A week had passed since the preparations began, and both sides had grown stronger. On Shen Yuan's side, the fruits of relentless effort were visible. Many disciples had ascended to the Heaven Path Realm, with the weakest at the 1st stage and the majority reaching the 3rd stage. Among the strongest, Bai Chen and Feng Yanqing now stood at the 5th stage, while Shen Yuan himself had ascended to the 6th stage.
Shen Yuan emerged from his secluded spot, his dark robes flowing as he surveyed the gathered army. His eyes turned crimson, glimmering with a predatory excitement, a chilling smile curving his lips. The aura he exuded was suffocating yet intoxicating to those who followed him.
As Shen Yuan stood there, a wave of unease crept over him. It was subtle at first, like a whisper at the back of his mind, but it grew louder. He clenched his fists. "Why this anxiety?" For the first time in a long while, doubt gnawed at the edges of his thoughts. The air around him seemed heavier, a sign that something significant was brewing, something beyond even his understanding. Though this didn't awaken fear in him, rather it's excitement.
Meanwhile, within Gui Zuwang's dwelling, the patriarch's expression mirrored Shen Yuan's excitement. He stood by his window, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "The real game is about to begin," he murmured, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. His anticipation was palpable as he traced unseen patterns in the air with his fingers, a silent prelude to the chaos about to unfold.
The battlefield was set in a vast open plain, surrounded by jagged cliffs and barren trees. Both sides gathered, their Qi creating an oppressive atmosphere that hung over the land like a storm cloud. On one side stood Shen Yuan, leaning casually against a broken wall, his posture exuding a dangerous nonchalance. Behind him, his army buzzed with suppressed energy, their auras radiating like a kaleidoscope of colors. On the other side, the elders and their forces stood rigid, their expressions solemn as they braced for battle.
Elder Tian Xu stood at the forefront of the elder faction. His sharp eyes locked onto Shen Yuan, studying the young cultivator. The lazy posture, the indifferent expression—it all pointed to one thing, Shen Yuan understood the rules of battle. The one who struck first would be at a disadvantage, and he was exploiting this knowledge. Tian Xu's respect for Shen Yuan's cunning grew, as did his determination to eliminate him.
Hours passed. Neither side moved, the tension mounting like a coiled spring. The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional crackle of energy as cultivators adjusted their Qi flows.
"Cowards," a Heaven Path Realm elder from the opposing side growled, his patience snapping. He shot forward, his Qi igniting in a burst of dazzling light as he aimed straight for Shen Yuan.
Before Shen Yuan could react, Feng Yanqing blurred into motion, her speed leaving afterimages in the air. She appeared before the charging elder, her Void Fire flaring to life. A blinding black and green flame consumed the elder in an instant, erasing both his body and soul. The elder's scream was cut short, leaving behind nothing but silence and the terror on his face before getting erased.
Gasps erupted from both sides. Elder Tian Xu's frown deepened. Their side had made the first move—a tactical error. Yet his gaze lingered on Feng Yanqing, who stood unwavering, her fiery Qi blazing around her. She turned to Shen Yuan, her expression softening for a brief moment, as if seeking his approval.
"Let the war begin!" Elder Tian Xu's voice rang out, breaking the silence. The elders surged forward, their disciples following with a roar.
Shen Yuan straightened, his chilling smile returning. "Start the war," he said in a cold, commanding tone. His army erupted into motion, their Qi blazing in a symphony of dazzling colors as they launched into the air.
The battlefield became a chaotic storm of techniques and light. Explosions lit up the sky as cultivators clashed, their Qi clashing in waves that shook the ground. Amid the chaos, Shen Yuan, Feng Yanqing, and Bai Chen remained grounded, their focus on the three most dangerous opponents. Elder Tian Xu, Elder Feng Mo, and Elder Zhou Rui.
Elder Feng Mo stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Feng Yanqing. "Even as my granddaughter, you dare side with him?" His voice was laced with fury.
Feng Yanqing met his gaze without flinching. "I do what I feel like," she said simply, her tone dismissive.
Feng Mo's face darkened, his Qi flaring ominously. "You've shamed our family enough."
Before his anger could escalate, Elder Tian Xu raised a hand. "Control yourself, Feng Mo. We're here to end this, not bicker." He turned his sharp gaze to Shen Yuan. "Tell me, Shen Yuan. Why do you choose to defy the laws and order that have governed us for centuries? What drives you to rebel against the natural order?"
Shen Yuan's crimson eyes locked onto Tian Xu's. For a moment, the chaos around them seemed to fade, the weight of the question hanging in the air. Then, Shen Yuan smirked, a dark, knowing glint in his eyes.
"Laws?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "Your laws are chains, your order is a cage. I seek freedom, not just for myself, but for all those who have been shackled by your so-called natural order. If that makes me a rebel, so be it."
His words resonated like a thunderclap, silencing even the roars of battle. Tian Xu's expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—uncertainty.
"So, you claim to be a liberator?" Tian Xu's voice was sharp. "Or are you simply chasing power under the guise of freedom?"
Shen Yuan's smirk widened. "Perhaps both. Power and freedom are two sides of the same coin. And I intend to claim both. Without power how can you ensure freedom for yourself and for the people you care about?"
The tension between them thickened as the battle raged on. The leaders of both sides stared each other down, the true clash yet to come.
"If rebelling against the natural order makes me a demon, then so be it. I will carve my own path through blood and ruin, defying fate itself. Let the so-called deva devotees cling to the heavens' leash, I will shatter their chains and create a world where the heavens bow to me!" Shen Yuan's eyes took on a crimson draconic hue, as the sky cackled with unnatural lightning of red colour, carrying the smell of fresh blood.