At sunrise, the Sect of Shadows stood in complete silence.
A celestial wind swept through Blackglass Ravine, scattering petals of spiritual flame.
Then came the footsteps.
Each one rang with divine resonance, echoing against the bones of the earth.
Judge Tianzhao entered the Ravine.
He did not hover, did not summon a court. He walked, blindfolded, as if every stone had once bowed to him—and perhaps they had.
Liu Shen stood atop the steps of the throne chamber carved into blackglass.
> "Welcome, O Judge. My Sect is honored by your arrogance."
---
The Rules of the Trial
Tianzhao halted before the Sect.
With a gesture, golden light erupted around them, forming a divine Circle of Trial — a dome of heavenly law suspended between worlds.
> "By Law of Order, you stand accused of high heresy, theft of sacred property, and the assassination of a heavenly-aligned priestess."
> "Do you plead guilty?"
Liu Shen's voice was calm.
> "I plead sovereign."
Murmurs from the disciples. Even Yu Meixing blinked. Tianzhao tilted his head.
> "That is not a recognized plea."
> "It is now," Liu Shen said.
He raised a crimson scroll—the Blood Decree of Sovereignty, a forbidden artifact of the ancient abyssal kings.
> "I invoke the Demon Sovereign's Right of Rebuttal."
---
Heaven's Loophole
The scroll unfurled, pulsing with deep red runes that curled like smoke.
> "This trial," Liu Shen continued, "will judge not only me—but also heaven's crimes against mortals."
> "Let judgment be mutual."
The Circle of Trial flared. The runes latched onto the celestial circle, modifying its structure. Divine qi twisted, confused.
Even Judge Tianzhao paused.
> "You tamper with heavenly order."
> "I reveal its flaws," Liu Shen replied.
---
The First Exchange
Tianzhao raised his hand. A Mirror of Karma appeared, showing Liu Shen's attack on the Sacred Lotus Sect.
> "Slaughter. Arson. Desecration. Do you deny this?"
Liu Shen responded by raising his hand.
Another mirror appeared.
It showed Sacred Lotus Sect alchemists refining spirit pills using cultivator blood.
> "And what do you call this?" he asked.
"Mercy?"
The Sect gasped.
Even some divine sigils flickered, recognizing the taint in the image.
Tianzhao's voice faltered—for the first time.
> "...those practices were not… sanctioned."
Liu Shen stepped forward.
> "Then the heavens allowed them."
> "You do not seek justice. You preserve control."
---
Trial Becomes Spectacle
Throughout the continent, cultivators turned their divine mirrors to the sky—watching, listening.
Some wept. Others roared.
> "He speaks the truth."
"He dares to challenge the Tribunal."
"This… this is the Demon Sovereign."
Liu Shen turned his back on Tianzhao and raised a hand.
> "To all who suffer under divine chains—know this: I am not your hero. I am your vengeance."
> "And I will not kneel."