While Long Chen and his people completed their 1000 Poison Body Refinement, the enemies hiding in the shadows were on action.
From the depths of the Corrupt Path and the traitors of the Righteous Path, and the remnants of those who feared Long Chen's growing power, a grand assassination plan was forged.
It was done through Bloodkill Hall, the masterminds behind countless dark schemes and assassinations.
Those who viewed Long Chen as enemy were well aware that Long Chen and his people would not only surpass them and may even come to hunt in the future.
If left unchecked, they would eventually become unstoppable, leaving no place for them or their forces to breathe.
Thus, they mobilized his forces—hundreds of assassins, all of them elite killers, cultivators trained in the dark arts, each wielding techniques designed for the sole purpose of eradicating powerful warriors beyond the realms before they could fight back: The Assassins of Bloodkill Hall
Their mission? Eliminate Long Chen and his army's Elite members and if possible Long Chen's families as well. .
But what they didn't realize was…
They had stepped into a nightmare.
assassins moved in silence.
Like ghosts, they slipped into the territory of the Phoenix Cry Empire, spreading out, preparing to strike.
Each one carried soul-destroying weapons and were skilled in hiding their presence.
Their primary and main target was Long Chen, but the assassination order extended to all of his people—his Dragon Blood Legion, and Long Chen's beloved ones.
But before they could even strike—before even a single blade was swung, something terrifying happened.
BOOM!
An invisible force surged across the empire like a divine will descending from the heavens.
A Energy force that existed in both the mortal and soul realms manifested itself, sweeping across the lands in an instant.
It wasn't just an ordinary sword attack.
It was the Will of Elder Xie, a Soul of some at peak of Morrtal Realm whose power encompassed the entire Phoenix Cry Empire and its allied empires.
His Soul Domain which he had developed recently had already detected the assassins the moment they entered the empire.
And so, before their blades could even taste blood…
Their souls were obliterated.
Not a single assassin saw it coming.
One moment they were hidden in the shadows, their blades ready to pierce their targets.
The next moment…
Their souls were destroyed.
Their bodies remained standing, lifeless, empty, devoid of the essence that once made them warriors.
They died soulless, their corpses collapsing one after another across the empire.
In less than a breath's time, the grand assassination attempt was completely neutralized.
And all it took… was a single sword will from Elder Xie.
When Long Chen was informed of the event, he merely grinned.
His golden eyes gleamed with murderous intent, his smile carrying a chilling edge.
He raised his head, looking toward the distant horizon in the Sky.
"So, the goons of Enpuda have finally started acting," he muttered.
His expression was calm, but the storm raging within him was anything but calm.
This was just the beginning.
Long Chen knew that this failed assassination attempt meant one thing—
They would send more forces. Stronger ones. More relentless ones.
The enemy had officially declared war.
Long Chen turned toward Elder Xie, "Senior, please continue to protect the empire and its people." he requested.
Elder Xie merely nodded.
"As long as I live, no one shall touch the Phoenix Cry Empire," he stated.
With that assurance, Long Chen turned toward his people—his brothers, sisters, and lovers, the warriors who had followed him through countless battles.
On the day of Lantern Festival, The night sky over the Phoenix Cry Empire is illuminated by thousands of floating lanterns. The Imperial Palace glows with golden lights, and laughter fills the air. Amidst the grand festivities, a group of young warriors, bonded by life-and-death battles, share their dreams, memories, and emotions.
Chu Yao: (gazing at the lanterns) "These remind me of our time years ago, Long Chen… back in this very place. Do you remember?"
Long Chen: (smiling slightly) "Of course."
Meng Qi: (softly chuckling) "Quite ironic, don't you think?"
Chu Yao: (smirking) "You mean poetic."
Tang Wan'er: (grinning) "I remember when we first fought. Meng Qi looked so composed, while I was ready to beat you up, Long Chen."
Long Chen: (mock sighing) "Oh, how could I forget? You were like a little storm that day."
Tang Wan'er: (teasing) "And now?"
Long Chen: "Now? You're still a storm… just my storm."
Ye Zhiqiu: (watching the lanterns float away) "I used to dream of a peaceful life, away from battle and bloodshed yet my family forced me into this oath. But now, I don't think I could live without this path."
Gu Yang: (chuckling) "You? The Ice Queen, longing for peace? That's unexpected."
