imperial celestial

High in the skies above the Phoenix Cry Empire, Emperor Huo Feng floated, his red hair flowing over his shoulders, his muscular physique barely concealed beneath his royal robes. His piercing gaze followed three crimson figures disappearing beyond the empire's gates. Watching his daughter depart on her mission, he sighed.

"Xue Morath… Our daughter has grown up. Can you see her, my love?" he murmured, a nostalgic smile crossing his lips as memories of the past surfaced.

As her silhouette faded from view, he closed his eyes, then vanished in a flicker of flames, reappearing in the grandeur of his throne room. Without hesitation, he commanded, "Summon my two sons. I would have words with them."

"Yes, my lord," came the immediate reply.

Alone once more, the emperor exhaled deeply. "The end approaches, and my daughter cannot inherit my throne. My sons, too, must prove their worth in this Great Collapse. Fortunately, they stand united. I will not tolerate the royal infighting that plagues my neighbors."

A mighty laugh echoed through the chamber.

---

Rushing through the vast plains of the Phoenix Cry territories, Xue Mor and her two guards rode atop their Sunfire Coursers—sleek, golden-furred beasts resembling cheetahs, with fiery streaks running down their limbs and tails ending in flickering flames. Renowned for their ability to reach blinding speeds over short distances, these mounts left scorched trails in their wake. Their unique ability, Solar Surge, granted them a temporary burst of speed and strength, making them the preferred choice for scouts and messengers of fire-aligned sects.

As they thundered across the terrain, the female guard closest to Xue Mor spoke up. "Young Miss, why are we heading west to the Ancients first? The Azure Dragon Clan is much closer."

Xue Mor shuddered at the thought of confronting Shin Rai, the Azure Dragon Clan's leader, with her father's request. His explosive temperament made it highly likely he would outright refuse, or worse—march upon the empire for war the very next day. With the influence of the Great Collapse looming, such an outcome was not beyond possibility. A battle to the death between him and her father was a risk she could not afford.

"The Ancients are the voice of reason between the two," she explained. "If I can convince them, Shin Rai will have no choice but to follow. Clan Leader Torra Zhen, or 'Old Man Tors,' as he's often called, possesses restraint and patience. If we gain his support, securing Shin Rai's cooperation will be much easier."

Hearing his young mistress's sound reasoning, the male guard couldn't help but admire her intelligence. He was confident the empire would be in good hands once she came of age.

"Young Miss, even with a month's time, we have vast ground to cover, and much can change. I suggest we avoid our usual stopping points."

Xue Mor nodded in agreement. "Aside from resting our mounts, we do not stop."

For eight days, they traveled relentlessly, pressing ever westward. Finally, they reached the outskirts of the Ancient Clan's territory. A guard captain approached swiftly, recognizing the young noblewoman immediately. Among the few outsiders granted free passage into the clan, Xue Mor required no introduction.

"Inform Old Man Tors that I have urgent matters to discuss. I will meet him immediately after resting."

Seeing the unwavering determination in her eyes, the guard did not hesitate. Without delay, he sprinted toward the towering structure at the heart of the clan's domain.

---

Within the great tower, the air rumbled with power. A young man stood panting, his body trembling under the immense pressure of a localized gravity field. Across from him, an elderly figure with flowing white hair watched with an amused grin.

Shinryu clenched his fists, his Death Arms—white leather gloves with retractable claws—fading as he retracted them. Sweat dripped from his brow, and he exhaled sharply, acknowledging his exhaustion.

The old man chuckled. "I see now why you doubt Raikai's worth as a brother-in-arms. You certainly lack his vigor for battle."

Gritting his teeth, Shinryu restrained himself from charging back into the gravity field. Instead, he muttered under his breath, "Old ginger is definitely spicier than young ginger."

The elder burst into hearty laughter. "Spicy, am I? You'd do well to remember that, boy."

Realizing he had lost yet another verbal battle, Shinryu sighed and turned toward the exit, ready to escape this unwinnable exchange. Just as he reached the training ground's threshold, the guard captain from earlier appeared, standing just outside the gravity field with a respectful bow.

"Patriarch, the young miss of the Phoenix Cry Empire has arrived. She requests an immediate meeting."

Shinryu halted mid-step. "Xue Mor is here? What could she possibly want?"

"What indeed?" The old man's smile faded, his expression turning contemplative. "Tell her to meet me here."

The gravity in the room seemed to shift—not from the old man's power, but from the weight of the unknown yet to come.