Sweeping The North

"It has been quite some time since I last entered this Realm."

"Not much has changed in those three years except for the number of inhabitants," Aerion stated. "Before we proceed further, I need you to bring the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor to me."

"May I ask why?"

"Well, I'd like to return something to her."

"Hmm, I see. Wait here, I'll return soon."

"Mn," Aerion observed his surroundings using his hands to find a suitable place where he could lay down. It did not take him long as the centre of the Seventh Heaven Realm was mostly a field of grass.

"Maybe you should be more productive this time around instead of just going to sleep until your eyes recover," Rotias suggested. "Your divine sense will certainly become much sharper as well. Amusingly enough, Surge once told me that 'seeing with only your eyes is not seeing at all'."

'I've realised that quite some time ago.' Aerion replied.

'Sensation...'

"Indeed, you should use this valuable time to strengthen your other senses."

'It wouldn't hurt to try.'

Within a few seconds, Izanami returned. The Seventh Heaven Realm wasn't exactly the biggest realm, after all. In truth, it was considerably smaller than Blue Pole Star which meant that Izanami could fly circles around it without much effort.

"Taking your power away from you was necessary then. Now, however, it is better suited in your hands." Aerion used the Heaven Absorbing Silver Claw to bring out the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's legacy. "There is just a single condition before I return this to you."

"And this condition is?"

"You will not use your power against me or my Empire. Originally, I desired the World Piercer as well but you may keep it as I have something far superior. Now then, is this condition acceptable to you?"

"Hmph, it is understandable that you would fear a Devil Emperor."

"I do not fear any kind of Devil Emperor, Jie Yuan. This Dragon Emperor simply wishes to protect the peace of his Empire." Aerion explained. "To return to your prime profound strength of a Devil Emperor, you will need to stay in this Realm for quite some time. You will not be forced to stay here, however, as you can leave whenever you wish by merely informing me."

"I see... this Realm is much greater than the current Primal Chaos and perhaps even the Primal Chaos of the past. Indeed, this would be the best place for me to reside and recover my strength."

'One thing does trouble me and that is her effect on Primal Chaos. The profound beast rampages will continue the moment she returns unless her presence is countered with the presence of a Creation God. Only then will the balance be restored...'

"Now that you understand, I will return this to you." Aerion used his divine sense to find Jie Yuan and send Celia's fragment her way. "It would be best if you meditate for a while."

Jie Yuan nodded and walked away.

"I suppose a Devil Emperor's legacy is useless to an Ancestral God."

"Not quite... as the Heretic God's legacy has proven to be extremely useful." Aerion chuckled. "It's just that I have no use for the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor's abilities and my progress would be much slower compared to her own."

"I see."

"Onto the matter of punishment, hmm... I don't believe that I'll be able to complete it in my current state which is quite unfortunate."

"Indeed."

"Until I recover my eyes, however, I want you to spar me."

"Spar... do you intend to learn how to fight without your eyes?"

"Mhm, eventually."

"If you can spar without your eyes, then you should be capable of many more things without your eyes," Izanami remarked. "They might even become unnecessary."

"Unnecessary? I can't see you if I'm blind forever. This is a solution for a temporary state and nothing more."

"Hm, very well. Then you should stand and we can begin immediately."

Aerion stood up and drew Blackfyre from its sheath.

'My unparalleled skill in battle will not translate well while I'm blinded. I might even look like a complete novice or, perhaps, even a fool. But I will learn to adapt.'

"That's the right mindset." Rotias nodded in approval. "Now I can't wait to watch the unparalleled Celestial Dragon Emperor trip in the middle of a spar, hahaha..."

'Hmph.'

~

Robb returned to the Eternal Heaven Realm after a few hours of recovering from the battle. The core was just as crowded as before since all of the experts were preparing for the war to come. There were no doubts as to who would come out as the victors. In the end, the Northern Divine Region's submission was imminent due to the overwhelming force of the Dragon Emperor.

Robb took a deep breath before beginning his speech. "His Divine Grace has left me in command of His Conquest of the Northern Divine Region. Another matter came up and he had to make a change of plans. While he is away, we will make the Northern Divine Region bend and acknowledge our Celestial Dragon Emperor as their one true sovereign! Victory is all but certain for we are his chosen... His Divine flame and sword! Who are our foes and who leads them? Hmph, they are nothing more than a region of non-believers led by no single person! Let it be so that, upon the return of our Emperor, He will be crowned the Celestial Dragon Emperor of Primal Chaos!"

There was a thunderous roar of approving cheers as the Legion of Fire readied their weapons for the war to come. Their devotion to his Divine Grace was endless. Such a force did not fear death... no, such a force did not know fear at all. They only knew their purpose; to serve the Dragon Emperor.

His celestial image and heavenly voice had already sunken deep within their hearts. Even if he was not physically present, they believed that His Divine Grace is always with them one way or another.

