Two years later.
The Dawn Flag slowly rose in the Star City Heroes' Cemetery.
Representatives of various factions stood alongside Feng Qi in front of the cemetery, solemnly reciting their oaths as they gazed upon the monument.
Years of preparation had led to this moment—the decisive battle was about to begin.
Looking at the towering Heroes' Monument, shaped like the hilt of a sword, Feng Qi's eyes were resolute.
He still remembered the first time he had visited this place, led by Wang Jinsheng.
Back then, his younger self had naively pointed at the monument and asked Old Wang a question:
"Why is the Heroes' Monument shaped like the hilt of a sword buried in the ground?"
Old Wang had laughed, ruffling his hair before answering with a statement that remained etched in Feng Qi's heart to this day:
"This sword, long sealed within the earth, symbolizes peace and stability. But should the day come when it is drawn, it means catastrophe has arrived, and the fallen warriors will rise again."
"The sword sheath that holds the blade is Star City itself, the final resting place of these heroic souls."
At that time, the words had left him confused.
Yet, as the years passed, he gradually understood the deep reverence and pride in Old Wang's voice.
The souls resting here were once unsheathed blades that had returned home.
Gazing upon the Heroes' Monument in the distance, Feng Qi's determination only grew stronger.
"This time, as we march into battle, may the spirits of the fallen watch over us!"
Lifting a wine flask from the ceremonial altar, he stepped forward and poured a libation before the monument.
When he turned back around, representatives of the Prajna Combat Squad, Qingtian Combat Squad, Star City Military Department, and Tiger Soul Research Institute were all standing at attention, waiting for his command.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of responsibility press down on him.
But the heavier the burden on his shoulders, the more he longed for victory.
He looked up at the Dawn Flag, fluttering wildly in the wind, and issued the order:
"All warriors, march forth!"
The moment his words fell, the representatives of each faction roared in unison and downed their ceremonial drinks.
Their shouts echoed beyond the Heroes' Cemetery, their battle cries spreading across Star City, setting the entire city ablaze with fervor.
The factions quickly dispersed, moving to mobilize their forces.
Soon, a vast army began marching toward Star City's North Gate. Along the way, traffic yielded to the advancing troops, honking their horns in support.
Over the past two years, the citizens of Star City had learned the truth about the world.
When they discovered that humanity had long been infiltrated and consumed by Domain Forces, the revelation had caused mass unrest, nearly plunging the city into chaos.
During that time, Feng Qi witnessed the fragile side of human nature.
But he also saw a surge of individuals stepping forward, choosing to stand with Dawn, dedicating themselves to the fight for a future worth believing in.
Many of the warriors he had trained in previous years had now graduated and become the new backbone of the Dawn Army.
In this war, he had wagered everything on this battlefront.
At Star City's Northern Gate, the massive doors slowly swung open, and a long convoy of supply trucks rumbled out, forming a procession stretching into the distance.
Above them, squadrons of unmanned drones hovered, tasked with reconnaissance and aerial escort.
This war had been years in the making.
Feng Qi had spent countless efforts on stockpiling supplies, refining battle tactics, and building up their forces.
To ensure smooth operations, he had established multiple supply stations along the road from Star City to Future City, allowing for continuous reinforcement and resupply.
Six months ago, he had even led the operation to clear out the last Domain Field blocking their route, ensuring an open path for the army's march.
Technically, there was a subway system connecting Star City to Future City.
But using it to transport troops was far too risky.
The subway led directly into the heart of Future City, and moving such a large force underground would immediately draw the attention of the Shadow Forces lurking within.
For this day, Feng Qi had waited long enough.
Now, everything he had worked for would soon be put to the test.
Would their sacrifices yield results?
The answer would soon be revealed.
A sea of Dawn Flags billowed in the wind, carried at the forefront of every advancing squadron.
Today, they were no longer separated by factions—every one of them was now a soldier of Dawn, standing as one.
All of Star City had erupted in passion.
Crowds gathered at the Northern Gate, sending off the departing warriors.
Their deafening cheers roared like a tidal wave, rising into the sky as the troops stepped forward with unwavering determination.
This scene mirrored history.
A hundred years ago, the warriors who had defended Star City had also marched toward Future City, waging war against the Domain Forces.
Now, history was repeating itself.
At the forefront of the formation, Feng Qi chose not to ride a transport vehicle.
