Chapter 41: Empress of VengeanceThey did not get far.The Empress found them before the sun reached its peak. She came alone this time. No army. No beasts. Just her and the black energy that rolled off her like smoke. The wounds from the raid were still open. Black ichor dripped down her side. She did not seem to care.Ling Chen stepped forward. Su Wan moved to his left. Leng Qingxue to his right. Zi Yan stayed slightly behind, her movements slower but her eyes sharp. They stood together on the rocky ground with the trees at their backs.The Empress stopped ten paces away. “You refuse the system’s gift. You refuse to become what you were meant to be. Then I will end it here.”She raised one hand. The air split. Void energy poured out in waves that cracked the stones beneath their feet.The battle began.Ling Chen moved first. He had no blade. No system power to call on. Only what his body remembered and what the women beside him gave him. Su Wan’s flames met the first wave and turned