system spoke first. “Warning. Ancient seal is drawing energy from external anchors. Southern anchor signal detected.”Kai lifted his head and looked down at the glowing seal beneath his feet. “How fast is it pulling power.”“Energy transfer rate is accelerating,” the system replied. “Southern anchor output increased by twelve percent in the last five seconds.”One of the Silent Rift Sect elders shouted from the edge of the chamber. “That seal should not be active. It was never meant to link anchors directly.”Kai stepped forward. “Then it will not stay active.”The system said, “Recommend immediate suppression. Current activation level is forty percent and rising.”Kai placed his palm over the center of the seal. “Redirect all output to my core. Do not limit the flow.”“Risk of backlash detected,” the system warned. “Confirm override.”“Confirmed,” Kai said.Energy surged from his body into the seal. The chamber shook as the ancient markings flared brighter.A sharp pulse struck back

Kai moved first, his voice cutting through the noise of the marsh as he surged toward the defensive ring. “Break their formation now. Do not let them slow us.”A captain shouted back, “They are using layered suppression fields. Movement is restricted.”“System, priority,” Kai said sharply.The system responded at once. “Analysis complete. Suppression fields are anchored to three external nodes. Destroying the center path will destabilize all layers.”Kai raised his hand. “Front unit, follow me. Left and right units, keep pressure but do not overextend.”One of the Silent Rift elders shouted, “If we force through, the anchor may react faster.”Kai did not slow. “It is already reacting. Stalling helps no one.”True Path operatives shouted warnings to each other as Kai crashed into the center line. “He is here. Activate binding seals.”Several seals lit up in the air, their symbols locking onto Kai’s body.The system spoke immediately. “Binding attempt detected. Authority Fragment interf