Like every soldier beside him, he carried a pack filled with supplies and advanced on foot.
Accompanying him were the core members of Dawn.
Mu Qing, Lin Ran, Lü Yue, and others were all present.
"Qi-ge, after so many timelines, we're finally making our big move. How does it feel?"
"This battle... we will win!" Feng Qi grinned.
"When we take down the Shadow Forces, I say we put their leader on the guillotine," Mu Qing suddenly suggested.
At her words, everyone burst into laughter.
This march was a gamble.
Feng Qi had deployed 85% of Star City's total forces.
10% were assigned to logistical support and supply runs, while the remaining 5% stayed behind to maintain city security.
He had debated whether to leave a third of their forces behind for defense.
But after careful thought, he realized there was no turning back.
This war would decide everything.
If they were going to fight, they had to fight with everything they had.
His determination was met with full support from the military and allied factions.
They had already passed the point of no return.
And now, new intelligence from the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance had delivered a grim warning—one that could change everything.
Some forces had already begun rallying their strength, preparing to unite against Star City.
The arrow was nocked, and there was no turning back.
If all went smoothly, Feng Qi planned to continue the expedition after taking Future City, pushing forward until the last soldier had fallen.
This battlefront had only one ending—to fight until death.
"The cold wind howls over the Yi River, the warrior marches forth, never to return..."
"Stop jinxing it." Hearing Lin Ran's recitation, Xia Long shot him a glare before adding, "We've prepared this thoroughly. Once we take down Future City, we might be able to push further and wipe out the Psionic Race in Old Day City."
"I second that!" Mu Qing raised her hand in agreement.
The tense atmosphere of the march eased slightly as they chatted.
Feng Qi had confidence in the battle ahead.
After countless timelines of gathering intelligence, he understood Future City's true strength. Despite its technological advancements, it was no match for the fully prepared Dawn Army.
Moreover, Li Xingchen, who held significant influence in Future City, was acting as an inside agent, ready to assist.
The only variable was Little Black.
Feng Qi had no way of knowing whether Little Black was still in its prototype stage or if it had already been completed and deployed.
If Little Black was operational, the situation would spiral out of control.
Against Little Black, sheer numbers would be meaningless.
The only difference would be how long they could hold out.
Core Zone, Institute of Technological Research
A circular silver-white conference table floated in the air, with twenty-eight shadowy figures hovering over their respective seats.
After a brief silence, the figure at the head of the table slowly spoke.
"I assume you are all aware of Star City's movements. It is now almost certain that their forces are marching toward us. Otherwise, they would not have exhausted resources to breach the Domain Barrier separating us."
"But one thing confuses me—why is Star City going to such lengths to attack us?"
As the shadow's voice fell, its gaze swept across the figures gathered around the table.
"What intelligence have you gathered?"
The shadow to the left responded immediately.
"We've launched investigations across multiple fronts. However, Star City's internal security is impenetrable. We haven't even been able to contact our infiltrators within the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance for information. All we know is that Star City has been heavily promoting its super virtual game over the past few years."
The head shadow narrowed its eyes, its voice deepening.
"I've known about the super virtual game for a while. I had already marked Star City as a potential threat. This game significantly enhances human combat capabilities and poses a serious risk to our long-term plans. But I never expected..."
"That they were using it to train soldiers to fight us."
Its voice carried an undertone of barely restrained fury.
Star City's development had always been under its surveillance.
But it had never imagined that Star City's progress would directly threaten its plans.
None of it made sense.
From the latest intelligence, Star City had committed nearly all its forces to this march, clearly prepared for a do-or-die battle.
To the shadow, this was madness.
Even more baffling was the fact that the instigator behind this war had managed to gain the full backing of Star City's military and all its factions.
Logically, even if Star City had discovered the truth about Future City, they should have sought alternative solutions—not wagered everything on this reckless gamble.
But now, the situation had already spun out of its control.
With Dawn's Army advancing, it had no choice but to prepare for battle.
After a long pause, the shadow finally spoke.
"Prepare for war. The Black Reaper Project must not be disrupted under any circumstances. Begin defensive operations immediately."
At its command, the surrounding shadows dispersed.
Once alone, the shadow fell into deep contemplation.
"Could this be the beginning of human civilization's downfall?"
"Does the one orchestrating this war intend to destroy humanity?"
"Otherwise, why would they make such a reckless decision?"
