Zulor city, Silvet commandry, Red dragon province, Xin Empire
Human territory,
Fiend general castle,
"Are you sure about visiting your house before infiltrating the fiend general's castle?"
The blonde-haired man asked, his brow furrowing deeply. He wore a black robe adorned with the emblem of a silver dragon coiled around a long sword—an unmistakable mark of the Silver Dragon Sword Sect and the legendary hero party, the Silver Dragon Six Swords, sixth sword. This was Ash Vickman, the Void Hero. His stern expression masked a storm of turbulent thoughts, malice flickering like dark clouds within his mind. His piercing gaze fixed on the man before him, heavy with suspicion.
"Yes."
The reply was calm, yet unwavering. The speaker, a youngman with dark brown hair and piercing black eyes, bore the same dragon-emblazoned robe, identifying him as a fellow member of the hero party.
"Are you right in the head?" another voice cut in, sharp and scornful. It came from Wei Zu, a middle age man with narrow eyes and a mustache that drooped below his chin. His power, the ability to shatter anything with a mere touch, was infamous, third sword, Wei Zu stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain. "We've already invaded the Zulor city and stand at the gates of the fiend general's castle. Now you want to complicate things for the entire party? Can you take responsibility for your actions, Adler?"
Adler opened his mouth to respond, but another voice, laced with biting sarcasm, interrupted.
"Adler, did a donkey kick you in the head, or have you already pushed your brain to its limit? Do you not understand the gravity of our situation?" The speaker was Lux Layman, the fifth sword , the Thread-Binder Hero, whose power connected worlds and energies. Lux's expression twisted into a sneer as he added, "You are not a hero. You are just a supporter, a glorified navigator whose job is to tell us the direction of our goal. You don't have the qualifications to decide anything for this party."
"Enough!" A sharp yet ethereal voice cut through the tension. The words were like silk infused with steel. "You should listen to his reason before shouting at him. Can you not understand your companion's situation? Yet you call yourself a hero."
The owner of the voice stepped forward—, 2nd sword , the Ice- Phoenix Hero. Sylvia Liora has a slim, graceful figure, like a willow, with curves that naturally attract attention. Her chest is full, and her waist is slender, leading to a perky, rounded bottom. She carries herself with a cool, composed air, as if her beauty is effortless and shaped by the icy discipline of her cultivation techniques. Her movements are smooth and deliberate, giving off a calm, distant vibe that adds to her allure, making her beauty seem both natural and unattainable. Every step, seemed to evoke desire in every man who laid eyes upon her. But despite the allure of her form, it was the coldness in her gaze, the authority in her voice, that truly commanded attention.
"Ms. Sylvia is right," another voice chimed in, firm yet calm. "Ash, Wei Zu, Lux—don't be so harsh on your comrade. Try to be considerate of our Horizon Walker Hero. He is a valuable asset to our party."
The speaker was a young man of striking beauty, his silver hair falling elegantly over his shoulders. His voice carried authority without effort, and his piercing gaze turned to each member of the group in turn. He was the heir to the Silver Dragon Sword Sect and the leader of the infamous Silver Dragon Six Swords, Wang chi.
"Adler, why don't you share your reasons so that those opposing your decision might understand and approve of it? Even the Void Hero will support you if your cause is sound. Don't you think so, everyone?"
Though he addressed Ash, Wei Zu, and Lux by name, he referred to Adler only by his title. The distinction was clear—a subtle reminder of Adler's status within the group. Was it a deliberate assertion of hierarchy or a reflection of the leader's relationship with the party?
"I received a sound transmission from our maid that Fiona condition has suddenly worsens and she fainted before vomiting blood. I have to go no matter what. She needs me. Onec her condition stabilize. I will join the party_"
"Join the party! When? How?" Void hero, Ash Vickman asked Adler before interrupting him with oppressive tone." When gonna your wife condition gonna stabilize? Until then what we gonna do. Smack some fly? Or playing hard and seek with demon general minions. What's if her condition worsens then you remain at your wife bedside"
"Mind your words." Adler's gaze hardened, and a deep anger flared in his chest. His voice, low and dangerous, cut through the room. " Ash! I will not stand here and let you question my decisions. I will do whatever it takes to protect my family. If you cannot understand that, then perhaps you do not understand what it means to fight for something beyond yourself."
Ash's hand twitched towards the hilt of his sword, his aura radiating with a dangerous tension. "You—"
Sylvia stepped between them. "Enough! There is no room for violence here. We are not enemies. I will not allow this to escalate further."
Lux scoffed but remained silent, his expression dark with dissatisfaction. The group was now divided, with Adler standing firm in his resolve while the others, torn between duty and personal stakes, remained unsure of what to say.
The scene was at a breaking point, and yet, Adler's path seemed clear. He would not be swayed.
Wang Chi opened his left hand, and a small azure-colored hourglass appeared in his palm, floating just above it. Grains of sand trickled down slowly into the bottom part of the hourglass with a fluid motion.
"We have an hour and a half before meeting with the other members to regroup before infiltrating the castle. How about we take Adler to his house before returning? Lu Ziyan will help stabilize her condition. Until the others can rest and review our strategy, Ash, Wei Zu, Lux, Lu Ziyan, and I will return with Adler in haste, without delay."
