The night was eerily still. The once-majestic Azure Vault now lay in ruins, its shattered pillars and smoldering wreckage standing as a testament to Shao Xian's return. The blood of the fallen had long since dried, yet the scent of death still lingered in the air.
Shao Xian stood atop a crumbling stone, his golden eyes gleaming in the darkness. The Celestial Dragon Sect had finally begun to move, sending out their forces in an attempt to hunt him down. Just as expected.
A gust of wind carried the faint rustling of leaves. Without turning his head, Shao Xian spoke.
"You're late."
A shadow flickered in the darkness before coalescing into the form of a slender figure clad in dark robes. Kneeling before him was Yan Yue, one of the few assassins in the lower realm capable of remaining undetected even before peak-stage cultivators.
"My deepest apologies, Master," Yan Yue said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Celestial Dragon Sect has sent out the Black Dragon Guards. They are moving systematically, searching for any trace of you."
Shao Xian smirked. "And what of the sect's higher-ups?"
Yan Yue hesitated for a fraction of a second before responding, "Xie Tianlong is personally leading the operation. The Supreme Elders have yet to be alerted, but if this continues, they may be summoned."
Shao Xian nodded, as if expecting this. "Then we will not give them that chance."
Yan Yue's brows furrowed slightly. "Master, should we eliminate Xie Tianlong now?"
Shao Xian chuckled softly. "No. Killing him now would be… inefficient. He will serve a greater purpose while alive."
Yan Yue remained silent. She had served Shao Xian long enough to understand that his plans often extended far beyond the understanding of others.
"What of the hidden sects?" Shao Xian asked.
Yan Yue's expression darkened. "The Crimson Moon Sect and the Nine Heavens Pavilion have declared neutrality—for now. However, spies have been planted within their ranks. If the Celestial Dragon Sect gains the upper hand, they may align themselves accordingly."
Shao Xian exhaled slowly. He had no doubt that once the tides of battle shifted, those so-called 'neutral' factions would quickly betray their so-called principles.
"And the lower clans?"
Yan Yue hesitated. "Some of the minor factions have already begun swearing loyalty to you. Word of your return has begun spreading. There are whispers, rumors… stories of a Sovereign who has come back from the abyss to reclaim his throne."
Shao Xian allowed a small smile. "Good. Let them talk."
He turned his gaze to the heavens. The stars shone brightly, yet he knew that above them, forces far beyond this realm were beginning to stir. His path did not end here. This was only the beginning.
Yan Yue remained kneeling, awaiting further instructions.
"Prepare our forces," Shao Xian finally said. "We will not wait for them to come to us. We strike first."
Yan Yue bowed deeply before vanishing into the shadows.
As the silence of the night returned, Shao Xian's expression grew colder.
The storm was approaching. And this time, he would ensure that no one survived to tell the tale.
---
Deep Within the Celestial Dragon Sect
The grand hall of the Celestial Dragon Sect was illuminated by thousands of floating lanterns, casting an ethereal glow over the intricate golden inscriptions lining the walls. The Elders had gathered, their faces tense with concern.
At the head of the hall sat Xie Tianlong, his expression unreadable. Before him stood Han Wu, his right-hand man.
"The Black Dragon Guards have begun their sweep," Han Wu reported. "But there has been no sign of him yet."
Xie Tianlong tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne. "No sign? Or no survivors?"
Han Wu stiffened. "…There have been casualties."
Xie Tianlong's eyes narrowed. "How many?"
Han Wu hesitated. "Seventy-two. All slain within the span of a single night."
A chilling silence filled the hall. Seventy-two of their finest warriors, all wiped out effortlessly. It was a clear message.
One of the elders, Lin Zhou, finally spoke. "If Shao Xian has truly regained his former strength, we cannot afford to be careless."
Xie Tianlong's expression darkened. "We are not being careless."
His voice carried an edge of warning, but Lin Zhou held his ground.
"We need the Supreme Elders," Lin Zhou pressed. "You may refuse to summon them, but this is not a battle we can fight alone."
Xie Tianlong exhaled slowly, suppressing his growing irritation. "And what message would that send? That we fear a single man?"
Lin Zhou fell silent, but the tension in the room did not dissipate.
Finally, Xie Tianlong stood, his robes flowing like cascading ink. "Do not mistake patience for inaction. We will deal with Shao Xian. But we will do it on our terms."
The elders bowed, though their unease remained.
The battle lines had been drawn.
---
A Hidden Fortress in the Mountains
Beneath a moonlit sky, Shao Xian stood before a gathering of warriors. Each one bore scars from countless battles, their eyes reflecting unwavering loyalty.
He gazed upon them, his voice calm yet commanding.
"The Celestial Dragon Sect believes they hold the power in this realm."
A murmur of disdain spread through the gathered warriors.
"They believe they can dictate who rises and who falls."
More murmurs. Some clenched their fists, their eyes burning with hatred.
"But they have forgotten one thing." Shao Xian's golden eyes gleamed with an almost divine intensity. "They do not decide my fate."
Silence fell over the crowd. The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm on the verge of breaking.
He extended his hand, and in an instant, a surge of pure Dao energy erupted from his palm. The very ground beneath him trembled, and the night sky seemed to ripple in response.
"The time for shadows is over," he declared. "We move at dawn."
The warriors knelt, their voices ringing in unison.
"We follow the Sovereign!"
A storm was brewing. And soon, the heavens themselves would tremble.