Two days had passed.
The golden sun slowly rose over the Sanatan Flame Sect, painting the sky with strokes of amber and crimson. The mountain peaks bathed in early light, the wind whispering through ancient pines that stood as quiet sentinels of the growing tension in the air.
Shaurya sat cross-legged atop a stone platform near the main sect hall. His eyes were closed, his breath calm and steady, but his mind was anything but tranquil. A storm brewed quietly behind his composed exterior. His right hand rested gently on his knee while his long robe fluttered in the morning breeze.
Suddenly, footsteps approached.
Hee Ta, one of the sect guards, walked briskly toward him and bowed. "Sect Leader Shaurya," he said respectfully.
Shaurya opened his eyes, blinking slowly as he returned from his thoughts. "Yes?" he asked, voice calm but curious.
Hee Ta straightened. "The City Lord has arrived and wishes to see you."
Shaurya's brow furrowed. He stood up quickly, brushing off his robe. "The City Lord? Bring him to my hall immediately."
"At once," Hee Ta said with another bow before turning to leave.
Shaurya stood in silence for a moment, his gaze distant. He whispered to himself, "Why has the City Lord come? Could it be... because of the war? Let's find out."
Soon, the grand main hall of the Sanatan Flame Sect was filled with quiet anticipation. Core disciples and elders stood respectfully on either side, awaiting the unexpected guest.
The tall doors creaked open as the City Lord of Blue Stone City entered, flanked by several of his elite guards. His presence was dignified, his steps confident.
Among the gathered disciples, Xu Ran's eyes widened as she recognized him. "Father!" she called, rushing forward.
The City Lord's eyes softened with warmth. "Xu Ran, my daughter," he said, embracing her gently. "You look radiant… and stronger than ever."
Xu Ran smiled proudly. "All thanks to Master Shaurya and the guidance of our elders."
The City Lord looked up to see Shaurya seated on his throne, his right hand resting against his cheek, head tilted slightly with a calm yet commanding presence. A subtle smirk touched his lips—a pose of effortless authority.
He approached and bowed respectfully. "Sect Leader Shaurya. Long time no see."
Shaurya inclined his head slightly. "Indeed, City Lord. You know, I've been quite busy lately."
The City Lord chuckled. "I'm aware. And that's exactly why I'm here today—to discuss something important."
His expression shifted to a more serious tone. "News has spread across the kingdom—and perhaps beyond—that the Royal Family's army is marching toward your sect."
Shaurya's eyes sharpened. "So the rumors are true," he thought. "The news traveled faster than expected."
But instead of worry, a smile tugged at his lips. "Good," he thought. "Let them come. When we defeat the royal army, our power will be undeniable. No one will dare to challenge us again. Either we rise or we are erased—there's no in-between."
He stood up, his voice calm but firm. "That's great news."
The City Lord and his guards looked at each other, confused.
Shaurya stepped forward. "Let them come to their deaths. When we defeat them, the Royal Family will become the laughingstock of the cultivation world."
The City Lord's face darkened. "Is Leader Shaurya a fool... or does he truly have the power to back up this confidence?" he wondered. But upon seeing Shaurya's unwavering smile and the quiet strength in his gaze, even his doubt faltered.
The City Lord smiled at last. "If that's your decision, then I—City Lord of Blue Stone City—stand with you. I will support you in this battle against the Royal Family."
Shaurya beamed with joy and stepped forward, clasping the City Lord's hand. "Your support makes us even stronger. I am grateful, City Lord. Truly."
He turned to his disciples, his voice powerful. "With the City Lord's help, our strength has grown. We will not just defeat the royal army—we will crush them!"
A thunderous cheer echoed across the hall. "Yeahhh!!"
Meanwhile, at the base of the mountain where the Sanatan Flame Sect stood atop its peak, the Royal Army had arrived.
The earth trembled.
Thousands of soldiers marched in unison, their armor glinting in the sunlight. They spread across the valley and up the mountain trail like an unstoppable tide. General Chu Kang, mounted on a mighty Qilin beast, raised his massive battle axe.
"Make sure no one escapes alive," he roared. "Kill them all!"
The army bellowed in response, their unified roar shaking the forest and rattling the stones.
At the top of the mountain, guards Hee Ta and Hee La stood at the grand entrance of the sect in battle stance. Behind them were all 470 disciples, four elders, warriors of Blue Stone City, and the City Lord himself.
Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the sky toward the entrance gate. Before it could strike, it stopped in mid-air, caught effortlessly by a hand.
Shaurya stood atop the gate, his robes fluttering, aura blazing around him like a divine inferno. He snapped the arrow in half and tossed it aside.
"Cheap tricks," he said coldly, "from cheap people."
From a tree near the gate, a man landed lightly on a branch, bow in hand, arrogance in his eyes.
"I am Xio Tie, one of the Royal Army's top archers! You dare call me cheap?"
Shaurya simply smiled.
Enraged, Xio Tie unleashed a barrage of arrows. But Shaurya dodged them all with effortless grace. Before Xio Tie could strike again, a spear flew through the air, piercing his chest with lightning speed.
Blood spurted. Xio Tie looked down in disbelief as life slipped from his body.
Hee Ta lowered his arm. "Tsk. What a foolish weakling," he muttered.
Shaurya's gaze sharpened. He stood tall and addressed his people.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Weapons were drawn. A chorus of unsheathing blades filled the air as warriors stood ready, faces determined.
Below, the mountain shook from the approaching stampede of the Royal Army. Dust rose into the sky. They came like a horde of beasts, crushing everything in their path.
General Chu Kang raised his hand. The army halted with militant precision.
Shaurya's eyes widened as he saw the sea of soldiers.
"Hey, Systu," he said. "Can you give me a headcount?"
The system's voice echoed in his mind: "Of course, Host. They're not much—just 5,000 soldiers and one general."
Shaurya's expression fell flat. "Five... five thousand?!" His jaw dropped.
"And you're saying 'just'? They could wipe us out instantly!"
"Come on, Host," the system replied cheerfully. "Don't underestimate your sect members. Be confident."
Shaurya exhaled slowly and regained his composure. "Alright. This is the perfect opportunity to test my sect's true power... and mine."
He leapt down from the gate, landing before the massive army. With a flick, he unsheathed his Meteorite Sword, stance strong and aura blinding.
His disciples joined him—side by side, shoulder to shoulder.
Wang Tian smirked. "Wow. So many toys to play with."
Luo Chen added, "Yeah. They'll be perfect training dummies."
Xiao Rui grinned. "Now I'll see just how far I've come."
Lee Bie cracked his knuckles. "Let's see who racks up the most kills."
Lu Fang laughed. "No need to check. The winner will obviously be me."
Sheng Lu clapped a hand on Lu Fang's shoulder. "Did you forget about me? I'll show you real bloodshed."
Elder Liya chuckled. "We won't let you boys have all the fun. Girls, are you ready to show them who the real queens are?"
Su Quan, Muo Qian, Xu Ran, and the others nodded fiercely.
Elder Wu laughed loudly. "It's been ages since I've had a fight like this!"
Elder Wan stood with his alchemists, a sinister grin on his face. "Hehehe… so many new test subjects for our pills!"
Lin Shu came to stand beside Shaurya. "Everyone's full of confidence."
Shaurya looked at her and smiled. "That's because we all know—we're going to win."
She smiled back. "Now that you've said it, I believe it too."
General Chu Kang studied them carefully. "Their confidence... it's unsettling."
His eyes landed on Lu Fang. "Third Prince… or should I say, piece of trash."
The disciples' eyes widened in fury.
But what truly chilled Chu Kang was the killing intent coming from Wang Tian and Luo Chen. Their death stares sent icy shivers down his spine.
Then a heavier aura flooded the battlefield—Shaurya's. The general felt like a mountain had been placed on his chest.
Shaurya's voice was calm but filled with fury. "You dare to insult my disciples? I'll show you who the real piece of trash is."
Chu Kang scowled. "So you're the Sect Leader."
Shaurya grinned. "And by your arrogance, you must be the queen's lapdog general I've heard about."
Chu Kang's face twisted in rage. "You'll regret those words!"
The mountain shook again as both sides released their aura. Golden light clashed with dark purple energy.
"Attack!" Chu Kang roared.
"Sanatan Flame Sect—crush them all!" Shaurya shouted.
The battlefield trembled beneath the stampede of thousands.
From one side surged the might of the Royal Army—five thousand soldiers clad in steel and bearing the insignia of the empire, their formation disciplined, their war cries echoing through the valley. On the other, the proud Sanatan Flame Sect stood with only 470 disciples, backed by 100 elite guards of the City Lord, as well as the City Lord himself and four battle-hardened Elders.
