The days passed quickly in Eastwood as Yao Zhen solidified his reign, but his mind was always focused on the next step. The system had presented him with another monumental task: to conquer the Kingdom of Xian. Situated to the west of Eastwood, Xian was a prosperous kingdom ruled by the wise and revered King Li Feng, whose military and political strength were renowned across the land.
For many, it seemed impossible to challenge the Kingdom of Xian. They had the might of their armies, the favor of the gods, and a well-established alliance with neighboring kingdoms. But to Yao Zhen, these were mere obstacles. The system had granted him powers beyond mortal understanding, and his ambition knew no bounds.
As the sun set on Eastwood, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold, Yao Zhen stood atop his palace tower, gazing toward the horizon. The Kingdom of Xian lay just beyond the mountains, its wealth and resources calling to him like a siren song.
"Your Majesty," Mei Lian's voice cut through his thoughts as she approached from behind. "The reports have come in. Xian has already heard of your victories here. King Li Feng has raised his armies in preparation for your march. He will not yield easily."
Yao Zhen turned, his expression unreadable. "Let him prepare. Let them all prepare. I did not come this far to be thwarted by a kingdom of stone and steel. The heavens will bend to my will."
Mei Lian's brow furrowed as she studied him. "Your Majesty, I must caution you. Xian is not like the others you've faced. Their king is a master tactician, and their alliances with the gods are more than just rumors. If we march without caution…"
Yao Zhen held up a hand, silencing her. "Do not doubt me, Mei Lian. I am no mere mortal king. I have the system at my side, and I have already absorbed the power of the Demon Lord. The heavens will not stop me."
The March to Xian
The Imperial Army moved with purpose, their ranks filled with both seasoned warriors and new recruits who had been inspired by Yao Zhen's victories. Their banners fluttered in the wind, each bearing the mark of the Imperial Dragon, a symbol that was quickly becoming feared across the continent.
As they marched west, the land changed. The forests grew denser, the air thinner, as they climbed into the foothills of the Xian mountains. The journey was arduous, and the army faced constant skirmishes with raiders and mercenaries sent by the Kingdom of Xian. But Yao Zhen's forces were unstoppable, every battle a demonstration of their superior strategy and strength.
"Your Majesty," Li Rong said, her voice soft as she approached Yao Zhen on horseback. "There are whispers among the people of Xian. They speak of a powerful artifact known as the Celestial Heart. It is said to grant its wielder the favor of the gods, and King Li Feng has kept it hidden away for centuries."
Yao Zhen's eyes narrowed. The Celestial Heart. If it was as powerful as the rumors suggested, it could prove to be a significant obstacle. But it could also be his. If he could obtain it, the gods themselves would have no choice but to bow before him.
"Then we will take it," he said, his voice laced with resolve. "We will crush their armies and seize their treasures. The gods are no match for me."
The Gates of Xian
After days of relentless marching, Yao Zhen's army finally reached the gates of Xian. The kingdom's capital city was nestled at the foot of a massive mountain, its walls towering and impregnable, guarded by both human soldiers and celestial beasts. The people of Xian lined the streets, their faces a mixture of fear and defiance as they watched the Imperial Army approach.
King Li Feng stood atop the palace walls, his regal presence commanding the attention of all below. His silver hair flowed in the wind, and his eyes, though filled with wisdom, betrayed a hint of concern. He had heard of Yao Zhen's rise and the power he commanded, but he had never expected him to march on Xian itself.
"Your Majesty, they are here," one of his advisors said, bowing low.
Li Feng's lips curled into a thin smile. "Let them come. We will meet them on the battlefield. We will show them that the gods themselves are on our side."
Yao Zhen stood at the front of his army, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The gates of Xian loomed before him, and he could feel the presence of the gods watching from above, their eyes trained on him. But he was not afraid. He had faced demons, spirits, and monsters from every corner of the earth, and none of them had stopped him. The heavens would be no different.
With a single gesture, he signaled the charge. His army surged forward, their war cries filling the air as they rushed toward the gates. The soldiers of Xian stood firm, their weapons raised in defense, but Yao Zhen knew this battle would be different.
He reached into the depths of his new power, summoning the Infernal Fury skill that had been granted to him after his victory over the Demon Lord. Dark, fiery tendrils of energy shot from his body, enveloping his army and giving them strength beyond mortal limits. The ground trembled as infernal creatures, summoned from the abyss itself, tore through the battlefield, their roars shaking the heavens.
The gates of Xian were no match for the onslaught. The walls crumbled under the weight of the Imperial Army's assault, and the defenders were swept aside by the force of the charge.
But King Li Feng was not a king to be easily defeated. As Yao Zhen advanced toward the palace, the skies above Xian darkened, and the air crackled with divine energy. The gods had not abandoned their kingdom.
A celestial beam of light shot down from the heavens, striking the ground at the feet of Yao Zhen. The ground burned, and a figure appeared from the light—a god of radiant power, their form cloaked in shimmering golden armor.
"Yao Zhen," the god's voice thundered, resonating through the very air. "You defy the heavens. You bring chaos to the world, and for that, you shall be punished."
Yao Zhen's eyes gleamed as he gazed at the celestial being, feeling the power of the system surge within him. This was the moment he had been waiting for. A challenge from the gods themselves.
"You are no god," Yao Zhen declared, his voice unwavering. "You are just another obstacle in my path. And I will crush you as I have crushed all who stand against me."
The battle between Yao Zhen and the celestial god erupted in a clash of unimaginable power. The ground shook, and the skies above Xian were torn asunder, the very fabric of reality bending under the force of their conflict. Yao Zhen's Infernal Fury collided with the celestial power, creating shockwaves that threatened to level the city.
In the midst of the chaos, the system's voice rang in his mind once more.
Mission: Defeat the Celestial Guardian of Xian. Difficulty: Extreme. Rewards: Celestial Power Absorption, God's Wrath skill unlocked.
Yao Zhen smiled grimly. He would defeat this god, absorb its power, and grow even stronger. The heavens themselves had made a mistake by challenging him.
And they would soon learn just how dangerous an emperor with the will of the infernal and the power of the gods could truly be.
To Be Continued...