The Thunder of Illusions, crafted by the Demon King himself, was a weapon of unparalleled torment, forcing its victims to confront their deepest fears, regrets, and the parts of themselves they despised the most. As Tianlong, the Supreme God of War, flew into the storm to save the kidnapped fairy, he underestimated the power of the cursed thunder. Though his immortal status granted him immense strength, it could not shield him from the torment of his mind and heart, making him vulnerable to the illusions.
As he entered the storm, the first illusion enveloped him: the destruction of the Heavenly Realm, his greatest fear. The skies burned with unholy flames, the celestial rivers ran dry, and the jade mountains crumbled into dust. The cries of the fallen echoed in his ears, each one more harrowing than the last. Yet, the most unsettling part was the strange, dark blue moonlight illuminating the scene, its glow so intense it blinded his vision. Tianlong felt paralyzed, as if the very essence of his will was being stripped away.
"Why am I not fighting?" he thought. "What is stopping me?"
Despite his strength, he struggled to break free, realizing with horror that it wasn't the illusion itself but something deep within him—an unwillingness, a vulnerability—that was holding him back. "I must overcome this," he resolved, "or it will damage my cultivation."
When he finally tore himself free, the next illusion descended. This time, it was heartbreakingly familiar. He saw his mother and father, alive and whole, in their heavenly abode. His mother smiled warmly as she played with a younger version of himself. "Tianlong," she said softly, "where have you been? Dinner is ready. Your father will return soon from the courtyard celebration. Should I feed you first?"
For a moment, Tianlong found himself smiling, the illusion sinking its claws into his soul. But a pang of pain shot through him as the truth surfaced in his heart. His parents were long dead, taken from him in the Divine War. He gripped his Sunfire Blade, the blade trembling in his hand as he whispered, "You're not real... My mother and father are gone." With a decisive strike, he shattered the illusion, sending the false images of his parents scattering into golden mist.
But the illusions were not done with him. In the final vision, a green dragon, immense and ancient, appeared before him. Its shimmering scales glowed with an ominous light as it circled him, its voice echoing in the void.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Tianlong demanded, his blade poised to strike.
The dragon's haunting words rang out:
"The mountains will break, the jade will shatter, the rivers will overflow, and your heart will blacken. You will fall in love, and the cries of the heavens will thunder in despair. The celestial qi will fracture, and you will be powerless to fight yourself, cursed by your very existence."
Tianlong's grip on his blade tightened. "I would never harm anyone! I protect the realms!" he retorted, his voice firm yet tinged with unease.
The dragon's cryptic message left Tianlong shaken as it disappeared into the void, leaving only its parting words lingering in his mind. But there was no time to dwell on it, as the final challenge manifested before him: illusory rock guardians, their strength equal to the combined force of six mountains. The colossal figures loomed over him, their attacks relentless and devastating.
Summoning all his might, Tianlong unleashed the full power of his cultivation. The Sunfire Blade burned with divine energy as he struck down each guardian, the ground quaking beneath his feet with every blow. The battle was grueling, but Tianlong's resolve never wavered. With one final, earth-shattering strike, he obliterated the last guardian, their remains crumbling into ash.
As the storm cleared, the young purple fairy reappeared, unharmed and trembling with fear. Tianlong knelt to her, his aura gentle despite the ferocity of his recent battle. "You are safe now," he said softly, his voice steady as he carried her in his arms.
Returning to the Jade Pavilion, the skies above the Heavenly Realm brightened once more, the oppressive storm dissipating into the distance. Tianlong's victory over the illusions and the storm proved his unmatched strength, but deep within his heart, the dragon's prophecy and its foreboding words lingered.
Tianlong's radiant presence commanded respect as he stood before the gathered clan leaders, his golden armor gleaming with divine light, the aftereffects of his battle against the storm still evident. "The realms will remain safe," he proclaimed with unshakable authority. Yet, even as his words brought reassurance, his eyes lingered on the endless azure skies. Deep within, the foreboding echoes of the green dragon's prophecy stirred, gnawing at the edges of his mind.
The quiet reverie was interrupted as one of the Golden Guards approached and whispered urgently into Feng Lie's ear. Feng Lie's expression shifted, seriousness replacing his usual playful demeanor. Turning to Tianlong, he bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty," Feng Lie began, his voice measured yet grave, "there is a matter that requires your immediate attention. I believe it is best discussed privately with the clan leaders alone."