"Or did they somehow discover the Black Reaper Project? Or is there another, unknown reason forcing them to wage war?"
Despite its vast intellect, the shadow failed to grasp the deeper truth.
It analyzed the situation only from a macro perspective—it could not comprehend that Feng Qi was acting based on intelligence gathered across multiple timelines.
Star City's large-scale mobilization sent shockwaves through all five major cities.
On that very day, headlines across all major news outlets focused on the unfolding situation.
In Old Day City, the public narrative was particularly hostile.
Reports blamed Star City's super virtual game for its self-destruction, claiming that it had led to the city's destabilization and unpredictable actions.
But when citizens petitioned the Old Day City Supreme Council to intervene and prevent the war, the ruling Domain Forces remained silent.
Like the shadow forces, they too were completely in the dark.
The real reason for Star City's war declaration was unknown to them.
The truth would only be revealed once the war began.
And so, like the shadow forces, they too waited in anticipation—watching as history prepared to unfold in blood and fire.
The forces lurking in the shadows chose to merely watch.
Star City and Future City had never been under their control. Regardless of how brutal the war became, it would not affect their grand plans.
Some even speculated that this war was a clash between two unknown Domain forces, far beyond their comprehension.
After all, no matter the victor, only humans would suffer.
As the undercurrents swirled, these covert Domain factions sent large numbers of operatives toward Future City—not to intervene, but to observe and gather intelligence.
Western District, Energy Research Institute
From the top of the Energy Tower, Yin Ling gazed at the dazzling city below, a charming smile playing on her lips.
"I didn't expect the opportunity to come this soon. What a delightful surprise."
A young boy sitting beside her lifted his head, his voice innocent yet expectant.
"Sister, does this mean we can begin?"
Yin Ling looked down at him, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"Do you know why we chose to take control of Star City's Energy Research Institute?"
The boy frowned, thinking for a few seconds before shaking his head in confusion.
"All of Star City's energy supply runs through the research institutes in the Western District. While they appear powerless, even needing to report usage allocations, they actually control the city's lifeline."
"Now that our people have taken full control of all the energy institutes in Star City's Western District, do you know what this means?"
The boy's eyes widened in realization.
"It means we control the entire city's energy supply..." He hesitated for a moment, then continued, his voice growing firmer. "When our kin arrive, we just need to cut off all energy routes. In no time, Star City will be paralyzed. Its defenses will crumble, giving the Silver Moon Clan an overwhelming advantage."
Yin Ling chuckled in amusement at his deduction.
"Did I get it right?"
"You got half of it right," Yin Ling said, her smile deepening. "The more crucial point is this—we already control an enormous stockpile of energy, and that will play a decisive role in the plan."
The boy tilted his head in confusion.
"But energy usage requires approval..." His voice trailed off as realization struck.
Normally, all energy allocations had to be reported, but in a moment of decisive battle, who cared about rules?
"Xiao Yi, do you miss your family?"
"Yes!" The boy nodded earnestly.
"The time has come. You will see them soon."
Yin Ling picked up her communication device, her tone turning ice-cold.
"Begin constructing the Spatial Transmission Array. Sever all energy lines and redirect the flow toward the array. Prepare to welcome our clan's arrival."
As her words fell, Star City—which had been glowing brightly under the night sky—was plunged into total darkness.
In an instant, millions of lights flickered off at once.
The final phase of their plan had begun.
Now that Star City's main forces were gone, she feared no resistance.
Gazing upon the pitch-black city, Yin Ling's smile widened.
After five days of marching, the Dawn Army had reached Frost Lake.
The once blocked passage was now spanned by a newly built bridge, allowing the warriors to advance straight toward the forests thirty miles ahead.
The 580-kilometer journey required a grueling march.
In large-scale warfare, there were no shortcuts.
Even if transport planes were used for mass deployment, it would take far too long and risk premature exposure. More importantly, small isolated units airlifted ahead would be easy prey for the enemy.
By marching as one, they retained control of the situation, minimizing risks.
Feng Qi had meticulously planned for this war.
Along the route to Future City, he had established supply stations, energy depots, and bridges.
Three alternative paths had been mapped out. Even if one was compromised, he could still lead the Dawn Army to its destination.
The roar of armored vehicles rumbled through the air. Feng Qi picked up his tablet, reviewing the live surveillance feed from reconnaissance drones ahead.
