DEMON SOVEREIGN'S REIGN

The Hollow Empire's capital, Huoling, was a city of light and stone, its towers were shaped from spirit jade and phoenix-iron. But beneath that grand veneer hid ancient veins of blood, sealed tombs, and the Imperial Altar—a monument untouched for centuries.

At its base, rituals to honor the heavens were held. But deep underneath, shielded by ancestral arrays, lay one of the Pillars of Descent—and the entrance to the Abyss Gate.

---

Within their hidden encampment in the ghost-fog hills west of Huoling, Liu Shen traced the route on the black beast-hide map. "The entrance is sealed by Heaven's Lock—only a divine ritual can open it."

Lei Qing frowned. "So we fake a ritual?"

"No," Liu Shen said. "We force the Empress to perform it herself."

Yu Meixing crossed her arms. "How do we make the most powerful woman in the empire perform a ritual she has no reason to?"

Liu Shen smiled coldly. "By making her believe the heavens demand it."

---

Hua Jilan retrieved a scroll marked with golden calligraphy. "This is a fragment of the Heavenly Mandate Incantation. It can summon an illusory vision visible across an entire region."

"It's forbidden," said Elder Qin, peering over her shoulder. "Even attempting to use it could tear the soul apart."

"Then we'll use it halfway," Liu Shen said. "A false descent of divine will. A projection over the Imperial City."

Wei Yan's eyes widened. "You're going to fake a heavenly prophecy?"

"Exactly," Liu Shen said. "We'll declare the coming of a divine era… and bind it to the opening of the altar."

---

On the third day of preparation, at the hour of the celestial bloom, Liu Shen stood atop a hidden ridge overlooking Huoling.

Beside him, Yu Meixing and Hua Jilan formed a dual array to channel the incantation. Elder Qin and Wei Yan stood watch as guardians.

He began the chant, drawing from the Hollow Sovereign's inheritance: divine symbols twisted into rebellious patterns.

Golden clouds formed overhead. Thunder rumbled without storm. A great sigil, shaped like an eye with a ring of flames, emerged above the city—seen by millions.

> "The Heavens decree: A new age shall dawn. The gate below the altar shall open, lest the empire fall to eternal ruin."

---

Within the jade halls of the Imperial Palace, chaos broke out.

The court astrologers fell to their knees. "It is a celestial edict!"

Grand Preceptor Liang trembled. "Your Majesty, this sign… it's identical to the one recorded during the founding of the empire!"

Empress Zhao Ying remained still, her crimson gown fluttering in invisible wind. Her expression was unreadable.

"Summon the Nine Elders," she commanded. "Prepare the Imperial Altar."

"But… the abyss lies beneath it!"

"Then let it awaken," she said softly. "If the heavens truly speak, we dare not disobey."

And yet, deep in her heart, suspicion brewed.

---

That night, the inner court buzzed. Secret agents scoured the capital for signs of the omen's origin. One report finally reached the Empress's private study.

"A sect of heretics in the western ghost-fog hills. Cultivation signatures match ancient rebel sects."

She dismissed the messenger.

Alone, she whispered to herself, "Is it truly him, Liu Shen…? Reborn to challenge me again?"

She stood, brushing dust from a painting sealed behind glass—a portrait of seven youths, once sect brothers and sisters… and among them, a younger her.

"I buried you with my own hands. But if you return… I will not hesitate this time."

---

Back in their camp, Liu Shen watched the golden illusion fade from the sky.

Yu Meixing, breathing heavily, wiped blood from the corner of her lips. "It worked. The city's in disarray. They'll open the altar within days."

Lei Qing paced. "Should we wait? Or strike during the ritual?"

"Neither," Liu Shen replied. "We enter before them. Once the gate opens, they'll be too focused on containment. We'll slip inside."

"And what if the Abyss rejects us?" Elder Qin asked.

Liu Shen looked toward the horizon. "Then we'll carve our way through its will."

---

The night before their departure, Liu Shen sat alone with the beast-hide map in hand. He traced the marks burned into it by time—remnants of battles, betrayals, and vows.

Yu Meixing approached, her aura calm but eyes wary.

"You never told me what's truly inside the Abyss."

He didn't look up. "I've seen fragments in dreams. It holds more than secrets. It holds those forgotten by the heavens."

"Like you?"

He smiled bitterly. "No. Worse than me. Beings who never bent the knee. Who were erased from history itself."

"Do you trust them?"

"No. But I respect their rage."