The Azure Cloud Sect was restless. Ever since Long Chen's return from the Border Shrine, rumors had refused to die. Some called him a monster. Others whispered that he was heaven's chosen. All agreed on one thing—he could not be ignored.
But in shadows, knives were already moving.
Elder Zhao's Fury
Inside a secluded pavilion, Elder Zhao slammed his palm against a jade table. Cracks spread instantly, shards scattering to the floor.
"That boy spat on our sect's dignity!" Zhao's voice thundered. "He devours cultivation itself, slaughters his peers, and the Sect Master dares to shelter him? If we wait, the dragon will grow beyond anyone's leash!"
Around him knelt several cloaked figures, their eyes cold.
One spoke. "Elder, orders?"
Zhao's gaze burned with venom. "Heaven itself watches him. Let us add weight to the trial. If he survives the heavens, he will not survive us."
The cloaked disciples bowed.
"Tonight, strike. Even if you fail, the Observation will fall upon him weakened."
Long Chen's Preparation
Meanwhile, Long Chen sat cross-legged in his chamber, golden qi spiraling around him like a storm. The Origin Loom glowed vividly in his mind's sea, threads weaving violently.
[ System Alert ]
Heavenly Observation Countdown: 3 days, 4 hours.
System Note: Heavenly tribulation cannot be evaded. Preparation is recommended.
Creation Thread Progress: 24% → insufficient.
Long Chen's eyes opened slowly. His gaze was sharp, calm. "Three days…"
He rose, leaving the chamber, stepping into the night. The moon was half-full, the sky littered with stars. His steps carried him to the sect's spirit pool, where qi mist rose thick and sweet.
There he stood, absorbing qi until it swirled like a vortex. His dragon blood thundered, his bones humming with suppressed power.
The Ambush
Suddenly, killing intent surged. Figures cloaked in black burst from the trees, blades flashing with lethal qi.
"Long Chen! Die!"
Long Chen's eyes glowed gold. His palm swept outward—dragon qi erupted, blasting two assassins into blood mist instantly.
But more surged forward, their formation sharp, blades glowing with blood talismans. They struck together, their combined force crashing down like an avalanche.
Long Chen roared.
"Devour!"
The golden dragon phantom rose, its maw opening wide. The talisman qi dissolved instantly, sucked into his body. His aura surged higher, stronger.
He blurred forward—one palm crushed a skull, one strike shattered ribs, one sweep of qi erased a formation.
Screams tore through the night, echoing across the sect.
The Aftermath
When silence fell, a dozen corpses lay scattered across the spirit pool's edge. Mist turned red, rippling with blood.
Long Chen stood unshaken, his robe barely torn, golden eyes glowing faintly. He exhaled slowly.
"They never learn. Knives cannot cut a dragon."
He turned, but paused—an icy fragrance drifted across the air.
Li Qingyue's Witness
At the edge of the pool stood Li Qingyue, silver hair shimmering beneath moonlight. Her violet eyes were calm, but in their depths flickered something sharper.
"You slaughtered them all," she said softly.
"They struck first," Long Chen replied. "I do not leave enemies alive."
The moonlight brushed her pale features, casting her beauty into something unearthly. She studied him silently, then whispered, "Do you realize? The heavens already stir. Your blood stains the sect, and the sky itself will judge you soon."
Long Chen's lips curved faintly. "Let the heavens come. I will devour them too."
For a moment, their gazes locked—her Pure Yin rippling faintly, his Devouring Dragon bloodline surging in answer. The Origin Loom thrummed, threads pulling tighter.
Li Qingyue turned away, her robe fluttering like snow. "You are madness wrapped in flesh. Yet… perhaps only madness can shake the heavens."
She vanished into the night.
Elders' Reactions
By dawn, the sect was in uproar.
"Another massacre!"
"Assassins, dead around him—yet he emerges unscathed."
"Is he truly still human?"
Elder Zhao's fury nearly split mountains. But the Sect Master silenced every protest with a single decree:
"Observation is near. If he survives, he remains. If he falls, it was fate."
The elders quieted, though dissent burned in their eyes.
Mo Lingxi's Shadow
Far beyond, in the void, crimson eyes gleamed, lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Yes… bleed the sect, bleed the heavens. The more they hate you, the closer you draw to me."
Her laughter echoed, dark and enchanting.
System Update
That night, the Origin Loom flared violently. Long Chen nearly staggered as a surge of light burst across the Creation Thread.
[ System Update ]
Creation Thread Progress: 27%
Trigger: Mass Slaughter + Yin Resonance (Li Qingyue Witness)
Status: Heavenly Observation now accelerated.
Countdown: 2 days.
Long Chen opened his eyes, golden light burning with fire.
"Two days…" His voice was low, steady. "Then let the heavens descend."
The dragon within roared in savage joy.