The murmurs among the gathered clans hushed as they exchanged uncertain glances. The weight of Feng Lie's tone was unmistakable—this was not a matter for the ears of all.
Tianlong nodded, his gaze firm. "Very well. Clan leaders, accompany me to the heaven Pavilion."
With a graceful gesture of his hand, he dismissed the other gathered immortals, leaving the smaller clan representatives, guards, and attendants behind. As the clan leaders followed him into the grand pavilion, tension hung in the air. The chamber, adorned with celestial jade and flowing golden silk, seemed to amplify the weight of the conversation to come.
When all were seated, Tianlong broke the silence. "Speak freely, Feng Lie. What requires such secrecy?"
Feng Lie glanced briefly at the other clan leaders, his voice low and steady. "Your Majesty, our scouts have uncovered troubling information. The Demon Clan has begun amassing their forces near the Shadow Abyss, and worse..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "There are whispers of an ancient artifact hidden there—one tied to the very balance of the realms. If the Demon King gains control of it, even the Heavenly Realm may fall."
The room fell silent, the weight of Feng Lie's words sinking in. Biaotian, the wise elder and leader of the Animal Clan, stroked his long beard thoughtfully. "The Shadow Abyss… That place has long been avoided, even by the most daring of our kind. If the artifact you speak of is what I think it is, we cannot allow it to fall into demonic hands."
The Water Clan leader, Yunfang, spoke next, his voice dripping with sarcasm but tinged with genuine concern. "And what will His Majesty propose? March into the Abyss and challenge the Demon King himself? Or perhaps leave it to the young Fire Clan leader to handle, given his… bold confidence?"
Before the Fire Clan leader, Yu Feng Lie, could retort, Madam Yue, the elegant Bird Clan leader, raised a hand to silence the brewing conflict. "This is not the time for petty rivalries. If the balance of the realms is truly at stake, then we must act as one."
Tianlong's voice cut through the room, steady and commanding. "Enough. This is no longer a matter of pride or personal grievances. If what Feng Lie says is true, then the Shadow Abyss must be investigated immediately. I will lead this mission myself."
The clan leaders exchanged uneasy glances, their reservations clear. Yunfang, ever the contrarian, finally spoke. "Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but if you fall in battle, the Heavenly Realm will lose its greatest protector. Are you certain this is wise?"
Tianlong's golden eyes gleamed with determination as he responded. "The safety of the realms is my responsibility. If this artifact truly threatens our existence, then I will see to it that it does not fall into the wrong hands. However, I will not act recklessly. I ask that each of you prepare your clans for the worst. Should this mission fail, the realms must stand united in defense."
As the leaders murmured their assent, Feng Lie stepped forward. "I will accompany you, Your Majesty. You'll need someone to watch your back, especially if this mission takes us into the heart of the Demon Clan's territory."
Tianlong nodded, his trust in Feng Lie evident. "Very well. We leave at dawn in twenty days. Let us pray that the heavens guide us in what lies ahead."
The clan leaders exchanged resolute glances. The extended timeline was unusual, but Tianlong's wisdom was rarely questioned. It was clear he intended for the extra days to serve as preparation—not only for the journey but also for ensuring the safety and readiness of the realms.
Biaotian, stroking his beard, was the first to speak. "Twenty days will give us time to strengthen our defenses and prepare contingencies. Wise as always, Your Majesty."
Yunfang, leaning back with his usual smirk, added, "Or perhaps it's twenty days so we can indulge in some finer celestial wines before plunging into the Shadow Abyss?"
Madam Yue shot him a sharp glance. "You mock what you do not understand, Yunfang. Those days will be crucial for coordination and strategy."
Tianlong raised his hand, silencing the brewing banter. "Each of you knows the weight of this mission. Use the time wisely. Strengthen your clans, secure your realms, and prepare for the unknown. I will not tolerate negligence in a matter of this magnitude."
as all the leader greeted a goodbye bows and left to there assigned pavaillion in the heaven releam
As the leaders bowed and began to leave the pavilion, Feng Lie lingered, his expression pensive. "Your Majesty," he said, voice low, "twenty days… Do you believe it's enough time for what truly concerns you?"
