Chapter 4 - What is a Hero?

The night enveloped the world, and the dark aura of the demon realm quietly spread, covering the entire mortal world. The demon realm's overlord, Long Xie, stood on the altar of the demon realm, holding a crystal stone glowing with a faint, eerie light. This was the Life Crystal he had spent years searching for. The weak light emanating from the crystal guided him to a familiar life signature—it was Long Tian's aura.

"Long Tian, you cannot escape from my grasp." Long Xie sneered softly, then waved his hand. The demon army immediately gathered. Leading the army personally, he entered the dark portal and launched his attack on the mortal realm.

At the same time, the new warriors of the Four Ancient Kingdoms—Lei Ji, Tian Rong, Bing Xi, and Tian Ming—were gathered in the training grounds of the Heavenly Academy, preparing for their final training. Their gazes were filled with determination, knowing that, as the future of their respective kingdoms, they carried great responsibility.

However, just as they prepared for the upcoming battle, the sky suddenly turned as black as ink. Dark energy tore through the sky. The demon army emerged from the darkness, and Long Xie's figure appeared in the air, his cold gaze sweeping over the mortal warriors below.

"Mortal ants, you are destined to submit to my power," Long Xie's voice was chilling. He swung his dark sword, and dark chains spread out like venomous snakes, heading straight for the four new warriors.

Lei Ji immediately drew her sword, the blade flashing with lightning as thunderous power gathered within. She shouted, "Thunder Slash!" The sword light cut toward Long Xie like a lightning bolt, but when it collided with the dark chains, the thunder's power was completely devoured.

"How is this possible?!" Lei Ji's expression changed as a strong sense of unease surged within her.

Tian Rong, seeing this, immediately cast his fire spell. His hands gathered into a fiery spear, which he hurled forward. The flame spear roared like a fire dragon toward Long Xie. However, the dark chains flicked lightly and shattered the flame spear, turning it into sparks that dissipated in the air.

"This power... it's too strong!" Tian Rong gritted his teeth, unwilling to accept watching his attack be destroyed.

Bing Xi, unwilling to be outdone, swung his ice spear, releasing a burst of cold air that froze everything around him. But before the dark chains, the cold was fragile. The ice spear was crushed the moment it touched the chains, and Bing Xi felt a tremendous backlash, causing him to stumble backward.

"He's too strong; we are no match for him!" Bing Xi's voice trembled, never having felt such overwhelming power before.

At that moment, the dark chains accelerated, immediately wrapping around Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi. These chains, as if alive, tightly bound their bodies, rapidly suppressing their power.

"You are nothing but ignorant mortals, daring to oppose me?" Long Xie sneered coldly as the chains tightened in his grip. The three warriors struggled but were powerless to break free.

Only Tian Ming remained unbound. His sword radiated a dazzling golden light, resisting the dark invasion. He felt a surge of power awakening within him, as if some invisible force was protecting him.

"Long Xie, I won't let you harm my companions!" Tian Ming roared, charging forward with his sword, carrying sharp sword energy aimed at Long Xie.

"Interesting, you dare to resist," Long Xie sneered as he casually waved his dark sword, sending a black energy wave directly at Tian Ming.

Tian Ming quickly swung his sword to block, but still, the powerful shockwave knocked him back. His body ached with pain, but his resolve only grew stronger. At that critical moment, four powerful energy fluctuations suddenly appeared on the battlefield. The four kings—Emperor Qinglong, Empress Zhuque, King Baihu, and Emperor Xuanwu—descended together.

"Stop, Long Xie!" Emperor Qinglong shouted angrily, thrusting his spear. The green light shot like a sharp blade, striking directly at Long Xie.

Empress Zhuque opened her hands, flames erupting from them, forming a sea of fire that blocked Long Xie's retreat.

King Baihu roared, punching the air. A massive white tiger claw of light tore through the atmosphere, heading straight for Long Xie.

Emperor Xuanwu slowly raised his hands, and the ground beneath began to shake. Hard rocks rose from the earth, forming a thick stone wall, blocking Long Xie's path.

