The training forge echoed with the sound of steel.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Kael wiped sweat from his face as he hammered the glowing fragment again. The jagged blade on the anvil had taken shape over the past week — rough, uneven, but powerful. Each strike sent vibrations through his body, forcing the Broken Heaven Energy inside him to stabilize.
It was painful.
But it was working.
The chaotic energy no longer exploded every time he moved. Instead, it flowed like cracks spreading across glass — controlled, precise.
Rhyzen watched from the side of the chamber.
"You're improving," he said.
Kael smirked slightly. "Took me long enough."
Rhyzen didn't smile back.
Instead, he turned toward the entrance of the forge.
"They're here."
Kael frowned. "Who?"
Before Rhyzen could answer, a loud horn echoed across the mountain.
BOOOOOOOOM.
The entire sect paused.
Training disciples stopped mid-punch. Elders stepped out onto the stone terraces overlooking the valley.
Kael followed Rhyzen outside.
And froze.
Above the clouds… floating ships drifted slowly toward the mountain.
Massive white vessels carved from jade and silver, glowing with spiritual formations. Their sails shimmered with runes that controlled the wind itself.
Kael had never seen anything like it.
"Those are sky vessels," Rhyzen said quietly.
Kael's chest tightened.
"Who owns them?"
Rhyzen's expression darkened.
"The Celestial Script Pavilion."
The Heavenly Enforcers
Within minutes, the entire Ember Fist Sect gathered at the central courtyard.
The sky vessels hovered above like silent judges.
One of them slowly descended.
A ramp of glowing light extended from the ship to the ground.
Four figures walked down.
Their robes were white trimmed with gold symbols — ancient characters glowing faintly with spiritual power.
Their presence alone pressed down on the courtyard like a mountain.
Kael felt it instantly.
These cultivators were far stronger than anyone in the Ember Fist Sect.
Even Rhyzen.
The one in front stepped forward — a woman with long silver hair and calm, piercing eyes.
Her voice carried across the courtyard without effort.
"I am Envoy Seraphine of the Celestial Script Pavilion."
Her gaze scanned the disciples.
Then stopped on Kael.
"There is no need to hide him."
The courtyard fell silent.
Elder Marrin stepped forward cautiously.
"You arrive unannounced, Envoy. State your purpose."
Seraphine raised one elegant hand.
A scroll materialized in the air, glowing with golden characters.
"By decree of the Pavilion Council," she announced, "we have come to retrieve the fragment bearer discovered within this sect."
Every disciple slowly turned toward Kael.
Seraphine continued calmly.
"The energy he carries is forbidden. Unregistered fragment wielders destabilize the balance of cultivation."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"He must be contained."
Kael felt the Broken Heaven Energy pulse violently inside him.
Contained.
The word echoed unpleasantly.
Rhyzen stepped forward.
"He is under our supervision."
Seraphine's gaze shifted to him.
"And you believe your sect has the power to control something the heavens themselves sealed?"
The courtyard grew tense.
Flames began flickering faintly around several Ember Fist disciples.
Seraphine didn't even look at them.
But the pressure in the air doubled instantly.
Half the disciples dropped to one knee.
Kael's chest tightened.
She's stronger than Rhyzen.
Much stronger.
Seraphine took another step forward.
"Hand him over."
No one moved.
Rhyzen's voice came out steady.
"No."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Seraphine tilted her head slightly.
"You would defy the Pavilion?"
Rhyzen crossed his arms.
"He is a student of this sect now."
Seraphine's expression remained calm.
But the sky vessels above suddenly glowed brighter.
Spiritual formations activated across their hulls.
Weapons.
"Master Rhyzen," she said softly, "the Pavilion does not negotiate with lesser sects."
Kael's heart pounded.
He understood now.
This wasn't a request.
It was a demand.
And if the Ember Fist Sect refused…
They would be crushed.
Seraphine finally looked directly at Kael.
"Come peacefully," she said.
"Or we will take you by force."
The Broken Heaven Energy surged violently inside Kael.
The cracks beneath his skin pulsed.
The voice whispered again inside his mind:
"Break the cage."
Kael slowly stepped forward.
Rhyzen grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
Kael looked at him.
"If I don't go," Kael said quietly, "they'll destroy the sect."
Rhyzen's jaw tightened.
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"A wise decision."
But the moment Kael took another step—
The sky above the mountain cracked loudly.
CRAAAAACK.
Everyone looked up.
The fracture in the heavens widened.
For just a moment…
Something enormous moved behind the broken sky.
Seraphine's calm expression finally changed.
"…Interesting."
Kael felt the fragment inside his chest burn.
Something beyond the heavens had noticed him.
And it was waking up.