Just then, Qin Shikong approached.
"Qi-ge, something doesn't feel right. I have a bad feeling."
Feng Qi lifted his head, frowning.
Despite Qin Shikong's erratic future-sensing abilities, his predictions had always carried weight.
Whenever Qin Shikong voiced a premonition, it was worth taking seriously.
His face turned solemn.
"Old Qin, are you saying our march toward Future City is at risk?"
"No." Qin Shikong shook his head, his gaze sharp. "It's not Future City that worries me... It's Star City."
Feng Qi froze.
"Star City?"
"Yes. I have a strong feeling—something huge is about to happen there."
Feng Qi turned toward Star City, his expression unreadable.
Star City was supposed to be secure.
The Domain Weak Tribe Alliance had completely submitted to him.
The Night Shadow Clan and Old Mist had been erased from the timeline.
From a historical perspective, nothing major should be happening in Star City at this stage.
Had his interference with history led to this unforeseen crisis?
At that moment, his communication device beeped.
Without hesitation, Feng Qi grabbed it and pressed the answer button.
"Qi-ge, something major just happened in Star City! All energy lines have been severed!"
Hearing Tiger Soul Research Institute's director's urgent tone, Feng Qi immediately realized that things had spiraled out of control.
And more importantly—this had never happened in recorded history.
His voice turned cold.
"Dean Qi, tell me exactly what happened."
The voice on the other end hesitated for a few seconds, as if trying to calm his nerves, before speaking again.
"All energy research institutes in Star City's Western District have cut off the city's power supply. At the same time, a massive formation has appeared in the sky above Star City. I suspect it's a Spatial Transmission Array—all of Star City's energy is being funneled into it to sustain its operation."
After taking a deep breath, the Academy Director spoke with grim determination.
"I suspect... a Domain force is about to descend upon Star City!"
Feng Qi's expression darkened instantly.
Suddenly, all the scattered clues in his mind connected—forming a clear chain of events.
Yin Ling. The Energy Research Institute. The Silver Moon Clan's puppets. The impending descent of the Silver Moon Clan…
Years ago, he had already suspected that Star City might be infiltrated by Silver Moon Clan scouts.
However, back then, he thought their presence had no impact on his battle timeline. After all, according to historical records, the Silver Moon Clan only invaded Star City during the darkest period of the Dawn Army's war.
At that time, he had attempted to root out hidden Domain factions, including any early arrivals from the Silver Moon Clan.
But that operation had ended in failure.
Since the Silver Moon Clan didn't seem like a threat to his war plans, he had chosen not to waste any more effort on them—leaving the matter to another version of himself to investigate in a different timeline.
His top priority had always been ensuring the progression of the war against Future City.
But now—everything made sense.
He finally understood the Silver Moon Clan's true strategy.
In the normal historical timeline, the Silver Moon Clan's invasion of Star City had a specific trigger.
Back then, Star City's military had deployed the majority of its forces to assist Future City against a sudden, large-scale Domain Field expansion.
Seeing Star City's defenses at their weakest, the Silver Moon Clan—hidden outside the city—launched their invasion.
With most of Star City's military deployed elsewhere, the city was completely defenseless against the Silver Moon Domain Field's expansion.
Now that he thought about it, the Silver Moon Clan must have received intelligence from their hidden operatives within Star City, which led them to attack at the perfect moment.
But what the Silver Moon Clan had not accounted for… was Suction Cup.
Because of Suction Cup's unexpected interference, their seemingly inevitable victory had turned into a complete defeat.
Right now, the Silver Moon Domain Field had not yet arrived outside Star City.
That was why Feng Qi had assumed that the Silver Moon Clan would not be able to cause any problems in this war timeline.
But now it was clear—the Silver Moon Clan had prepared two contingency plans all along.
Plan A – The Original Historical Strategy
First, deploy the Silver Moon Domain Field outside Star City.
Remain hidden and wait for the perfect moment.
Have their operatives within Star City provide intelligence.
Attack once Star City's forces were heavily engaged elsewhere.
Trigger Condition: Most of Star City's military is sent to Future City for support.
Plan B – The Current Crisis
Infiltrate Star City's Energy Research Institutes.
Gain control over all energy lines within the city.
Cut off power across Star City at the right moment.
Redirect all energy into a massive Spatial Transmission Array.
Summon the Silver Moon Clan's forces directly into the city.
