Chapter 17: The Emperor's Gaze
The battlefield was drenched in blood and fire. Black Moon Fortress trembled under the relentless assault of the Azure Sky Sect, but Leon refused to yield.
Standing amidst the corpses of fallen cultivators, he faced Elder Ziran, the mid-Sky Realm warrior who had descended upon the battlefield like an executioner. The elder's golden lightning-infused spear crackled with devastating energy, illuminating the night like a celestial decree.
Leon tightened his grip on Abyssal Fang, his heart pounding. This was his greatest challenge yet.
Clash with the Sky Realm Elder
Ziran moved first—lightning exploded beneath his feet, propelling him forward like a comet. His spear came down with the force of a thunder god's wrath.
Leon barely managed to dodge, rolling aside as the ground where he stood shattered into a smoking crater. He retaliated immediately, swinging Abyssal Fang in a crescent arc, the blade laced with the corrupting power of Void Requiem.
The elder twisted mid-air, dodging effortlessly. "Futile!" he sneered.
He thrust his spear forward—Thunderclap Fang!
A surge of golden lightning erupted from the weapon, roaring toward Leon like a celestial beast. Leon had no time to escape.
Instinct took over.
[Ability Activation: Abyssal Veil]
A pulse of dark energy flared around him, warping the space in front of him. The lightning attack vanished, devoured by the abyssal void.
Ziran's eyes widened. "What—?"
Leon appeared behind him in a burst of speed. "Too slow."
He slashed at Ziran's back, Void Requiem drinking hungrily from the elder's life force. Ziran gritted his teeth, spinning to strike back, but Leon was already gone—his upgraded Energy Drain allowed him to siphon vitality mid-combat, fueling his movements.
But Ziran wasn't done.
The elder exploded with golden light, forcing Leon back. His injuries healed in seconds, and his aura doubled in intensity.
"Enough of your tricks," Ziran growled. "I see why the sect fears you. But you are still beneath me."
Leon smirked. "Then let's change that."
Their battle resumed, shaking the entire fortress.
The Tides Turn
Meanwhile, Crimson Lotus and the Black Fang Mercenaries struggled against the remaining Azure Sky Sect forces. The enemy's numbers were overwhelming, and the fortress walls were beginning to fall.
Garrik Kain, the mercenary leader, fought like a beast, cutting down enemies with his twin battle axes. But even he was beginning to tire.
"We can't hold out forever!" one of the mercenaries yelled.
Crimson Lotus wiped blood from her lips. "Then we make them regret underestimating us."
She unleashed a wave of crimson fire, incinerating a dozen enemies in an instant. But then—a new threat emerged.
A black-armored figure strode onto the battlefield, his presence suffocating. Unlike the Azure Sky Sect disciples, he bore no insignia.
Crimson Lotus' eyes narrowed. "Who the hell is that?"
Garrik spat blood. "An Executioner."
Leon, still engaged in battle with Ziran, noticed the shift in the battlefield. His gaze locked onto the newcomer, and for the first time, an unfamiliar feeling coiled in his chest.
A foreboding presence.
And then—the Executioner raised his hand, revealing an imperial decree.
The Emperor's Decree
A powerful voice echoed across the battlefield, amplified by Qi.
"By the will of the Celestial Emperor, all forces are to stand down."
Silence fell. Even Elder Ziran froze, his face paling.
Leon's eyes darkened. "The Emperor?"
The Executioner unrolled the decree, his voice cold and unwavering.
"Leon Voss, Forsaken of the Azure Sky Sect, has caught the gaze of the Celestial Emperor. His fate shall not be decided here."
Ziran clenched his fists, trembling with rage. "This wretch is a criminal! A threat to the sect—!"
"Silence," the Executioner commanded. "The Emperor has spoken. He will deal with Leon Voss personally."
Leon exhaled slowly. He had survived the siege… but now he had the attention of the most powerful figure in the empire.
And that was far more dangerous than any battle.