Dawn broke over Donghai City. Five thousand System bearers assembled in designated zones. Combat teams. Medical units. Evacuation protocols. Everyone had a role. Everyone knew the stakes.
Chen Wei stood at the center of Chen Group plaza. The kill zone. Where he predicted the Sanctified Council would strike first. Where he would make his stand.
The Purists came at noon. Not subtle. Not hidden. They appeared in the sky above the city. Seven figures radiating immense power. The Sanctified Council. Each one ninety-eight percent evolved. Each one ancient beyond measure. Each one fanatically devoted to eliminating transcendence.
Behind them, three hundred sleeper cultivators. All awakened. All armed. All willing to die for their cause.
The lead figure spoke. Voice amplified across the entire
