The Divine Convergence bloomed across the sky like a tapestry of living stars. Every court had sent envoys, dignitaries, and hidden weapons to the floating garden-temple that hung in the firmament—a structure of marble, starlight, and blossoms suspended by ancient laws. The Ceremony of Accord was meant to prevent war.
But today, war had already crept beneath its petals.
Chen stood on the outer ring of the floating temple, watching from a high terrace as veiled courtiers moved below like dancers in a divine ballet. His robes were silver and crimson, embroidered with shifting flames and blooming lotuses—symbols of both his trials and his defiance. He looked the part of a rising deity now… but it was the soul beneath that gave him weight.
Through his bond, he felt them.
Lanmei, cloaked in shadow, already hunting in the rafters above the great hall. Her divine aura was coiled tight, her twin flame-blades drawn but hidden. Her thoughts brushed his mind: "Three threats confirmed. Frost Court. Shadow Court. One Obsidian traitor."
Ye Yue, walking calmly beside him in a flowing lunar gown, appeared serene, even indifferent—but her inner light crackled beneath the surface like restrained lightning. She scanned every face, every shift of divine aura. "The Matriarch watches. But she doesn't see all. We still have the element of chaos."
Mei, back at the sanctuary, was the soft flame holding it all together. She pulsed gently within his chest, her presence a gentle heartbeat in the swirl of divine tension. Her new abilities had awakened a stabilizing core in his essence. "Whatever happens… come home."
Chen took a breath—and walked into the garden of diplomacy, where gods and monsters wore the same smiles.
The Matriarch of the Obsidian Court stood at the center platform, her silhouette tall, commanding, robed in violet and black. Her beauty was unnatural, almost sculpted—perfectly composed even in the face of fracturing pacts.
As Chen approached, the murmurs began.
"So young…"
"Mortal blood…"
"Too fast. Too dangerous."
The murmurs turned to silence when the Matriarch raised her hand. "Today, we honor the ancient law—that no matter our rivalries, no god may rise through slaughter alone. We meet in Accord."
Chen bowed… but only slightly. "Then may the Accord hear all voices—including those the courts would rather silence."
The silence thickened.
He had declared himself a threat.
And they heard him.
The first blow came in silence.
A ripple of shadow behind the Frost envoy—an assassin veiled in time magic. Lanmei struck from above like a bolt of fire given form, her blades intercepting the hidden dagger just as it neared Chen's spine.
The battle erupted like thunder.
Glass shattered as Obsidian traitors revealed their marks, sigils of betrayal flaring across their arms. Spells bloomed in the air, divine barriers flaring to protect the bystanders. But Chen stepped forward—not away.
He unleashed his Soulflame Unison, the aura of Lanmei, Ye Yue, and Mei exploding from him like wings of divine fire.
The Shadow Court's second assassin lunged toward Ye Yue.
Too late.
She raised her hand—and the moon answered.
A tidal wave of light and gravity crashed through the chamber, sending armored courtiers sprawling. With a gesture, she slammed the would-be killer to the floor, bound in chains of lunar flame.
Chen's flames roared. Each movement of his hand struck with layered precision—his new divine technique, the Petal Severing Flame, was more than just power. It tore through spells, sliced through lies, and ignited only what was false.
The garden-temple burned, not with destruction—but with truth.
And truth was unbearable.
The Frost Court envoy attempted retreat. The Matriarch turned her gaze.
"You will remain."
Her voice cut through dimensions. The garden went still.
Bloodied, the assassins knelt before her, trembling. Chen stood unbowed, the light still crackling from his skin, his flames dancing in the air around him.
The Matriarch looked down at the scene, then at Chen.
"You have broken sacred precedent."
Chen met her eyes. "No. I've revealed the truth you were too proud to see."
She tilted her head. "And what would you have me do, young god? Accept your rise?"
He took a step forward.
"No," Chen said. "I want you to witness it."
Later, the court cleared—rattled but still intact.
Lanmei returned to his side, blood on her blades, pride in her eyes.
Ye Yue took his hand, her fingers twining with his.
And in the sky above, far from the garden's reach, a faint ripple of divine energy shimmered.
Lysaria watched from her veil of isolation.
"You're nearly ready, Chen Ming," she whispered to no one. "Now let's see if your fire can awaken the broken stars."