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In a realm where cultivation once defied the heavens, Li Wei, the Heavenly Sovereign, meets a fate worse than death. Stripped of his godlike power during a failed ascension, his soul is hurled into a dystopian future ruled by Elysium Corp—a megacorporation that has replaced divine law with AI dogma. Reborn in a body laced with self-replicating nanobots, Li Wei discovers his ancient qi clashes violently with this world’s cold, mechanical logic. Worse yet, Elysium’s tyrant CEO, Director Veyra, hunts him, believing his soul holds the key to her Ascension Protocol: a plan to digitize humanity’s essence and consume it to fuel her own godhood.

Now, Li Wei must choose: reclaim the throne of heaven by destroying this corrupted world, or sacrifice his last shred of immortality to save it. But time is running out. The nanobots in his veins are mutating, Kara’s true identity is unraveling, and the stars themselves whisper a chilling truth—the entity is already here.

“In a world where souls are code and dragons are machines, one ancient cultivator will defy both heaven and silicon to ignite a revolution—or become the final spark of humanity’s extinction.”

Stellar Tribulation

The air in the underground chamber was thick with tension. Flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the damp stone walls, illuminating the wary faces of those gathered. A fragile alliance had been formed, but trust was a luxury none could afford.

Elias kept his stance firm, his gaze sweeping across the ragtag group that fate had thrust upon him. He had no illusions about their loyalty. They were bound by necessity, not camaraderie. Across from him, Aric leaned against the cold stone wall, arms crossed, his ever-present smirk in place. He was dangerous—not just because of his skills, but because Elias still couldn't decipher where his true allegiance lay.

"We have two options," Elias began, his voice calm but resolute. "We strike now while the Council is distracted, or we wait and risk losing our only advantage."

A murmur of discontent rippled through the group. It was Sarra who spoke first. "We barely escaped last time. If we rush in without a plan—"

"We have a plan," Elias interrupted. "We break into the archives and take the ledger. Without it, the Council won't know who to target next. We strip them of their power."

Sarra's lips pressed into a thin line. "And then what? Even if we get the ledger, they'll hunt us down. We're not just fighting shadows anymore, Elias."

He knew she was right. The stakes had risen. The Council wasn't just after them—they were eliminating anyone who dared stand in their way. If they failed, there would be no second chances.

"I have a way in," a voice said from the back. It was Lioran, the quietest of their group. A former scribe, he had once served the Council before they had deemed him expendable. "There's a hidden passage beneath the old quarter. It leads directly to the archives."

Elias nodded, considering. "Can you get us through without being detected?"

Lioran hesitated. "No guarantees. But it's our best chance."

Aric pushed off the wall, finally speaking. "Then it's settled. We move tonight."

Hours later, the streets were cloaked in darkness. Hooded figures moved silently through the alleyways, their breath forming ghostly puffs in the cold night air. Elias led the way, heart hammering in his chest as they approached the entrance to the hidden passage.

Lioran knelt beside an unassuming stone slab and pressed his fingers against the worn edges. With a soft groan, the ground shifted, revealing a narrow staircase leading down into darkness.

One by one, they descended. The air grew colder, dampness clinging to their skin. The tunnel was lined with ancient carvings, remnants of a time long before the Council's rule. Elias ran his fingers over the symbols, feeling the weight of history pressing down on him.

Ahead, Lioran paused. "There's a guard post up ahead. We'll have to move fast."

Aric grinned, drawing his blades. "Fast is what I do best."

Before Elias could protest, Aric had vanished into the shadows. A muffled gasp echoed from the corridor, followed by a dull thud. Moments later, Aric reappeared, wiping his blade clean.

They moved quickly, reaching the end of the tunnel where a rusted gate blocked their path. Sarra stepped forward, producing a set of delicate tools from her belt. The lock gave way with a soft click.

Beyond the gate, the archives loomed, rows upon rows of ancient scrolls and tomes stretching into the darkness. Somewhere among them was the ledger—the key to dismantling the Council's power.

Elias turned to the others, his voice barely above a whisper. "Find it. Quickly."

Chapter 28: A Fragile Alliance﻿

Chapter 28: A Fragile Alliance