The Second Nexus Pillar had awakened.
And with its awakening, the balance of the realm shattered.
Cracks split through the floating islands of the Scattered Sky Ruins, and the air itself became unstable—charged with chaotic energy and temporal distortion. Time twisted around Lin Xuan, making his heartbeat sound like thunder and his footsteps echo seconds after they landed.
---
[System Alert]
Warning: Realm Instability Critical
Dimensional Collapse Countdown: 71:49:32
New Threat Detected: Tribunal Tracer Manifesting Nearby
Suggested Action: Escape to a stable realm within 72 hours
Optional: Absorb Temporal Energy Fragment near the Nexus Pillar before exiting
---
Lin Xuan's gaze swept the temple interior one last time.
In the corner, hidden behind a half-crumbled statue, a floating crystal shimmered softly. A Temporal Fragment.
He approached, placing his hand over it. Chaos energy weaved with the time distortion, fusing into his core.
---
[Fragment Absorbed: Temporal Pulse Crystal]
Skill Acquired: Temporal Echo – Once per battle, rewind actions taken in last 3 seconds
Chaos Core Evolution: 98% → 99.4%
---
A rumble shook the temple.
Time to leave.
---
Dimensional Rift – The Exit
Following the Nexus Pulse readings, Lin Xuan leapt across breaking sky-bridges and shattered platforms. Each movement required precision—not just of strength, but of space.
He activated Dimensional Chaos Step, flickering through cracks in the collapsing realm like lightning through mist.
Lightning danced across the clouds as the Void Gate shimmered into view in the far distance.
But just before he could reach it—
The sky split.
---
The Arrival of the Tribunal
A lance of white light crashed to the floating island below, and from it emerged a figure in radiant silver armor, veiled in light and humming with divine authority.
The sky dimmed. The clouds bowed. Space froze.
Heavenly Tribunal Tracer: Rank – Ascendant Class
Assigned Mission: Neutralize Nexus Catalyst
Name: Justicar Aureon
The figure raised its hand—and the entire sky glowed with divine runes.
"You are Lin Xuan," the Justicar intoned, voice devoid of emotion. "Bearer of the Nexus Flame. The chaos you carry is forbidden by the Edicts of Heaven."
"I don't recognize your edicts," Lin Xuan replied, raising his hands. "Only strength."
"So be it."
---
Battle Begins – Mortal vs Celestial
The Justicar moved with terrifying speed.
A silver blade of condensed law pierced toward Lin Xuan. He dodged, barely, using Temporal Echo to rewind one deadly mistake just as it occurred.
His counterstrike—Chaos Burst Lance—smashed into Aureon's chestplate but barely left a dent.
[Warning: Enemy Core Grade – Celestial Origin]
[Match Percentage: 42%]
Lin Xuan gritted his teeth.
He couldn't win in a frontal assault.
But he didn't need to win.
He needed to survive.
---
The Chaos Gambit
Lin Xuan darted through the storm, leading the Justicar across collapsing bridges and spiraling sky-isles. Each step brought more of the realm down, forcing the Celestial to waste power stabilizing the environment.
Then, with perfect timing, Lin Xuan drew out the last of the Temporal Pulse and channeled it into his Chaos Core.
He activated a forbidden merge.
---
[Temporary Fusion: Temporal-Chaos State – 20 Seconds Max]
Effect: All abilities phase through time and space distortions. Evades standard prediction-based combat]
---
Reality around him blurred.
The Justicar swung—missed.
Lin Xuan appeared behind him, launched three consecutive strikes to the divine joints of Aureon's armor, then teleported mid-swing, forcing Aureon to rotate and fail his next move.
"I see now," Lin Xuan murmured. "You're powerful… but predictable."
Aureon raised his sword again—glowing brighter.
"You've used 73.4% of your realm's laws. When I awaken the third pillar… you'll have no power left to suppress me."
"You will not live that long."
---
The Escape
Just as Aureon charged again, Lin Xuan turned and hurled a Chaos Seal Rune at the Void Gate. It shattered the temporal locks—and he leapt through.
The realm behind him began collapsing.
Aureon started to follow—but the dimension buckled, sealing behind Lin Xuan.
The Justicar stood alone in the crumbling sky.
"…interesting."
---
Elsewhere – A Forest at the Edge of Worlds
Lin Xuan emerged in a realm unlike any before—quiet, ethereal, filled with silver trees and rivers of memory.
Safe. For now.
He collapsed to one knee, breathing hard, eyes glowing faintly with starlight and chaos.
[Escape Successful]
[Core Evolution: 99.4% → 99.9%]
[Next Nexus Pillar Location: Realm of Echoing Souls – Locked Until Key Reforged]
[Time Until Tribunal's Full Descent: 39 Days]
---
He stood slowly, wiping blood from his mouth.
If the Justicar was only the first, he had little time to waste.