"Watch your step, Big Brother Raphael." Lu Jade hissed as he gracefully navigated a narrow mountain pass.

Behind him, Raphael struggled a little. His massive frame was awkwardly traversing the rocky path as tiny pebbles were thunderously crunching beneath those hooves.

They finally reach their destination.

A breathtaking panorama unveiled before them with an expansive sky and distant trees forming a mixture of colors, but what truly captured their attention was an army marching beneath those clouds.

"This iss what Yama Yaguai truly iss. How exhilarating." Lu Jade commented with awed fascination while basking in this chaotic but peaceful rhythm.

Below was a scene he had been fortunate enough to witness on countless occasion, but still enjoyed nonetheless. It had a beauty only a being like himself could truly grasp.

Beneath them, thousands upon thousands of ant-like creatures, some small like a car and others as big as a human dwelling, marched across the verdant valleys in a terrifying rhythm, with no chaos or deviance; simply unwavering purpose.

"They are?" Raphael found his vocabulary was lacking in eloquence at this spectacle. It was truly awe-inspiring!

The size and scale of that monstrous ant army marching in unison had even the mighty Golden Bull Thork’s stolen heart shivering. He felt if their attention were focused upon him. Nothing could save him from that wave of chitinous destruction and endless pincers of death.

At the head of that imposing army was an enormous creature – crimson with segmented limbs and razor-sharp mandibles. And unlike all those scrambling behind it, the massive red ant gracefully moved through the forest with a massive, intricately crafted crimson and gold banner in its right fore-limb that swayed rhythmically to accompany their marching music.

Its eyes resembled fire pits as its gaze pierced everything it passed through with pure domination. This wasn’t a mere soldier, but a king leading an uncountable legion. It was terrifying!

And echoing through Yama Yaguai, coming from every soldier’s limb in that monstrous march…

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

They never broke formation, not once, never hesitated in their movements. And just by hearing their rhythm, those nearby beasts bowed lower in a show of respect or scampered further into the shadowy crevasses.

Even Shao Jin's ancient bloodline shuddered at that army's sheer dominance. It had an instinctive reaction that surprised and pleased Raphael at the same time.

Shao Jin may be gone, his consciousness assimilated by him. Now he was in complete control of this bull’s might. He had tasted that dominance against Hellphet moments before.

But to his shame, he had to resist a similar reaction against a lesser creature. He shivered even harder, feeling as if all that sweat in his ass had suddenly froze solid.

Then hearing his companion hissing, “It’s only a routine, Big Brother.”

That hissing from Lu Jade had a soothing quality he couldn't fully comprehend, but enjoyed nevertheless.

He saw him erected at the edge of that cliff with his head cocked slightly as if deep in contemplation and admiration while he watched the passing ant battalion before turning to him and continued,

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“They march every hundred sun cycles as a show of strength. Reminding those who live here of who maintain the balance. Every single Calamity bows before them or get their skull crushed under those crimson pincers of annihilation.”

He paused to take in a lung full of cold mountain air as the echo of marching grew quieter; the crimson and gold banner’s sway growing more and more distant. Then, he resumed his lesson about this terrifying but mesmerizing event:

“That, my friend is the Red Ant Emperor, Lala Zhen. He has full freedom throughout this territory. We must not stare for too long or it’ll get irritated that something is delaying his schedule. You might end up flattened.” His tone carried genuine concern that ignited curiosity deep within Raphael.

He’d never imagined the world was this complex. In his world, there were emperors sure, but even Tajmani’s asshole father, he wouldn’t be considered powerful enough in a place like this to warrant such unquestionable obedience and respect, and he was curious to understand it all, because perhaps this place might just teach him how to overcome those that oppressed and mocked his weakness, or he might get eaten tomorrow.

Such fun, how scary, he laughed to himself, even Shao Jin never thought of dying tomorrow.

Gathering his bravado with a big gulp, he bravely voiced those question:

“Emperor…? You said territories? How many territories? How many Emperors are in Yama Yaguai?” As those questions filtered through those jaws, he looked at Lu Jade.

The green snake slithered along the edge, carefully watching the passing procession that reminded him of a majestic sea of moving dirt before looking at Raphael with a teacher’s pride, a gaze that said,

“Ask away! Knowledge, wisdom and understanding. They belong to me now.”

And so he continued in his excited hissing tones, “There are 9 main territories, and 9 powerful Emperor Class Calamities in all of Yama Yaguai that enforce those lawsss! Their power is unimaginable, compared to even your impressive show of strength.”

Those last words had Raphael breathing with ease, for indeed there were greater beings in Yama Yaguai that demanded respect.

"This place, thisss lush expanse before ussss… it’s known asss the Ho Eastern territory. My father rules these lands. He’s the Bronze Serpent Emperor – Lu Ignis.”

“Wait a minute. Your father is an Emperor?" Raphael couldn't contain his astonishment. The realization that he’d just befriended the son of an Emperor-class Calamity sent a wave of anxiety through him. In his past life, such a connection would have brought unimaginable privilege. Now, however, it only served to highlight how precarious his situation truly was.

Lu Jade simply nodded, unfazed by Raphael’s reaction. Family matters held little importance compared to the thrill of sharing his knowledge of Yama Yaguai with his new 'big brother'.

"Come, Big Brother, follow me,” Lu Jade hissed.

He led Raphael towards the peak of the mountain. As they ascended, the air grew thinner, and the temperature dropped, causing frosty wisps to dance around them. They reached the summit. The peak resembled a giant bird's beak; a natural formation jutting out into the endless expanse.

Reaching the edge, they looked down upon the majestic vista of Yama Yaguai spread before them like a grand landscape woven with fire, ice, and the untamed spirit of nature.

"See that, Big Brother? That towering slob of clay? That's the Ant Mound, home to Emperor Lala Zhen. He rules over the Desolate Huang territory – a land of barren deserts and whispering winds.”

Lu Jade swiveled his head and pointed his tail towards a jagged mountain peak that had white and blue with cold radiance. “That over there isss the treacherous Yunyin territory. Her Majesty Emperor Silk Yune govern those icy wastesss with chilling authority. I once sssaw her turn a mountain troll into a giant icicle with just a glance, ssso be careful if we ever go there.”

“Hmm.” Raphael nodded in fascination.

As Lu Jade enthusiastically narrated the history and unique characteristics of each territory and those Emperor-class Calamities, those legends and rulers of Yama Yaguai, a malevolent hiss suddenly hit them. They both froze. Their attention was ripped from the horizon of fire and ice to a far more immediate problem behind.

Snickers followed that sibilant whisper, and then a mocking voice shattered their peaceful evening.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here, brother. It’s traitorous little worm! Did you think you could hide forever?”

Turning, both Lu Jade and Raphael found themselves face-to-face with those bronze serpents from earlier. They were coiled at the precipice and this time those bullies were not alone.

“Lu Pin! Lu Pan!” Lu Jade's hiss held a note of anxiety and a slight trace of defiance, which was amplified as their massive elder sister slithered into view.

She towered over them like skyscraper with her coils thick as ancient redwoods and scales glowing a potent golden bronze. A crown of gold adorned her head. Lightning crackled around the crown which mimicked the intensity of her glare. It was clear she wouldn’t tolerate defiance.

“Lu Lingxue!” Lu Jade uttered these words with crystal clear trepidation. It was obvious that this newcomer was nothing but trouble.