The construction dust in the Black Dragon Valley had yet to settle, but a challenge was already knocking at the gates. A green silk scroll, bearing a wax seal in the shape of a bamboo stalk, arrived on Huo Tian Xian’s desk. It was an official invitation to the Five Valleys Martial Arts Tournament—an annual tradition that, for over a decade, had served as a stage for the clans who betrayed the Huo family to flaunt their power. "This is a shallow trap," remarked Master Mo, smoothing his dark blue robes, which now appeared much better maintained. "The Wei, Zhao, and Ling clans are intentionally inviting us now. They know our disciples only joined a few days ago. They want to crush these youths' spirits in front of the Southern people so that no one else dares to enlist with the Huo Clan." Tian Xian sipped his tea, his eyes fixed sharply on the training grounds where Xue Er was drilling basic stances. "That is precisely why we must attend, Uncle Mo. The strength of a clan is seen not on

The sky above the Imperial Capital was no longer blue. Sooty smoke from burning pavilions merged with the heavy storm clouds brought by Huo Tian Xian’s arrival. Beneath a moon shrouded in mist, the ten disciples of the Huo Clan moved like silver ghosts. They did not shout; they merely left a trail of frost upon the throat of every rebel soldier who dared block their path. Ah-Luo led the vanguard with a courage that defied his years. Using a wooden dagger reinforced with glacial energy, he darted through the gaps in the Western Tiger armor. Every movement he made was a perfect replica of Tian Xian’s composed lethality. "Protect the Prince!" Ah-Luo cried, his voice ringing clear over the clashing of steel. He leaped toward a rebel captain attempting to breach the Western Pavilion doors, striking the man's chest with a frost-infused kick that instantly shattered his iron breastplate. In the center of the vast palace courtyard, the heavy thud of footsteps broke through the din of battl

The black mist creeping from the North was no mere natural phenomenon. Every wisp of its vapor carried the metallic tang of blood and a chill that could wither the soul. At the gates of the Black Dragon Valley, Huo Tian Xian stood staring at the black needle in his hand, embossed with the red crescent moon. The needle vibrated, seemingly reacting to the dragon energy pulsing within his body. "The Dark Moon Sect never moves without purpose," remarked Bai Meilin, appearing behind her son, her white silk robes snapping in the rising wind. "They are void-worshipers from the extreme reaches of the Northern Continent. If Lady Ling has truly allied with them, their target is no longer just the South. They seek to extinguish every spark of spiritual light in this empire." "And they’ve begun by poisoning the water sources in the border villages," hissed Huo Li Yu, having just returned from the medical barracks. "Xian, this poison is different. It crystallizes inside the lungs. My Green Phoen

The Imperial Capital no longer resembled a grand seat of civilization. From a distance, the watchtowers that usually shimmered with gold were smothered by a pulsating dome of deep violet mist, as if the city itself were breathing in agony. The stench of sulfur and stagnant ice drifted for ten miles, causing the dragon-steeds carrying Huo Tian Xian and his team to neigh in agitation. "This mist... it is the Nine Moons Soul-Devouring Formation," Xue Er whispered, her sapphire eyes narrowing as she attempted to pierce the gloom. "Anyone who enters without spiritual protection will lose consciousness within minutes. Their souls will be siphoned out to feed the formation's core." Tian Xian dismounted, his dragon-scale robes glowing faintly as they repelled the malevolence clawing at his skin. He retrieved the remaining petals of the Eternal Sunflower from the jade box. "Ah-Luo, Wei Bo, consume one leaf each," Tian Xian commanded. "This will keep the fire of life burning within your hear

The dust of the battle in the Black Iron Prison had indeed settled, but the atmosphere within the locked cell felt profoundly eerie. Huo Tian Xian stood motionless at the exact spot where Huo Guang and Aunt Ruo had vanished. He sensed no lingering trace of death—no scent of blood, no residue of soul-ash. Instead, there was only a minute, trembling spatial rift emitting a chill far denser than even Xue Er’s frost. "Wait..." Tian Xian knelt, touching the cracked stone floor. "The Heaven-Shattering Blade didn't cut them. It reacted with Huo Guang’s technique... they were sucked into a Void Banishing Gate!" Ah-Luo and Wei Bo approached with anxious faces. "Does that mean Aunt Ruo is still alive, Clan Leader?" Ah-Luo asked hopefully. "Alive, but exiled in a vacuum where time does not exist," Tian Xian answered, his eyes flashing a sharp violet. "Huo Guang was cunning. He intentionally baited Aunt Ruo into a suicidal strike so they would both be hurled there. He knew I wouldn't be able