Upper Realm — Demon Realm
In a remote corner of the Upper Realm, in a land so desolate that even birds dared not fly over it, the demon clan had made their stronghold. Within its shadowed depths, three figures were engaged in conversation.
Two of them knelt respectfully on the cold ground, heads lowered. The third sat elevated above them, behind a tall screen, his presence commanding despite the barrier between them.
He rested atop a golden throne, posture straight and regal. Though the screen obscured most of his face, vague outlines could still be seen. He wore pristine white robes threaded with gold, the fabric smooth and untouched by the grime of the realm around him. His build was tall and well-proportioned, his bearing noble and refined. Even without a clear view, it was obvious, he was a strikingly handsome man.
He looked completely out of place in the demon realm. More like a deity who had wandered into the wrong world.
"Lord Venerable, we are waiting for your orders," a white-haired man in dark robes spoke respectfully, his voice low as he knelt before the figure behind the screen. A crimson mark pulsed faintly on his forehead; the symbol of a high-level demon.
This was General Yan, once a prominent figure who had served the previous Demon Venerable of the realm millennia ago. After his master fell in battle, he and the other loyal subordinates had vanished without a trace. Many believed them to be long dead: nothing more than ghosts of the past.
And yet, here he was again, alive and ready to seek vengeance.
Behind the screen, the man in white robes remained composed, utterly unaffected by the heavy air around him. His voice was calm, even leisurely, as if they were discussing the weather rather than war.
"No need to rush," he said, tone light and almost indifferent. "We have more than enough time to kill the Emperor Star." He leaned back slightly, as if the outcome had already been decided.
"I've calculated the star movements. The Emperor Star is currently located in one of the Middle Realms,"
The man in white robes said slowly, his voice steady, but commanding. A brief pause followed, then his tone sharpened ever so slightly.
"General Yan, have your men prepare to descend to the Middle Realm. This time… make sure….that boy dies."
Hearing this, General Yan bowed his head deeply, his expression unreadable. "As you command."
With that, he rose to his feet, turned without another word, and disappeared into the darkness beyond the screen.
"Do you have any command for this servant, my Lord Venerable?" came a soft voice from the side.
This time, it was a woman who spoke.
She wore flowing robes of red and gold, the fabric rippling like firelight with every movement. Her skin was pale and smooth, almost translucent under the dim lighting. Her eyes darker than the night and lips red as fresh blood.
She was beautiful in a way that was both captivating and dangerous. The kind of beauty that made people forget to breathe, as if she could steal one's soul with a single glance.
"Yes, I have work for you," the man in white robes said, his voice smooth, unhurried, yet heavy with intent.
"A few years ago, I noticed an odd movement in the stars," he continued, his gaze distant, as though he were still staring into the night sky beyound the roof.
"What might it be, my lord?" the woman asked, her voice soft, curious, though her eyes narrowed slightly with suspicion.
"Before I divined the fate of that dragon boy six years ago, I had already glimpsed of another Emperor Star a few years ago,"
He paused, fingers lightly tapping the armrest beside him.
"But its light barely lasted a minute before it began to dim, already flickering on the brink of death." he said slowly, each word measured.
" I ignored it at first…But now," he went on, eyes narrowing, "that once-dying star is starting to shine again. It seems... this era will see the rise of not one, but two Emperor Stars."
"Two Emperor Stars?" the woman echoed, her brows knitting tightly. Her confusion was genuine, even tinged with disbelief. "That's… unheard of."
And indeed, it was. Throughout all recorded history of the Upper Realm, never had two Emperor Stars existed at the same time. In normal times, the Heavenly Principles simply wouldn't allow it. After all, a single mountain could not support two tigers. However now...
"Yes," the white-robed man replied, his tone sharpening with quiet disdain. "It seems the Heavenly Principles are set on opposing us"
The white robed man laughed mockingly: "But I will make sure they fail."
He stood slowly, his voice gaining force as he continued, almost gloating now.
"Don't worry. I've already calculated the stars. Even with the heavens trying to block my path, I was still able to peer through their so-called 'Heavenly Dao.'"
"I saw it, just faintly, but it's unmistakable. A trace of phoenix essence." Then, his gaze turned back to the woman, eyes cold.
"Go to the Phoenix Clan's territory. Search for all their gifted young masters and mistresses. We must find the other Emperor Star… and begin planning how to remove it."
The woman bowed, the corner of her red lips curling faintly. "Yes, my lord. As you command."
The man rose from his throne, sweeping back the curtain with one hand. He descended from the high platform in slow, steady steps, walking past the kneeling woman without sparing her a glance. The vast palace swallowed him in silence as he stepped out into the open.
There, beneath the night sky, he looked up at the moon, his gaze fixed, almost obsessive.
"This time," he murmured, voice low and dark, "we must plunge the Immortal Realm into complete darkness."
With that, his figure vanished, swallowed by the moonlight like a shadow retreating into the void. The night returned to silence, too still, too quiet. As if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the storm to come.