Shao Xian led his followers forward, his every step carrying the weight of an unshakable will. The Higher Realm stretched endlessly before them, an unfathomable world teeming with power, yet none of it mattered to him. He had once stood at the pinnacle of this realm, ruling with an iron grip. Now, he was merely reclaiming what was his.
Bai Ren and Luo Qing followed closely behind, their senses sharp. The deaths of the so-called gatekeepers had sent an undeniable message—Shao Xian was not someone to be trifled with.
The wind carried the scent of divine energy, far richer than what the lower realms could ever offer. The very air buzzed with an oppressive force, the lingering wills of those who had ascended before them.
"We should move cautiously," Luo Qing advised. "The Celestial Dragon Sect will not ignore the deaths of their sentinels."
Shao Xian barely acknowledged her words. "Let them come."
His voice was absolute, a decree that would shape the world itself.
The group moved northward, guided by the information extracted from the now-dead cultivators. The Celestial Peaks were their destination—the heart of the Celestial Dragon Sect, and the first true obstacle in Shao Xian's path.
Bai Ren tightened his grip on his sword. "How do you wish to approach this?"
Shao Xian did not hesitate. "We do not kneel. We do not negotiate. We conquer."
There was no room for debate. Bai Ren and Luo Qing exchanged glances before nodding. They had chosen to follow Shao Xian, and his path was one paved in blood.
Suddenly, a shift in the air signaled an incoming presence. A piercing sound echoed through the skies as a group of figures descended, their robes billowing with celestial energy.
"More of them," Bai Ren muttered.
There were five in total, each radiating the power of a peak-stage Saint. Their leader, an elder clad in silver and gold, exuded the confidence of one accustomed to absolute authority.
He stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Shao Xian. "You are the ones who killed our men at the border."
Shao Xian did not reply. He simply looked at the elder as one would an insect.
The elder's face twisted in fury. "You have made a grave mistake. Did you believe you could kill our people and walk freely in our domain?"
The arrogance was suffocating.
Shao Xian extended a single hand.
The next moment, the elder's body convulsed violently. Blood burst from his pores as an invisible force crushed him from the inside. His disciples barely had time to react before they too were ripped apart, their bodies collapsing like fragile dolls under the weight of Shao Xian's overwhelming might.
In mere seconds, all five were reduced to nothing but smears of crimson on the earth.
Luo Qing exhaled slowly. "It's almost amusing. They think they are strong simply because they were born in the Higher Realm."
Bai Ren nodded. "They don't realize they've already lost before the fight even begins."
Shao Xian paid no further attention to the corpses. This was only the beginning.
They continued forward, the land shifting as they moved. The Celestial Peaks were still far, but Shao Xian knew it was only a matter of time before he arrived at the true battlefield.
But as they marched onward, another presence made itself known.
A shadow flickered across the sky.
Unlike the previous opponents, this one did not exude blind arrogance. This presence was different—silent, calculating.
Shao Xian halted. His golden eyes flickered with interest.
The air shifted, and a figure appeared.
She was tall and ethereal, her robes woven with threads of starlight. A strange energy coiled around her, one that resonated with the very fabric of the Higher Realm.
Her gaze met Shao Xian's.
"You are different," she murmured.
Shao Xian studied her. She was powerful, but not enough to threaten him.
"And you are wasting my time," he replied.
She did not take offense. Instead, a small smile curved her lips. "The Celestial Dragon Sect has already taken notice of you. You are making enemies faster than you can count."
Shao Xian stepped forward, unconcerned. "They were my enemies the moment I stepped into this realm."
The woman tilted her head. "You do not fear them?"
"Fear?" Shao Xian's voice was calm, but it carried the weight of inevitability. "I do not recognize their existence as anything more than obstacles."
The woman studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then you will need allies."
Bai Ren tensed. "And you're offering yourself?"
She chuckled. "No. I offer information. Whether you use it or discard it is your choice."
Shao Xian remained silent, waiting.
"The Celestial Dragon Sect is not the true ruler of this realm," she said. "There are forces beyond them—forces that have been watching your arrival with great interest."
Luo Qing frowned. "Who are you, exactly?"
The woman's expression remained unreadable. "A mere observer."
Shao Xian narrowed his eyes. "You have one chance to prove your worth. Speak."
The woman smiled. "Then listen well, Sovereign."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"The Nine Supreme Sects are not as untouchable as they believe. There is a flaw in their foundation, a weakness hidden beneath their arrogance."
Shao Xian's gaze sharpened. "Go on."
The woman continued, her words laced with intrigue. "Among the Nine, there is dissent. An internal war brewing beneath the surface. The Celestial Dragon Sect is at the heart of it, but they are not the only players."
Luo Qing's eyes darkened. "And you expect us to believe this?"
The woman laughed. "Believe what you wish. But if you seek to destroy the Celestial Dragon Sect, then know this—an enemy from within is far deadlier than one from without."
Shao Xian considered her words.
He did not trust her, but information was a weapon, and he wielded all weapons to his advantage.
Finally, he nodded. "Then tell me—who among the Nine Sects seeks their downfall?"
The woman's smile widened.
"The Obsidian Moon Sect."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, without another word, the woman turned and vanished, her form dissolving into stardust.
Bai Ren exhaled. "That was… unexpected."
Luo Qing frowned. "Can we trust her?"
Shao Xian's expression was unreadable.
"It does not matter," he said. "Truth or lie, we will use it all the same."
His gaze lifted toward the distant Celestial Peaks.