The valley that once stood as the heart of the Jade Celestial Pavilion was now a wasteland of molten rock and burning ruins. The sky above remained dyed in an eerie gold, remnants of Shao Xian's unleashed power still lingering in the air. Ash drifted like snow, carrying the scent of scorched earth and death.
At the center of the devastation, Shao Xian stood, his robes untouched by the flames around him. His golden eyes surveyed the battlefield without emotion. The Pavilion's forces had been annihilated, their once-proud elders reduced to nothing more than blackened corpses. Only one figure remained standing—the Pavilion Master.
The jade mask he always wore was cracked, revealing part of an aged face contorted in shock and terror. Blood trickled down his lips, his body trembling as he struggled to remain on his feet. His protective barrier had failed. His grand formation had been torn apart as if it were nothing more than a child's scribbles.
"How…?" The Pavilion Master's voice was hoarse, disbelief clear in his tone. "This formation was meant to suppress even celestial beings…"
Shao Xian took a slow step forward, his presence alone making the remaining air tremble. "And yet, here I stand."
The Pavilion Master's breath came in ragged gasps. "You… what are you?"
Shao Xian's expression remained calm, but his voice carried an undeniable weight. "I am the Sovereign Dao reborn. And you… are merely a stepping stone."
With a flick of his wrist, the golden flames around him surged. The Pavilion Master barely had time to react before the fire engulfed him. His screams echoed through the desolate valley as his flesh burned away, his body turning to nothingness in moments.
Shao Xian watched without blinking. He did not revel in the kill, nor did he mourn. This was merely the consequence of defying him.
Behind him, Zhou Fan and the Black Sun Legion stood in disciplined silence. They had witnessed their lord's overwhelming might before, but each time, it only reinforced the fact that he was not merely a cultivator—he was a force beyond their comprehension.
Zhou Fan approached cautiously. "The Jade Celestial Pavilion is no more, my Lord. What are your next orders?"
Shao Xian turned his gaze to the horizon. "There are still remnants. Those who fled before the battle began. Hunt them down. Leave none alive."
Zhou Fan bowed. "It shall be done."
The Black Sun Legion dispersed with mechanical precision, their dark figures vanishing into the ruins to eliminate any survivors.
Shao Xian remained still for a moment longer, then turned and began walking away. He had already set his sights on his next goal.
Far from the battlefield, deep within the hidden chambers of an underground temple, a lone figure knelt before a pool of shimmering water. His robes were tattered, blood staining the once pristine fabric.
Elder Mu, one of the few surviving elders of the Jade Celestial Pavilion, stared into the water, his hands shaking. The reflection within was not his own—it was that of an entity wrapped in shadows, its eyes glowing with a sinister red light.
"You have failed," the voice from the water hissed.
Elder Mu flinched. "He… he was stronger than we anticipated. The formation should have held him, but he shattered it as if it were nothing."
The entity's gaze seemed to pierce into Elder Mu's soul. "And now the Pavilion is nothing but ruins."
Elder Mu swallowed hard. "There are still some of us left… We can regroup, find a way to strike back—"
"No." The voice cut through his words like a blade. "You are no longer useful."
Elder Mu's breath hitched. "Wait! I—"
His words turned into a strangled gasp as an invisible force wrapped around his throat. His body convulsed, his flesh rapidly withering. Within seconds, he was reduced to nothing more than dust.
The figure in the water watched without emotion before the image faded, leaving only the still, dark surface behind.
Back at Blackstone Keep, the return of the Black Sun Legion was met with silence. The city's people did not celebrate victories as others did. They did not cheer or throw festivals. They simply bowed in reverence, acknowledging that another enemy had fallen before their lord.
Inside the grand hall, Shao Xian sat upon his throne, his fingers idly tracing the armrest as he listened to reports.
"The last of the Pavilion's forces have been eliminated," Zhou Fan confirmed. "Their hidden caches have been seized. Their artifacts, scrolls, and treasures now belong to you."
Shao Xian nodded slightly. "And their allies?"
Zhou Fan smirked. "Falling into disarray. Some seek to pledge loyalty, while others scatter like frightened rats."
Shao Xian exhaled softly. "Let them run. They will find that there is nowhere safe."
Zhou Fan bowed. "Shall I arrange meetings with those who wish to submit?"
Shao Xian leaned back, considering. "Have them brought before me. I will judge their worth myself."
Zhou Fan grinned. "As you wish."
As the hall emptied, Shao Xian closed his eyes briefly. The Pavilion was gone, but this was merely a single step in his grand plan. He had many more enemies to crush, many more obstacles to eradicate.
And in the end, he would stand above all.