In the forbidden area of Longting, Zhou Linglong stumbled to the secluded chamber, where Zhou Qianfu, the half-emperor, was recuperating from his injuries. Her breath was erratic, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Ancestor! You must come quickly!" Zhou Linglong's voice quivered, echoing in the ancient stone hall.
Zhou Qianfu's eyes opened slowly, narrowing in annoyance. "Junior, why are you disturbing me? Didn't I make it clear not to interrupt my recovery?"
His tone was sharp, and the frustration of his recent defeats simmered beneath his words. Yet, as he glanced at Zhou Linglong, the palpable fear in her eyes caught his attention.
She took a deep breath, her voice cracking as she forced out the words. "The life tablets… the ancestral tablets… they've all been shattered. The emperor, the masters of Longting—"
Zhou Qianfu stood up abruptly, cutting her off with a stern glare. "Are you sure of what you're saying?" His gaze pierced through her, his once calm demeanor now laced with anxiety.
"I saw it with my own eyes, Ancestor! They're all broken. The ancestors... the masters... all of them," Zhou Linglong stammered, her hands trembling.
Zhou Qianfu's heart sank. Even with his immense power, this revelation left him speechless. He turned away from her, his mind racing, struggling to process the enormity of the situation. The shattering of life tablets only meant one thing—death. The entire line of powerful warriors from Longting, including his own ancestors, had perished.
"It's impossible..." Zhou Qianfu muttered to himself. "Zhou Huangye led six Martial Saints against Orion, and there was only one Half-Emperor on Orion's side, and he was gravely wounded. How could this have happened?"
Zhou Linglong lowered her head, ashamed of her inability to offer any explanation.
"The envoy…" Zhou Qianfu suddenly murmured, his thoughts shifting. He had contacted the envoy from Shangyu long ago, hoping for support. Had the envoy dismissed the matter, treating their plight as a mere nuisance?
"Ancestor, what should we do now?" Zhou Linglong asked hesitantly, feeling utterly lost.
Zhou Qianfu's expression shifted, regaining some of his cold composure. "You must calm the aristocratic families first. They've lost their strongest members and will be out for blood. If you don't handle it carefully, they will turn against us, and that will be a disaster."
"Yes, Ancestor." Zhou Linglong nodded, though her mind was clouded with fear.
"Go, hold a court meeting. Stabilize the situation as best as you can. I will remain in seclusion for now." Zhou Qianfu's voice left no room for argument.
Zhou Linglong quickly left, her heart heavy with the looming threat of rebellion.
In the grand court, Zhou Linglong stood before the assembled officials. The air was thick with tension. For the first time, she felt the weight of their eyes on her—eyes filled with doubt, suspicion, and the hint of rebellion.
In the past, these same officials had followed her every command without hesitation. But now, they seemed poised to strike, like vultures waiting for their prey to falter. She swallowed hard, pushing down the rising panic in her chest.
"Bring forth the Yinlong Guard reserves," she ordered, her voice betraying none of her inner turmoil. "And summon the princes. We must secure the capital."
Her words echoed in the silent hall, but the tension remained. She could sense that her authority was slipping. Her mind raced—she needed to gather strength around her, to ensure her survival.
Meanwhile, Orion stood at the edge of Yaowang Valley, a grim smile tugging at his lips as he spotted a gathering of powerful warriors. Eight Martial Saints, their presence unmistakable, hovered above the valley. They had come in response to the distress signal from Yao Qianming, unaware of the danger lurking.
Orion turned to his companions, nodding. "These fools have no idea who they're up against," he said quietly, his gaze sweeping over the valley. He signaled to Emperor Qingyun, "Check for traps. I don't trust how still they're standing."
Emperor Qingyun unleashed his divine sense, sweeping over the Martial Saints who had yet to realize the peril they were in. His probing revealed no hidden ambush, and he turned to Orion with a nod of confirmation.
"They're not expecting an attack," Emperor Qingyun whispered.
Orion chuckled darkly. "Perfect. Let's not keep them waiting."
As Orion's forces drew nearer, the Martial Saints began to shift uneasily. They sensed the impending confrontation, but by then, it was too late.
Yan Yun's Eighteen Cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave, their weapons gleaming under the sun. The eight Martial Saints on the opposite side finally realized the danger, but it was too late to retreat. They unsheathed their weapons, steeling themselves for the bloodbath that was about to unfold.
And as battle cries filled the valley, the fate of these once-proud warriors was sealed.