The temple of Wu Tian, the ancient God of War, stood at the edge of the Thousand Lotus Sect. Few entered. Fewer dared approach the cracked statue within.
It was said that anyone who touched it would be cursed with eternal nightmares.
Han Li entered quietly, broom in hand, humming a forgotten tune.
Dust clung to the floor like regret. He swept it away without hesitation.
Then he paused before the statue.
Its face was split. Divine energy pulsed from the fracture like a warning. The air thickened. Even birds outside fell silent.
He raised his hand.
Just a single finger.
And gently tapped the crack.
A dull thump echoed.
Then...
BOOM.
The crack vanished. The statue glowed gold for a heartbeat. A war drum sounded in the distance.
Han Li nodded, satisfied. "Clean again."
Far above the mortal realm, within the Celestial Court, Wu Tian's eyes shot open. He dropped his divine spear.
"Who touched it? Who dared—no... it can't be him. Not again."
He turned to his aides. "Burn incense! Send tribute! Reinforce the seals!"
"Which seals, Lord Wu Tian?"
"All of them!"