As Feng Lie nodded and departed into the night, Tianlong remained behind, gazing at the vast celestial expanse. The stars seemed dimmer, as if even they could sense the encroaching darkness. In his heart, the words of the green dragon echoed once more:
"The rivers will overflow, the jade will break, and your heart will blacken…"
As the leaders departed, leaving Tianlong alone in the celestial pavilion, the hesitation in his usually resolute gaze lingered. He stared into the boundless night sky, where stars shimmered like shards of jade, but his thoughts were far from their celestial beauty. He knew the truth none dared to speak aloud—the moment they entered the Shadow Abyss, his cultivation would falter.
The Shadow Abyss was no ordinary battlefield; it was the place of his origin, the ground stained by the tragic sacrifice of his parents. It was where his mother and father had perished while sealing the Devil's Ring, a cursed artifact of unspeakable power. The ring's existence was the greatest threat to the Heavenly Realm, and its allure to the Demon Clan was insatiable. If the Demon King were to claim it, the heavens would crumble under his dominion.
For five centuries, the seal his parents had forged with their very souls had held strong, safeguarding the realms. But now, that seal was weakening. The surge of cursed beings, devils, and demonic power pressing against it was growing more potent with each passing year. It was as though the abyss itself was crying out, yearning for the destruction it once promised.
Yet, there was no turning back. He was the Supreme God of War, the protector of the realms, and the last line of defense against the chaos the ring would unleash. The leaders of the clans might suspect his hesitation, but they would never fully understand it. For them, the mission was a duty. For Tianlong, it was a return to the site of his deepest pain—a place that could undo him in more ways than one.
With a deep breath, he rose from his seat and gazed into the heavens. "Father, Mother," he murmured, his voice carrying both reverence and resolve. "Your sacrifice will not be in vain. I will protect what you gave your lives for, even if it costs me my own."
"The flowers fall and grow anew, their petals bright with life's promise. Yet, when the frost claims them, they freeze—silent, unmoving, unalive. The garden, once vibrant, begins to murmur in sorrow, its whispers carried by the wind. The flowers weep, their crystalline tears falling to the frozen soil.
'Will I ever meet the me who everyone sees?'
As Tianlong sighed, his gaze fixed on the vast sky above, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.
A single tear, the first in centuries, traced down his cheek.
It fell silently, like a drop of dew on a blade of grass, unnoticed by the heavens but heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions.
He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. "Am I truly the god they think I am?" he whispered to the winds, the question lingering in the air, unanswered.
In that fleeting moment, Tianlong was no longer the Supreme God of War—he was simply a soul, lost in a world that demanded more than he could give, caught between his legacy and the person he longed to be.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Demon Clan's lair, the Demon Clan Leader, Gofeng, sat in a shadowed chamber, surrounded by his most trusted generals and spies. His sharp eyes glinted with cold calculation as he surveyed a map of the Heavenly Realm spread out before him.
"The gods are moving," Gofeng said, his voice soft yet commanding. "Their next step will be to the Shadow Abyss. We've watched them for centuries, and now, the moment has come."
He leaned forward, his fingers tracing the ancient, cursed paths that led to the abyss. "We need to ensure they're lured there. The Shadow Abyss is their greatest weakness, and it's the key to breaking their power." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "They may think they are prepared, but they have underestimated the danger within the abyss."
Turning to his two most trusted spies—his Perish Crows—he gave his orders. "You will remain in the shadows, watching the Heavenly Palace. They will move soon, and we must be ready. One of you will infiltrate the Jade Pavilion, posing as a servant to plant whispers of a threat—rumors that the clan leader might have died will unsettle them. They thrive on fear, and we will give them the seed of doubt."
The crows nodded, understanding the subtlety of the plan. "The other will go to Huloufang, where the clan's best allies and most skilled warriors reside when the clan leader are in the shadow abyss and there best warrior are busted with chaos in the clans . You will orchestrate an ambush to send a message to the gods, a strike at their vulnerable allies. Nothing too direct, but enough to keep them on edge."
Gofeng's lips curled into a slight smile. "We need to keep the gods divided and distracted. If they believe their realm is under attack from multiple fronts, they'll be forced to move carelessly. When the god of war will head to the Shadow Abyss, that's when we strike. We'll be waiting, not with brute force, but with precision."
His gaze hardened. "And when they're distracted by the storm of chaos we've unleashed, we will claim the devil ring