“Heavenly Monarch Hun!” The alliance headquarters. GU Yuan and Zhu Kun’s expressions suddenly changed; alarm flickering across their faces as they looked up at the thick banks of blood-infused clouds beyond the protective barrier — from where an energy emerged, causing their souls to tremble. Only a Dou Emperor could emit a pressure that fearsome. Within the bloody clouds, the only figure capable of having transcended to the pinnacle, was unmistakably Heavenly Monarch Hun. “This is the day I, Heavenly Monarch Hun from the Souls of Night, shall crown my reign!” As Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun were struck with fear, an overwhelming, ominously echoing sound emerged from the sky; its sanguine energy soon sweeping across all territories of Central Zhou. “Heavenful Monarch Hun!” At the mere intonation of this now feared epithet, chaos unfolded outside; all rose instantly with frightened, alarmed glances upwards at the sky.
“Wailing!” Among the terror-stricken, the Celestial Realm too was struck by abrupt alarm cries. Like a massive storm, the allied powers burst from every direction — assembling into a dense force — darkly looming against the skies with newly-gained harmony, strengthened unison. Watching the vast formation before them, fear around the headquarters subdued slightly; reassured by the presence of organized might. Albeit fragile their confidence might be, reassured it was. Gu Yuan, Zhu Kun, and others stood at the forefront, grave looks painted vividly among features twisted by fear and apprehension, while a scent stronger and heavier than before soaked the air around them. “Yes, the essence, it undeniably belongs to the one, Hun Tian!” Taking a breath steadying and deep, Gu Yuan suppressed inner anguish. With a swift wave, he barked a command — “All forces prepared for action!” Immediately upon the call, the blacked-out horde roared in unison — a spectacle powerful in and beyond words in force alone.
“If we are unable to halt him,” grimly added Yan Jin, “the entire Compendium continent shall fall under Hun Tian’s dominion; a blood-soaked era shall surely follow — this very clash our battle of destiny’s end.” The surrounding elders nodded reluctantly. Hun’s strength — a force worthy of the Emperor of Dou, able alone to challenge an entire coalition army; any mistake and their drawn-out war might conclude, with an elegy upon the winds on this fateful day.
“Any news of Xiao Yan?” thndered Léi Yíng.
“There has been none!” Answered Gǔ Yuán with a shake of grief-laden resolve: “Understand that to inherit CaoDi’s legacy holds dangers immeasured; only ample time ensures safe passage of might.”
“But we no longer afford time,” Léi Yíng grimaced.
Remaining silent and contemplative for moments stretched taut, Gǔ Yuán finally resumed, softening with weight beyond his visage; stating: “Not that he should not know — all comprehend Xiao Yan embodies last light. It’s imperative for him ascend into Emperor first. Otherwise, even summoned sooner— fruitless indeed would that rescue prove. And what hope salvaged will merely sink anew. Thus we sigh,” added Yan Jin’s voice hollow in sorrow, all but a nod his choice remained. Comprehension: this truth, binding.
“Our clans’ youths, some already covertly withdrawn for survival — safeguard their pure blood. That way… our three families’ future might yet rise beyond ruin, if Xiao Yan achieves his ascension.”
“So — summon him not till destiny fulfills!”
“Undoubtedly right,” rumbled back Léi Yíng, jaw set firm as thunder lit behind eyes, resoluteness burning like flame: “Know thus my tribe fears not death. Should that scumful monstrosity dare assume throne, then mark my word — our clan’s wrath stands ready.”
The weight in Gǔ’s chest settled then into tempered focus, resolve solid — as upturned his chin — locked eyes onto looming crimson haze above: this now a defining hour for the entire Alliance…
Awaiting vigilantly though stood this massive horde, motionless yet remained the ominous crimson skies, thickening blood scent heavy in still air. But none dared ease tension though naught stirred; for even silence bore omen thick as storm clouds ready break.
Silence held near two watches. Then the eternal, blood-tainted veil that had hidden Central Zhou near half a season finally trembled. Watching countless transfixed gazes, splitting open like wounds unsealed across skies. Whistling winds rose — shadowy silhouettes pouring en masse from breach riding black fogs, a tide pouring from scarlet skies — suspending just beyond the now shattered protective shield: stares cold as glacial hells fixed upon dense multitudes below.
“At last…” Many faces whitened at view overwhelming — while expected, still terror clutched. For Soul Clan’s might approached.
Above the hordes hung in celestial still — no sound. Like hungry demons staring silently from abysses deep. Then from array a path emerged — opening — with a wave of energy, sanguinated petals flowed outward into view — coalescing — forming one singular ominous floral throne: blood’s apex throne — atop which was he.
