"Liao Ru. Master Liao Ru!" A voice called out to me.
I slowly awoke from my slumber in the Springs of Rejuvenation. I sat up in the water and looked to my left. I noticed one of my students looking at me. I slowly stood up and placed my hands behind my back.
"What year is it?" I asked.
"It is year 1453, Master Liao Ru." My student answered.
Year 1453...It was one of the longest years in history. This year marked the decade we've been at war against the Overlords. The Overlords have been searching for the Key of Origin, an Ancient Relic used to grant anyone the ability to wish for anything at any moment.
My name is Liao Ru, not only am I a master of Qinggong, but I am also a Taoist Master and chosen for the power of a Ruler. I am to be the new Ruler of Inferno of this generation since the last one was killed. I am working with an Organization named the Infinity Council to stop the Overlords and bring peace back to the world and Shangqiu.
"Master Liao Ru. You have a scheduled meeting with Lord Qiao Zhi at Yuanxing later this afternoon. We should go prepare for it. He said he had news on how to defeat the Overlords." My student informed.
I looked at my student then sighed softly. "I had completely forgotten about that. Alright gather the pegasus. We set out for Yuanxing by noon."
"As you wish, Master." My student bowed.
-----
I sat on my knees in my altar, meditating. My spirit entered the Dream World and I opened my eyes. I was met face to face with the Ruler of Inferno. She was a beautiful woman with long, wavy autumn colored hair that imitated the calmness of a flame. Her eyes shined a soft blue color and her phoenix wings fluttered. She wore a dress that was cloaked in flames.
"Master Fan Yeng." I bowed.
Fan Yeng smiled at me then opened her fan, slightly covering her face. "Taoist Liao Ru. To what occasion do I owe for your presence?"
"I need your guidance. Everything is still very sudden to me. I was just a martial arts teacher not too long ago and now I am fighting in a war and I was chosen by you to hold such a burden." I said.
"Is it troubling you so? Liao Ru, I didn't choose you out of the blue even though it may seem like I did to you. I see greatness in you. I see your potential to become the hero you dreamt of becoming." Fan Yeng said then stared at me with her soft blue eyes.
I looked at Fan Yeng then nodded. "I am just still getting used to everything. Meng Xun has been helping me with my new life as she is just as knowledgeable about you just as I am."
"With time...I know you will become something more. Patience, Young Liao Ru." Fan Yeng said and smiled then poked my forehead with her fan.
I grunted a little and closed my eyes. I returned to reality and noticed Meng Xun standing in front of me. She wore her white martial arts outfit and carried two bottles of sage in her hands.
"We are going to Yuanxing. We both know nothing ends well with the Infinity Council. They are a dysfunctional group of Guardians. Misao doesn't speak a lick of Mandarin and she's from Japan. I'm surprised our nation accepted her. Nagini is a literal serpent in the grass. She's tried to kill you before. Shi, while from China is from a different nation all together. He doesn't know the Shangqiu ways. Qiao Zhi is questionable at best. I don't see how he's the leader of the organization." Meng Xun said then sighed.
"I understand your frustration. I too believe it is questionable to work with them, but we have no choice. We are the last line of defense so far." I said.
"Can we at least stop by Pingtou to visit Empress Yao Louyang? It's been a while since we visited the Shadow Empress." Meng Xun suggested.
I stood up and stretched. "I suppose we can. It is my home after all."
Meng Xun smiled at me then nodded excitedly. We made our way to our pegasi and mounted them. They began to take flight and soared across the golden skies.
-----
Within an hour we made it to Pingtou, the City of Qinggong and the Art of Fa Jin. Fa Jin is a forbidden Kung Fu because of how devastating the techniques can be. Fa Jin revolves around issuing explosive and devasting power via an infinite amount of striking methods.
This technique is a technique used to kill which is against the morals of Kung Fu. However there is a technique even more forbidden than Fa Jin called Dim Mak. It is only known by the creators, Yao Louyang, and me. Dim Mak is locally called Touch of Death. This technique uses the target's pressure points to kill them in various ways. Pingtou is known for their deadly ways of combat and is rightfully called the City of Shadows.
Meng Xun and I landed our pegasi near the castle and got off. We walked toward the entrance and the guards let us pass. I nodded toward them and made my way up the stairs with Meng Xun. We walked inside the castle and made our way to the throne room.
The woman sitting on the throne looked at me and Meng Xun as we approached her. She had long black hair styled in a royal empress way. Her eyes were golden with red eyeliner around her eyes. She wore red, white, black, and gold royal dynasty attire with golden accessories.
"Well, well. Master Liao Ru. It is always a pleasure to see your face. Is all fairing well in Shangqiu?" Yao Louyang asked as she smiled at us.
"Lady Yao Louyang, everything is still golden in my lands. I can assume your ruling has been peaceful? I can see the city is in the same tranquility as it were before I left." I replied.
Yao Louyang nodded and crossed one leg over the other. "My Rule as the Shadow Empress has been smooth sailing. I have ruled with an iron fist and with a compassionate heart. I will make sure our way of Fa Jin, Dim Mak, and Qinggong never dies. Our Kung Fu is the strongest there is and I would like it to remain that way."
"Our Masters have taught us well." I said.
"You are the chosen Ruler of Inferno after all. Which does make you the second strongest in the Infinity Council other than Qiao Zhi." Yao Louyang started. "But something about him just sets me off."
