Under the shade and protection of a great oak tree sat the darling of the Cheng Empire, 7th Prince Wei Cheng. When it came to swordsmanship, he was considered among the very best. His knowledge of spells and charms was second only to his eldest brother, 1st Prince Mo Cheng, although Wei was considerably more powerful. He also excelled in nearly every academic field, earning the admiration of scholars and cultivators alike. Despite his extraordinary talents and royal status, Wei remained humble and approachable. He was dearly loved by his people and his six older brothers. His parents, the King and Queen, spoiled him in every possible way, yet he never developed the arrogance commonly associated with privileged royalty.
Having six older brothers meant Wei rarely had to concern himself with his own safety. He had little interest in court affairs, although he would offer his opinions whenever asked. His father understood this and granted him the privilege of being excused from most royal duties. However, Wei recognized the importance of presenting a united royal family before their subjects. For that reason, he always attended important assemblies, enduring even the longest and most tedious discussions. Besides, one of his brothers would eventually inherit the throne, and Wei believed it was his responsibility to learn everything he could to support the future King.
During one particularly memorable court assembly, the ministers and generals unanimously declared Wei the heart and soul of the Cheng Empire. His peerless morality, open-minded nature, and genuine compassion had earned the royal family enough admiration to secure its influence for another thousand years. Outside his royal responsibilities, Wei had a deep appreciation for the arts. He frequently visited theaters and performance houses, enjoying the rich culture and remarkable talents of his people. However, there was one subject capable of bringing out a more aggressive side of the otherwise gentle prince: the security of the Empire. Despite his relaxed personality, Wei had received extensive training in military tactics, warfare, and national defense.
When rumors of growing aggression against the Empire began spreading, Wei took the matter seriously. Each of the seven princes governed different territories, with their respective titles reflecting their responsibilities. Wei, for example, held the title of Prince of Gi and served as Commander of the Grey Squadron. Unfortunately, the enemies threatening the Empire were unlike those they had faced before. These individuals practiced dark and unforgivable arts, drawing their strength from powers that had long been forbidden. Their mysterious leader possessed the Black Gem Crown, an ancient artifact capable of controlling the dead and commanding countless evil creatures.
A thousand years earlier, the Kings and Queens of the great kingdoms had formed an alliance to confront a wicked Demonic Empress who threatened to plunge the world into chaos. Driven by her obsession with resurrecting her deceased husband, the Empress had unleashed terrible forces upon the land, bringing death and destruction wherever her armies marched. Although the allied rulers eventually defeated her, they discovered that her crown was far too powerful to destroy. With no other choice, they sealed it deep within a volcano, where its terrifying influence could be suppressed. For 1,000 years, the crown remained hidden, its existence gradually fading into legend.
Now, however, the Black Gem Crown had resurfaced. Evidence suggested that one of the kingdoms involved in the original alliance had betrayed the others and turned against the world. Whoever controlled the crown clearly intended to use its power, and the consequences could be devastating. Naturally, the Cheng Empire stood as the greatest obstacle to their ambitions. With its powerful military, influential royal family, and strong relationships with numerous cultivation sects, the Empire possessed both the strength and resources to challenge the growing threat. This made the Cheng royal family an obvious target, something Wei and his brothers understood all too well.
It wasn't long before representatives from the other kingdoms began gathering in the Cheng Empire. The capital's streets became crowded with foreign diplomats, soldiers, cultivators, and powerful figures seeking an audience with the royal family. Many of the great sects also redirected their efforts toward studying the Black Gem Crown and the terrifying abilities once wielded by the Demonic Empress. Ancient records were brought out, forgotten techniques were examined, and discussions about defensive measures occupied nearly every corner of the royal court. Meanwhile, the seven princes gathered privately to discuss possible solutions and determine how best to protect their people from the approaching crisis.
"I can employ the most powerful shielding charms in our possession to erect a barrier around our territory," 1st Prince Mo Cheng suggested as he examined several ancient scrolls. "Immortal Lee left us countless charms and spells before ascending to the Immortal Realm to become a god. There must be something among them capable of standing against that blasted crown." His brothers considered the suggestion carefully. Mo was widely regarded as the greatest expert in spells and charms within the royal family, and if anyone could uncover a suitable defensive technique, it would undoubtedly be him.
