Location: Abyss of Dead Stars – Outer Zone of the Ancestral Void
Far beyond the gaze of galactic civilizations, in a part of the universe so ancient even light dared not linger, a council of shadows convened.
Twelve thrones carved from the remains of dead galaxies formed a ring.
They were the Eternals of the Primordial War Era, long believed vanished or dead—survivors of the war that birthed the current universe.
Each figure sat in silence, faceless and still, yet exuding power that made Universe Lords look like flickering candles in a storm.
"Earth," spoke one whose voice rumbled like breaking space, "has risen too quickly."
"The King of Mortals," another scoffed, "dares challenge the balance we created."
"Hong must fall."
🧠 Mindlink: The Tyrants' Oath
One of them, a silver-masked woman known as Nihlra of the Woven Fate, peered through fate itself and saw a vision:
"If left unchecked, the boy with the Mad Blade and the King of Formations will sever our legacy."
The council, in eerie synchrony, raised their hands. A seal formed mid-air—The Tyrant's Oath.
Twelve ancient seals embedded across the void—each activating a hidden Herald, long planted in modern civilization.
They would not act as conquerors, but as infiltrators.
"Send the first pawn," one whispered. "Let us see Earth's resolve."
🌍 Back on Earth: The Calm Before the War
Beneath Earth's reconstructed central capital, a Formation Temple was nearing completion. It spanned five city blocks and rose into the clouds, glowing with celestial sigils tied to the Dragon, Phoenix, Turtle, and Tiger Guardians.
Hong stood atop the tower, hands clasped behind his back. His senses stretched across solar systems through the Heaven's Net Formation.
Lie Shen appeared beside him, arms folded.
"The people are stable. Jia has passed the third tier of the Genius Trial," Lie Shen reported. "And more Earth citizens are qualifying than expected."
"Good," Hong replied. "Luo Feng's trial in the Abyssal Frontier is entering its final phase. He must cross into Domain comprehension before the Genius Battle."
A subtle tremor ran through the Formation Tower's foundation.
Hong narrowed his eyes.
"Someone is… watching us."
🔥 Arrival of the Herald
From deep space, cloaked in a silencing shroud, a ship descended—black, sharp, and whispering corruption into the void.
It landed far beneath the Earth's mantle, unnoticed by satellites.
Its doors opened, and from the shadows stepped a man in white armor, a sigil of the Twelve Tyrants glowing on his palm.
He smiled.
"Let's test this little Earth Kingdom. If they fail to detect me, they're not ready."
⚠️ System Alert
❗ Intrusion Detected: "Unknown Herald-class presence within Sector Gaia."
🧠 Suggested Action: Deploy Guardian Dragon and Phoenix for astral surveillance.
⚙️ Formation Suggestion: Initiate "Astral Purge Sweep" — 0.05% energy expenditure.
Hong immediately activated it with a flick of his palm.
Across the skies, the clouds split.
A fiery Phoenix avatar and a coiling Dragon construct emerged, sweeping the atmosphere like divine sentinels.
Below, the Herald's eyes widened.
"Formation mastery this refined… already?"
💬 Hong's Broadcast: A Warning to the Hidden Ones
Without ceremony, Hong opened a multiversal broadcast channel, his voice reaching deep into space, encoded with the Law of Sovereign Presence.
"To those who think Earth can be infiltrated…"
"To those hiding in ancient shadows…"
"I do not need to find you."
"I will make you come out."
"And when you do…"
The Formation Tower roared, and for a single moment, its light pierced the void—visible even in the Ancestral Abyss.
"You will learn what it means to defy a King chosen not by lineage, but by will."
📦 System Reward for Detection
🎖️ Mission Success: "Detect Hidden Herald of the Tyrants."
💠 Reward Unlocked:Soul Lock Protocol – Allows Hong to bind infiltrators to Earth's karmic laws, stripping away all disguises.
🛠️ Blueprint Received: "Tyrant Breaker Matrix" – counters ancient control techniques from the Primordial E