It had been three months since I fell from the Afterlife Cliff, and the world had since plunged into chaos. Dìyù and the human realm were merging into one, a catastrophe that spelled the extinction of humankind.
Though Lǐ Xùyáng had led his soldiers to countless victories, the battles near the main gate had cost many lives, especially in the neighboring countries. Only Mò Fēi Zhī Dì stood as an exception, safeguarded by the two direct descendants of the Primordial Masters—Lán Sè, the water master, and Bái Sè, the frost master.
At the great military border of Mò Fēi Zhī Dì stood a man clad in black armor, his presence alone declaring his rank. To his right was a figure in ghost-white robes embroidered with frost patterns, and to his left a man in sky-blue robes marked with flowing water motifs. They were Lǐ Xùyáng and the Grand Primordials, Luò Wěi and Luò Ruì, gathered to devise a strategy to seal the remaining Red Gates of Mò Fēi Zhī Dì before extending aid to the neighboring realms.
Despite the heavy casualties, the soldiers recovered swiftly and maintained balance at the front, thanks to the medical techniques I had passed down to the military physicians.
Inside the command hall, the air was heavy with tension as the three men faced one another across the war table. The battlefield was momentarily quiet, giving the leaders a fleeting moment to decide the fate of Mò Fēi Zhī Dì. Outside, soldiers stood guard, while within, the supreme general and the Grand Primordials began their council.
"The human realm is divided into six kingdoms, each shaped by its natural phenomena," the general began. "These kingdoms together form one empire. Of all six, Xiāng Jìng is where the emperor resides—and where the end of life is sealed. That is why the gates from Dìyù will never open in the capital."
He circled all the kingdoms on the map laid out on the table and tapped twice at Xiāng Jìng's location.
"Lǐ Xùyáng, when you say the end of life is sealed there… are you talking about Ghost Predator?" asked one of the Primordials, his voice tinged with anxious excitement.
"Exactly," Lǐ Xùyáng replied. "Nán Nán once told me that even if demons take over the continent, they will never intrude into the capital. That is where the Life Sword is sealed."
He tapped again at the capital city on the map, glancing sideways as he spoke.
The Ghost Predator, a Life Sword said to bring either prosperity or ruin depending on its wielder, had a murky history. Some legends claimed it caused the calamity that befell the world centuries ago. Others said it was created after Tang Mùrán tried to control all mystical creatures using forbidden books, sparking a rampage. Yet some whispered that it was the original form of Femo, the Destroyer of Worlds and Savior, merged together—its purpose shrouded in uncertainty.
"Now our focus is—Grrrr-rrr…"
Before he could continue, the ground began to shake violently. Lights flickered, and weapons and materials toppled to the floor. Everyone froze in shock as a crimson gate suddenly opened. From it stepped a demon clad in white robes, crimson flames licking his hands and legs. The shaking and rumbling ceased the instant he emerged, as if it had never happened.
All eyes widened in terror. The demon before them was none other than Zugo, the Hell's Breeder, also known as the Demon Emperor. He took five deliberate steps from the gate, scanning the hall until he detected the scent that had drawn him here.
Upon locating it, he advanced, stopping just two steps from Luò Wěi. His gaze was murderous.
"Why do you have her scent on?" he demanded.
Luò Wěi, who had never met the Demon Emperor, was paralyzed with fear. He could neither move nor speak.