"Senior Brother is the best among us when it comes to spells and charms," 3rd Prince Ji Cheng remarked. "I believe you can find a solution. However, even though Father has yet to announce the Crown Prince, we all know that it will be you. So please, be careful and leave the dangerous work to the rest of us." The other princes nodded in agreement. Although Mo had not been formally named heir to the throne, his brothers had already accepted him as their future King. Their discussion continued for a while longer before they eventually separated to prepare for the upcoming royal court assembly.
However, of the seven princes expected to attend that day's assembly, two would never make it there.
The grand hall of the Cheng Empire had never looked more magnificent. Its enormous size was especially noticeable with the arrival of so many foreign leaders, dignitaries, and powerful cultivators. Nearly 4,000 guests had gathered for the assembly, not including the 2,000 Cheng officials already present. Even with such an incredible number of people, the hall remained spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. The atmosphere was lively, with conversations taking place throughout the room as representatives from different kingdoms exchanged greetings and discussed the growing crisis. Suddenly, a deep voice echoed across the hall, announcing, "Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Cheng, have arrived!" Everyone immediately rose to their feet, greeting the royal couple with warmth and respect.
Once the formalities were completed, the assembly turned its attention to the growing evil spreading across the world. Reports of destroyed settlements, missing cultivators, and strange creatures appearing near several kingdoms dominated the discussions. Throughout the meeting, however, His Majesty repeatedly asked about his absent sons. Wei had been delayed by matters concerning Gi, but the 4th and 5th Princes remained unaccounted for. The two were twins who had always been inseparable, even choosing to oversee their respective territories together. Their absence was particularly concerning because neither had ever missed an important royal assembly without providing an explanation beforehand.
Nearly three hours into the assembly, a palace guard approached the throne alongside one of the Prime Ministers. Both men wore troubled expressions, immediately catching the Queen's attention. "What is wrong? Why do you both look so distressed?" she asked. The Prime Minister hesitated before stepping closer and whispering something to the royal couple. "Your Majesties, the bodies of the twin princes have been discovered in their private quarters. Both were completely drained of their blood and spiritual energy." For a moment, neither monarch responded. The King stared at the minister, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard, while the Queen's expression slowly changed from confusion to horror.
Their grief quickly overwhelmed their control. The ground beneath the palace began trembling as the King's mastery over earth responded to his emotions. Outside, dark clouds gathered over the capital, accompanied by violent winds and thunder. The Queen's command over the weather had summoned a powerful storm, and neither monarch seemed aware of what they were doing. The sudden disturbance immediately caught everyone's attention. Conversations stopped as the foreign dignitaries turned toward the throne, uncertain whether they were witnessing an attack. The princes who were present rushed to their parents, demanding to know what had happened. Unfortunately, the answer was far worse than anything they could have imagined.
When the Prime Minister repeated the terrible news, 1st Prince Mo Cheng immediately took command. "Lock down the entire country! No one is permitted to leave without clearance from the Gold Guard!" His voice echoed throughout the hall, leaving no room for argument. The deaths of the twin princes were soon announced, sending shock and disbelief through the gathering. Many of the foreign leaders had known the twins personally, making the news even more devastating. Amid the confusion, 2nd Prince Shem Cheng turned toward the Prime Minister with a troubled expression. "Does Wei know? Have you informed him?" When the minister shook his head, Shem responded, "Good. Leave that to us."
There were no words capable of describing the pain that had fallen upon the Cheng royal family. However, with a dangerous enemy threatening the world and two princes murdered inside their palaces, the King and Queen had little time to mourn. The foreign dignitaries were questioned before being escorted from the palace, allowing the royal family to hold a private meeting. His Majesty soon issued a decree ordering the 7th Prince to remain within Gi until further notice. No one would be permitted to enter or leave the territory without authorization from the Gold Guard, an elite force that answered only to the King and 1st Prince.
Naturally, Wei was confused when the decree reached him. He had received no information about any immediate danger to Gi, and the sudden restrictions seemed excessive. When he questioned the order, he was informed that a serious security threat had emerged and that all princes were required to remain within their respective territories. Although he found the explanation rather vague, Wei had no reason to distrust his father or brothers. He accepted the restrictions and continued overseeing Gi's affairs. With most of his usual activities temporarily suspended, he spent much of his free time practicing swordsmanship, studying magic, and attending to the needs of his people.