The power of the four kings exploded, and their overwhelming momentum reversed the situation on the battlefield. Long Xie felt an unprecedented pressure as his dark chains loosened. Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi finally had a chance to breathe.

"We came just in time!" Emperor Qinglong said loudly, his gaze filled with resolve. "New warriors, stand up! We must fight Long Xie together!"

Tian Ming tightened his grip on his sword, feeling the power surging within him. "Let's strike together and not give Long Xie any chance to breathe!"

Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi quickly regrouped and stood tall again, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

However, Long Xie still wore a cold smile. "Do you think this will defeat me? Foolish mortals!"

With a roar, Long Xie gathered the dark energy again, forming an even stronger shockwave. The four kings immediately realized that even together, their strength might not be enough to completely suppress Long Xie.

"It looks like we'll have to use the forbidden technique." Empress Zhuque said solemnly, her eyes meeting those of the other three kings, their hearts aligned.

"Even if it costs us our lives, we must drive Long Xie back!" King Baihu growled, his body beginning to accumulate energy, preparing to use the forbidden technique.

"New warriors, fall back!" Emperor Qinglong ordered, and the four kings began to simultaneously gather their strength. Four distinct energies converged in the air, forming a giant pillar of light.

"Heavenly Creation!" The four shouted in unison. The light pillar shot into the sky, splitting the heavens as it charged toward Long Xie. Heavenly Creation was the forbidden technique of the four kingdoms, only to be used in extreme circumstances because once it was invoked, the user would face severe backlash and possibly even be sealed.

Long Xie sensed the power of Heavenly Creation and his face changed. He realized that this power could threaten his existence. Quickly, he activated the teleportation array, attempting to escape the battlefield.

"Damn it, I'll spare you for now!" Long Xie gritted his teeth. The dark teleportation array spread beneath his feet, and just as the light pillar was about to hit, his figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a cloud of black mist.

The light pillar hit the ground with a tremendous force, sending a massive shockwave that stirred up dust across the battlefield. The new warriors were knocked to the ground by the blast. As they struggled to get up, they saw that the figures of the four kings were already starting to blur.

"Your Majesties!" Lei Ji exclaimed, seeing the bodies of the four kings being enveloped by an invisible force, becoming transparent.

"The backlash from the forbidden technique... we're going to be sealed." Emperor Qinglong smiled at them, his voice filled with reluctance and comfort. "New warriors, the future of the mortal realm is in your hands. We will awaken at some point, but by then, the world will be different."

Empress Zhuque nodded softly, her eyes sparkling with a final radiance. "Tian Ming, you are our hope. Lead them, protect the mortal realm."

As Empress Zhuque finished speaking, the bodies of the four kings were slowly enveloped in light, the backlash of the forbidden technique rendering them unable to maintain their physical forms. Emperor Qinglong's body began to disintegrate into blue light, drifting away with the wind, as if quietly vanishing into the world.

Lei Ji, Tian Rong, Bing Xi, and Tian Ming stood in place, watching the four kings gradually disappear. A deep sense of helplessness surged in their hearts. The intense battle with Long Xie had already left them exhausted, and now, their strongest pillar—the four kings—was also vanishing due to the forbidden technique's backlash.

"Your Majesties... No!" Lei Ji couldn't help but cry out, her heart filled with both anger and sorrow, but she was powerless.

"Don't be sad," Emperor Qinglong's voice echoed in the air. His voice was calm yet firm. "Our sacrifice was to protect you and the mortal realm. Tian Ming, Lei Ji, Tian Rong, Bing Xi, you four will carry our mission. Guard the future of the mortal realm."

Tian Ming gripped his sword tightly, his eyes filled with tears, but he held back the outpouring of emotion. Though his heart was full of unwillingness and sorrow, he knew that the four kings had sacrificed everything to protect them and the mortal realm.

"We will protect the mortal realm. I swear it!" Tian Ming shouted, as if making a promise to the kings who had already disappeared.

King Baihu's figure gradually faded, his last light vanishing into the air, but his voice remained strong and resolute. "Children, remember, you are the hope of the Four Ancient Kingdoms. Only by uniting will you defeat stronger enemies."

