The Fire Abyss Empire, located south of the Star Empire, had long been its rival.
Over the years, tensions had simmered between the two nations, leading to frequent conflicts of varying scales.
At the heart of these battles stood Bu Cangyun, the Southern Protector Marquis, serving as the commander-in-chief of the Star Empire's forces against Fire Abyss.
---
Now, with the assassin eliminated by Yao Ziyan, the failed mission was a closed chapter.
Bu Lige stretched lazily, his voice carrying clear relief.
"Now that the assassin is dead, the mission is invalid. No one else will come after me. What a relief."
The Shadow Killer Guild operated under strict rules:
Each mission was entrusted to a single assassin.
If they succeeded, the target died.
If they failed, the contract became void, and no second attempt was made.
"This is all thanks to the boss and Sister Ziyan..." Bu Shiyi exhaled, finally allowing herself to relax.
She still felt chills when recalling the moment the assassin had struck.
Through the rain-drenched alleyway, a warm light shone from Origin Mall, casting a soft glow in the darkness.
Bu Shiyi smiled.
Under the endless rain, the two siblings made their way back to the Southern Protector Marquis' Mansion.
---
Despite the rain, the Nine Stars City Gate remained a hub of activity.
People hurried along, heads down against the downpour.
CRACK!
A streak of lightning split the sky like a celestial dragon, illuminating the vast expanse of dark clouds.
The stormy heavens churned, an abyssal ocean of shadows rippling ominously.
Suddenly—
The clouds boiled.
A disturbance shook the sky, as if something immense was stirring within.
"What's going on?"
"There's something in the clouds!"
"Are you insane? With that much lightning up there, you'd need to be at least a Pathseeker just to survive!"
"Shit! Something's really coming out—!"
Gasps filled the air as a loud, piercing screech echoed through the storm.
A colossal black shadow tore through the clouds.
Emerging into view was a massive avian beast, its wings spanning dozens of meters.
Its obsidian feathers gleamed with a metallic sheen, while blue and violet arcs of lightning danced across its body, crackling with an eerie energy.
A primal, untamed aura swept over the city gate, making it difficult for many to breathe.
"That's a Nine Nether Thunder Eagle—an ancient beast!"
Someone in the crowd recognized it and cried out in shock.
"I've heard Medicine Valley possesses a Nine Nether Thunder Eagle... Could it be—?"
"Wait! Look! There are people on its back!"
Standing atop the beast's back were over a dozen figures, their hands clasped behind them.
They were all clad in pristine white robes, exuding a presence far beyond ordinary cultivators.
At the forefront stood an expressionless elder.
His long beard was as white as snow, but the overwhelming aura he radiated made it impossible to gauge his true strength.
The Nine Nether Thunder Eagle descended gradually, stopping tens of meters above the city.
Each beat of its wings sent powerful gusts ripping through the streets, causing bystanders to stagger.
Then, one by one, the figures leapt down, striding confidently into the city.
Not a single guard dared to stop them.
With a final shriek, the Nine Nether Thunder Eagle soared toward the Nine Stars Mountain Range, vanishing into the storm.
"They're from Medicine Valley!"
Someone in the crowd recognized the emblem embroidered on their robes.
"Medicine Valley? Why would they come here for a simple ancient ruin?"
"Who knows? A sect that powerful moves on its own logic…"
Despite the murmurs, the captain of the city guards remained unfazed.
He had witnessed such grand arrivals before and knew exactly what to do.
Without hesitation, he turned and headed straight for the imperial palace—
Tonight, the emperor had to be informed.