The warp gate shimmered behind them as the dreadnought sliced through space, leaving the remnants of a ruined kingdom behind. Within the ship's imperial chamber, silence ruled. Gilded walls whispered of wars long past, and beneath the transparent floors flowed rivers of starlight.
Xiao sat with his eyes closed, still and unmoving, like an ancient statue carved from divine obsidian. The woman who had escorted him—still nameless to all but him—stood by his side with the grace of a snow lotus blooming on the highest celestial peak.
Before them, the capital drew near.
The Capital of Stars.
Known in ancient tongues as Tian Luo, it was a planet wrapped in golden rings, surrounded by twelve artificial suns. Its surface shimmered with cities carved into mountains, oceans dyed in colors no mortal brush could paint, and towers so tall they pierced the heavens.
As the dreadnought approached, divine sigils flickered in space—wards cast by generations of emperors. Each one was a scripture forged in the blood of saints and sealed by the breath of gods.
The ship slowed.
Then the Heaven Gate opened.
A spiraling vortex of jade and white appeared before them, guarded by thousands of Imperial Celestial Guardians, warriors who had not spoken in a thousand years. Their eyes glowed with the light of countless battles, their armor etched with verses that sang when the wind passed.
"Identity confirmed," a voice intoned. "The Blood of the Cardinal flows within. You may pass."
The ship glided through.
Within moments, the capital unfolded like a lotus blooming under the first dawn.
Xiao stood at the observation window.
"This is the heart of humanity," the woman said softly. "The cradle of every empire, every sect, every dream."
Xiao didn't speak.
Below, cities stretched across floating islands and suspended continents. Phoenixes soared in the skies. Dragons slumbered beneath crystal lakes. And above all, at the highest point of the world—there stood the Imperial Palace of Eternity, carved into the bones of a fallen star.
That was his destination.
---
As the dreadnought landed on a floating platform of white jade, a procession awaited.
Thousands of maidens clad in silken robes bowed deeply, each step synchronized with ancient music. Behind them, elders with hair like silver mist watched solemnly. Among them stood the Twelve Pillars, the strongest cultivators of the empire, second only to the Emperor himself.
And they bowed.
Not one dared to raise their head.
The woman stepped forward. Her voice rang like a divine bell.
"Presenting His Imperial Highness, Prince Xiao of the Cardinal Bloodline. The one destined to walk above all."
The crowd responded with a thunderous bow.
"Long live the Prince!"
Xiao stepped down.
His presence was like a storm wearing a crown. Eyes sharp, back straight, he walked past those who once would have scoffed at him.
Now they trembled.
One of the elders stepped forward, his hands shaking.
"Your Highness… the Council awaits. The throne has remained empty for a hundred years. Your return brings hope."
Xiao simply nodded.
"I did not come to bring hope," he said.
"I came to reclaim what is mine."
---
At the foot of the Imperial Palace, a staircase of a thousand steps awaited. No beast, machine, or servant could carry him—it was tradition.
A trial of worth.
Each step burned with the Will of Heavens. Only those with hearts like suns could survive the climb.
Xiao began walking.
Step by step.
With each step, memories surged—of cold nights, silent betrayals, hidden scars. Of weakness. Of rage.
By the five-hundredth step, blood dripped from his fingertips.
By the eight-hundredth, his vision blurred.
But he smiled.
At the thousandth step, lightning crashed above. The heavens themselves watched.
And he stood tall.
The palace doors opened without a touch.
Beyond them sat the Celestial Throne, forged from meteorite and divine bone, untouched since the last Emperor fell into eternal slumber.
Xiao approached.
He turned once.
Looked at the Twelve Pillars, the Elders, the gods and monsters who ruled this galaxy.
Then he spoke.
"I am not my grandfather. I am not here to preserve your order. I am the blade that will cut it down."
He sat upon the throne.
And the stars outside trembled.