The world was falling into chaos. Markets collapsing, nations scrambling, religions chanting. But for Karma, none of it mattered.
His hands trembled as he stared at his muted television, the glowing beam of Mt. Kailas replaying on loop. Every word of prophecy, every terrified headline, every military movement blurred into one thought:
Where is my sister?
If the world was changing, if gods or demons truly were awakening… then she was still out there, alone.
"I'll use William's network," he muttered, pacing the length of his Ritz suite. "His allies, the investors—every last one of them will help me find her. Even if I have to burn my favors now, I'll do it."
For the first time since he'd returned from Astral Vein, real fear gnawed at his chest. Not for himself—but for the only family he had left.
And then, like a blade slicing through the storm, a jade-etched message shimmered into the air.
Return.
Just one word. Signed with Su Liana's aura.
Yet to Karma, it felt like more: an order, a summons, a turning point.
His jaw clenched. "So be it."
The Face-Off
The Williams estate was thick with tension when Karma arrived. Guards patrolled with rigid steps, servants whispered, and even the air seemed taut with unease.
In the grand chamber, Su Liana sat with Elder Yuan at her side, her aura calm but cold. Opposite her stood Su Chen, exuding the raw, terrifying presence of a Golden Core cultivator.
Karma entered, his expression calm, but the weight in the air pressed down like a mountain.
"Su Liana. Elder Yuan." He gave a shallow bow, his tone respectful.
But Su Chen's eyes sharpened, his voice edged with disdain. "So this is the mortal my sister speaks of?" He stepped forward, every inch radiating pressure. His cultivation surged—Golden Core refinement realm, condensed and lethal. The force struck like a storm.
Karma's chest tightened instantly. His own Qi, still only in Condensation, buckled. His knees locked as though nailed to the marble floor. Blood filled his throat.
Bang! He coughed violently, crimson splattering his sleeve.
Su Chen sneered. "This is the man you spoke of, sister? Pathetic."
"Enough!" Su Liana's voice cracked like a whip. She moved between them, her aura blazing as she shoved her brother's presence back. The room's air pressure lifted at once, like chains snapping.
She turned, eyes sharp as blades. "Su Chen! You disgrace our bloodline with this behavior. Karma is under my protection. Do you dare challenge me by attacking him?"
Her words hit harder than a sword. For the first time, Su Chen faltered, teeth gritting as anger simmered beneath his pride.
Mira's Fury
Inside Karma's mind, Mira's voice seethed.
[System Alert!] Host under mortal threat. New Quest Generated: Slap Su Chen. Reward: Hidden. Penalty for failure: Humiliation.
Karma nearly choked, even as he wiped blood from his lips. "Slap him? Are you insane? He'll kill me with a breath!"
Mira's tone was uncharacteristically fiery.
That brat dared raise his aura against you. System justice must be upheld. Slap him once. I'll handle the consequences.
For the first time, the system sounded… personal. Almost offended.
A New Mission
The standoff ended only when Elder Yuan finally stirred, his deep voice filling the hall.
"Enough squabbling. The Earth trembles, and yet you bicker like children." His gaze swept from Su Chen to Karma, each word heavy with ancient weight. "If Mt. Kailas has awakened, then what lies there may decide the balance of this world. We cannot sit idle."
Su Liana inclined her head. "Then we go ourselves. I cannot ignore the disappearance of our elders, nor the call that pierced the veil."
Her brother stiffened. "You mean to drag him—" he jabbed a finger at Karma—"to a battlefield beyond his station?"
Su Liana's eyes didn't waver. "Yes. His presence is necessary."
Karma's brow furrowed, but he didn't object. Not this time. Somewhere in that mountain's light, answers lay hidden—about the world, about fate, perhaps even about his sister.
The Ship Appears
When dawn broke over the Himalayas, the world shook again.
Not from tremors this time—but from a shadow across the sky.
A colossal vessel materialized above the ranges, its surface gleaming with runes no mortal eye could read. Shaped like a floating fortress, it dwarfed aircraft carriers and skyscrapers alike, its sheer size blotting out the sun for valleys below.
It was the Su Clan's warship.
Panic erupted instantly. Indian radar screamed warnings. Chinese generals shouted for missile locks. Russian satellites pivoted. U.S. stealth bombers received authorization codes.
"Target locked."
"Awaiting fire order."
"Authorize strike!"
But then… silence.
Phones rang in the war rooms. Private lines reserved only for the wealthiest, the untouchable elite. William's allies—those titans who had bowed to Karma just days before—spoke directly to presidents, premiers, generals.
"Stand down."
"This is not an enemy."
"Do not provoke what you cannot control."
And so the weapons remained cold, though fingers itched on triggers.
The Su Clan's ship descended slowly, its runes glowing, its presence a statement:
The heavens had come to Earth.
And the world could only watch.