Chapter 28: The Warriors Rise, The Game Unfolds

“How dare a mere Celestial King try to measure my depths?” The Lord of Shadows gazed coldly at the man at his feet, his voice laced with endless frost as it rang out slowly.

“Your... Your Highness...” The Star Sovereign shuddered violently at these words, terror swirling in his eyes as he stammered, “Earlier, the Divine Messenger Bai Ling of the Divine Dynasty sent word to the Divine King, claiming Your Highness possessed only the cultivation of the Celestial Realm... The Divine King then dispatched this servant to test you...”

Having said this, the Star Sovereign hastily kowtowed repeatedly, fear flooding his gaze as he pleaded, “Your Highness, spare me... Have mercy, Your Highness... I never wished to oppose you in the first place... It was only under the threat of Divine King Li Qi that I came here out of desperation... Please, magnanimous as you are, let me go...”

Now, all trace of composure had vanished from the Star Sovereign. He was utterly wretched, groveling and begging before the Lord of Shadows, his eyes filled with unspoken dread.

“So, it’s Little Qi...” The Lord of Shadows glanced at the Star Sovereign, who was still kowtowing at his feet. A profound look flashed in his gaze as he waved his hand, sending forth an icy force that nearly drained all vitality from the Star Sovereign. He spoke coolly, “Go back and tell him this: if he truly wishes to oppose me, he’s welcome to bring a million divine soldiers and meet me on the battlefield.”

“Now begone.”

With this indifferent command, the Lord of Shadows took Little Jin’er by the hand and strode toward the Celestial Domain of Tianyuan.

“This servant shall remember...” Feeling the withering of his life force, the Star Sovereign’s heart filled with reluctant resentment. He bowed deeply toward the departing Lord of Shadows, not rising until long after that figure had faded from sight.

A dim light flickered in his eyes as he struggled to form a hand seal, preparing to flee.

But at that moment, an unexpected change erupted.

A sound like the birth of the cosmos and the end of all things thundered forth. Agony twisted the Star Sovereign’s features, terror overtaking him.

Somehow, an illusory river—emanating a terrifying, boundless aura—had appeared around him!

This was none other than the River of Yellow Springs, summoned by the Lord of Shadows!

“You lied to me!”

Moments later, a shrill, resentful scream echoed through the void as the Star Sovereign was obliterated in an instant, swept away by the current of the Yellow Springs.

At that very moment, outside the Celestial Domain of Tianyuan, the six colossal illusory vortices trembled violently...

Meanwhile, far from the Celestial Domain, in a brilliantly lit expanse of stars, an immense palace complex drifted in the void.

Within its grandest and most imposing hall, a young man in pristine white brocade sat quietly at the head.

In his hand was a pearl, within which played out the very scene of the Star Sovereign’s annihilation. Beside him stood two women, their auras as deep as the abyss, silent and motionless.

Below, dozens of formidable figures knelt in reverence, their breaths powerful and intimidating.

Strangely, most kept their heads bowed, and none dared speak. The atmosphere was heavy, nearly suffocating.

“Divine King, should we intervene?” Suddenly, the woman to the young man’s left bowed respectfully, her voice cold and clear.

The young man was silent, his profound gaze fixed on the pearl in his hand for a long time.

“If my master wishes to probe the true strength of the Divine Dynasty, then you shall take twenty Celestial Kings and a million divine soldiers and go to battle.”

After a long pause, the depth in the young man’s eyes faded. He glanced at the woman beside him and spoke with utter indifference.

“Your servant obeys!” The woman did not hesitate. She knelt on one knee, saluted, then swiftly departed.

Once she had gone, the oppressive silence returned to the grand hall. No one spoke; the stillness was unsettling.

“Has the Eternal Reincarnation truly succeeded...?” After a long while, a faint trace of nostalgia flickered in the young man’s eyes. He sighed inwardly, murmuring, “If so... the scheme of the Luo Immortal Clan will soon unfold as well...”

Meanwhile, in the Valley of Longevity within the Celestial Domain of Tianyuan, the Lord of Shadows had returned with Little Jin’er. Behind them stood King Chujiang and Mo Yuan, both awaiting orders in respectful silence.

“War is coming... We must prepare ourselves.” The Lord of Shadows’ eyes grew deeper as he gazed across the illusory lake before him, his voice echoing in a solemn murmur.

“We shall obey your command, Your Highness!” Mo Yuan and King Chujiang bowed deeply, their voices resolute.

Seeing this, the Lord of Shadows wasted no time. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said quietly, “The Road of Yellow Springs has opened. Mo Yuan, you may instruct the Shadow Generals to take my token and, with the shadow troops, pass through Qingling and cross to the Heavenly Soul Realm. Seek out an old friend of mine. Hand the token to her and nothing more.”

As he finished, the Lord of Shadows flicked his hand toward the illusory lake. Ripples stirred, and an ancient gray-white token emerged from its depths.

With another wave, the token appeared before Mo Yuan.

Mo Yuan did not dare delay. He knelt on one knee, saluted respectfully, and declared, “Your servant obeys!”

He seized the token, bowed once more, and departed to carry out his orders.

“Your Highness, you mean to...” As Mo Yuan departed, a weighty look flickered in King Chujiang’s eyes, his voice hesitant.

But before he could finish, the Lord of Shadows cut him off with a wave.

“This war will not end quickly...” After a brief pause, the Lord of Shadows slowly lifted his gaze, as if peering through endless skies. He said calmly, “The six hidden realms beyond Tianyuan contain enough to support your cultivation to the Celestial King level. Go now... purge all those within the secret realms who harbor treacherous intent. Time is running short for us...”

With these words, he fell silent, his eyes growing ever more profound.

“Understood!” King Chujiang did not hesitate further. He turned and left at once.

“Jin’er.” After the two had left, the Lord of Shadows called softly. Little Jin’er turned to him with a smile, “Grandmaster, do you want me to gather the demon clans?”

The Lord of Shadows shook his head slowly, his eyes thoughtful. “The demon clans within the Celestial Domain are too few, and those beyond are not yet ready to step into the open. Instead, go to the Northern Regions and assist Qingli on my behalf.”

Little Jin’er nodded, flashing two small tiger fangs in her grin. “Don’t worry, Grandmaster. Within three days, the Northern Regions will be pacified.”

With that, she wasted no time, flying off toward the north and vanishing in an instant.

“And so, I must also make preparations...” Watching her depart, the Lord of Shadows murmured softly, shaking his head as he slowly rose.

At that moment, the illusory lake before him began to boil violently! A bizarre and unprecedented aura flooded the air, and the lake turned pitch-black, exuding a chilling presence that unsettled the soul.

The Lord of Shadows’ expression betrayed nothing as he stepped forward into the darkness.

His figure vanished into the pitch-black waters...

Only after a long while did the eerie aura fade from the lake, and tranquility gradually returned to the valley.