Heaven Sword Sect

In the sky filled with ominous dark clouds, a massive demonic bird with cultivation at the Soul Formation level 9 soared through the darkness. This beast was trained by the Grand Elder of the Heaven Sword Sect.

On the back of the spirit bird sat numerous members of the Heaven Sword Sect, including Sun Hao, the disciple of the Grand Elder. The disciples chatted merrily, their laughter echoing as they mocked Li Huang and ridiculed the rumors surrounding him.

"A benevolent emperor, they say? Ha ha ha, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard."

"I bet just walking tires him out since all he does is eat, sleep, and wait for his death. Ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha!"

The atmosphere was filled with amusement, but as the spirit bird flew through the clouds, it suddenly let out a pained screech. It flapped its wings violently and shrieked in agony before it attacked the clouds ahead, dispersing them with the stormy winds.

"What's happening?" one of the Heaven Sword Sect disciples shouted in panic.

Before they could react, blood spurted from their mouths as numerous Shadow Secret Unit members emerged from the shadows of the Heaven Sword Sect disciples. Silently hiding within their shadows, they waited for the perfect moment to swiftly and decisively assassinate them. Each sword from the Shadow Secret Unit struck precisely and mercilessly at the hearts of the Heaven Sword Sect disciples. Even an elder at Soul Formation level 1 had no chance to react before their bodies collapsed onto the spirit bird's back, dying instantly.

The spirit bird tried to resist, attempting to help the disciples of the Heaven Sword Sect. It struggled and flapped its wings to move, but before it could act further, countless swords from the Shadow Secret Unit pierced through nearly every part of its body. Soon, the spirit bird stopped moving entirely, its agonized cries echoing across the sky. In an instant, its head was severed with a swift motion, and its headless body plummeted rapidly from the sky.

Sun Hao, the prodigy hailed as the strongest in the Heaven Sword Sect, fared no differently from the other disciples. He didn't even have a chance to utter a word before the Shadow Secret Unit's sword slashed at his neck. Sun Hao's head was severed, blood spraying into the air amidst the chilling silence.

Before long, every member of the Heaven Sword Sect had their heads severed. None escaped the brutal fate. The Shadow Secret Unit collected the bodies of the disciples and the spirit beast before vanishing into the clouds without a trace.

Amid the silence within the Heaven Sword Sect, a roar echoed throughout the sect.

"Who dares slaughter my disciples and my spirit beast?!"

The voice, filled with fury and pain, shocked everyone within the sect. Both disciples and elders alike froze in alarm.

Soon, the sect leader rushed toward the Grand Elder, seeing the enraged elder and asking with concern, "What happened?"

Before the Grand Elder could respond, another elder flew over in haste.

"Disaster, sir! The soul jades of 300 disciples and the 11th Elder have all shattered!"

The elder's voice was full of panic. Both the sect leader and the Grand Elder were stunned, the Grand Elder's eyes turning red with rage. "Who dares do this?!"

The Grand Elder's fury erupted intensely. The sect leader tried to calm him down to prevent any rash actions.

"Calm down. We don't yet know who's responsible, and..."

But before he could finish, the Grand Elder unleashed his spiritual power fiercely, absorbing the surrounding energy. An unstoppable and powerful aura emanated from his body, shocking everyone around him.

His body shone brightly as his cultivation level broke through to Nirvana level 1 rapidly. But it didn't stop there—his power surged continuously, like an endless fountain, advancing swiftly to Nirvana level 4 before finally halting.

Having gathered his full power, the Grand Elder prepared to fly straight to the Heavenly Flame Empire.

"I will annihilate the Heavenly Flame Empire!" he declared in his rage, not caring whether the empire was truly involved. He chose to attack because he knew his disciples had been heading to the Heavenly Flame Empire to assassinate Emperor Li Huang.

However, before he could launch himself, the sect leader swiftly blocked his path. "Wait! We can't rush in like this. We don't know who the real enemy is… If you attack the Heavenly Flame Empire without thinking, those behind this will benefit without having to lift a finger!"

The Grand Elder paused, realizing that the Heavenly Flame Empire did have ancestral figures at Nirvana level resting in their coffins, who would emerge only if the empire was on the brink of collapse. Even if these ancestors wouldn't protect Li Huang, they would undoubtedly protect the Heavenly Flame Empire.

The Grand Elder glared at the sect leader with eyes full of fury before responding in a bitter tone, "…Fine…"

"We need to gather information first before taking action," the sect leader continued.

The Grand Elder, still filled with anger, sighed heavily but conceded. "…As you say…"

Amid the quiet night sky, a flying carriage drifted through the clouds. Voices could be heard from within. "Mistress, why are we heading to the Heavenly Flame Empire?" a voice asked with curiosity.

The woman sitting at the front of the carriage revealed a face as beautiful as a painting, her eyes resolute and determined. Her figure was graceful, like that of a goddess.

She replied in a cold tone, "I wish to see with my own eyes the man who stole the throne from my junior disciple. And if he proves unworthy of that throne... I will ensure he rests in peace forever."