Trigger Condition: Star City's forces leave to attack Future City, leaving the city defenseless.
Feng Qi's expression turned ice-cold.
He had been tracking the Silver Moon Clan's movements based on historical records.
But he had failed to anticipate their true contingency plan.
Now that Star City's forces had marched to war, the hidden Silver Moon warriors must have realized this was their moment.
With a fully operational transmission array powered by Star City's energy grid, the complete descent of the Silver Moon Clan's forces was now all but inevitable.
Feng Qi clenched his fists tightly.
There was still a chance to stop them.
The only line of defense left was the Gatekeeper Warriors stationed along the interdimensional pathways.
But two things worried him.
What if the Silver Moon Clan was arriving without bringing their Domain Field?
Normally, a Domain invasion required expanding a Domain Field around the targeted area.
But expanding a Domain Field was far riskier and far more detectable than simply sending an army through a portal.
If the Silver Moon Clan skipped deploying a Domain Field, their invasion could happen instantly and unnoticed.
What if the transmission array's exit point wasn't guarded by Gatekeeper Warriors?
The Gatekeeper Warriors patrolled specific dimensional rifts—but if the Silver Moon Clan had already scouted an unguarded route, they could bypass all defenses.
Either of these possibilities was a disaster waiting to happen.
And worst of all…
Star City was supposed to serve as the supply hub for the war against Future City.
If Star City fell, all supply lines would be cut off.
Even with multiple supply stations built along the way, the loss of Star City would severely cripple their offensive against Future City.
One misstep… and everything could collapse.
One mistake… and the war would be lost before it even began.
Feng Qi had planned meticulously, accounted for every possible variable, but in the end, the cunning of the Domain Forces had exceeded even his expectations.
No Domain Force would be foolish enough to advance their plans blindly.
For instance, in this campaign against Future City, how could he have anticipated that the Silver Moon Clan had been waiting for exactly this opportunity all along?
He was the one who had given the Silver Moon Clan the chance to occupy Star City a hundred years ahead of schedule.
After five days of marching, it was now impossible for his main force to turn back in time.
His chance for a last-minute reversal had completely slipped through his fingers.
All the effort he had put into this battle line—all the sacrifices—now seemed like they were about to be wiped out by the Silver Moon Clan's descent.
Then, suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.
There was still one person—one person who might be able to turn the tide.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his communicator and entered Tiger Soul Research Institute Director's emergency contact code.
After a few seconds, the call connected.
"Dean Qi, go to Tiger Soul's underground prison immediately! Seek out Tian Shu!"
One and a half hours later.
Tiger Soul Sub-base, Underground Prison.
Hearing Dean Qi's urgent plea, a figure sitting in the dimly lit cell slowly opened his eyes.
"I understand."
With a wave of his hand, the heavy, reinforced prison door creaked open.
At that moment, the divine runes engraved on his back ignited, shining with a dazzling glow. An overwhelming power surged into his body through the runes.
His thin, frail frame rapidly filled out, and his patchy, sparse hair began to grow thick once more.
The filth and dead skin on his body peeled away in an instant.
When Tian Shu reopened his eyes, he had transformed into a young man of about twenty-five.
His dark pupils glowed faintly, and his entire demeanor was completely different now—as if he had been reborn.
His gaze locked onto Dean Qi.
"Step back. I'm coming out."
Without hesitation, Dean Qi nodded and immediately left the prison area.
Once he was gone, Tian Shu inhaled deeply—then unleashed an overwhelming force.
The iron shackles on his wrists twisted under the pressure, the metal groaning as it warped. A loud snap echoed as the chains shattered and clattered to the ground.
He stomped his foot, and the heavy chains binding his ankles exploded into pieces.
Dragging the remaining chains still wrapped around his forearms, Tian Shu stepped out of the cell.
He followed Dean Qi to the surface via elevator.
As soon as he stepped out of the base, the fresh air hit him, making him momentarily dazed.
Gazing up at the bright moon hanging in the sky, a nostalgic expression crossed his face.
Three hundred years.
He had sealed himself away for over three centuries.
It had been far too long since he had felt the world outside.
He breathed in deeply, savoring the air of freedom, his eyes flashing with reminiscence.
Then, his gaze shifted to the massive, rotating Spatial Transmission Array in the western sky.
Turning to Dean Qi, he spoke softly.
"Leave this to me. Go back."
