Xing Jiang-Lin stood at the head of the grand meeting hall, his presence alone commanding absolute silence.
"It is good to see all of you gathered here," he said calmly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "The masters of Wang-Jin Country."
All the great masters of Wang-Jin were seated before him, their expressions solemn.
"It is our honor that Your Majesty of the Xing Heavenly Land has come to meet us personally," one of them replied respectfully.
Among those present, three Gold Spirit Masters belonged to Huang Academy, while the others had come from the most powerful cities across the nation.
Godly Rank (Divine Realm - Unreachable)
↑Status: Mythical / Absolute existence
Gold Rank Spirit Cultivator 7
↑Status: Nation-level guardians
Gold Rank Spirit Cultivator 1
↑
Summoner Rank 12
↑ Status: War-changing existences
Summoner Rank 1
↑
Gold Rank Warrior 10
↑ Status: Battlefield rulers
Gold Rank Warrior 1
↑
Silver Rank Warrior 10
↑ Status: Recognized cultivators
Silver Rank Warrior 1
↑
Warrior Rank 10
↑Status:Mortal-level cultivators
Warrior Rank 1
At the forefront sat Han Shi-Xiang, a Ninth-Level Summoner the Head of the Han Family-the Empress's own father. Beside him was Xuan Ji-Zong, a Tenth-Level Summoner, his aura deep and unfathomable. Nu Shi-Jie, a Second-Level Gold Rank Cultivator, sat calmly, radiating quiet authority.
Though she appeared as a young woman with fiery red hair, flawless skin, and striking beauty, Nu Shi-Jie was, in truth, ninety-five years old. Upon reaching the Gold Rank, cultivators regained the appearance of their youth.
Also present were Jian Shi-Ru, Yin Chong, and Su Hi-Lie-members of the elite faction known as the Gold Rank Spirit Cultivators.
Currently, only two Gold Rank cultivators remained in that group.
Once, however, Huang Ling-Bai-Xue's mother-had been among them.
She had been a Gold Rank cultivator as well.
After her death, her position had been passed on to Jia-Hai, who now carried that responsibility.
Nu Shi-Jie leaned forward slightly, her crimson eyes sharp.
"Your Majesty," she said smoothly, "please tell us why we have been summoned. What is it that you wish to discuss?"
Jiang-Lin inclined his head slightly.
"I am grateful that you all came on such short notice. What I wish to discuss... is something from the past."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
"I want to know about that year," Jiang-Lin continued slowly. "The year the war took place."
Every master present stiffened.
"I know all of you were there," he said. "You must know something."
Xuan Ji-Zong exhaled deeply.
"How could we ever forget that war? If Huang Ling had not arrived when she did, none of us would be alive today."
Jian Shi-Ru nodded gravely.
"That is true. if Sister Huang Ling had not appeared at the final moment, Wang-Jin Country would have been fallen. We would all be slaves now."
Nu Shi-Jie let out a cold laugh.
"She arrived only at the end," she said sharply. "After we fought the entire war with our lives on the line. Then she appeared, defeated a few summoners, and became the hero of the nation."
Xuan Ji-Zong frowned.
"You know how dire the situation was. If she hadn't arrived when she did, we would have lost everything."
"These are stories told to glorify her," Nu Shi-Jie snapped. "Or perhaps... to hide her dark exploits."
Jian Shi-Ru slammed his hand against the armrest.
"You speak out of jealousy. She was the first woman to reach Gold Rank at such a young age-breaking your record. Of course you hated her."
"Mind your words, Jian Shi-Ru," Nu Shi-Jie warned coldly.
"Enough."
Han Shi-Xiang finally spoke, his voice firm.
"Your Majesty," he said, turning toward Jiang-Lin, "what exactly do you wish to know?"
Jiang-Lin's gaze hardened, his aura chilling the hall.
"We all know that war was... unnatural," he said quietly. "It was not simply a war between two countries. There was another motive behind it."
He paused.
"I want every detail. Anything strange you witnessed."
Han Shi-Xiang frowned.
"We believed it was merely an invasion to seize our land-and we won."
"I do not believe it was that simple," Jiang-Lin replied.
At that moment, Jia-Hai entered the hall. He bowed respectfully to Jiang-Lin.
"Your Majesty."
Xuang ji-zong nodded.
"It has been a long time, Master Jia-Hai."
Jia-Hai returned the nod, then spoke gravely.
"It is true. I never understood the real reason behind that war either."
Jia-Hai continued, his expression dark.
"The enemy army possessed... strange powers. Powers that did not belong to cultivation. There was a black shadow-something unseen-that controlled their soldiers and beasts like puppets."
The hall fell silent.
"When Huang Ling destroyed that black shadow," Han Shi-Xiang said slowly, "only then were we able to defeat them. Even the enemy beasts were different... distorted."
Xing Jiang-Lin narrowed his eyes.
"Does anyone else know more?"
Jia-Hai hesitated, then spoke.
"You could have learned the truth from Huang Ling herself," he said quietly. "But she is no longer with us."
He looked directly at Jiang-Lin.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but why are you asking this now? Xing Heavenly Land was not part of that war. Our countries were not allies that time."
In truth, long ago, Xing Heavenly Land and Wang-Jin Country were not allies. It was only after the great war ended and peace returned to the land that new ties were forged, and the two nations gradually became allies.
Jiang-Lin opened his mouth to respond-
ROAR-!
AHHH-!
HELP-!
The entire hall erupted.
A guard burst through the doors, pale with terror.
"Your Majesty! Masters! We are under attack! High- and low-rank beasts from the forest are assaulting the academy! The protective barrier has been destroyed!"
Nu Shi-Jie stood abruptly.
"That is impossible! The barrier was built with god-rank stones infused with the combined energy of all masters!"
"Those stones cannot be broken!" Xuan Ji-Zong exclaimed.
Panic spread.
Jia-Hai steadied himself and shouted orders.
"Listen carefully! Evacuate all new students to the secure inner buildings! Senior disciples-engage the beasts immediately! Inform the Crown Prince and all princes at once!"
He turned to Nu Shi-Jie.
"Awaken the guardian stone statues and rebuild the defensive barrier!"
Then he added firmly,
"The remaining masters-come with me!"
He turned toward Jiang-Lin.
"Your Majesty, you must remain here. I will assign elite guards-"
He stopped.
The seat was empty.
Xing Jiang-Lin was already gone.