Wang Chi spoke as he looked toward Lu Ziyan, the healer of the Silver Dragon Hero Party, and then his gaze settled lastly on Adler.
"Are you sure?" Adler asked, his voice filled with gratitude. He needed a healer to stabilize his wife's condition.
"Yes! We are comrades and brothers. Why wouldn't we help each other? And, brother Adler, don't take it to heart what Ash and the others said. They've seen their sects and clans destroyed by fiend race. They've lost control over their emotions after coming so close to their goal. I hope you understand."
Adler nodded gratefully.
Wang Chi, the leader of the Silver Dragon Hero Party, moved forward and gave commands to the others.
"Miss Sylvia and the others, move to the designated potion area where our team and other members will regroup. Be cautious of your surroundings. We are in Tiger Dan, or rather, a city full of fiends. Every move you make could endanger your life, so be careful."
Wang Chi's gaze landed on Sylvia, warning her of the dangers before he turned his eyes toward Ash.
"Ash, open the door to Henza city. We are going to visit Adler's house."
Ash, the Void Hero, stepped forward and raised his hands. The air before him twisted and turned. Space itself disturbed to a degree, and cracks began to appear. The void shattered open before them.
Adler moved closer to Sylvia.
"Thank you, Ms. Sylvia, for what you did before for me—"
"What are you talking about?" Sylvia interrupted, her smile gentle but firm. "There's no need to thank me. Fiona is like a sister to me, so you don't need to thank me for this. And why do you keep calling me 'Ms. Sylvia'? Didn't I say you should call me Sylvia or Sister Sylvia? Either one is fine. Do you get it?"
She spoke with a soft yet assertive tone, her face hiding any hesitation as she continued. "I don't care what others say, but I want you to call me Sylvia or Sister Sylvia. Do you get it? And I don't want a 'no' for an answer."
"Adler, it's time," Wang Chi called out.
Adler could only smile in response as he heard Wang Chi's voice. He was standing near the void with Ash, Wei Zu, Lux, and Lu Ziyan.
Adler walked over to the void and peered into the swirling black space filled with shining white stars. He had traveled through voids in the past.
Traveling through the void, or teleporting from one place to another, was only possible for cultivators with Sovereign realm, the peak of cultivation . Ash, one of the strongest members of their party, had attained the Ascendant realm by the mere age of 40. His unique initiate core skill, allowed him to open voids for a limited time allowed them to travel this way.
Wang Chi entered the void, followed by Wei Zu, Lux, Lu Ziyan, and Adler. Ash, with a malicious smile, stepped into the void, closing it behind him, his gaze lingering on Sylvia and the others. The space returned to its previous state of tranquility.
---
Henza city, Xin commandry, Zhang xu province, Phoniex empire
Nestled among rolling hills and green fields, the village exudes a peaceful charm that delights the senses. The air carries the light scent of blooming wildflowers, and the soft hum of bees adds a calming sound to the quiet surroundings.
In the evening, as the sun sets behind the hills, the village glows with golden light. Children's laughter echoes as they play near the central fountain, and the faint sound of a flute provides a gentle melody to the scene.
At the end of this village lies a modest yet welcoming home. Its thatched roof, aged by time, covers walls painted in warm, earthy colors. A wooden porch, decorated with handcrafted chairs, offers a quiet place to watch the daily life of the village. The garden, tended with love, overflows with bright marigolds and roses, showing the gardener's dedication. A cobblestone path leads to the entrance, where a simple wooden door stands.
Crack! Crack!
The sound of cracking space echoed as a vertical line appeared before turning into an eye-shaped void. A foot emerged from the void, landing on the ground, followed by Ash Vickman, the Void Hero.
"This is my second time here, but the scene is still beautiful and tranquil," Ash remarked as he looked around.
Adler hurriedly walked across the cobblestone path and reached the door. He opened it with quick steps and entered the house.
"Fiona, I have returned, and with a healer—"
Before Adler could finish his sentence, a heavy fist slammed into his back, sending him flying forward and crashing into the front wall before passing through it…
As Adler lay on the ground, stunned, Wei Zu, Lux, and Ash advanced with deadly precision. The overwhelming difference in their cultivation left Adler with no time to react or defend himself.
Ash moved first, his presence a silent threat. With a fierce roar, he lunged at Adler, his muscles bulging as he struck with a raw force. His punches hit like sledgehammers, easily capable of shattering boulders. One powerful blow to Adler's chest sent him flying, cracking the stone floor beneath him. Adler gasped for air, his ribs cracking under the pressure.
"Weak, I didn't even use my full strength yet" Ash spat, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. He moved like a shadow, each strike a blur, and Adler could feel the bones in his body groaning under the crushing impact of Ash's fists.
The battle intensified as Ash Vickman, the Void Hero, continued his brutal assault on Adler. His strikes were a blur of power and fury. With each punch, Adler's body seemed to shatter under the force, the sound of bones cracking reverberating in the air. Ash's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, the raw strength of his blows overwhelming the once-proud cultivator. Every impact sent shockwaves through the room, shaking the walls and splintering the cobblestone beneath them. He didn't stop—Ash was relentless.