In the vast expanse of Gu Province, the sky lay shrouded in somber clouds, a reflection of the heavy atmosphere that gripped the Hanging Sword Town. Amidst this brooding environment, the ancient king, Tang Zhouxie, cast his gaze upwards, momentarily lost in thought before turning to Sima Yingbo, his loyal warrior.
"I am hungry," he declared with a tone that brooked no argument. "Where is the blood sacrifice I ordered you to fetch?"
Sima stared wide-eyed, "Is it really him?"
"Indeed," Tang Zhouxie replied nonchalantly. "Unlike you, Bai Qiuran lacks authority and support, only at the Refining Qi stage in his cultivation."
Bai Qiuran, standing nearby, simply tilted his head, his silence speaking volumes.
Tang Zhouxie continued, "What of it? One sword should suffice." A chill ran through the air, as his presence commanded the moment, unyielding like the peak of Three Feet Crystalline Water, reflecting cold glimmers of light.
Tang Ruowei rose to her feet, leaning on her sword. "To eradicate evil and uphold justice, one must recognize their strength. You face thousands of soldiers and senior cultivators from Shangxuan Kingdom here."
"I have already transcended humanity," Tang Zhouxie smirked. "I am not merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator; I am the emperor of Shangxuan."
"Cease!" commanded Sima Yingbo, producing a command flag from his robes, pointing toward the two hundred boys and girls below the platform.
She strode forward boldly, her brow raised in challenge. "Ancestral Martial Uncle, as the sovereign of Shangxuan, why do you harm your own people?"
"You are still just a Refining Qi cultivator, while I am but one step away from forming the Golden Core," he sneered in return.
With a sword in hand, Tang Ruowei sprang into action, landing on the back of the crimson beast that safeguarded the royal tomb, confronting the rows of soldiers before her.
"Something is off," the children, noticing the tension, trembled in fear, some even wetting themselves as Tang Zhouxie's gaze fell upon them, drawing out cries and whimpers.
The army contained many leaders at the Refining Qi stage and sixteen dedicated servants, each surpassing the mid-level of Refining Qi.
"Your temper is quite substantial," one child voiced, stepping forward with a growing aura, as his form transformed under the shifting energy, taking on the appearance of Bai Qiuran.
"Cease!" Ruowei called out again, frowning.
At this moment, as Tang Zhouxie commanded, two rows of soldiers drew their shining curved knives, advancing toward the innocent children.
"Do not underestimate the difficulty of forming a foundation!" A voice rose above the chaos, mocking him. "You, a mere child of evil ways, presume to instruct others in matters beyond your understanding. Do you know how hard it is to form a foundation?"
With a hiss, Tang Zhouxie's face darkened. "Come out and face me if you dare!"
"As I've said before, I was here to uphold justice!" one of the children declared, a transformation sparked as energy rippled outward, pushing away the soldiers who threatened the young innocents.
"Even if I were to unify Gu Province or all lands, there are still those who sit too high above. Though I may command thousands, my strength cannot compete against the casual flick of a celestial's sword," Tang Zhouxie pondered aloud, his dark ambitions spilling forth, "I refuse to accept that! As emperor, I must stand above others."
"Let’s put that to the test!" Bai Qiuran replied, assessing the instability in his enemy's confidence.
"Enough with the grandstanding!" Tang Zhouxie countered, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "My soldiers are ready to serve their emperor!"
With a cold laugh, Ruowei readied her sword again, standing resolute against the imminent onslaught, insisting, "To protect the innocent is to recognize one's true strength. You cannot sacrifice these children!"
"Let’s see what you can truly do," came Tang Zhouxie's chilling response, as he prepared for the inevitable clash in the twilight of their destinies.
And in that moment, the air grew thick with anticipation—only one sword would prevail.