In the high sanctum of the Obsidian Court, a ripple cracked across the surface of the celestial mirror. It wasn't just a vision—it was a warning.
Chen Ming's aura was changing.
"Impossible," whispered Matriarch Xuan. "The Domain of Lust cannot ascend. The mortal is… breaking it."
All around her, advisors of shadow and smoke murmured. They had watched Chen with amusement, curiosity, even cautious optimism. But now? Fear.
"He just broke through a divine suppression field."
"Lust energy shouldn't—couldn't—overpower a Tempest Matron!"
"Worse," one whispered. "He's drawing energy from others. Look—his bonded are syncing with him, feeding him divine resonance…"
"Sympathetic resonance through desire," Xuan muttered. "He's warping the foundation of cultivation itself."
One of the older strategists, who had lived through two divine wars, stood in silence before the mirror. His eyes never left Chen Ming's glowing form.
"He isn't just a candidate anymore," he said, voice hollow. "He's rewriting the system."
In the Court of Judgement, the High Arbiter cracked his gavel through a marble bench.
"Where are the flames coming from? What source is he drawing on?"
Clerics rushed through scrolls and soul-ledgers, but the answer came from a single young scribe, pale and trembling.
"Sir… it's not a source we recognize."
A hush fell.
"It doesn't match the Flame Court, or the Lust Domain… or even the Hidden Pathways. It's unknown, but resonant with the laws of cultivation—older laws."
"Older?"
The Arbiter froze.
Only one divine power hadn't been mapped in their ledgers—one that had vanished before the founding accords were made.
"…Lysaria."
In the Court of Flame, the embers pulsed erratically. High Priest Varrak slammed his staff down.
"You told me he was a pawn!"
"He was," a hooded priestess insisted. "His role was to stir emotion and collapse the courts into infighting. He wasn't supposed to survive this long!"
Varrak snarled, pacing. "He's unlocked something buried. Something the goddess of purity sealed away."
"What should we do?"
"…If he claims Lysaria's path, we'll have to choose. Support him… or extinguish him."
And far below, in the Trial Grounds, Chen Ming stood surrounded by broken weapons, lightning-scorched ground, and stunned silence.
The Tempest Matron was kneeling. Beaten.
Not slain, but humbled.
He didn't raise his fist in triumph. He simply looked to the horizon, breath steady, flame flickering behind his eyes.
Ye Yue touched down beside him, voice hushed. "They're watching you now."
"I know," Chen said. "Let them."
[System Update: Your presence has disrupted the divine balance.][New Trait: Mythborn – Destiny now shapes around you.]