Steel met steel. Earth cracked beneath their charge.
And then—
Chaos erupted.
The two sides collided like tidal waves crashing into each other. Blades clashed, blood sprayed across the field, and agonized screams pierced the sky. But shockingly, it was not the screams of the Sanatan Flame Sect that filled the air—it was the anguished cries of the Royal Army.
Their soldiers were being slaughtered.
The disciples, their eyes blazing with purpose, carved through enemy lines with terrifying precision. Their movements were swift and merciless—swords slicing through flesh like knives through ripe fruit, halberds cleaving through armored chests with explosive power, and spells erupting with divine brilliance.
From the rear of the battlefield, Shaurya stood atop a small ridge, arms crossed, a calm yet knowing smile playing on his lips.
> "They're doing well," he murmured softly, the wind catching his robes as blood-mist filled the air below him.
"They've grown... stronger."
Watching his disciples slaughter trained imperial soldiers with ease, General Chu Kang—a battle veteran of countless wars—felt a tremor of disbelief rise in his chest. His lips curled into a furious snarl as he stomped forward.
> "Useless trash! You're being torn apart by mere brats!"
With a roar that shook the heavens, Chu Kang unleashed his full aura.
A crimson storm erupted around him, thick and suffocating. The sheer pressure of his spiritual energy forced nearby soldiers to their knees. He turned his gaze toward the rear lines, where seven figures stood cloaked in dark crimson armor, eyes cold and lifeless.
> "You seven! Go! Wipe them out!"
The Seven Elite Warriors of the Empire, each one known for their cruelty and unmatched strength, nodded silently. Then—in a blur of light and speed—they vanished.
A second later, they exploded into the battlefield like comets.
One of them drove his axe into a disciple's chest, sending him flying with blood trailing behind. Another spun midair, kicking two sword-wielders unconscious in a single move. A third hurled explosive spiritual talismans that detonated in blinding flashes.
The tide turned.
The disciples were struggling.
Their formation faltered. Even the strongest among them were forced into defensive positions. Bones cracked. Blood spilled. One disciple screamed as his arm was broken. Another fell with a gash across his back.
Shaurya's smile faded.
His voice, though calm, echoed across the battlefield like a divine decree:
> "Be careful, all of you. Those seven... are no ordinary warriors. They are elites—stronger than any soldier you've faced before."
Indeed, the disciples began to feel it: an oppressive, dark energy radiating from the seven warriors. Their techniques were brutal, and their speed nearly inhuman. Despite their training, the disciples were being overwhelmed.
And just as despair threatened to descend—they arrived.
From the rear ranks, a blazing wind swept through the battlefield. Seven figures streaked past Shaurya's side, each glowing with their unique spiritual auras:
Wang Tian, his sword humming with elegance and light.
Xiao Rui, bursting forth like a storm incarnate.
Luo Chen, silent as death, shadows following him.
Lee Bie, smiling with calm fury, his bow crackling with energy.
Lu Fang, golden blade unsheathed, radiating divine heat.
Sheng Lu, muscles bulging, aura ferocious like a wild beast.
Zong Bu, his eyes cold, his body cloaked in spiritual fire.
Like divine champions descending from the heavens, they crashed into the seven imperial elites mid-attack, weapons colliding with thunderous force.
Sparks flew. The battlefield stilled for a moment.
Shaurya exhaled slowly, a breath of relief escaping his lips as the tide of battle momentarily leaned in their favor.
Across the battlefield, Wang Tian faced his opponent—a swift kung fu fighter clad in a crimson robe, his long black hair tied into a sharp ponytail. The man moved with practiced precision, launching rapid strikes and spinning kicks at Wang Tian. But Wang Tian, calm and calculating, sidestepped each attack with ease, his footwork graceful like a leaf gliding through the wind. As the red-robed martial artist lunged with a final flying kick, Wang Tian pivoted, dodging effortlessly. With a wicked smirk, he struck the man's chest with a devastating roundhouse kick, sending him flying backward through the air.
Nearby, Sheng Lu clashed with a massive, rotund old man who relied purely on brute strength. Their blows shook the ground. As the old warrior grunted and shoved forward, Sheng Lu laughed heartily, his eyes blazing with confidence.
"Even my lord is impressed by my strength," he declared proudly, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "And you think you can overpower me?"
With a burst of power, Sheng Lu shoved the old man backward. The foe stumbled, losing his balance—and in that moment, Sheng Lu delivered a thunderous punch to his opponent's face, causing the ground beneath them to crack.
Elsewhere, Lu Fang faced a slender man in a serpent-patterned robe. His opponent's eyes gleamed with venomous intent as he hurled waves of poisonous energy toward Lu Fang. But Lu Fang remained unfazed. With a low chant, he raised his hands and summoned a radiant golden barrier around his body. The poisonous attacks fizzled out upon contact with the divine shield.
"Your tricks won't work on me," Lu Fang muttered coldly.
Drawing his sword, he raised it high. Divine light shimmered along the blade.
"Ultimate Sword Slash!"
With a single, swift stroke, Lu Fang cleaved through the air—and his opponent. The snake-robed man stood frozen for a moment before collapsing, his body split cleanly in two, sliced from head to waist.
At the same time, Xiao Rui and Lee Bie moved with fluid synchronization, battling side by side. They faced two enemies: an elderly strategist and a hulking giant clad in armor. But the duo worked in perfect unison, combining agility with power. Xiao Rui's swift strikes distracted the giant while Lee Bie crushed him with raw force. Then, in a moment of coordination, they charged forward, fists blazing with energy.
"Dragon Fist!" they shouted in unison.
A golden dragon formed between their fists, roaring through the air. The mighty force not only vaporized their opponents but swept through dozens of enemy soldiers, knocking them out like fallen dominoes.
Shaurya, standing tall amid the chaos, nodded with satisfaction. "Impressive," he whispered. But not everyone shared his sentiment.
General Chu Kang watched with growing dread. Suddenly, something heavy thudded to the ground beside him—a severed head, rolling to a stop. His eyes widened in horror. It was the head of his sixth warrior, brutally slain. His gaze shot upward—Luo Chen hovered above, his blade dripping with blood.
Not far from him, his seventh warrior lay motionless on the ground, pinned beneath the foot of Zong Bu. The fierce warrior looked up and smirked, giving Chu Kang a mocking wink.
Only two of his elite warriors remained—and they were trembling.
The kung fu fighter roared and charged once more at Wang Tian. But Wang Tian, without even glancing at him, tilted his body, dodging the strike. He then drove his elbow into the man's abdomen, winding him. With a cruel grin, Wang Tian grabbed the man's head, twisted it violently, and rotated it backward with a sickening crack.
The battlefield shifted again to Sheng Lu, who grinned darkly. He grabbed his opponent by the face and slammed him into the earth, sending dust and debris flying. Then, with terrifying strength, he seized both of the man's legs and pulled in opposite directions—tearing his enemy apart from the middle with a sickening rip.
Gasps echoed across the battlefield. General Chu Kang stood frozen, horror-stricken. His seven elite warriors, once the pride of his command, were now corpses strewn across the battlefield.
Even his remaining soldiers began to tremble in fear, their morale shattered.
Shaurya's voice cut through the silence.
"Hey, Queen's dog!"
General Chu Kang snapped his gaze toward him.
Shaurya smirked. "I called out 'Queen's dog' and you turned around. Does that mean you actually think of yourself as her dog?"
Laughter erupted from the allied forces. Chu Kang's face twisted in fury, his aura flaring wildly.
"Enough!" he roared.
A dark, oppressive energy burst from his body. Beside him, his beast—Qilin—let out a guttural growl, its own aura rising in tandem. As their powers merged, the sky darkened. The energy around them shifted—twisting, warping—turning demonic.
The Qilin roared and began to grow, its body expanding, bones cracking, skin hardening into scales. It transformed into a towering Demonic Qilin Beast, its red eyes glowing with malevolence. Atop the beast stood General Chu Kang, his form cloaked in swirling black mist, his eyes filled with vengeance.
The earth shook beneath them.
Shaurya's jaw clenched. "Wait... did his beast just turn into a demonic creature? That means... the royal family is using demonic powers too?"
General Chu Kang raised his hand high.
"Now you all will die! I will slaughter you and raze everything to the ground!"
The Demonic Qilin let out a thunderous roar that shook the mountains. Soldiers covered their ears. Birds scattered. Cracks formed in the earth beneath its feet.
Lin Shu ran up to Shaurya, panic on his face. "What do we do now? We can't fight something like that... not with our current strength."
Shaurya turned to her slowly.
And smiled.
To be continued...