Chapter Twenty-Six: Since You Have Come, Why Hide?

Thousands of people knelt quietly before the Lord of Shadows, not daring to breathe, sweat rolling from their foreheads like beads of water. It was impossible to tell whether their perspiration came from the scorching sun or the tension in their hearts. In that moment, they appeared the very image of reverence, their expressions filled with an almost indescribable piety.

“Of the over three thousand tribes of the Western Territories, those that should be abolished have already been largely dealt with,” the Lord of Shadows intoned. “Now, I will give you a task.”

His gaze swept over the kneeling assembly before him. Lowering his eyes, he gently blew on the tea in his cup, sipped, and continued in a mild tone.

“We await your command, Lord of Shadows!” The crowd collectively straightened, a glimmer of relief flashing in their eyes as they bowed with utmost respect, voices raised in unison.

“From this day forth, the Western Territories shall have but one master. Each of you may contend for the mantle of Supreme Ruler of the West. Whoever among you, now present, is able to earn the worship of the masses shall be permitted to join my Underworld and enjoy my protection.”

His expression betrayed nothing as he issued his decree.

At this, the crowd exchanged uncertain looks, confusion in their eyes. Yet among them, a few shrewd and calculating elders allowed their gazes to drift to Ling Ye, who stood at the Lord of Shadows’ side, subtle contemplation flickering in their eyes.

“Of course,” continued the Lord of Shadows, “those who fall in this struggle may join the Underworld as shadow soldiers. Now that the Yellow Springs have entered this realm, even those unwilling to serve as shadow soldiers may claim the method of soul cultivation for their clans, and continue their practice as spirits.”

He paused, savoring his tea, before his voice rang out calmly once more:

“This contest will be counted by the head. For every life you take, you are taught a technique. Slay a hundred, and I will impart a sacred art. A thousand, and you shall learn the law of emperors. Surpass ten thousand, and I will grant you the knowledge of immortal arts.”

His slow, deliberate words fell like thunder in the hearts of those present, igniting a fierce light deep within their eyes. Sacred arts were attainable, but the laws of emperors were coveted beyond compare. To master an emperor’s law was to step into the realm of emperors. And the immortal arts—what temptation they held for all beings!

It was clear that the Lord of Shadows’ simple pronouncement would, in due course, have an immeasurable impact upon the Western Territories. Yet, as he spoke again, the crowd’s astonishment only deepened.

“There are tens of millions in the West. Kill a hundred thousand warriors, and I will personally teach you the Way of the Immortal King.”

The Lord of Shadows gently blew the surface of his tea, as if nothing in the world could stir his interest, his voice calm as ever. Yet as his words faded, the crowd’s breathing grew rapid, greed flaring in their eyes. In their glances toward one another, all trace of goodwill vanished, replaced by boundless avarice and murderous intent.

“You all possess the right to vie for dominion over these lands. Use whatever means you will; none shall interfere.”

Noticing the greed in their eyes, a faint, nearly imperceptible cold smile flashed across the Lord of Shadows’ face. He paused, then spoke again, “You may withdraw.”

At this, the assembly bowed in respect, voices ringing as one: “We comply with the Lord of Shadows’ command!”

He said nothing further, watching them leave. Only when they had gone far did he take another sip of tea and speak to Ling Ye at his side:

“In times of chaos, heroes are forged. The victors become tyrants, the defeated are forgotten. I have set the stage for you in the Western Territories; how far you go now depends on your own efforts.”

Ling Ye’s eyes flickered with complex emotion. He knelt deeply, bowed three times, and spoke with resolve, “For your guidance, your gift of a name, your teaching of the arts, this kindness I can never repay. In this coming contest, I shall strive with all I am, and even unto death, I will not fail your expectations!”

The Lord of Shadows merely shook his head, set down his tea, rose, and taking young Jin’er by the hand, stepped into the void. Their figures slowly faded and disappeared.

Only after a long while did Ling Ye rise, determination blazing in his eyes. With Mo Sen at his side, he entered the Creek Moon Tribe.

“Grandmaster, why must you let him grow in this way?” Jin’er’s voice, clear as a silver bell, rang out in the void as she tugged at his sleeve. “Wouldn’t it be better to throw him into the Yellow Springs, or let him follow Sister Qingli to the Northern Reaches?”

“He is the one variable in the Celestial Domain of Tianyuan,” the Lord of Shadows replied, his gaze profound. “I have calculated it—his tribulation lies there.”

Jin’er was taken aback, pondering as a thoughtful light flickered in her eyes. She nodded, seeming to understand.

The Lord of Shadows said no more, and Jin’er, seeing his silence, dared not ask further. As she noticed them continuing toward the upper reaches of the Celestial Domain, curiosity returned to her eyes, and she asked again, “Grandmaster, where are we going?”

The Lord of Shadows shook his head, his eyes as deep as the endless sky, a faint chill at his lips. “The Nine Heavens Divine Dynasty. The Immortal King has arrived. Since he’s come, I won’t let him leave empty-handed.”

“Grandmaster, you’re amazing!” Jin’er exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement. But then, recalling how the arrival of the Immortal King of the Nine Heavens Divine Dynasty had been detected so easily, she realized it must be due to the Grandmaster’s careful preparations. This thought deepened her admiration even further.

As they walked through the void, they soon left the Celestial Domain behind. Looking back, Jin’er’s reverence only grew as she beheld the immense, phantom river encircling the domain.

The Lord of Shadows glanced over the boundless, starry sky, then, pausing, drew Jin’er toward a colossal, illusory vortex beyond the Celestial Domain.

Though their steps seemed unhurried, each stride carried them a hundred miles in an instant, and in just a few more, they drew near the massive, swirling portal.

There, a man in white official robes, his appearance sly and furtive, was lurking cautiously on the vortex’s edge, spying from the shadows.

“Grandmaster, you don’t mean that sly-looking eunuch, do you?” Jin’er hesitated, pointing with uncertainty.

The Lord of Shadows made no reply, merely raised a hand and pointed toward the man. A chilling force surged forth, and the man’s face flushed red with terror as he abruptly turned to look. In the next instant—bang!—his body exploded into nothingness.

Having done this, the Lord of Shadows’ eyes deepened. He cast a calm, indifferent glance at the vast vortex and spoke, “Since you have come, why bother hiding any longer?”