Emperor Xuanwu's figure also dissipated, his voice deep and full of strength. "Inherit our power, and you will one day be stronger than us. Do not fear the future. Face the challenges with courage."

As the last trace of light faded, the figures of the four kings vanished completely. The battlefield fell into a brief silence, with only the night wind gently brushing over the warriors' faces.

Tian Ming took a deep breath and looked up at the starry sky, his heart filled with unwavering resolve. Although the four kings had been sealed, their spirits and will were etched deeply into Tian Ming's heart.

"We cannot let them down," Tian Ming's voice rang out in the silent night sky, filled with unwavering belief.

Lei Ji, Tian Rong, and Bing Xi wiped away their tears and stood tall once again. The fire of battle reignited in their eyes. The sacrifice of the four kings made them realize that they had to become stronger in order to protect the mortal realm and complete the unfinished mission.

"Tian Ming is right, we cannot stop now." Tian Rong clenched his fists, his eyes shining with fighting spirit. "Long Xie may have been driven back, but he certainly won't give up. We must become stronger to defeat him in the next battle."

Bing Xi calmly analyzed, "Long Xie already knows about Long Tian's reincarnation. He will return. Our most important task now is to find the place of inheritance and gain more power."

Lei Ji nodded, tightening her grip on her sword. "That's right. We can't rely on the four kings' protection anymore. We must protect the mortal realm with our own strength."

Tian Ming looked at his companions, feeling warmth and encouragement in his heart. They were the future of the Four Ancient Kingdoms, and they had taken on the responsibility of guarding the mortal realm. As the reincarnation of Long Tian, he would continue to move forward.

"Let's go." Tian Ming said firmly, "Next, we must find the place of inheritance, gain the power of the four kings, and prepare for the next battle."

The four of them exchanged looks, and from each other's eyes, they saw the same resolve. They said no more, turned, and began their new journey, heading toward the place of inheritance.

---

Meanwhile, deep in the demon realm, Long Xie appeared from the teleportation array, his body still trembling violently from the impact of Heavenly Creation's power. Although he had managed to escape, his heart was filled with anger and resentment.

"Damn it! To be forced into such a sorry state by mortal ants!" Long Xie gritted his teeth, smashing his magic staff onto the ground with a loud crash.

Although Long Xie hadn't gained the upper hand in this battle, he didn't think he had lost. Instead, he saw the limits of the mortal realm's power and witnessed Tian Ming's awakening. This made him realize that he needed to approach this war with more caution.

"Long Tian's reincarnation... I will never let you grow strong enough to threaten me." A cold light flashed in Long Xie's eyes as he began planning his next move.

Long Xie turned and walked into the dark palace, his figure gradually swallowed by the shadows. Even though he had suffered a setback in this battle, his ambition and power continued to grow, and the dark forces of the demon realm were stirring under his command.

"Mortal realm... will soon fall into darkness again, and this time, I will not give you any chance." Long Xie muttered under his breath, then disappeared deep into the palace.

---

In the night sky, the stars twinkled, as though silently observing everything happening on the earth. Tian Ming and his companions continued on their journey under the cover of night, knowing the road ahead was filled with uncertainty and challenges, but they were unafraid.

"Long Xie is just the beginning. A greater threat awaits us." Tian Ming silently told himself. He felt the power within him awakening, as if Long Tian's will was merging with him.

And in a corner of his heart, he vaguely sensed a mysterious calling— the calling of the place of inheritance, the true source of Long Tian's power.

"I will find you, the place of Long Tian's inheritance." Tian Ming said to himself with determination. "I will become stronger, protect the mortal realm, and fulfill the mission that I am destined for."

Tian Ming and his companions continued their journey under the night sky, the future path ahead fraught with danger, but their hearts were filled with courage and hope. They knew that they were not only fighting for their kingdoms but for the peace and future of the entire mortal realm.

The story of **Chapter 4 - What is a Hero** concluded with their resolute steps, and the battles and challenges of the future quietly loomed on the horizon.