The first key had been secured, but Yao Zhen knew this was only the beginning. The Realm of Eternity awaited, but to reach it, he needed to gather the remaining keys—each one more elusive and powerful than the last. His forces had grown exponentially, and now, with the first key in hand, his confidence soared even higher. The world had already felt the tremors of his ambition, but the heavens themselves would soon tremble as well.
Back in his new imperial palace, Yao Zhen stood on the balcony, staring out at the sprawling empire he had claimed. The kingdom of Xian was now a symbol of his dominance, but it was only one piece of his grand design. His empire stretched across continents, and yet, his hunger for more—more power, more control—pushed him forward. The system's whispers of greater realms, of ascension beyond even the gods, called to him like an unrelenting siren song.
"Your Majesty," Mei Lian approached, her voice soft yet firm, "the other kingdoms are aware of your conquest. Their resistance has begun to crumble, but some have sent emissaries seeking peace."
Yao Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained impassive. "Peace? Let them come. They will see what remains of their kingdoms after I am done."
Mei Lian hesitated but then continued. "There is one more piece of information. The next key... it's rumored to be in the possession of the Immortal Empress, one of the last living beings to have ascended to the mortal plane. She resides in the Celestial Fortress—an impenetrable citadel built atop the highest peaks of the Scarlet Mountains. It is said that no one has ever breached its walls."
Yao Zhen's lips curled into a smile. "Impenetrable, you say?" His voice was laced with the promise of destruction. "We will see about that."
The Journey to the Celestial Fortress
The Celestial Fortress, a place of myth, had long been regarded as the domain of immortals. Built into the peaks of the Scarlet Mountains, the fortress was said to be unreachable by mortal means. A dense mist surrounded the area, and the mountains themselves were dangerous, filled with traps, natural hazards, and creatures that were the stuff of nightmares. Yet, none of these concerns stopped Yao Zhen. With the first key now in his possession, the next would soon follow.
He led his forces through the treacherous mountains, the path growing steeper with every step. The air grew thin, and the temperature dropped to near freezing as they ascended. Despite these hardships, Yao Zhen was undeterred. He could feel the pulse of the second key, drawing him closer to his goal. His army followed in his wake, resolute and ready for the challenges ahead.
As they approached the base of the Scarlet Mountains, the mist thickened, swirling around them like a living thing. Strange sounds echoed through the air—the screeching of birds, the howls of unseen creatures. But Yao Zhen paid no mind. The system had warned him of the dangers, but it also offered solutions.
Skill Unlocked: Mist of the Forbidden Realm. Effect: Dispels illusions and environmental obfuscations. Passive.
With a thought, Yao Zhen activated the skill. The mist parted like a curtain, revealing the true path leading up the mountain. The once-confounding illusions that had plagued his soldiers vanished, and they were able to advance with newfound clarity.
As they continued their journey, they encountered creatures that seemed to be conjured from the mist itself—massive, serpentine beasts that slithered across the mountainsides, their eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence. But Yao Zhen was not afraid. He had faced far greater dangers, and now, his power had grown even stronger.
With a wave of his hand, the Infernal Fury skill flared to life, sending out torrents of demonic energy that obliterated the serpents before they could get close. Each strike shattered the beasts with ease, their forms crumbling into nothingness as Yao Zhen's power surged.
The deeper they climbed, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The mountain itself seemed to resist them, as if aware of their presence. The air grew thick with spiritual energy, and Yao Zhen could feel the presence of the Immortal Empress long before they reached the fortress.
At last, they arrived at the summit. The Celestial Fortress loomed before them—a towering structure of white marble and gold, its walls adorned with intricate symbols and runes. The entrance was guarded by a squadron of divine warriors, their golden armor shimmering with celestial light.
"Turn back, mortal," one of the warriors spoke, their voice booming. "No one may enter the Celestial Fortress without the Empress's permission. You are not welcome here."
Yao Zhen's gaze hardened. "I am the Emperor. I do not need permission."
Without another word, he unleashed the power of Celestial Wrath, channeling the might of both heaven and inferno into a single, devastating strike. The shockwave that followed obliterated the divine warriors, their forms turning to ash in an instant. The gates of the fortress shuddered, their golden seals breaking apart as Yao Zhen's power forced them open.
He stepped through the threshold, the air around him humming with celestial energy. His eyes flicked over the surroundings—magnificent tapestries lined the walls, and golden statues of ancient deities stood at attention, their stone eyes watching silently. The Immortal Empress was near, and Yao Zhen could feel her presence—ancient, untouchable, and filled with the weight of countless lifetimes.
As he ventured deeper into the fortress, he finally encountered her.
The Immortal Empress stood before him, a figure of unparalleled beauty and majesty. Her long hair shimmered like threads of silver, and her eyes glowed with a divine light. She wore a gown made of celestial fabric that seemed to shift and move with a life of its own. In her hands, she held a staff, the top crowned with a glowing crystal.
"You dare enter my domain, Emperor?" Her voice was calm, yet the power in it was undeniable. "Do you think you can simply take what is mine?"
Yao Zhen smiled, unfazed by her presence. "I do not need permission. I will take what I want, Empress."
The Battle for the Second Key
The Immortal Empress's eyes narrowed as she raised her staff. The air around her shimmered with raw celestial power, and Yao Zhen could feel the immense energy she commanded. This was no mere mortal—this was a being who had transcended the limits of the physical world.
"Very well, Emperor," she said. "You will see what happens to those who think they can challenge the heavens."
With a single motion, she struck the ground with her staff, sending out a shockwave of pure divine energy. The force was so powerful that it cracked the floor beneath them, sending Yao Zhen skidding back. But he did not falter. The system's guidance and the celestial power within him surged in response, and he was back on his feet in an instant.
He launched forward, his Infernal Fury skill activating as he closed the distance between them. Flames of darkness and light intertwined, creating a storm of destructive energy that tore through the air. The Empress blocked the attack with her staff, but the force of the impact sent her stumbling back.
"Impressive," she said, her voice now tinged with respect. "But you are not yet ready for the true power of the immortal realm."
She raised her hands, summoning a vortex of celestial energy that enveloped her entire body. The power radiated outward, and for a moment, Yao Zhen felt the weight of eternity pressing down on him. The very essence of the immortal realm seemed to shift in response to her call.
But Yao Zhen was undeterred. The system offered him a new skill:
Skill Unlocked: Immortal Requiem. Effect: Harness the power of divine energy to counter celestial attacks. Passive boost to energy absorption.
Yao Zhen channeled the power of the skill, drawing the celestial energy into himself rather than fighting it. The Empress's attack collided with his barrier, but instead of being destroyed, the energy flowed into him, making him stronger.
He grinned. "You were wrong to underestimate me."
With a final, devastating strike, Yao Zhen unleashed the full force of his power. The Empress attempted to defend herself, but it was no use. Her form shattered like glass under the might of his attack, and the second key—glowing with celestial light—dropped into his hand.
The Immortal Empress had fallen.
To Be Continued...
4o mini