The early morning sun shone down on the Phoenix Cry Empire, casting a golden hue across the landscape. It was a scene of beauty, a serene moment before the storm. The sky was clear, and the air was filled with the crisp scent of morning dew. The city, alive with its bustling citizens, was quieter today, as if the entire empire had sensed the significance of this day. The day of departure. The day when the young warriors of the Dragon Blood Legion; the Heroeswould return to
Long Chen stood in front of the grand gates of the Imperial Palace, his thoughts heavy. Around him, his family and friends had gathered, their faces a mixture of pride, love, and a tinge of sadness. Today was also the day which was a reminder of time two years ago of the peace they had fought so hard to achieve.
Emperor Chu, his father-in-law, stood nearby, his posture regal yet weighted with the burden of leadership. His eyes, usually stern and commanding, softened as he looked at his children, son--Chu Feng, daughters--Chu Yao, Meng Qi, Lu Fang'er, Xiao Hua, Ye Zhiqiu and Tang Wan'er and then finally at his Son-in-Law Long Chen.
The pride he felt was clear, but there was also sorrow. He knew all too well the dangers that awaited them, the darkness that would soon engulf their path.
"I never imagined this day would come so soon," Emperor Chu spoke quietly, his voice carrying the weight of many years of rule. "Long Chen, you and your comrades have done so much already. Now, you are embarking on a new journey. I will not tell you not to go, for I know the strength in your hearts. But I ask of you—return safely."
Long Chen nodded solemnly, understanding the unspoken fear behind the Emperor's words. "We will return, Your Majesty. We will always be in the empire with our lives."
Beside the Emperor, Elder Xie—his form, a Soul Avatar glimmering faintly—looked at the young warriors with a mixture of affection and respect.
Elder Xie said, his voice ethereal but carrying deep conviction. "Starting from now on, soon you will face the true challenges of your strength and resolve. Do not be afraid of what lies ahead, for you are stronger than you know."
As the members of the Dragon Blood Legion stood before their families, the reality of their departure began to settle in.
There was no need for grand speeches, no need for words of encouragement—those who had lived through the trials of war and the struggles of life knew what awaited them. The silence between them spoke volumes.
The warriors, clad in their battle attire, stood with pride but also with a deep sense of responsibility. The Dragon Blood Legion had come a long way from its humble beginnings. They had fought side by side, bled together, and emerged victorious through countless battles.
Meng Qi, standing close to Long Chen, her hand gently resting on his arm, looked at him with unwavering trust.
"You've done so much for this empire and all of us, Long Chen,"Chu Yao said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Long Chen's heart softened at her words. He turned to her, his eyes filled with affection. "And you, Chu Yao, will always be with me. You and our family are my strength."
Chu Feng, the Emperor's son and Long Chen's Brother-in-law, stepped beside Long Chen. His usual playful demeanor was absent today, replaced by a somber expression. He clasped Long Chen's shoulder firmly, his grip strong yet gentle.
"Remember, brother," Chu Feng said, his voice heavy with meaning, "we've been through a lot together. No matter what comes, we've got each other's backs."
Long Chen smiled slightly, the bond between them unspoken yet deep. "I know, Chu Feng. We'll return—but a person's heart shows pure emotion unlike one's mind."
Beside Long Chen, his other lovers and brothers and sisters stood together, their faces marked with the same mix of pride and sadness.
Meng Qi, the quiet and composed one, gave him a soft, reassuring smile. Tang Wan'er, her playful energy tempered by the gravity of the moment, squeezed his hand. Lu Fang'er, always fiercely loyal, stood tall, her eyes locked on Long Chen with an unspoken promise. Xiao Hua, gentle and nurturing, placed a hand on his arm and nodded silently, as if to say, We are with you. Ye Zhiqiu, her calm demeanor belying the depth of her emotions, offered a final, silent look of understanding.
As the warriors of the Dragon Blood Legion stood in front of their families, the weight of their duty became more apparent. The years of training, the battles fought, and the sacrifices made—all led to this moment. They had earned the right to return home safe.
The families and loved ones gathered around them, offering their silent support, their tears hidden behind smiles. The time for farewell had come as no one knew until when they can meet eachother again.
One by one, the warriors knelt before their families, heads bowed in respect. They kissed their loved ones' foreheads, whispered their final goodbyes, and stood to face the unknown. The time for waiting was over. The time for action had arrived.
"Take care of yourselves, my children," Mrs. Long, Long Chen's mother, said softly, her voice cracking with emotion. "We will wait for your return, but remember, you carry the weight of the entire empire with you. We have faith in you."
