Chapter 13: When Spies Fall and Gods Tremble

In war, your enemy sends assassins.

In real war… they send spies.

And in Kael Draven's war, spies are just volunteers who don't know they've already switched sides.

Upper Realm – Tribunal Assignment Chamber

"Send her," said the Seventh Eye, his halo flickering. "The Mortal Realm is a fire, and Kael Draven is its matchstick."

Across the marble chamber, they chose a girl.

Name: Yue Lin

Rank: Mid-Heaven Tier

Disguise: Outer Sect Pill Dispenser

Real Role: Tribunal's Psychic Recorder

"Get close," they ordered.

"Log every word. Every ally. Report his sins."

"And if he discovers you…"

"Trigger your core. Burn it all."

Yue Lin nodded.

"I will not fail."

She already had.

Three Days Later – Hollow Bone Outer Sect

Yue Lin arrived in the chaos of post-festival glory. Drunken disciples, burnt arenas, and whispered rumors of Kael's faction filled the air like incense.

She wore soft white robes, clutched a basket of low-grade pills, and smiled politely to guards.

She was noticed.

But not by Kael.

By Fodder.

"Master," he whispered that night.

"We have a flower growing in winter."

Kael didn't look up.

"Let her bloom. I like watching frost melt."

System Prompt

[Host Detected Incoming Mind Surveillance Attempt]

[Countermeasure: Dream Labyrinth Activated]

[All incoming psychic scans will now receive false memories of Kael kissing elderly goats]

Kael smirked.

"Let them see what they want to see."

"And choke on it."

Day 5: First Contact

Yue Lin was delivering pills when Kael finally appeared before her.

The shadows shifted. The wind stopped.

She blinked—and he was there.

Kael stood in a dark cloak, hair billowing, every inch exuding command.

"Name?" he asked.

"Y-Yue Lin," she bowed.

"Eyes up."

She looked up. Wrong move.

His gaze wasn't just sharp—it was a blade honed on shattered worlds.

"You think I don't know?" he said calmly.

"You breathe like a liar."

"You walk like a puppet."

"The heavens send dolls now. Pathetic."

She stammered, shaking. Her core trembled.

She reached for her hidden self-detonation talisman—

Kael raised one finger.

The talisman melted.

"If you had triggered that," he murmured, "you'd be dust in seven dimensions."

"But I want something rarer than ashes."

"I want obedience born from fear."

Inside the Shadow Lotus Temple

Kael tied Yue Lin to a fate-marking formation.

Moss-Faced Girl dripped toxin into a chalice.

Fodder etched sigils into her back.

Lady Cinderlight watched silently, arms crossed.

Kael stepped close.

"You're here because the heavens fear me."

"They fear what I'm becoming. Not a god. Not a tyrant."

"But a truth they can't erase."

He leaned in.

"Want to know why gods tremble?"

"Because mortals who lose everything… become free."

"And a free man is more dangerous than any blade."

Dream Trial

Kael forced Yue Lin into a constructed illusion.

She found herself trapped inside a city—its skies red, buildings burning, immortal corpses everywhere.

Kael stood at its center, his greatsword humming.

"This is what I did to the Celestial Envoy."

"This is what I did to your heaven."

"Still think you're here to spy?"

He opened his palm.

Every soul Yue Lin had ever known—tribunal mentors, friends, even her father—floated behind Kael.

All of them… dismembered.

Their faces begging.

"This is your future if you lie again."

He vanished.

She woke up screaming.

System Prompt

[Enemy Agent Fully Broken: Loyalty Mark Embedded]

[New Title Gained: Soul Shatterer]

Yue Lin knelt.

"I am yours."

Kael didn't smile.

He turned away.

"Tell your masters what they want to hear."

"But every lie… will be my truth."

Meanwhile: Tribunal Observation Mirror

Elder Sky-Watcher viewed Yue Lin's memory feed.

"She's adapting quickly."

"Still no signs of defection."

Then he paused.

One image flashed: Kael stroking a goat.

Then winking at the camera.

"...wait."

Suddenly the feed looped.

Goat. Wink. Goat. Wink.

"We've been—"

[Memory Link Severed.]

"DAMN IT! HE'S PLAYING US!"

Final Scene: Cinderlight Confrontation

That night, Cinderlight found Kael meditating alone.

"You terrify me," she said.

"And I'm starting to like it."

Kael opened one eye.

"Then you're finally honest."

"The heavens demand loyalty. I only ask for clarity."

"And right now, the path ahead is clear."

"Burn their faith. Shatter their tools."

"And when their sky falls…"

"We'll dance in the ashes."