Eternal Will Sect, Dongu Village, Gunghua Province
The night in Dongu Village was serene, much like any other. After a day of toil, the villagers had succumbed to the embrace of sleep, unaware of the monumental shift their small settlement was on the cusp of experiencing. The Eternal Will Sect’s ambitious efforts with Red Black Steel were nearing fruition, and once completed, the village would transform into one of the most vital regions on the continent.
The tranquility of the night enveloped the remote village. Even the guards patrolling the streets were at ease, their laughter and songs filling the cool air as they went about their rounds. It seemed like a simple, uneventful night—a rare reprieve from political scheming and the specter of war. For the soldiers of Little Phoenix Mansion, it was the kind of peace they longed for in their careers.
Yet, deep in the heart of the Eternal Will Sect’s grounds, an eerie scene unfolded. In the secluded backyard, a collection of bones—clearly humanoid but disturbingly adorned with wings and horns—lay arranged in a ritualistic manner. The bones emanated a strange energy, a faint hum of mana that seemed to pulse with life. These remnants had been unearthed during a mining expedition at Hin Lake, and the sect had kept them under tight security, awaiting guidance from their leaders.
As the hours crept by, the bones began to change. The energy within them grew, intensifying with each passing moment. Flesh started to weave itself around the skeletons, muscle fibers knitting together, followed by the emergence of a beating heart. Skin stretched over the form, and within an hour, a figure stood where there had once been only bones—a being with human features, but undeniably otherworldly, with sharp horns and expansive wings. The creature was undeniably male, its chiseled features radiating a dark, unearthly allure.
The night guards, initially oblivious to the transformation, soon felt the unnatural shift in the air. The once-calm wind carried a sense of foreboding, and several guards rushed toward the sect’s backyard to investigate. What they found was beyond their comprehension.
As they arrived, the creature suddenly collapsed to its knees, clutching its chest in visible agony. Its form began to shift once more. The wings and horns reshaped themselves, and its masculine frame softened. The creature’s hair lengthened, cascading down its back in a silky black waterfall. In moments, what had been a man transformed into a stunning woman, her porcelain skin glowing in the moonlight.
The change in form brought with it an explosion of power. Her aura surged, filling the entire village with a crushing sense of dread. Even the most seasoned warriors felt their knees weaken under its weight. Sect Leader Khang Choi and General Da of Little Phoenix Mansion, still clad in their night robes, rushed to the scene, their expressions a mix of fear and grim determination.
As they entered the backyard, they were met with a sight that stole their breath. The woman’s mere presence radiated such immense energy that it could overwhelm even the mightiest of cultivators. With a casual wave of her hand, she conjured a flowing white robe, covering her ethereal form. Her gaze swept over the terrified onlookers, and she chuckled, her wings spreading wide.
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With a powerful thrust, she ascended into the sky, her figure illuminated by the moonlight. The force of her departure sent shockwaves rippling through the air, momentarily altering the winds across the village.
In the ensuing silence, Sect Leader Khang Choi stood trembling. His voice, usually firm, cracked as he muttered, “What in the heavens was that...?”
Heavenly Death Palace, Blood Valley City, Northern Hazu Mountains
The icy winds of Blood Valley City howled through its bustling streets, yet the cold did little to deter its thriving nightlife. Shops remained open, and merchants haggled with customers under the eerie glow of red lanterns. For centuries, this city had defied the natural rhythm of day and night, living by its own rules.
High above the city, in the grand Heavenly Death Palace, Guho Yuan, Supreme Leader of the Demonic Sect, stood on his balcony, surveying his domain. The city’s relentless energy was a testament to its resilience, and for the first time in his year-long tenure, he felt a semblance of pride. The sect was stabilizing, its internal strife slowly subsiding.
Supreme Leader Guho envisioned a future where the Demonic Sect could extend its influence across the continent without resorting to needless warfare. For too long, the south had been an obsession—a distraction fueled by ideological differences. But the bustling trade and abundance of resources in Blood Valley City proved that the north could thrive independently.
His musings were abruptly interrupted by a sudden and overwhelming presence. A wave of energy, unlike anything he had ever encountered, filled the room. It was suffocating, a force so potent it could annihilate the entire city in an instant.
Supreme Leader Guho, a grandmaster martial artist, stood frozen. Though he was among the most powerful men in the world, this energy rendered him powerless. His legs wobbled as he turned slowly toward the source.
Perched on the window ledge was a woman—or rather, a being resembling one. Her white robes seemed to glow in the moonlight, and her long black hair shimmered like silk. But what caught his eye were the horns protruding from her head and the majestic wings folded behind her. The realization struck him like a thunderbolt.
He dropped to his knees, forehead nearly touching the cold stone floor. “Hail the return of the Great Demoness!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with a mixture of reverence and terror. Sweat trickled down his brow as he dared not lift his gaze.
The demoness chuckled, her voice a melodious contrast to the oppressive aura she exuded. “My, my… I haven’t even introduced myself, and yet you recognize me. It seems the Demonic Sect hasn’t forgotten how to identify demons of higher rank.”
Supreme Leader Guho swallowed hard. “I-I assure you, Great Demoness, my ancestors would never have wished for such negligence in your absence.”
She raised a delicate brow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “Ah, ancestors… Has it truly been so long since our kind ruled these lands? I must say, the demonic sect has done a poor job maintaining our legacy. Not a single soul in the southern regions bowed to me.”
Her words cut deep, and Supreme Leader Guho’s throat tightened. He stammered, “Please, forgive us, Great Demoness…”
The demoness waved a hand dismissively. “Worry not. I suppose introductions are in order.” She stepped forward, the moonlight framing her regal form. Her wings unfurled, casting long shadows across the room as her aura spread, engulfing the entire Northern Hazu Mountains.
“I am Prometheus Asia,” she declared, her voice like a blade slicing through the air. “Archlord of the Underworld, representing Charity.”
Supreme Leader Guho’s heart pounded in his chest. He had heard the ancient tales, the whispered legends of the Seven Archlords. But never did he imagine he would stand before one. As her piercing gaze settled on him, he realized that Blood Valley City’s future—and perhaps the world’s—was now irrevocably tied to her will.