With that, he strode toward the Western District of Star City.
Star City's Western District.
The gigantic transmission array in the sky had finally completed its construction.
With an endless surge of energy being funneled into it, the center of the formation distorted as a space corridor began to materialize.
This opportunity had come far sooner than Yin Ling had expected—but it didn't matter.
The array was ready.
Star City's warriors were gone.
They could not return in time.
This battle was already over.
For the people of Star City, this would be a massacre.
For the Silver Moon Clan, however, this was the first step toward their grand future.
As a light drizzle began to fall, Yin Ling and Yin Yi tilted their heads back, gazing into the sky, patiently awaiting the arrival of their army.
From within the formation's swirling core, countless shimmering silver lights flickered to life.
Under the watchful eyes of Yin Ling and Yin Yi, hundreds of their kin emerged from the other end of the portal.
Yin Ling's heart surged with pride.
Just as she prepared to fly up to welcome their arrival, a blazing red fireball streaked across the sky—colliding violently with the first wave of warriors stepping out of the portal.
In an instant, hundreds of Silver Moon warriors were engulfed in flames, reduced to ashes, their bodies falling from the sky like dying embers.
Yin Ling's mind went blank.
Through the dancing crimson flames, she saw a man—bare-chested, wrists wrapped in shattered chains, his face calm and emotionless.
With unwavering resolve, he stepped into the portal.
Beyond the Spatial Rift.
The divine runes on his back blazed like molten gold, casting fiery reflections across his body.
As Tian Shu gazed into the endless corridor of light, his eyes were calm yet cold.
Killing was as natural to him as breathing.
He had once stood as the sole guardian of Passage 32, the main Path of Ascension, where he had lost count of how many he had slain—how much blood had stained his hands.
Three hundred years had passed.
But he had not forgotten.
Standing at the exit of the space corridor, a long-buried familiarity surged within him.
Behind him, the divine runes pulsed, their glow intensifying.
The red flames dancing along his chained wrists flared brighter.
A grin tugged at his lips—wild and unrestrained.
The battle was about to begin.
From the far end of the corridor, countless Silver Moon warriors appeared.
Their faces were filled with anticipation, excitement—they believed that on the other side of this portal lay their glorious future.
Tian Shu smirked.
"Sorry… but this place is hell."
With that, he whipped his right arm forward, sending his burning chain lashing through the air like a serpent of fire.
A single swing—and dozens of Silver Moon warriors were sliced in half.
His left arm followed immediately, the second chain whirling through the corridor, engulfing another wave of enemies in flames.
The air was filled with the shrieks of burning warriors.
But Tian Shu's expression did not change.
More and more Silver Moon Clan warriors emerged from the portal, surging forward like waves. Tian Shu finally took the initiative to attack.
The combat techniques he had honed on the Path of Ascension had not been used in over three hundred years, yet they remained etched in his body like an instinctive brand.
His figure weaved through the silver-clad warriors, reaping life after life like a reaper of death.
"Hahaha… HAHAHA!"
As the slaughter continued, a mad grin spread across Tian Shu's face.
The divine runes on his back flashed erratically, flickering between bright and dim.
His bloodlust surged uncontrollably, pushing him closer to the brink of madness.
This was the very reason Tian Shu had chosen to seal himself away for centuries.
But this time, he did not suppress his violent instincts.
He embraced them.
The chains coiling around his arms hummed under immense strain, their glow flickering, struggling to contain the rising frenzy within Tian Shu.
His laughter echoed wildly as he moved at blinding speed, each flickering step reaping dozens of Silver Moon warriors.
As the carnage mounted, the Silver Moon Clan realized something was wrong.
At the far end of the space corridor, several terrifying figures appeared.
At the forefront stood the Grand Elder of the Silver Moon Clan, accompanied by over ten Elders from the clan's High Council.
Upon seeing Tian Shu, cloaked in crimson flames, their expressions turned grim.
But by now, retreat was no longer an option.
There were no words exchanged, no pointless theatrics.
This was a fight to the death.
In an instant, ten Elders of the Silver Moon Clan surrounded Tian Shu.
Yet he did not flinch.
His flaming chains lashed out, slicing an Elder in half. His body fell lifelessly into the space current, disappearing forever.
The remaining Elders, though pained by the loss of their comrade, charged forward without hesitation.
"Hahaha… HAHAHA!"
A deranged, twisted grin spread across Tian Shu's face.
