The ancient armor pulsed with heat.
Red sigils crawled across its surface like living fire, whispering names long erased from the heavens.
> [Artifact Identified: Emberglaive – War God's Armament (Sealed)]
Trait: Soul-Bonded Flame Channeling
Condition: Requires Resonance with Divine Will
Lin Xian reached forward.
His fingers brushed the edge of the armor.
> [Initiating Soul Sync…]
Progress: 17%… 46%… 81%…
A shockwave burst through the temple. Walls cracked. Dust screamed.
And visions surged—
> A god with crimson wings… a war that tore realms apart… blades that wept blood… a throne built atop corpses of stars.
He gasped, stumbling back.
His hand still clutched the gauntlet.
But now, something had changed in him.
The fire obeyed.
> [New Ability Acquired: Ember King's Authority – Tier I]
Function: Channel divine flame to command lower-ranked spirit-beasts and forge with celestial material
Then—he felt it.
A gaze.
From the realm above.
---
> [Incoming Transmission – High Clearance]
Source: Heavenly Seat: Azure-Jade Pavilion
"To the reborn one bearing the Forsaken System—
We offer audience. The Celestial Realms are stirring. The Nine Heavens fall into chaos.
Come forth—if you dare climb."
— Lady Xuanyu, Herald of the Jade Immortals
---
For a moment, Lin Xian simply stared at the glowing message etched into the air.
The heavens were watching.
But he wasn't ready to kneel.
Not to anyone.
He turned, stepping into the dark corridor that led out of the temple.
The wind had changed again.
And in it—he heard a whisper.
One name:
> "Velkaris."