prepared earlier. The room was protected by a thick barrier that blocked spiritual sense, sound, and energy leaks. The air was steady and still. Three members of the Silent Rift Sect stood inside, dressed in simple dark uniforms with no sect symbols. The leader stepped forward, an older man with sharp eyes that watched every movement Kai made.Kai said, “You requested a private audience. I accepted because this matter relates to the rifts. State your reason.”The leader nodded once. “Sect Master Kai, thank you for meeting us. I am Elder Sharil, acting head of the Silent Rift Sect during external negotiations.”Kai replied, “Let us not waste time. Why approach me only after the summit?”Sharil took a slow breath. “Because the others would panic if they heard what I am about to say. Our sect existed before the last major rift era. We once stabilized rifts when the continent faced collapse centuries ago.”The system spoke in Kai’s mind. [Truth va

Kai stood at the edge of Azure Cloud’s northern platform as the system notification echoed in his head.“System, repeat it,” Kai said.[Massive Rift Spike Detected. Location: Northern Mountain Range. Status: Critical.]Elder Han rushed toward him. “The rift readings are unstable. The mountains are shaking. Should we deploy the first division?”“Yes,” Kai said. “Gather the elite disciples. We leave now.”Within minutes, the airships launched from the sect grounds. Disciples stood ready with rift-response tools that the system had approved earlier in the week. The mountain peaks grew larger as they approached, and the thick pressure of rift energy pushed against the air.“System,” Kai said quietly. “Give me full readings.”[Energy Level: Extreme. External interference detected. Unknown cultivator present.]Kai frowned. “Unknown?”[Identity: Not found in continental database.]When they landed, Elder Han stepped beside him and pointed ahead. “Look.”At the center of a cracked plateau, a