Kai walked toward the center of the chamber as the floor shook under the pressure of rising energy. System spoke in a steady tone and filled the air with a blue projection.“Energy levels are rising at dangerous rates. The awakening process has already begun.”Kai kept his eyes on the circular platform ahead of him. “How fast?”“Current rate suggests a critical threshold in twenty minutes. Full activation in less than two hours.”Kai stepped onto the platform and looked up at the tall control pillar. Symbols glowed across its surface. “This is old. Much older than the other rift structures.”The surface flashed once, and a holographic record formed in the air. Figures from a past cycle appeared, showing a battlefield that shook under massive bursts of light. People screamed and fell as the ground broke apart.Kai narrowed his eyes. “A disaster record.”System responded. “The record is displaying the consequences of a failed Ascendant Trial. The rift collapsed in on itself and destroye

Kai stepped out of the fading illusion and felt the solid floor of the awakening chamber under his feet as the entire structure trembled.“System, status,” Kai said.“Chamber integrity dropping. Forced stabilization field deploying,” the System replied.The Silent Rift Sect elders stumbled back as cracks ran along the walls.One elder shouted, “We need to leave now.”Kai said, “Move. I will hold the field until the sequence completes.”Another elder hesitated. “But if the chamber collapses—”“Go,” Kai said. “You will only slow me down.”The elders turned and ran toward the exit tunnel just as a blast shook the chamber.“System, incoming presence,” Kai said.“Warning. True Path operatives breaching the southern wall,” the System announced.The wall burst open and several masked figures entered, weapons charged with rift energy.One operative pointed at Kai. “Stop the shutdown now.”Kai stepped forward. “You will not touch the core.”The closest operative rushed him, but Kai struck once

Kai stared at the rapidly shifting countdown numbers as they flashed in the air above the seed core.“System, confirm time,” he said.“Countdown acceleration confirmed,” the system replied. “Remaining time: eight minutes.”Elders behind him froze.Elder Han said, “It was hours just now. How did it drop this fast?”“It does not matter,” Kai said. “Everyone must move.”Elder Lian asked, “Move where? The entire region is unstable.”“Evacuate all towns within fifty kilometers,” Kai said. “Start now.”The elders hesitated for a moment, then moved. Footsteps scattered in different directions as they began relaying orders.System spoke again. “Host, the underground energy lines are rising. Pressure level increasing.”“Show me,” Kai said.A projection formed beside him, displaying several red lines turning brighter.Elder Yue grabbed the projection. “These lines were sealed decades ago. Why are they responding?”Kai answered without looking at him. “Because the seed is forcing the ground to c

Kai stood in the main hall while the system projected a shifting map above the table.“System, show the beacon movement again,” he said.“Beacon energy is moving west,” the system replied. “Trajectory stable. Destination: the western desert.”Elders gathered around him with tense faces.Elder Han leaned forward. “The western region is too unstable. The sandstorms alone are dangerous. Are we sure the True Path will go there?”“The pulses confirm it,” the system said. “Higher-realm interference detected in that direction.”Kai nodded. “Then we shift our focus.”Elder Mira shook her head. “The borders there are vast. If we commit too many forces, we leave our central regions open.”“We cannot ignore a new beacon,” Kai said. “If the Seventh Rift starts forming before we get there, we will lose control.”A messenger rushed in and bowed. “Report from the Silent Rift Sect. They say strange lights appeared above the ancient ruins in the western desert.”Kai turned to the system. “Scan those l