~

Within a single day, the Legion of Fire let their presence be known. The Spear of His Divine Grace singlehandedly conquered the entire Yama Realm on the very first day of the Conquest. Even the three Yama Ancestors were forced into submission through his overwhelming strength. The God-Emperor, however, wasn't as wise. His head now stands on a spike at the centre of the Yama Imperial District, accompanied by his son's head.

The Legion of Fire was split into three divisions; one led by the Dragon Lord Long Bai, another led by the Spear of His Divine Grace and the last led by His Royal Highness, Aurion Targaryen. At first, His Royal Highness clearly lacked strategy and would only win through brute force. But, with time, his experience and wisdom grew to a shocking height where even Realm Kings were made out to look like fools.

The Legion of Fire under Aurion's command grew to respect His Royal Highness greatly. Despite his youth, no one dared to question his authority after several seemingly impossible victories. The Northern Divine Region had narrowed in on him as his force was the weakest out of the three. In truth, the devils had a good chance of victory due to their darkness profound energy advantages in the Northern Divine Region. The devils had hoped to turn him into a hostage of sorts but their plan backfired completely as Aurion scattered them all through strategy and developed his commanding abilities further.

The Dragon Lord Long Bai crushed the Burning Moon Realm and placed it under the banner of the Celestial Dragon Emperor with great ease, leaving only the Soul Stealing Realm. Only one King Realm remained in the entire Northern Divine Region and Aurion's force was the closest to it. He sent in a few Divine Masters to cause some chaos before his main force descended upon the Soul Stealing Realm.

BOOM.

The gates to the throne room of the Soul Stealing Room were forced open as a dozen late-stage and peak Divine Masters rushed inside behind His Royal Highness.

"A boy who has not even seen twelve years has forced my King Realm to such a feeble state."

Aurion looked up at the alluring figure who sat at the throne ahead and fell in a short daze before the fire in his eyes returned. "I have come to learn that age does not mean much when it comes to leading troops. All that matters is ability. Now, I'll give you this one chance to surrender before I turn the Soul Stealing Realm upside down."

"Such confidence... but I doubt you have the ability to do so. You may have defeated my forces several times before but I was not present during those occasions. Now that you've come before me, I have no choice but to face you and your Divine Masters. Do not forget... this is the Northern Divine Region, our powers are heightened while yours are lessened."

Aurion chuckled. "I have yet to unleash the Dragon. He would eat you alive, Northern Divine Region or not. All I need to do is call his name. Hmph, so why don't you make this easier for me and swear your eternal allegiance to my Royal Father."

'And Aunt Shen Xi... hmph, this Devil Queen is clearly outmatched. All of the experience that I gathered... hahaha, Royal Father will truly be proud.'

"Oh, the Crimson Dragon?"

"Yes, my Royal Father's mount."

"You leave me with no other choice, it seems. I would have surrendered within the first day if the Celestial Dragon Emperor himself had appeared before me. It is a great shame that I did not witness his charm first hand... very well, I will swear my loyalty to him but under one condition."

"Hmm?"

Luo Changsheng sighed. "She is known for being a schemer, Your Royal Highness, we should strike at once without hearing her pretty words."

Fen Juecheng nodded. "We have the complete upper hand, summon forth Rhaegal and just be done with it. The Soul Stealing Realm should be humbled for their continued resistance."

"My Royal Father told me to hear every suggestion before making a decision..." Aurion shook his head. "We will hear this condition out."

"That is very wise of you. This condition will ensure that the God Realm and Northern Divine Region will finally be bonded to each other... it is quite beneficial for both sides. It's quite simple..." Chi Wuyao smiled. "I wish to marry the Celestial Dragon Emperor of Primal Chaos."

"Well... I'm not so sure about that."

"Am I not up to your father's standard, Your Royal Highness?"

"No, not at all... it's just that I can't make a decision like that. Only Royal Father can choose his wives, after all. To compromise, I can convince him but Royal Father's decision regarding this matter will be his own."

"That is understandable... I find your compromise to be acceptable. Now that my Realm has surrendered, the Northern Divine Region is his yet he is nowhere to be found."

"About that... he'll return in the coming months. Currently, he's in closed-door cultivation so you need not worry."

"Hmm, I see."

"Now that the Conquest has come to a close, there is no longer a reason for us to remain here."

"You can stay here as long as you wish, silver-haired sweetie." Nanhuang Chanyi, one of the witches under Chi Wuyao winked.

Aurion felt his body shake as he turned around. "No... I'd rather not."

"Hmph, mere witches trying to stain our Royal Highness' innocence." Fen Juecheng glanced in contempt.

"It matters not, we're leaving." Aurion stabbed the banner of House Targaryen next to the gates and walked away.

"Fire and Blood... such a beautiful banner." Chi Wuyao observed it closely.