Chapter 97: The Last Temptation

The air shimmered with an eerie stillness, as though the world itself held its breath. Li Feng stood at the heart of the battlefield, his body weary, his spirit teetering on the edge of exhaustion. The embers of war still smoldered around him, yet amidst the ruin, an unnatural stillness settled upon the land.

Then, from the sky, came a blinding light. It descended in a slow, deliberate motion, coalescing into forms both magnificent and terrifying. Celestial figures emerged—beings draped in ethereal robes, their luminous eyes fixed upon Li Feng. They were the remnants of the celestial forces, those who had once guided the will of the Azure Dragon.

A powerful voice, neither male nor female, yet echoing with undeniable authority, filled the air. "Li Feng of the Azure Dragon's bloodline, you stand at the precipice of fate."

Mei Lian and Yan Shun instinctively moved closer, their hands inching toward their weapons. But there was no hostility from the figures—only expectation.

"You have shattered the cycle of destruction," the celestial being continued. "You have slain the warlord who sought to wield power beyond mortal reach. And yet, the path ahead remains uncertain."

Another celestial figure stepped forward, their gaze piercing. "We offer you a choice. Reclaim the strength that was lost to you and take your rightful place as the ruler of the martial world. With the Coiled Dragon's power restored, you will have the strength to shape the world anew, to bring peace, to end the chaos once and for all."

A hush fell over the battlefield. Mei Lian's brow furrowed, her fingers clenching into a fist. "Li Feng… be careful. Power always has a price."

Yan Shun, more cautious now than ever, regarded the celestial beings warily. "They offer you dominion, but at what cost? You must decide whether to be a ruler… or to be free."

Li Feng's heart pounded. He had fought for survival, for justice, for something greater than himself. But to accept their offer—to once again wield the might of the Azure Dragon—meant stepping onto a path few could return from.

Then, a voice—one more familiar than any—whispered in his mind.

Strength is not the ability to rule. Strength is the power to choose.

The Coiled Dragon. Even now, its presence lingered, faint but undeniable.

Li Feng's breath hitched. He had always believed that strength was the key to shaping destiny, that only through power could he protect those he cared for. Yet, standing here, with all that had transpired, he wondered—had he been wrong all along?

The celestial figures did not waver. "Decide, Li Feng. The world waits for your answer."

His fingers twitched at his side. To regain his strength, to lead, to create order—was that not his duty?

Yet, even as he considered it, Mei Lian's eyes met his, filled with quiet plea. Yan Shun, though silent, held the same silent conviction.

The choice had to be his.

Li Feng slowly reached forward, his hand trembling as it hovered between the celestial forces. His fate lay before him.

And then—the world exploded into chaos.

From the shadows came a blur of movement, a force striking with lightning speed. The celestial beings recoiled as a foreign energy crashed into their midst, the air splitting with a sudden, deafening shockwave.

Li Feng staggered back, his breath ripped from his lungs. His vision blurred, but he saw it—something dark, something unseen. An unknown force had just interrupted the decision that would shape the future of the martial world.

Mei Lian gasped. "Li Feng!"

Yan Shun unsheathed his blade. "We're not alone."

The celestial beings turned in unison, their expressions unreadable. And then, from beyond the ruins, a voice echoed—a voice they had not heard before, yet carried the weight of something ancient.

"Your fate is not yours alone to decide."

A hidden adversary reveals themselves, someone who had been waiting for this very moment to strike.