"My student has said the same. He's trustworthy to me. He was one of the founders of the Council. So far we've done well, but the teamwork isn't there." I said.
"None of you are from the same background plus it is impossible to communicate since no one speaks our exact language other than Shi and Qiao Zhi." Yao Louyang said then stood up and told her servants to take a break. She walked down the stairs toward us. She placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. "Come, I have something I want to show you before you have to depart."
I nodded and followed Yao Louyang out the throne room and we traversed around the castle. Meng Xun was on her nostalgia trip as she followed us and admired the castle.
"As you know, my husband is away to help fight in this war against the Overlords. This is our first big war since Long Zhihou saved our continent from a worldwide war. With the rise of the Rulers and Overlords, none of us could've been prepared for the power they held. With Bai Xang turning evil after acquiring her new power...we have no clear way of defeating her or the monstrous beings she summons." Yao Louyang said.
"I'm aware of the circumstances, Yao Louyang." I said.
"To keep my nation safe, I have decided to create a new kind of martial arts that uses all three of our styles in one. Your Qinggong, my Fa Jin, and the Dim Mak." Yao Louyang said then looked back at me, stopping at a door. "It's called the Qijinmak. A deadly martial arts that is made to deliver explosive strikes and kill them if needed."
Yao Louyang opened the door and inside was a training room, but down the room was a makeshift shrine that held a scroll. She walked inside and we followed her.
"After mastering the Qijinmak, I made it into a scroll in which I will gift to you. You are a sister to me, you've been by my side all the way to the beginning of my ruling. You will be the only other person to know the Qijinmak which does make use of your darker side." Yao Louyang said.
She handed me the scroll and I took it. As I held it in my hand, I noticed the scroll emitting ominous energy. I turned it into magic particles and it entered inside my body. I closed my eyes and felt the power of the Shadow Technique coursing through my veins. I opened my eyes and exhaled.
"That's a lot of knowledge, but I will use this in my upcoming battles." I nodded. I looked at Meng Xun. "You will be the first I teach this to."
"All yes! Teach Meng Xun the technique. Along with her Drunkfu Style, it will certainly be useful to her as well." Yao Louyang said.
I nodded then looked at Yao Louyang. "We should get going, we don't want to keep Qiao Zhi waiting too long."
"I understand. Safe travels to Yuanxing." Yao Louyang nodded.
I bowed toward her and began to make my way to the exit of the castle with Meng Xun. We located our pegusi and mounted them. They took flight and we continued toward Yuanxing.
"It was pretty nice of her to let you have her original technique like that. This is why I really like Yao Louyang~" Meng Xun smiled.
"We've known each other since we were newborns. Our families were very close. She was the rich princess and I was just a mere commoner with exceptional combat abilities. Once I was appointed as her royal bodyguard at the age of 10, our bond grew to a sibling type of bond." I explained.
"You two kept no secrets from one another huh?" Meng Xun asked.
"Not a single one." I answered with a slight smile.
-----
We finally made it to Yuanxing, the City of the Light Dragon. It was a mostly tranquil city where the Infinity Council could station their base at without the fear of getting attacked randomly. The Light Dragon, Aldra, protects the city from all threats.
We landed our pegasi near the Infinity Council base and got off. We walked toward the base and I opened the sliding door. I noticed Qiao Zhi sitting at the main table with Shi, Misao, and Nagini.
"It is about time you arrived." Qiao Zhi said and opened his eyes to look at me.
I walked ahead and Meng Xun followed behind me, closing the door. I took my seat at the table and looked at everyone. I didn't know how to interact with any of them because of how different we were.
"You have information for us?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"Nagini, translate what I say for Misao." Qiao Zhi said.
Nagini was too busy filing her nails then she softly hissed. "Right."
"We have a new member joining soon. Her name is Ataraxia and she's well known for her angelic abilities and her spiritual meditation." Qiao Zhi said.
"Basically what he said is we are acquiring a new member." Nagini said to Misao as she filed her nails. "Look I don't understand why you just won't learn Mandarin and make this easier. We are teamed with three other people who originate from China. You're borderline useless in ability and communication. Why did Qiao Zhi pick you over all the others?"
"I'm sorry." Misao said and looked down. "I've been in Japan my entire life...I never once thought about learning Mandarin."
"Ease up on her, Noxius. Talking down on her won't help her learn." Shi said.
Nagini rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what's the purpose of telling us that Qiao Zhi?"
"Well, to start Ataraxia can really help us out here. Since she's got connections with the Sacred Realm and the Spirit Realm, she has connections to some of the strongest warriors of the Five Divine Realms. She also originates from Japan so she can help Misso communicate better." Qiao Zhi said.
"This will also surely turn the tides of battle." Shi said and crossed his arms. "Right now we are at a stalemate as the Overlords can't infiltrate the entirety of Shangqiu. We have to keep it that way until we find a way to overpower Bai Xang or Fallan as she calls herself."
"She has lost all sense of who she is. I have to bring her back to her senses." Qiao Zhi said.
Qiao Zhi and Bai Xang were extremely close before the concept of a Ruler was thought of. Qiao Zhi deeply loves Bai Xang and will stop at nothing to save her from the madness she's causing. Me, I just want to kill her for what she's done to my people of Shangqiu and the rest of China.
"Are there any objections to Ataraxia joining?" Qiao Zhi asked.
No one had any objections and Ataraxia's request to join was fully accepted.
"Alright now onto the next stage, preparation for the Shiwei Invasion." Qiao Zhi said.