The night after the heavenly gates disappeared became the longest night in human history.
Nobody slept.
Across every country, every city, every continent, panic spread like wildfire after the heavens openly declared war on the mortal world. News channels replayed the footage endlessly—the giant silver eye above the sky, the Heavenly Executor descending, and finally…
The golden gate of the Ancient Court appearing behind Su Chen.
Humanity no longer debated whether cultivation was real.
The only question left now was whether the world would survive.
Inside underground military bunkers, world leaders argued violently while scientists desperately tried explaining phenomena beyond modern understanding. Religious organizations declared the apocalypse had begun while cults started worshipping Su Chen as a divine being overnight.
The internet became complete chaos.
Some called him humanity's protector.
Others called him the reason heaven wanted to destroy the world.
But regardless of opinions—
Everyone remembered his face now.
Meanwhile, hidden cultivation forces throughout the mortal world had already started moving openly. Ancient sects abandoned secrecy completely as hidden experts emerged from mountains, forests, and isolated regions after centuries of hiding.
The balance of the world had officially collapsed.
At dawn, the city skyline looked scarred.
Several districts remained destroyed from the battle against the Black Sun Sect and the Heavenly Executor. Emergency rescue teams worked nonstop beneath damaged skyscrapers while military forces blocked entire sections of the city from civilians.
Yet despite the destruction—
The strangest thing was the silence.
The sky itself felt heavy now.
As if the world was waiting for something terrible to happen.
Inside the highest floor of the Lin Corporation building, Su Chen stood quietly before the massive windows overlooking the city. Morning sunlight reflected across the glass while faint golden patterns occasionally flickered beneath his skin.
The black ring on his finger had changed again.
Most of its outer layer was now cracked completely, revealing the golden throne symbol hidden within. Ancient energy pulsed from it continuously like a sleeping heart.
Behind him, Lin Yanyan silently wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.
Her head rested lightly against his back.
Neither spoke for a while.
The atmosphere between them felt calm despite the chaos outside.
Then finally—
"You're leaving soon."
Her voice was quiet.
But certain.
Su Chen looked outside calmly.
"Yes."
Lin Yanyan tightened her arms slightly.
"Because of those ruins."
He nodded once.
Ever since the Ancient Court gate appeared, countless coordinates had continuously surfaced inside his mind. Hidden strongholds, sealed inheritance grounds, ancient weapons buried beneath forgotten lands.
The Ancient Court was calling him.
And he knew time was running out.
Three days.
That was all humanity had before the upper realms descended fully.
Behind them, the office door opened quietly.
Xu Mingshan entered slowly alongside Yan Ruoxue and Zhao Ren. All three looked exhausted after dealing with the aftermath of the heavenly battle throughout the night.
But their expressions became strange after seeing Lin Yanyan still hugging Su Chen openly.
Especially Yan Ruoxue.
Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Lin Yanyan calmly released Su Chen before turning toward them with her usual cold expression again, as if nothing happened.
Zhao Ren almost laughed.
The switch in personality was terrifying.
Xu Mingshan placed several ancient scrolls across the table heavily.
"The hidden world has fully divided."
Su Chen walked over calmly.
Xu Mingshan continued.
"The Black Sun Sect officially declared allegiance to the upper realms."
Yan Ruoxue crossed her arms.
"And several ancient clans already submitted to heaven out of fear."
A pause.
"But others are moving toward us."
Zhao Ren activated a holographic map showing countless glowing points appearing across the country.
"These are hidden sects and cultivation families requesting alliance."
Su Chen glanced briefly at the map.
Too many.
The appearance of the Ancient Court gate changed everything.
Before, people merely feared his potential.
Now—
They feared what stood behind him.
Yan Ruoxue suddenly smiled faintly.
"The strongest always attract followers."
Lin Yanyan looked toward her coldly.
"Or opportunists."
The atmosphere instantly became sharp again.
Xu Mingshan silently sighed.
These two women were becoming more dangerous every hour.
Then suddenly—
BOOM.
A terrifying pressure exploded across the city again.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
Not heaven.
Something else.
Su Chen's golden eyes narrowed slightly as he turned toward the windows again.
Far above the city—
A massive black ship slowly emerged from distorted space.
Ancient.
Gigantic.
Covered in dark runes.
It floated silently above the clouds like a fortress from another era.
The moment it appeared—
Every hidden cultivator within the city felt coldness spread through their bodies.
Because engraved across the side of the ship…
Was the symbol of a broken moon.
Xu Mingshan's face darkened immediately.
"The Broken Moon Pavilion."
Yan Ruoxue's expression became serious.
"They actually came personally…"
Lin Yanyan frowned slightly.
"Another enemy?"
"No."
Xu Mingshan stared toward the massive ship carefully.
"That's the strongest assassin organization in the hidden world."
Silence fell instantly.
Even Zhao Ren looked tense now.
The Broken Moon Pavilion was infamous even among hidden cultivators. Unlike normal sects, they existed entirely for assassination, intelligence gathering, and warfare between ancient factions.
And they almost never appeared openly.
Which meant—
Something massive was happening.
Above the city, the giant black ship stopped moving completely.
Then—
A woman slowly walked out from the front deck.
The moment she appeared—
The surrounding spiritual energy froze.
She wore a long black dress with silver patterns running along the fabric while dark hair flowed behind her in the wind. Her beauty felt almost unreal, but what truly terrifying was her eyes.
Silver.
Cold enough to freeze souls.
Saint Realm.
A true Saint Realm expert had appeared openly.
Xu Mingshan's breathing became heavy.
"She broke the mortal restrictions…"
Yan Ruoxue narrowed her eyes slightly.
"The heavens weakening really is accelerating everything."
The silver-eyed woman looked directly toward the Lin Corporation building.
Toward Su Chen.
Then—
She smiled faintly.
Not warmly.
Dangerously.
And her voice echoed softly across the entire city.
"Primordial successor…"
The atmosphere became colder instantly.
"…My master wishes to meet you."