Orion sensed the surge of imperial power and his expression darkened. This was no ordinary aura—it was overwhelming.
"Xu Chu, Qingyun... do you think you can handle this?" Orion asked, his voice low and steady, but his eyes betrayed a glimmer of concern.
The sheer strength of the approaching presence was far beyond what they'd faced before. He knew this wasn't a common Martial Emperor; it had to be an envoy from the Upper Domain. And such a figure would possess unimaginable power compared to even the strongest warriors they had encountered.
Qingyun smiled, confident and calm, as if the prospect of facing such a formidable opponent excited him rather than instilled fear. "Worry not, Lord," he said. "If it were just me, I might hesitate. But with Xu Chu and me together? Even a peak emperor will fall."
His words radiated assurance. While ascending to the rank of Great Emperor came with challenges, Qingyun's combat prowess was formidable. Facing powerful opponents, even those at higher levels, had become second nature to him. And now, with Xu Chu by his side, their chances soared.
Xu Chu, a man of few words, nodded resolutely. "We will not fail you, my Lord," he said, his expression firm as stone.
Relief washed over Orion's face. "Good," he replied, his voice lighter now. The weight of their confidence eased his tension, allowing him to focus once more on the battlefield.
But the looming presence was no ordinary foe. The black-robed figure descending from the sky held an aura of dominance, one that made the very air tremble. As the figure approached, the shadows seemed to bow to him, and his voice dripped with arrogance.
"Two Great Emperors? Interesting," the black-robed man muttered, his eyes narrowing as they fell on Xu Chu and Qingyun. His expression flickered with surprise. "I was told there was only a Half-Emperor here. Who could have expected this? Zhou Qianfu's information was wrong... useless fool."
The man cast a dark glance toward Zhou Qianfu, who cowered, sweat pouring down his brow. He hadn't anticipated this twist. "Where did these monsters come from?" Zhou muttered, bewildered. First, a Half-Emperor had blindsided him, and now, two Great Emperors stood ready to tear him apart.
He cursed under his breath, his fear barely contained. "This wasn't supposed to happen…"
But the black-robed figure, despite his surprise, showed no fear. "No matter," he sneered, turning back toward Xu Chu and Qingyun. "You're still just ants from the Lower Domain. Even suppressed, I can crush you both."
With a chilling laugh, he launched his attack, his power tearing through the air like a storm unleashed. Xu Chu and Qingyun wasted no time, stepping forward to meet the onslaught. The sky split with a thunderous crack as the three combatants vanished into the void, the sheer force of their battle too great for the mortal realm to contain.
As they vanished, a tense silence fell over the battlefield below.
Orion, still standing tall, shifted his gaze to Zhou Qianfu, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. He raised his spear, pointing it directly at the trembling man. "Zhou Qianfu… it's been a while."
Zhou Qianfu's face paled, but instead of fear, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Luo Yi… I didn't think you'd recover so quickly," he spat. "Last time, I was careless. This time, I'll show you my true strength."
Luo Yi raised an eyebrow, the tip of his spear gleaming in the dim light. "Is that so?" His voice was cold. "Then let's settle this once and for all."
The two former rivals clashed with a roar that echoed across the battlefield. Each strike of their weapons fractured the space around them, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Their ferocity was so great that they too vanished into the void, their battle too intense for the world to bear.
And with their departure, the battlefield seemed to hold its breath. The elite warriors—those under the rank of Emperor—stood frozen, staring at the empty sky. The sheer magnitude of the conflict left them dazed. Five emperor-level masters had appeared in a single battle, an unprecedented event. And now, they were gone, leaving behind only their armies.
With their commanders vanished, both sides hesitated. But soon enough, the brutal rhythm of war resumed.
The soldiers of Zhou, having regrouped, raised their banners and charged once more. Among them were the feared generals of the Four Towns, seasoned in the art of war. These men were no ordinary fighters; they had spent years defending their lands, their expertise honed in countless battles. Together, their forces moved with military precision, forming a powerful battle formation.
"Kill!" The war cry of millions reverberated across the battlefield, shaking the earth itself.
Yuan Zuozong watched from atop his mount, his silver spear glinting in the light. His expression, usually calm, was now tense as he observed the formation gathering strength before him. Above the army, an ethereal image shimmered—the soul of the legion, formed by the united will of the soldiers below.
"Military soul…" Yuan Zuozong murmured, a rare note of seriousness in his voice. He knew well the power of a battle formation fortified by a legion's spirit. It wasn't something to take lightly.
The sheer strength of such unity, the ability to turn the quantity of soldiers into a single, overwhelming force, was formidable. And Yuan Zuozong understood the weight of the battle ahead.
This was no longer a clash of men—it was a war of souls, armies, and the fate of empires.