The sky tore open.
A thousand divine seals ruptured across the heavens as the first wave of divine war erupted into full force. Chen Ming stood at the edge of his sanctuary, no longer a mortal boy, no longer a pawn. The moment the first strike flew—he stepped into legend.
Crimson flames burst from his back in twin arcs, a phoenix-like roar echoing as Soulflame Unison ignited in full. His bonded flared in tandem—Ye Yue at his side with moonlight wrapped around her form like sacred armor, Lanmei's violet aura spiraling with deadly elegance behind them. Mei, newly awakened to her divine path, stood tall with a blade that shimmered with mortal memory and divine promise.
The realm before them convulsed. Above, the courts of War, Passion, Judgment, and even the exiled ones stirred like angry titans waking from slumber.
Then the first challenger stepped forth.
A golden gate shimmered into being, and from it marched Divine Marshal Yuhen of the War Court. His presence alone bent the world around him, a commander of divine hosts whose every step thundered like drums of conquest.
"Chen Ming," Yuhen called, his voice booming through realms. "You have risen beyond your place. The divine order must be restored."
Chen didn't flinch. "Then come try."
Yuhen raised his spear. Behind him, a legion of ten thousand divine soldiers formed ranks, wings of metal and divine essence rippling in unison. From afar, other courts watched—some in horror, some in awe, others plotting their next move.
And then they clashed.
Flames met steel in the skies above. Chen's body blurred, Soulflame Unison pushing his reflexes beyond mortal and divine. He weaved through a flurry of divine spears, countering with palm strikes that tore through formation after formation. Lanmei danced between enemies like a wraith of elegance and death, her eyes glowing with feral loyalty. Ye Yue called upon her moonlit blades, weaving illusions and shields alike as divine magic shimmered around her.
Mei, with no divine court backing her yet, moved with brutal clarity—using only what she had: her instincts, her sword, and the strength born from Chen's love.
And from the sidelines, the gods watched.
The Other Courts React
Within the Court of Judgment, High Inquisitor Velmar watched the battle unfold from a mirrored pool of truth.
"He should not be this strong," Velmar muttered. "No one ascends this fast without corruption."
In the Court of Passion, Matriarch Xianyi leaned forward, lips curling into a smile.
"Or without desire," she whispered. "The God of Yang is nearly born."
Even the silent halls of the Broken Court stirred. One figure cloaked in violet shadows turned from the mirror, a single sentence echoing behind him.
"It has begun."
Back to the Battlefield
Chen's flames spiraled outward, forming the Twin Phoenix Spiral, a technique born just days before from his deepest bond with Ye Yue and Lanmei. It unleashed not destruction—but transcendence. Every divine soldier struck was not merely defeated—they were purged of false oaths, their weapons shattering from the purity of Chen's will.
Yuhen stumbled, blood trickling from his mouth. "This… power… It shouldn't exist…"
Chen hovered in the sky above him, breathing slowly, his voice clear.
"It didn't. Until now."
With a final roar, Chen dove—flames engulfing him, divine essence lashing around his body like a maelstrom. Yuhen raised his spear for a desperate final stand.
Their clash split the sky.
Aftermath and Strategy
When the battle smoke cleared, Chen landed softly amidst the scorched earth, surrounded by his lovers and allies. The first divine strike had been repelled.
But this was only the beginning.
He looked at Ye Yue, at Lanmei, at Mei—then toward the far-off stars. The next wave would not be as straightforward. Now, the true gods would rise. The manipulators, the old ones, the secret kings and queens of divine fate.
But he was ready.
The flames within him had only just begun to burn.