His figure flashed, appearing right before the Grand Elder.
With one mighty swing, his chain came crashing down.
Boom!
The chain collided with the Grand Elder's palm, sending shockwaves rippling through the space corridor.
Silver and red auras clashed violently, creating dazzling sparks.
At the point of impact, space itself cracked, forming jagged rifts that threatened to devour both warriors.
Yet neither of them yielded.
The spatial distortions faded, and both fighters were sent staggering backward.
But just as Tian Shu retreated, his body suddenly vanished—only to reappear before the Grand Elder in an instant.
His chain struck fiercely, smashing into the Grand Elder's chest.
The Grand Elder spat blood, but still retaliated, slamming his palm against Tian Shu's torso.
Silver energy surged into Tian Shu's body, attempting to corrode him from within.
However, as the divine runes on his back flared, the invading energy was instantly devoured.
Seeing their leader wounded, the remaining Elders rushed forward, once again encircling Tian Shu.
But instead of facing them, Tian Shu's gaze shifted to the Silver Moon warriors attempting to slip through the portal into Star City.
His figure blurred, smashing through the Elders' formation and charging into the horde of Silver Moon warriors.
His blazing chains swept out, slaughtering dozens in an instant.
Reaching the portal's exit, Tian Shu turned back to see the Elders furiously pursuing him.
A mocking grin curled his lips.
"Come as many as you want. I'll kill you all!"
The massacre began anew.
The Silver Moon Clan seemed to be wagering their entire future on this battle, sending warrior after warrior to their deaths.
Yet before Tian Shu, their desperate charge was nothing but futile struggle.
More and more bodies tumbled into the swirling space currents, forever lost.
Even as Elders continued to reinforce their ranks, they could not overpower Tian Shu.
The Silver Moon Clan had long ruled over the Black Abyss Second Layer, accumulating immense reserves of warriors and elites.
Their numbers seemed endless.
Gradually, more Silver Moon sorcerers and beastmasters emerged from the portal.
Though they knew Tian Shu was nearly unstoppable, they refused to back down.
They were betting everything on this battle.
And then, he appeared.
A figure cloaked in radiant silver light, standing at the forefront of the reinforcements.
The Silver Moon Clan's Patriarch.
At last, Tian Shu felt pressure.
Yet rather than fear, his lips curled into a wild grin.
He clenched his fists, and with one tremendous pull, the chains wrapped around his wrists unraveled completely.
This time, he would not hold back.
His eyes turned an eerie shade of green, his breathing quickened, and dark green bone spikes sprouted from his body, making him look like a demon from hell.
Twisted divine runes covered his entire being, radiating an ominous power.
Countless fragments of divine knowledge surged into his mind, drowning his consciousness in chaos and madness.
"Come!"
With a final shred of sanity, Tian Shu roared at the approaching horde.
The Silver Moon Patriarch and hundreds of Elders charged forward.
A green blur flashed—and in an instant, Tian Shu crushed an Elder's skull in his grasp.
His bone spikes pierced the Elder's body, draining him dry before he could even scream.
But even as their comrade perished, the remaining Elders did not hesitate.
Hundreds of silver ropes shot through the air, entangling Tian Shu from all directions.
The Silver Moon warriors poured their strength into the bindings, trying to tear him apart limb by limb.
Yet, even as his body trembled under the crushing force—
Tian Shu refused to break.
The battle raged on.
And the slaughter had only just begun.
Tian Shu struggled violently, and the green energy coursed through the silver bindings, instantly causing a large number of Silver Moon warriors to explode from within, their mangled bodies tumbling from the air.
In his berserk state, Tian Shu had long ceased to be human.
He was more like a monstrous domain creature, completely out of control.
One after another, Silver Moon warriors fell lifeless at his hands.
For three days and three nights, he fought relentlessly, like a beast devoid of exhaustion, his madness consuming him as he devoured the lives of Silver Moon warriors.
But gradually, his mind began to clear.
Even as he realized there was no end to the enemies before him, he did not retreat.
He continued to fight without hesitation.
His body was repeatedly broken under the strain of combat, but the divine runes on his back continuously repaired him, over and over again.
Yet, not once did he show any sign of pain.
These enemies were strong, but Tian Shu had long been accustomed to high-intensity battles, to the loneliness of fighting alone.
In order to defeat Tian Shu, the Silver Moon Clan unleashed their most devastating trump cards.