Ye Zhiqiu: (glancing at him coldly) "Even an Ice Queen has dreams."
Xiao Hua: (smiling gently) "We all had different dreams before meeting Long Chen… But somehow, our fates became intertwined."
Mo Nian: (laughing loudly) "Hah! I just wanted to dig up treasures and become the world's richest man. Instead, I ended up fighting against heaven itself."
Guo Ran: (grinning smugly) "At least you still get to rest. I, on the other hand, have suffered the most!"
Li Qi: (rolling his eyes) "Oh please, Guo Ran, tell us again how hard your life is."
Guo Ran: (dramatically sighing) "You don't understand! Do you know how terrifying it is to be a genius craftsman? The sleepless nights, the constant fear of my armor not holding up in battle—"
Song Mingyuan: (deadpan) "And yet, you're still alive."
Guo Ran: (grinning) "That's because I'm too handsome to die."
Yu Yong: (leaning back, staring at the moon) "I used to dream about becoming a strong cultivator in the Empire. But after so many battles, and such growth, I don't know if that even exists anymore."
Shi Feng: (clapping his shoulder) "Your dream is here, with us."
Yue Zifeng: (quietly) "Dreams… I once dreamt of only becoming the greatest swordsman. Now, I also dream of something else."
Tang Wan'er: (curious) "Oh? And what's that?"
Yue Zifeng: (pausing, then smiling faintly) "To protect those who gave my sword a reason to exist."
A comfortable silence falls over the group. The lanterns continue to rise, carrying their unspoken wishes into the heavens. The night is far from over, and memories—both joyful and painful—still linger in their hearts.
The grand halls echo with warmth and laughter, but among the celebrants, two figures stand apart—Long Tianxiao and Mrs. Long, watching the younger generation with a mix of pride and curiosity.)
Long Tianxiao: (arms crossed, surveying the warriors before him) "So… you're the ones who have been fighting alongside my son? All of you are just like sons and daughters to me."
Guo Ran: (grinning and saluting) "Yes, sir! The indomitable Dragon Blood Legion, undefeated and unmatched!"
Mrs. Long: (chuckling) "Oh? And what about you, young man? What was your dream before following Long Chen?"
Guo Ran: (puffing out his chest) "To be the greatest craftsman and warrior in history!"
Li Qi: (snorting) "Liar. He just wanted to be rich and famous."
Guo Ran: (huffing) "That's part of being great!"
Long Tianxiao: (chuckling) "Ambition is good, but what about you?" (turning to Gu Yang)
Gu Yang: (scratching his head) "I used to dream of being the strongest. Back then, strength meant survival. Now… it means protecting my brothers."
Mrs. Long: (nodding approvingly) "A noble purpose." (her gaze softens as she looks at Meng Qi and Ye Zhiqiu) "And you, my dear girls? What dreams did you hold before all of this?"
Meng Qi: (smiling gently) "I wanted to just, to ease suffering of those I could help. I never imagined I'd be able to do so but I can now."
Ye Zhiqiu: (quietly) "I wanted peace. But peace without power is an illusion."
Long Tianxiao: (stroking his beard) "Wise words. Power determines fate, whether we like it or not."
Mrs. Long: (sighing, looking at Tang Wan'er and Xiao Hua) "And you two?"
Tang Wan'er: (grinning) "Honestly? I just wanted to explore the world and have fun! But then this idiot stole my heart." (glances at Long Chen from afar)
Mrs. Long: (laughing) "Ah, love has a way of changing dreams, doesn't it?"
Xiao Hua: (softly) "I only ever wished for a family… and now, I have found one."
(A brief silence follows, warm and understanding.)
Long Tianxiao: (turning to Yue Zifeng, serious) "And you, swordsman? What did you dream of before taking up the sword?"
Yue Zifeng: (eyes calm, voice steady) "I never had the luxury of dreams. My life was the sword, and the sword was my life."
Mrs. Long: (gently) "And now?"
Yue Zifeng: (a rare smile forming) "Now, my sword has purpose. And that is enough."
A distant cheer erupts as fireworks light up the sky, painting the night with bursts of color. Mrs. Long and Long Tianxiao exchange glances, pride and sorrow mingling in their eyes. The younger generation has endured much, but they have also found something priceless—each other.
To Be Continued...