The morning sky was clear, but Ye Chen's heart felt heavy.
He knelt in front of the sect's main hall. Around him, hundreds of disciples watched with cold eyes, some whispered, others laughed. No one spoke in his defense.
"Ye Chen, you are accused of stealing a sacred pill and attacking Elder Mo," the Sect Master said. His voice was calm, but powerful. "Do you have anything to say?"
Ye Chen's hands were shaking. His robe was torn, and his sleeves were stained with blood. He looked up slowly, his eyes filled with confusion and pain.
"I didn't do it," he said softly. "Someone framed me…"
Suddenly, a girl stepped forward. She wore a pale blue robe and had a beautiful face, but her eyes were cold and filled with disgust.
"Stop lying, Ye Chen," she said. "I saw you with my own eyes."
Ye Chen stared at her. Li Xue — his childhood friend. The one who used to bring him food when he was poor. The one who promised to stay by his side forever.
"You… why?" he asked, his voice barely coming out.
She looked away.
The Sect Master raised his hand and said, "Enough. From today onward, Ye Chen is no longer a disciple of the Azure Sky Sect."
Lightning fell at a distance.
"You will be stripped of your cultivation and thrown from the mountain. Let your case be to everyone."
Before Ye Chen could speak again, two elders grabbed him.
"No! Wait!" he shouted, struggling.
But it was useless.
They forced a seal onto his chest. His spiritual energy, once full of promise, scattered like dust in the wind. A wave of pain hit him like fire in his veins. His body collapsed.
Then, without mercy, they dragged him to the edge of the mountain.
The clouds below were thick. The wind blowed heavily.
A sharp push — and Ye Chen was falling from the cliff.
The last thing he saw before he blacked out… was Li Xue, standing next to another man, holding his hand.
Darkness.
Silence.
Cold.
Ye Chen didn't know how long he had been unconscious but somewhere in the quiet, a strange sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
System Binding Complete.
Welcome, Host — to the Heaven's Wrath System.
You have been chosen
.Every betrayal, every humiliation will now make you stronger.
Current Status: Trash.
Mission: Survive.
A weak smile appeared on face and groaned painfully.
"I'm not done yet…"