Unfortunately, the peace did not last. Trouble soon erupted along Gi's eastern border when a large group of travelers entered the territory while fleeing an army of undead puppets. These creatures belonged to the Wicked King, whose growing forces had already caused considerable destruction throughout the eastern lands. The Grey Squadron immediately mobilized, engaging the approaching horde while helping the frightened travelers reach safety. However, the puppets continued advancing regardless of how many were destroyed. Their numbers seemed endless, and the soldiers quickly realized they were facing something far more dangerous than an ordinary invasion. Sergeant Jang immediately sent word to Wei, who wasted no time leaving the palace to assist his men.
By the time Wei arrived, the Grey Squadron had already established several defensive positions. Unfortunately, the puppets were beginning to overwhelm their formations. Without hesitation, the young prince drew his sword and entered the battlefield, cutting through several enemies with his first attack. His weapon was ranked 1st throughout the Cheng Empire and among the top five swords in the world. Measuring an astonishing 183 inches in length and weighing 170 pounds, it was a weapon that most cultivators would struggle to lift, much less wield effectively. Yet Wei handled it with remarkable ease, moving across the battlefield with incredible speed and agility.
For many of the soldiers and civilians watching, this was their first opportunity to witness the 7th Prince fighting personally. With his jet-black hair, striking amber eyes, and flowing white robes, Wei hardly resembled someone who belonged on such a brutal battlefield. Nevertheless, his abilities were undeniable. Every swing of his enormous sword destroyed several puppets, while his movements allowed him to avoid their attacks without much difficulty. Despite the weapon's incredible size, Wei showed no signs of exhaustion. His strength, agility, and endurance were already extraordinary, and those familiar with his cultivation understood that he had yet to reach his full potential.
Watching from a distance, the dark mage commanding the puppets grew increasingly frustrated. His army had been making excellent progress before the young prince appeared, and now hundreds of his creations were being destroyed within minutes. Deciding to eliminate the problem personally, the mage raised his hand and launched several poisonous dark thorns toward Wei. These were no ordinary projectiles. Anyone struck by them would suffer unbearable pain and terrifying illusions before eventually dying. Worse still, the poison was considered incurable by most healers. Fortunately, Wei possessed considerable knowledge of the dark arts and immediately recognized the attack. He dodged several thorns while deflecting the others with his sword.
Realizing that the mage was the source of the puppets, Wei decided to end the battle before more lives were lost. He leaped high into the air, raising one hand toward the sky. "Iron Bells!" he commanded. Three enormous bells suddenly appeared above the battlefield, each large enough to swallow a seven-foot-tall man whole. The bells descended into position before releasing a powerful ringing sound that spread across the surrounding area. The effect was immediate. Every puppet caught within the sound waves began breaking apart, their bodies crumbling into dust. Within moments, the seemingly endless horde had been reduced to nothing, leaving the surviving soldiers staring in amazement.
The dark mage, however, was far from impressed. Furious at having his entire army destroyed, he unleashed another barrage of poisonous thorns, this time attacking with everything he had. Wei merely glanced at the incoming projectiles before his amber eyes suddenly turned red. Dark energy erupted from his body, surrounding him as his jet-black hair gradually transformed into a brilliant shade of white. The poisonous thorns disintegrated upon entering his aura, their deadly properties completely neutralized. Even the mage was stunned by what he was witnessing. The energy surrounding Wei was unmistakably dark, yet it lacked the corruption normally associated with practitioners of forbidden arts.
"How? How are you able to wield such power?" the mage demanded, taking an involuntary step backward. "I didn't sense any evil within you!" Wei offered no explanation. Instead, he chuckled at the man's bewilderment before giving him a playful wink. Almost immediately, the mage collapsed to his knees, clutching his head as an unbearable pain spread through his mind. He screamed and struggled against the invisible force tormenting him, but nothing he did seemed to help. Wei watched him for a moment before raising his hand and snapping his fingers. Above them, the three enormous bells began moving toward one another, eventually merging into a single artifact.
The newly formed bell released a powerful suction force that immediately enveloped the helpless mage. Unlike its previous attack, this technique targeted the man's spiritual energy and life force directly. His cultivation began draining away at an alarming rate, while his remaining lifespan rapidly diminished. The mage desperately attempted to resist, but his efforts were useless against the overwhelming power of the artifact. By the time Wei withdrew the technique, the man had lost nearly all his strength and could barely remain conscious. Satisfied that the threat had been eliminated, Wei dismissed the bell and allowed his appearance to return to normal. He then ordered the surviving mage to be taken into custody and imprisoned within the Unfortunate Prison.