Night at the Celestial Orthodoxy's mountain altar. Five young candidates wait below immense jade steps; lamps drift like captive stars. Shen Yao stands slightly apart, small against the gate, left bronze cuff visible.

Elder Qiu addresses the gathered outer sect and candidates from a jade dais. Ritual smoke forms five empty circles behind him.

Beside the altar, Lin Suye checks Shen Yao's pulse before the ceremony. Brass basins, folded cloth, and plain functional ritual tools surround them.

The candidate line tightens as the first bell sounds. Fei Lian steps into Shen Yao's space while Suye finishes packing her healer tray.

The completed Vessel Ren Zhuo is brought forward as proof of divine blessing. His body glows faintly beneath old yellow robes while disciples bow around him.

The five candidates kneel in separate jade circles carved with divine names. Elder Qiu and acolytes move through smoke with bells and bowls.

The descent begins. Pillars of celestial light fall into the five jade circles. For Shen Yao, the light enters like hooks tearing channels through dead meridians.

Inside Shen Yao's soul, a barren inner landscape appears: cracked floor, suspended meridian threads, and a red divine gate opening like a wound.

The soul-realm darkens as a second presence awakens behind the descending god. Chains scrape across unseen stone.

The war inside Shen Yao's soul spills into the outer ritual. Red veils, black chains, and gold meridian light collide.

The ceremony is over. The other pillars remain pure and upright; Shen Yao's circle is cracked and stained red. Snow-like ash falls on the altar.