The tenuous balance on the frontlines between the Everdream Empire and the Beast Alliance threatens to shatter. Ephraim the Relentless’ time is near, and his death will create a gaping hole in the Empire’s defenses. If left unattended, the Beast Alliance will push deeper into human territory, thereby destroying the decades of peace the Central Territories have seen. Their peace coming under fire makes the populace recall memories of a time before cultivators existed and of a time where the blood of all genders and ages littered the streets. As a result, the entire Empire draws the same conclusion; they need strong cultivators immediately. However, strong cultivators come at a cost: their existence creates a heavy load on the limited essence density on Cella.   Thus, the Empire faces a dilemma: who will pick up the mantle when it falls? And how much is the Empire willing to sacrifice?