The clouds turned black
No not storm clouds These weren't made of rain or thunder They were made of code
Each swirl pulsed with system runes ancient forbidden unreadable to mortals but very real Kael didn't flinch
The disciples scattered Some screamed Some fainted A few just stood frozen watching the sky tear open
A voice fell from above
"Kael You are a glitch A virus A rejected sovereign fragment You are sentenced to deletion"
The voice wasn't loud But it shook the continent
Elder Varn tried to flee His body dissolved into silver data before he could take three steps The system did not tolerate retreat from its judgment
Kael's hand curled around the last fragment of golden chain hovering in the air
He crushed it into dust
"So this is how scared you are That you come down yourself"
Lightning slammed into the earth forming a perfect circle around Kael And then from that light
It descended
The Avatar of the System
No face No expression Just endless light in humanoid form Runes hovered around it orbiting like moons around a star
The system's voice echoed again
"You defy cultivation law You bypass karma You alter fate You must be removed"
Kael didn't speak
He stepped forward The runes struck him like spears But none could pierce him
A red window popped
[Sovereign Breathing Technique resisting system interference]
[Warning Breach Level 7 Sustained]
Kael's breath slowed Everything else faded The noise The wind The fear
Only breath remained
The avatar raised its arm Runes gathered forming a divine sword so sharp even time around it split
Kael looked up Eyes cold calm and alive
"You came to erase me"
He raised his hand
"Then let me return the favor"
He exhaled
The breath struck first
And the sword shattered