Long Chen turned to his mother, a soft smile gracing his lips. "We will be back, Mother. We won't let you down."
With one last, lingering glance at his family, Long Chen turned to the warriors beside him. The Dragon Blood Legion, the Starry Sky Legion, and all the other forces that had come to support the Phoenix Cry Empire stood ready for the journey ahead. The forces were vast, and yet, it all seemed so small in comparison to what awaited them.
The Emperor, standing beside Elder Xie, nodded solemnly to Long Chen and the others. "May the heavens watch over you," he said. "Return victorious."
Long Chen and his warriors gave their final nods and bowed deeply, turning toward the massive gates that led to the battlefield. They knew what awaited them—there was no time to waste, no space for hesitation.
As they began their departure, a strange stillness fell over the gathering. Families waved, warriors nodded to each other, and the sun, still rising high in the sky, cast its golden rays over the entire empire. It was a moment that seemed frozen in time—a brief, precious moment before the chaos of war would take hold again.
The warriors of the Dragon Blood Legion marched forward, their steps steady and purposeful. Behind them, the empire they had fought for, the families they cherished, and the loved ones they had left behind, all stood as silent witnesses to their departure.
The roads ahead were unknown, and the trials they would face were unimaginable. But one thing was certain: they would fight together. They would return together. And no matter what, they would never forget the strength and love that had carried them this far.
As the last of the warriors disappeared beyond the gates of the Phoenix Cry Empire, the sun rose higher into the sky, its light shining brightly on the warriors' path. The empire was at peace though people's heart and wishes somewhere else.
...........
----- Timeskip -----
...........
Afterjust a week of time, having departed from Phoenix Cry Empire, Long Chen and his Dragon Blood Legion made their way back to the 108th Xuantian Monastery.
Their march was unlike any other; a powerful and unshakable aura radiated from the 30,000 warriors of the Dragon Blood Legion. They had all reached the peak of the Tendon Transformation Realm, their energy consolidated to an unfathomable degree.
Every elders who witnessed their return was left in stunned silence. The very air trembled with their presence, and the moment they set foot within the monastery, their battle-honed instincts and gazes felt sharper than ever.
The sect elders, once confident in their own strengths, found themselves unconsciously stepping back as they observed the Dragon Blood Legion. The energy that flowed from them was denser, heavier, and more refined than that of any ordinary cultivator in the same realm. Their very Qi and Aura seemed unshakable, as though each of them had surpassed the ordinary limits of cultivation.
Sect Leader Ling Yunzi, the master of the 108th Xuantian Monastery, remained calm but was inwardly shocked. He had not expected them to grow up to this heaven-shaking extent.
Every single member of the Dragon Blood Legion had undergone a terrifying transformation—their instincts were razor-sharp, their bodies forged in the flames of war, and their wills unshakable like divine weapons.
"How… how is this possible?" Elder Yan Guang muttered, his face pale.
Elder Qing ran his spiritual sense over the Dragon Blood Legion, only to withdraw it immediately. The sheer intensity of their Aura repelled even the senses of a powerful elder!
The Sect Master of the Skywood Palace, who had come to visit, was equally astounded. Seeing the Dragon Blood Legion, she felt an inexplicable sense of a true expert.
The Sect Master of Skywood Palace clenched her fists slightly. Her top disciples, Xiao Hua and Chu Yao, had also returned, and they too had undergone an immense transformation. Their Auras were sharper, their combat prowess immeasurable, and even their healing capabilities had far surpassed what they had before.
The two girls stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Master, this disciple has returned, and I bring gifts for the sect."
They presented a collection of Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, and even Tier 6, known as the Cultivation Pills. These were incredibly rare Pills, refined in a special manner that allowed them to be used by both poison masters and alchemists.
Her eyes widened. "These are…" She trailed off, unable to believe that her own disciples had brought such high-grade pills back. The Skywood Palace brach in Su Prefecture had its own connections in the Pill Tower, but these were beyond even their capabilities.
Meanwhile, Long Chen turned toward the elders of the Xuantian Monastery and presented an extra batch of pills.
The elders were left speechless as well thankful while being bewildered by the enrgy radiated from Pill.
Only one person refrained from partaking—Sect Leader Yunzi as for him cultivation was sword and sword was cultivation.
However, he observed with quiet approval as the other elders absorbed the pills, their strengths increasing as a result.
For a long time, the elders had remained at their stagnant cultivation realms, but now, because of the resources brought by Long Chen, they too began to break past their limitations.