As Hun Tian’s figure seated above this throne — crimson hair dancing in wind stillness, blood-red irises smiling — blood rains cascaded like a downpour unleashed — each droplet thick with crimson aura raining from clouds above in torrents, pattering like death bells upon remnants left broken — sending waves after shivers through those alive.
“Ah—” All recognized that seated upon the blooming flower— power emanated from this man too immense… “Heavenly Monarch…” Grit jawlines tensed — the breath of dread exhaled from clenched teeth.
“Gu Yuan…” Hun Tian’s voice slithered through the void as calmly as night wind over hills — seated high above on floating death-lotus — crimson tendrils wafting behind while locking eyes below on familiar foe: “You have already lost.”
“Monster,” barked Gu Yuan back, brows deeply furrowing as accusation fell sharp upon ears, “have distant tribes’ pacts gone unsung — we vowed against blood spilled upon unarmed innocents. By what right does treachery ride thus? The heavens curse betrayers!”
“Childish myths.” Hun Tian smiled, as rose slowly into the sky; arms raised like ruler claiming lands. Surveying all beneath him.
“I have passed the heavens’ grasp. Who dares judge now? Strength shapes law — from this day forth this world, is mine!”
The voice reeked with endless malice across heavens and earth — chilling many into numb fear; under his rule, an eternal reign of horror loomed over every being.
“This contest…” The Sovereign’s crimson pupils glowed fiercely. With deliberate grace, an arm stretched forwards — clenching suddenly into fist.
“Gu Yuan — foe to me once. Let you witness one final time… true might of the Emperor.”
At call’s conclusion, the skies’ rains obeyed— converging— condensing all unto needle-thin line razor-sharp, splitting horizon like death itself. As line flashed down, splitting heavens into chasm wide a dozen ten thousand zhang — sundered skies left naught behind.
But in the same breath the allies’ shield below — forged through the combined efforts of many great Dou experts— without even a flicker it exploded into nothingness… before many watching — paralyzed — could breathe.
The sacred protective shield was gone… many left motionless, feeling crimson rain seep into their garments — blood stench choking them — as death approached.
With a single casual attack the entire defensive barrier — formed not solely by Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun but by multitudes in unison and now naught. Faces contorted and twisted; rage and fear etching further upon the allies.
“Form arrays!” With a voice black with ire, Gu Yuán sprang aloft like flame ascending — commanding. Defeat might follow; however, battle awaited undeterred and eternal.
On hearing this call, the allies roared in response as well — the air vibrating under combined wills; a surge of countless Dou energy streams erupting — so vast their power, scattering even portions sky blood-red clouds lingering. Amid the torrents energy emerged formation: massive, ethereal — a vast mirror ancient and radiant; fed through arrayed might of assembled heroes.
Gu Yuan and company understood Hun’s might and launched only their absolute strength – through array merging their power into greatest single counter-offensive. This alone — might even breach his defenses.
“Ha!” Upon the mirror’s manifestation, blood spewed from deep inside the elder’s own; his energy infused directly with its essence — sending rippling glows.
“Haa!” Face taut in strain, hands weaving sigils as waves of power pulsed — the mirror finally reacted, unleashing a colossal beam stretching for leagues — searing space into oblivion, visible from every realm within Central Territory.
Hearts held breath — hope reignited — surely, Hun couldn’t withstand?
Above the sea blood, Hun Tian watched this surge of destruction approach with but smirk unchanged — crimson eyes reflecting light of the monstrous energy surging ever closer — then lifted a hand — a finger tracing sky’s arc.
“Break.”
Three letters only, released like thunder. Like dragon’s wrath the beam neared… yet inches from destiny’s edge it ceased — utterly suspended in flight. And with naught resistance whatsoever, Hun’s solitary digit touched forth lightly…
“Boom!”
Impact none! Yet the light, seemingly impregnable — before countless gazes… splintered inch-by-inch… before shattering utterly under single tap — dispersing into cascading emerald lights from above.
“All things shall pass.” Hun Tian, unmoved, gazed down towards earth and Gu Yuan whose face twisted red-white.
Gu Yuan… I alone am victorious, as always.
With calm, he addressed the elder with condescending finality… victorious hymn resonating across land.
And so the last bastion fell — leaving none to stand. And none stood… save one: The Emperor, Hun Tian. The sky wept blood, while he, above the maelstrom, smiled — a god amid his domain, while hope faded from Compendium.
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