Edward prudently closed his mouth, gazing at the roiling clouds, when a sigh involuntarily escaped him. Memories surged. There was a time when he stood as the emblem of vampire’s future, showered with honor and affection throughout his kin. Adversaries he faced were formidable figures like witch Awen Rosette; while William, still youthful, remained largely beneath his notice for quite a while.
Could he back then possibly envisage finding himself here today? Events in this world, changeable like the swirling sea of clouds, follow no set path, defying one’s will.
Caught within such reflections, Edward suddenly heard Ye Tong’s voice from behind: “Why are you holding back?”
Caught off-guard, all the fiery passion of a valiant warrior—every ounce that bore his sorrows, bitterness, helplessness, and regret now turned to dust. Unleashing a prolonged roar, Edward sprang from the brink into sky’s abyss, moving like lightning, shooting forth hundreds of meters away. Unexpectedly, as he surged forth, thick energy deep from the clouds surged to seize his body, simultaneously causing his blood to run, slowing twofold.
Unable to sustain himself, Edward drifted downward slowly. Lacking ethereal shift abilities that transcend skies and clouds allowed for no return path to the safety of solid ground.
Fearing imminent demise, desperation overtook Edward—he somehow mustered strength to look back and exclaimed, “Tell me: if you refused personal execution out of reluctance to taint your own hands, would you still hold within remorse within heart?”
Coldness emanating through Ye Tong’s reply: “Convenience suffices.”
Facing despair headfirst, Edward descended headfirst into swirling fog—an eternal fall that swallowed him whole.
Having watched all unfold, Ye Tong got up and returned to Moonshadow Castle. Upon arrival, young Counts and Viscounts hastened over, bringing tea and water attentatively, tending to every need meticulously.
These were youths renowned not only as vampire nobility but also acknowledged for formidable potential from distinguished families—until Ye Tong arrived, casting a few foolish ones who had gossiped about her and Qianye into boundless sea of clouds. Families of those lost uttered not a sound despite mourning—sending the clear reminder none dared slight Ye Tong anymore.
Moreover, if someone like Edward, once the Holy Prodigy from Pastel Clan and attaining blood of Medanzi—a drop equaling half-brood status—could be forced towards self-destruction, leaping head-on toward clouds of fate, none remained reckless to challenge death. After all, vampires live ages, and a millennium of power lay in prudent decisions; none cared to risk a shortened lifespan.
Hence forward, the pride of the young bent lowly, burying reputations under dusty submission, serving Ye Tong more devoutly than tending Queen of Night herself.
Ye Tun positioned herself before an office window to sip teas served after tasting sweet delights, and then casually issued orders:
“Carry my message and alert the Azure Sovereign — prepare weaponry; call forth armor. Arrange also a vessel fit to travel the void between realms toward twilight’s Door.”
Overcome by elation, a youth of noble stature voiced eagerly amidst crimson complexion, pleading, “Permit me to ride alongside you. For you, my soul shall depart willingly!”
Hearing that one young man voice desires, all other vampires dropped to bended knees in unison behind him.
Ye Ting remained calm behind teacup in hand, never once glancing up as her quiet voice drifted out: “Far, far too plain faces.”
In the new world — at the Valley of Black Sun, travelers tread cautiously along terrain filled by black blaze; carefully skirting ever-spread dark fires until reaching crater’s edge.
Clad warriors—figures of prowess as deities’ general embodiments—all bore unmistakable identities as elite warriors hailing imperial forces. Commanding two stepped side-by-side leading charge at front were Zha Jun Du and So Zi Ning—following close were multiple high dukes reverently aligned behind, none bearing resentment in least.
Ever since Sovereign Yuan Guang took prominence, dukes recognized So Zi Ning’s might with top-tier Dawn Force; his mastery formidable at general grade upon entry far exceeded many veterans. Zha Jun Du’s might even eclipsed personal acknowledgment from Song himself.
Others recognized that despite his plateauing at junior general tier while they similarly held junior general status, no progress likely expected from any. Nonetheless, the actual force of battle isn’t defined solely by rank.
Advancing further across dark plains bristling with flame, the company reached the massive crater’s gaping brink—an awe that froze each face before them at the site of endless pitch-black fires surging skyward ceaselessly.
When first Song Zi ning spotted it with Zhao Jun Du from vantage points near edges of the valley, the view deceived; perspective made this opening seem relatively modest. Now confronted by its sheer scale upon approach—measured miles in circumference; unending dark flame rising like volcanic eruptions—dread enveloped all.
Though each a general, none attempted proximity—contact meant obliteration. A trembling duke blurted forth:
“What in God’s name is this?!”
“Tell us: is this the so-called forbidden secret of the Duskwielders? Forsooth, what value lies here hidden beneath this hellstorm; who can breach descent into it?”
Shun Mu Duke interjected solemnly despite evident shock:
“Fearful indeed! I’d wager even a Grand Demon King might not pass this veil!”
Responding came yet another Duke:
“This dark flame feeds upon black force—the most durable defensive aura may shatter quickly. No man knows just what rests below guarded so violently.”
As silence descended, Song Zi ning’s frown deepened, reluctant: “Dark fires disrupt sight entirely—they bend sensing, distorting perception, rendering celestial foresight near useless already weakened severalfold here.”
Extending a gloved hand closer, Zhao probed flame cautiously and recoiled after fingertips scorched and burnt flesh evidenced danger. His defense aura had halve its efficacy.
