CHAPTER 48: DEATH RADIANCE

The next morning...

The imperial court was cloaked in heavy gloom, as if storm clouds were pressing down on the hall.

Minister of Rites, Kong Qi, stood tall and elegant in his dark ceremonial robe. He, who was always the model of refinement and poise, stood trembling with fury.

His handsome face twisted with anger as he screamed, "Grand Chancellor! For three days in a row, the Dragon War Army, the Black Banner Army, and the Liaodong Army have marched brazenly into the capital. Do you mean to rebel against the throne?"

A hush fell across the hall.

The truth was, save for a handful of loyalists, most officials obeyed Sima Ting's every word. The sight of three armies entering the capital was exactly what many of them had been waiting for.

The Southern Qian Empire had long been destined for change. None of them realized the armies weren’t for a coup at all, but mere sacrifices. The same went for the officials, soldiers, and the common folks.

Sima Ting strode forward, his voice booming like a general on the battlefield. "The armies entered the capital by the Ministry of War’s decree! This is entirely within South Qian’s law. Yet here you are, Minister, hurling baseless accusations at me. You’re casting aside court law itself, and you call that righteous?"

The hall erupted in laughter. Famed as a gentle and virtuous man, Kong Qi was always upright and level-headed. Now, he was being mocked openly. Even his composure cracked under Sima Ting’s scorn.

Kong Qi shouted, his voice breaking as hot tears streamed down his cheeks, "Sima Ting's treachery is plain as day! Yet not one of you will speak out! The Southern Qian Empire is done for!"

The other officials sneered. To them, Kong Qi was a decent man, but no true statesman.

Just then, a voice rose from the corner. Duke Yu, who’d been silent until now, said slowly, "Grand Chancellor, you’ve gathered three armies within the walls. Does Her Majesty know of this? And for what purpose?"

Sima Ting turned his head, slightly surprised. The old turtle still had a tongue, it seems, daring to speak up for Jin Li. Well, what does it matter now?

Sima Ting's lips curled as his gaze slid toward Jin Li, who was seated on the throne.

His gaze brimmed with contemptuous amusement as he sneered. "Her Majesty knows now, does she not?"

The late emperor had been his puppet, and Jin Li had been hand-delivered to the throne by his own machinations. The court was his in all but name.

He calmly said, "Monsters have been lurking in the capital of late. I summoned the armies to safeguard Her Majesty's life. From today, the capital will be sealed. Entry is permitted, but leaving is prohibited. In half a month, once the pests are purged, the armies will withdraw. There’s no cause for panic."

With that, Sima Ting flicked his sleeves and left without so much as a bow. The rest of the officials hurried after him, some stealing a quick bow toward Jin Li before vanishing as well.

Soon, the vast hall stood nearly empty, save for a few officials and Jin Li. Sorrow clouded her expression.

***

Later, she returned to her chambers. Weary beyond measure, she gazed at the Linglong Xi Jade in her palm.

If the empire falls... if I die, will that promise from long ago still be honored?

Her eyes lifted toward the towering Ancient Qichun Tree outside her window. She became lost in thought.

Just then, Aunt Qin entered. Her face was drawn with fatigue, yet her gaze seared with anger. "Your Majesty, the three armies have filled the city, and the gates are sealed. If Sima Ting decides to bare his fangs, I’ll make sure you escape safely even if my life is forfeit!"

Beside her, Hua Xian dropped to one knee, declaring, "I will die for the sake of Your Majesty’s safety!"

Jin Li stared at the loyal souls, her voice trembling as she whispered, "I... owe you all an apology."

She had never been a worthy empress. Even her cultivation had been sabotaged in secret by Sima Ting's people, slowing her progress to a crawl.

"Sima Ting's ambition burns bright. He’ll make his move within half a month, no doubt. I can’t leave the capital, but you still have a chance. Escape while you can. Go to the Xuanyuan Forbidden Zone. There, you may survive this calamity."

Aunt Qin's gaze sharpened. "Your Majesty, I fear the old traitor's aim goes far beyond the throne. I sensed several vast and obscure auras at the grand chancellor's residence. Among them, the presence of demons."

Jin Li froze. "The Demon Race?"

Aunt Qin answered, "Yes, the Demon Race auras are even greater beyond the city. At least three... of the Emperor realm."

Utterly shaken, Jin Li’s breath was caught. "What?"

What in heaven’s name is Sima Ting planning?

***

Moonlight bathed the wilderness in silver.

Qi Yuan stood, clad in blood-red armor. His power burned at its peak as he trudged like a rampaging behemoth. With each charge of his blade, monsters were crushed, their mangled bodies falling in heaps.

Suddenly, his voice thundered through the battlefield. "Level 90!"

At last, he’d broken through!

On Moonwatch Continent, level 90 meant stepping beyond the Heaven realm into the Divine realm. It was a huge step from level 89.

Qi Yuan could feel it. Power surged through every muscle, enhancing his speed and hardening his physique. He was transforming all over. Once, the swarms of garment monsters had kept him confined to hunt at night. But now? He no longer feared them.

By day, by night, it didn't matter. Let them come. He’d cut them down all the same.

"Two new skills..."

At level ninety, two skills had awakened within him.

"Stabilizing Spirit?"

The first was a minor skill. It could anchor his spirit against illusions and delusions, steadying his mind when reality faltered.

"Death Radiance?"

Qi Yuan's eyes widened as he read about the second skill.

It was no mere technique, but a dance on the edge of mortality. A final radiance, born at death’s threshold, allowing him to release his power at its peak. Not only did it amplify his battle power, it also devoured life itself. Wounding an enemy would siphon their vitality, healing his injuries in turn.

In other words, the closer he was to death, the stronger he became. He could steal his enemy's life like mana drain.

"If only they gave me a Blade of Destiny too, I'd be unstoppable!"

Qi Yuan chuckled, though unease lingered in his chest. The dangerous skill would be best paired with the Blade of Destiny artifact. With that, he could’ve snatched an enemy’s crystal core outright.

"Still, it's already incredible... Even at full health, Death Radiance can double my strength." Lifting his giant sword, his gaze pierced deep into the heart of the Forbidden Wardrobe. "Little Tattered... No. The Tattered-Cloth Emperor. I'm coming for you."

The Tattered-Cloth Emperor, who’d been watching from the shadows, surged forward as well.

The two charged headlong into each other. A collision destined to shake the land.

"Aaah!" Qi Yuan armor blazed as scarlet phantoms swirled around him. He raised his sword, swelling it with blood qi until it spanned a thousand meters. "Take my strike!"

Death Radiance shifted his entire style. Now, he craved overwhelming power and attacks so vast, they crushed not just his enemy, but everything around. Despite failing to harm the Tattered-Cloth Emperor, the shockwaves annihilated the lesser monsters swarming nearby.

Each one cut down was another stream of XP, another source of life to drain. Mana flowed endlessly, allowing him to unleash his power without restraint.

"Today, I'll cut you down!"