They brought out deadly weapons, originally meant for their future conquests, but Tian Shu repelled them all.
However, these weapons inflicted wounds upon him that even his divine runes could not fully heal.
With his battered and broken body, Tian Shu stood at the edge of the space corridor, looking disdainfully at the endless horde of Silver Moon warriors.
"Are you afraid?"
His voice echoed coldly.
At that moment, a deep crack appeared across his chest, and tiny beads of blood trickled down.
The Silver Moon Patriarch, despite being covered in wounds, no longer looked at Tian Shu with contempt—only deep wariness.
Over the last few days, he had personally witnessed the horror that was Tian Shu.
But he could not stop now.
They had already sacrificed too much—if they failed here, everything would be lost.
The Silver Moon Patriarch let out a roar, rallying his forces for one final charge.
Figures clashed once again, and bodies fell like rain.
The strength of the Silver Moon Clan surpassed even Tian Shu's expectations.
Even though he was no longer at his peak, he was still beyond the reach of most domain forces.
Yet, the Silver Moon Clan forced him to struggle.
The feeling of dancing on the edge of death reminded him of his days guarding the Path of Ascension.
Roaring, Tian Shu, despite his fatigue, charged straight at the Silver Moon Patriarch.
The strain on his body was worsening.
His bones cracked under pressure, unable to withstand the relentless onslaught.
Feeling his life slipping away, Tian Shu suddenly burst into laughter.
He saw fear in the Silver Moon Patriarch's eyes.
He saw terror in the faces of the warriors.
Even as he repelled their attack, he looked at the Silver Moon Patriarch and spoke in a calm, indifferent voice:
"You have one choice—go back, or die."
The Silver Moon Patriarch looked at him, mangled, his body riddled with cracks, his arms missing, his entire being resembling a shattered porcelain doll.
Yet, he still radiated dominance.
Suppressing his fear, the Silver Moon Patriarch let out another furious war cry, leading one last desperate charge.
For half a day, the battle raged on.
When the final Silver Moon warrior fell before him, Tian Shu did not look back.
Instead, he stumbled out of the space corridor.
His body plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the western slopes of Star City.
Lying there, feeling his life force slipping away, Tian Shu struggled to sit up, his gaze lifting toward the sky.
Above, the massive formation that powered the portal was slowly dissipating.
"Crack!"
A sharp fracturing sound echoed—another crack spread across his face, blood oozing from the split skin.
"Damn old woman… I'm dying… and you still refuse to show up."
As his life flickered, he thought back to the woman who had tricked him long ago, promising him a lifetime supply of candy in exchange for his loyalty.
Since that day, he had fought for the future of humanity.
"This deal… was a huge loss for me… but I don't regret it."
His body was crumbling, but he did not fear death.
The wind brushed against his face, the grass swayed gently, and he breathed in the fresh air.
He turned his gaze eastward, watching the first light of dawn break through the horizon.
As his consciousness faded, countless memories resurfaced.
He saw himself as a child, sitting on a park bench, meeting that woman for the first time.
He saw himself training under her, being scolded for slacking off, pouting with a face full of grievances.
He saw himself walking onto the Path of Ascension for the first time, his heart full of nervous excitement.
He saw his comrades on Path of Ascension, one by one, leaving him behind—until he was the only one left.
He relived the solitude of those years, standing guard over Path of Ascension's 32nd main path.
It was as if he was watching his life flash before his eyes, like an old, silent film.
At the very end of that film, Tian Shu opened his eyes one last time.
The wind stirred his now lifeless white hair, and with his final ounce of strength, he activated the divine runes on his back.
From the fading space portal, a small, colorful lollipop appeared in his hand.
He clutched it tightly.
"Old woman… I never broke my promise to you… I… did my best."
The last spark of life in his eyes dimmed.
His body tilted slightly, falling onto the very land he had spent his entire life protecting.
The lollipop in his hand, now cracked and broken, shattered into pieces as he passed.
His story began with a lollipop—and ended with one.
Thus, Tian Shu's legendary life came to a close.
But the tale of the lone warrior, who guarded Path of Ascension's 32nd path for three hundred years, who built a road of bones from the corpses of domain creatures, lived on in the stories of Path of Ascension's travelers.
The man who once defeated countless domain creatures and foes had finally reached his journey's end, bathed in the light of the rising sun.