The sky above the Western Plains burned in shades of crimson and gold as the sun dipped behind the horizon. Liu Shen stood atop a jagged cliff, the wind tugging at his robes, his gaze locked on the distant Phoenix Empire. From this vantage, he could see the first signs of war—the smoke rising from the border towns, the shimmer of formations activating, and the shadow of countless banners in the distance.
Yu Meixing stood beside him, her veil fluttering, her eyes narrowing as the faint cry of a phoenix echoed across the plains. "They've already mobilized their Skyfire Legions," she murmured. "It seems the Empress does not intend to welcome us peacefully."
Lei Qing, ever restless, cracked his knuckles. "All the better. I've been itching for a fight since the Abyss."
But Liu Shen's eyes were calm, like the surface of a deep, unfathomable lake. "A fight will come soon enough," he said, his voice carrying a quiet weight. "But remember—this isn't just about victory. The Phoenix Empire holds what I seek, and their Empress is no fool. She will test us before revealing her hand."
Below them, the forward camp of the Fallen Army prepared for the coming storm. Abyssal banners whipped in the wind, their dark sigils pulsing faintly with demonic essence. The air itself felt heavier, the very land bending beneath the pressure of gathering powers.
Suddenly, the air shimmered. A streak of golden light tore through the clouds, descending toward them. Liu Shen's gaze sharpened, his fingers curling into a subtle seal. The light solidified into a figure—a woman clad in flowing red armor, her hair like liquid flame, her spear radiating phoenix fire.
Her voice was cold yet regal. "The Empress bids you turn back, Demon Sovereign. Trespass upon Phoenix soil, and even the heavens will not shield you."
Liu Shen's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "I have walked beyond the reach of heaven's shield. Tell your Empress—" his eyes glinted like obsidian in moonlight—"I've come to collect what belongs to me."
The woman's eyes narrowed. She lifted her spear, and the very air ignited. Flames roared to life, sweeping across the plains in a deadly wave.
And Liu Shen stepped forward, his demonic aura unfurling like the shadow of a great beast. The flames parted before him, unable to touch the abyssal darkness that surrounded his form.
Somewhere in the distance, a phoenix cried again—this time louder, angrier. The war for the Empire of the Phoenix had begun.