Zhao surveyed burn thoughtfully, then murmured grimly:
“This darkness inflicts equally against its own, I’d reckon. None, be they enemies or allies, could navigate depths easily. Though…”
Stopping mid-sentence pended the weight of hesitation. Song’s intrigued glance prompted further clarity, saying:
“You know none strangers hear us; share what thoughts stall upon tongue?”
Zhao offered only a faint wry smile:
“I hesitate not due to unwilling disclosure—it merely unsettles me to speak so absurdly.”
Intrigue now palpably present prompted Song Zi Ning and other nobles alike to question further:
“To keep us in anticipation so suspensefully, your idea must be profound!”
Zhao turned his sight to the chasm before pointing at the rim.
“Observing its boundary edges—is the formation not curiously geometric, even suspiciously polished in walls too neatly carved for accident?”
Dukes glanced quizzically.
“Many craters form circularly as is known by Empire, and with such persistent fire licking its inner shell over countless years… isn’t it natural some shine in texture develops?”
Zhao pressed on.
“Yet the atmosphere within reeks with danger, and I’ve sensed not singular presence, but numerous malevolence.”
Zhao’s body-force long transformed since embarking on the Flameforged Art, no longer radiant emerald or purple but a pitch black—strangely familiar, yet wholly distinct from conventional dusk-aligned aura. Multiple esteemed masters within Empire confirmed it as new variant form of Dawn Force—suspicions concerning Zhao’s cultivation methods now fully silenced by empirical proof.
Such evolution of art amplified Zhao’s might—junior commanders held no challenge anymore—even a mid-ranked might fall before him if fortune leaned his way. The kind that inspired instinctual panic in Zhao’s heart remains reserved strictly for high echelon duskwielders and few besides.
Silent expectation filled air while he continued speaking as though unraveling cosmic truth, finally voicing hypothesis:
“What if there once were no crater here? Imagine three of these Holy Mountaintop Sovereigns collectively excavating its depths.”
A visible swallow moved Source Guang’s voice, strained and barely audible:
“D-do you honestly suggest… the carving of something this massive feasible?”
Yet Mountaintop rulers—ancient legends, lifespans eclipsing Empire’s entire historical epoch itself, spoken throughout as deities cloaked in divine aura beyond imagining.
Speculations claimed: given shared effort even tearing Earth in halves wouldn’t pose difficulty. Recall how did Earthfall fragment? That origin always evoked countless theories.
Then what if truly those Holy Triad together crafted crater like tomb? Still unanswered loomed question: origin fire?
Song Zi ning’s countenance suddenly brightened.
“You triggered revelation. At once I perceive!”
Others pressed, “What enlightenment has arisen?”
“This fire, so violently protective—if Ye Romano chose martyrdom instead letting us approach the region must signify strategic significance. Their forces thin—maybe precisely due the passage below was sealed via divine crafting. The Holy Trinary might have built entryway downward, but found black fire’s unyielding barrier denied themselves return. So guarding fewer forces made little difference; their strength better spent carving new gateways instead—to allow entry of greater fighting masses.”
Continuing further:
“They offered no meaningful response when we razed and destroyed Fort Dorn—delayed retaliation likely due their entrapments mirrored our obstacles. The dark flame’s rage cannot eternally burn forever. No—it shall cool. When that hour breaks, only then will hordes retaliate fully unleashed.”
A noble interrupted: “Given the danger… then what shall our counterplay be?”
Widespread anticipation filled gaze as Song’s eyes shone with strategy.
“To keep steadfastly patient and bleed their forces relentlessly. Although access below remains locked against acquisition, we shall still guarantee heavy penalties. None shall grasp precious artifacts beneath without sacrificial price of limbs!”
Enthusiasm gripped the noblemen; spirits rose and they volunteered unanimously for battle.
So Zi ning closed his eye and divinated:
“For three days, we retain respite undisturbed; I require thorough surveys mapping surroundings completed meticulously as possible—allocate regions fairly amongst us. Here our ability to divine wavers significantly. Only precision of mapping may decide future battles.”
Tasks delegated; no duke hesitated accepting orders while Zhao Jun Du undertook responsibility thrice over his peers—a strategic selection by Song.
Zhao’s essence bore traits closely aligning to hostile environs of surrounding dark flames; hence endurance surpassing that other’s capabilities dramatically.
True intent now manifest: amidst chaos of valley, Song planned to engage deep war upon enemy ranks exploiting every twist and turning of terrain’s natural defenses to whittle duskwielder elites down through swift tactical engagements.
Noble lords at once grasp the reason for prior avoidance establishing formal stronghold—establish foothold and enemies might track location; freedom of hit n’ fade style warfare allowed Song’s mastery reach fullest tactical deployment capabilities at height.
“Curious what foolish generals D usk shall send us to meet oblivion?”
“They had best send worthwhile challengers! Petty foes won’t warrant our serious attention and wouldn’t clear past defenses of the likes among us!”
“Indeed! Brother Zheng’s Mechanized Entanglement traps legendary; a net so absolute once ensnared, escape is impossible for any low-tier enemy foolishly caught within!”
“High praise! Yet truth told, even my technique may delay—but will never fully bind true royalty unless their power level comparable falls below. At peak, they’d still inevitably burst free.”
Gentle banter filled halls after duties assigned and dukes departed to respective posts thereafter.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage