章 58: Months After

The grandeur of the throne room is breathtaking, with its towering pillars, intricately carved ceilings, and golden accents. The room is dimly lit, with flickering torches casting eerie shadows along the walls, making the air thick with anticipation. In the distance, the sound of footsteps can be heard, growing louder and louder until the massive doors of the throne room creaked open.

One by one, eight out of the fifteen War Commanders enter the throne room. They march in unison, their armor clinking with each step, and their weapons gleaming in the low light. They move with the precision and grace of a well-trained army, their expressions solemn, and their eyes fixed on the throne at the end of the room.

The remaining Commanders are scattered across the vast territories of the Shaoying Empire, unaware of the impending doom that awaits them. The Grand Echo Continent, a force to be reckoned with, is slowly but surely engulfing the Empire, and the War Commanders within the throne room are all loyal subjects of the Grand Echo Continent.

"We have not received any communication from the 14th squad for weeks now," one of the war commanders reported.

"Did they perish in battle, or did they betray us?" a burly war commander grunted.

"Think, commander. The 14th squad has thousands of members, they cannot disappear without leaving a trace," the woman war commander retorted.

"Perhaps they encountered unforeseen circumstances," the Emperor suggested.

The burly war commander scoffed, "Your highness, you should watch your tongue. Your position as the puppet ruler is only temporary, do not overstep your bounds."

The woman war commander interjected, "Your duty is to sit on the throne and play the part. Let the Queen regnant and the crown prince do the talking. Just ensure a smooth transition of power. Leave the military matters to us."

The grand doors of the throne room creaked open, and the queen regnant swept in with an air of authority that commanded attention. Her presence alone was enough to make even the bravest of men quiver in fear. She was once a lowly concubine who rose to become the queen consort, but behind closed doors, she ruled with an iron fist.

Dressed in a regal gown of red and gold, she moved with effortless grace across the marble floor, her long black hair trailing behind her. Her piercing gaze scanned the room, taking in the eight war commanders who had gathered before her. They stood at attention, waiting for her to speak.

"Report," she said in a voice that brooked no argument. The war commanders bowed low before her, knowing that her words held the power of life and death. They acknowledge her presence.

"Whether they die or not, it matters not," she said, her voice ringing out with iron-clad determination. "The 14th squad has long been a thorn in our plans. It's good that they are gone, but we must still investigate the reason behind their disappearance. There may be an external force at play that we have yet to account for, one that could threaten our ambitions."

The emaciated looking war commander stepped forward; his voice steady despite the weight of his words. "Yes, my Queen. I will conduct a thorough investigation and present my findings before the week is out."

The queen regnant's gaze shifted to him, her tone sharp. "And what of General Xu Chen? Is he still in a coma?"

The war commander hesitated for a moment before responding. "It appears that the information we have gathered thus far is limited. They found him outside the City of Qingyun, unconscious. We are currently sorting through the reports made by the guards over the past six months in hopes of finding clues."

The queen regnant's eyes narrowed. "Then hurry. We cannot afford to wait for Xu Chen to awaken before we can act. And send word to my father, the King of the Grand Echo. It is time for us to attack the Blank Continent and wipe out those members of the Karma Order once and for all."

The war commanders nodded in agreement, each one aware of the gravity of their task. The queen regnant rose from her throne, her will and determination palpable in the air. They would succeed, no matter the cost.

…...

The dimly lit room of the Karma Order's fortress was filled with tension as Shunyuan, one of their top leaders, stood in front of his fellow members. He knew that he had failed in his mission, and the consequences of his defeat could be dire. Shunyuan carefully avoided mentioning his nephew's involvement in their plans, aware that it would draw unwanted attention to him.

"You have failed us yet again," the woman said, her sly smile belying the anger in her voice.

"If only you had sent me instead," another member interjected.

Shunyuan hung his head in shame. "I have no excuse for our failure."

"We cannot afford any more missteps," the leader warned. "We will meet with Rymton. We have a way to control his power before he becomes a loose cannon. It will take years before he can get used to that body."

As the members of the Karma Order left the dimly lit room, Shunyuan couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that weighed heavily on his conscience. He began to question the righteousness of their actions, wondering if they were truly fighting for a noble cause or simply perpetuating a cycle of violence and oppression.

The words of the boy from Tiger Quarry echoed in his mind, haunting him with their sincerity and simplicity. He couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that their pursuit of power and domination was causing more harm than good.

As he walked down the corridor, he absentmindedly looked down at the fragment of gem in his hand. The gem was filled with the life energy of countless innocent beings who had been sacrificed for the sake of their ambitions. Shunyuan couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and remorse for the lives lost, and he wondered if their actions were worth the cost.

…..

Months after the Battle from the Tiger Quarry...

The once desolate and remote Forbidden Valley had undergone a remarkable transformation. A bustling trade system had been established between the valley and the Azure Twilight Hill, thanks to the keen business acumen of Madam Zhang Ai.

By studying the ancient tomes at the Pagoda, the alchemists of the valley had managed to develop pills that could nourish their beasts and aid them in breaking through to new levels of power.

The rapid growth of commerce and construction had led to an unprecedented boom in the Forbidden Valley. Almost all the ordinary citizens had found work, either in building new residential areas or helping to construct the key structures of the clan. The Spiritual Farm had also flourished, with many individuals being contracted to help with its maintenance and development.

The valley was now a hive of activity, with the sounds of clanging hammers and bustling workers filling the air. The people were happy, and the clan had never been stronger. However, there was still much work to be done, and the people of the Forbidden Valley were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The place where the diluted Eternal Star Spring was located has become a sacred ground for alchemists. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, and the ground was littered with alchemical equipment. One time it lured in a spiritual animal, which only added to the mystique of the place, and it was now a contracted beast of Alchemist Zhou.

Speaking of Alchemist Zhou, he was involved in everything, even the construction of the Spiritual Farm, and was always clashing with Alchemist Li and Ding Gen. He had a habit of making mountains out of molehills and would often barge into meetings, causing chaos with his outlandish demands.

"Why are you distributing a sizable number of Bronzeberry to the students?" he would shout, his voice echoing off the walls of the Pagoda. "Why are you allowing the people to fetch water from the Holy Lake?"

And if anyone crossed him, he would become irate. "You've creased the last page of Elixirs of Liang Li? Do you know who Liang Li is? She was considered the Mother of Ancient Elixirs. Go away, you are no longer allowed to step foot inside the Pagoda of Alchemical Knowledge!"

His behavior was becoming too much to bear, and Alchemist Qian was struggling to keep him in check. But despite his difficult personality, Alchemist Zhou's expertise was undeniable, and he had contributed greatly to the advancement of alchemy in the valley.

The Alchemists of the Forbidden Valley couldn't help but marvel at the transformation of their once modest settlement into a bustling hub of progress and innovation. They had come a long way from the stifling confines of the Alchemy Union of the Cardinal City, where they were met with disdain and hostility due to their status as outsiders.

Now, as they looked around the thriving community they had helped build, they felt a sense of pride and gratitude. The residential houses were more spacious and comfortable, the clan hall was larger and more impressive, and the apothecary was stocked with rare herbs and ingredients that were once impossible to come by.

But it was the construction of the small school that truly filled their hearts with joy. It was a symbol of hope and progress, a place where future generations could learn about the wonders of Alchemy and carry on the legacy that they had worked so hard to establish.

The alchemists were gathered in the Pagoda of Alchemical Knowledge, discussing their plans for the future. Alchemist Li brought up the idea of creating a new union, but Ding Gen was hesitant, considering the potential challenge it could pose to the Shaoying Empire.

"Ding Gen, do you think it's time to create a new Alchemy Union here? Alchemist Li suggested

"Wouldn't that mean we are challenging the Shaoying Empire?"

Alchemist Zhou chuckled, dismissing Ding Gen's concern. "It will be difficult for them to carry the entire platoon and walk into the poisonous area of the Forbidden Valley. This place has been strategic for us. We can create a union that will challenge the Alchemist Union of the Cardinal City. Those ignorant fools knew nothing about Alchemy."

He continued to boast, not realizing that not too long ago, he was also a member of the Cardinal City union.

Alchemist Mao Wenlin reminded the group of their promise to the Young Master to protect the valley in his absence. "We will protect this place as promised to Young Master,"

As they talked, One-Eyed Lily couldn't help but bring up a curious matter. "You haven't told us why there was a sudden increase in your cultivation. All of a sudden, you and Du Hong have reached the Master Swordsman rank. That is impossible," she said.

As the alchemists were deep in conversation, a sudden shout interrupted their meeting. The voice was filled with excitement and urgency. "The Young Master is back!" they heard someone exclaim.

The alchemists quickly stopped their conversation and rushed outside to see what was happening. They saw a group of people gathered near the entrance of the clan hall, all eagerly waiting for the arrival of their Young Master.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance, riding on a horse. As he approached, the alchemists could see that it was indeed their Young Master. They couldn't contain their excitement as they ran towards him, cheering and waving their hands in the air.

Juanxiu dismounted his horse and greeted them with a smile. "It's good to be back," he said, his voice filled with warmth and happiness.