The wind carried the smell of war.
For thirty years, Li Yuan's name had been a beacon of hope, but tonight, it became the target of the most dangerous alliance in the continent's history.
In the heart of the Crimson Sky Sect's grand hall, dozens of sect leaders, rogue cultivators, and assassins gathered under dim torchlight.
A man in black robes, his face hidden by a mask of bone, stood at the center.
"Li Yuan is gone. His disciples are too powerful, too influential. If we allow them to rule freely, we'll soon be slaves to his ideals."
"Tonight, we cut the roots before the tree bears divine fruit."
The crowd murmured in agreement, their greedy eyes gleaming.
The Attack on the Emperor
The first strike came at dawn.
Inside the imperial palace of Wei Yun, Wei Long sat on his throne, reviewing petitions. His calm aura filled the room until a sudden explosion shook the hall. Walls cracked, soldiers screamed.
A figure clad in crimson appeared, holding a massive halberd glowing with killing intent.
"Wei Long! Your master was a fraud, and you're just his dog! Die with his name!"
Wei Long stood slowly, his golden imperial robes fluttering as his qi rose like a sun.
"You've chosen the wrong empire to attack."
The hall blazed with golden light as Wei Long moved. In one strike, his palm shattered the attacker's halberd. The man spat blood, but before Wei Long could finish him, three more figures descended from the sky, their combined killing intent pressing down like mountains.
Wei Long's soldiers drew their weapons, trembling.
"Protect His Majesty!"
Wei Long raised a hand, stopping them. His voice was calm, almost amused.
"Stay back. This is my master's name you insulted. I will defend it myself."
Golden qi erupted, shaking the palace as the Emperor-disciple faced four enemies alone.
The Blades in the Dark
In the eastern mountains, Ye Chen sensed them before they even moved.
Five assassins crept through the mist, their blades coated in poison. One moved to strike his back, but Ye Chen's sword flashed, cutting the assassin cleanly in half.
The others froze.
Ye Chen turned, his cold eyes narrowing.
"You dare insult my master and think you can leave alive?"
The assassins lunged, but Ye Chen moved like lightning, his blade slicing through their attacks effortlessly. One after another, they fell, but the last assassin, desperate, threw a strange talisman that exploded into black smoke.
Ye Chen's eyes sharpened.
"Cowards."
He leapt into the smoke, his sword glowing blue, cutting down the last assassin before the smoke cleared.
Looking at the bodies, Ye Chen whispered to himself.
"Master, your sword still cuts through lies."
The Farmer's Quiet War
While the others fought openly, Tian Mu fought his war differently.
The sects had sent mercenaries to burn his farmlands, thinking him harmless. They charged in, laughing, until the vines began moving on their own.
Roots erupted from the ground, binding their legs. Flowers bloomed instantly, releasing sweet-smelling gas that put them to sleep. Tian Mu walked among them, placing his hoe on his shoulder.
"You wanted to burn life, but life protects itself."
The mercenaries screamed as the vines dragged them away, tossing them outside the farmland. None dared return.
The Saintess in Shadows
In her alchemy hall, Mei Xian faced a more subtle attack—spies and poisoners infiltrating her supply chain. She sat in silence, her soft smile hiding her anger as she handed a fake pill to one of the spies.
The man smirked, swallowing it instantly.
A second later, his body stiffened, glowing lines running through his veins before he collapsed.
Mei Xian sighed softly.
"Master… you hated killing unnecessarily, but some weeds can only be cut at the root."
She crushed the talisman in her hand, sending a hidden signal to allies across the continent.
The Legacy Won't Fall
Across the land, Li Yuan's disciples fought in their own ways, each a titan in their own right. The alliance of sects suffered heavy losses in the first strike, but this was just the beginning.
In the shadows, the bone-masked man from the Crimson Sky Sect watched reports pour in.
"They're strong. Stronger than expected. But we'll wear them down. Li Yuan's legacy will crumble."
As he spoke, a messenger entered, panicked.
"Sir, strange qi is appearing in random places! Herbs are sprouting overnight! Some claim it's… divine qi!"
The masked man froze.
"Impossible. He's gone. He's—"
But deep down, fear crept into his heart.
The Breeze That Carries Hope
That night, the disciples sat in different corners of the continent, tired but unbroken.
Wei Long stood on his palace balcony, Ye Chen cleaned his sword under the moonlight, Mei Xian brewed a new batch of pills, and Tian Mu planted new herbs.
For a brief moment, they all felt it—
a soft breeze carrying the scent of divine soil.
"Master…" they whispered in unison.
Far away, in his hidden realm, Tian Yuan smiled faintly as he tended his Spirit Orchard.
(END OF CHAPTER)