Líng Zhuì's Descent
Líng Zhuì descended from the sky, clad in a new robe forged from shadows and darkness, adorned with silver chains that gleamed faintly in the dim light. A long black cloak danced in the wind behind him, and atop his chestnut-colored hair rested a crimson crown made of twisted horns, exuding power and majesty. A thin, red scar stretched across the right side of his face, running from his forehead to above his eyebrow, and continuing beneath his eye to his cheek.
The demon spoke:
"Welcome, Líng Zhuì. You have become the last God of Darkness and Chaos. Do you wish to see your new power and appearance?"
Líng Zhuì, his face cold and his eyes devoid of emotion, nodded silently. A mirror materialized before him, reflecting his transformed visage. He reached for the scar on his face, but the demon's voice interrupted:
"That scar is the mark of the dark core and demonic bone I placed within you. Remember, if you defy my orders or ignore the call of the darkness within you, that scar will begin to bleed. It will cost you your sight, and the dark energy will seep into your veins, eventually taking your life. You must always obey me. Your army of darkness is nearly here. All the demons have been summoned to meet their new master and begin their first mission. But before that, I will give you the secret weapon forged from my essence. Remember, all your power stems from this weapon, and no one must ever see it."
Líng Zhuì smirked wickedly, raising his head to the sky as the crimson clouds began to part, revealing a calm sky dotted with twinkling stars.
"I'm eager to destroy the world. You'd better give me that weapon quickly."
The demon's laughter mingled with the new Lord of Darkness's sinister chuckle.
---
Líng Estate
Master Líng entered the estate with the Grandmaster and the others. In the courtyard, they saw charred wood surrounding a blackened coffin, a large pool of blood nearby, and Líshā clutching an urn, weeping. Master Líng rushed forward, grabbing Líshā by the shoulders and lifting her to her feet.
"What happened here, Líshā? What happened to Lady Mùyáng? Where are Zhuì and Fūyì?"
Líshā, still in shock, continued to cry. Master Líng grew furious and shouted:
"I'm asking you—what happened here?"
The sound of the estate door opening drew everyone's attention. Lady Chén and her maid, Míng Yù, hurried inside, followed by Lián, the elderly street vendor, and a young man with a bundle slung over his shoulder. The young man wore simple clothes, his face sharp and handsome, with large, dark eyes. Lady Chén looked around anxiously, bowing to her uncle and the Grandmaster.
"I was at Mount Bó Héng with Míng Yù when that event occurred in the sky. I guessed the prophecy had begun, so we returned immediately."
Master Líng approached her, his face distraught and angry.
"Chén Chén, didn't I tell everyone not to leave the estate until I returned? Why did you go to Mount Bó Héng without my permission?" (He shouted.) "Answer me!"
Lady Chén lowered her head in fear, stammering:
"I… I… It's because…"
"It's because, as always, you forgot what day it is, Father. Chén Chén goes there every year for Zhuì's birthday."
All eyes turned to the young man accompanying Lián. He stepped forward, kneeling on his right knee, clenching his left hand into a fist and pressing it into his right palm in a gesture of respect.
"Líng Fēng pays his respects to the Grandmaster and the clans of Mò and Yù."
The Grandmaster nodded.
"It's good to see you, Fēng. Did you leave the cave today because of the prophecy?"
Líng Fēng stood and replied:
"No, wherever I am in the world, I return to the estate tonight. As I've said, tonight is the birthday of the most important person in my life—my younger brother, Líng Zhuì. As for the prophecy, I trusted you would find a solution."
The Grandmaster sighed.
"I had a solution, but I couldn't prevent the rise of the Lord of Darkness. I regret to inform you that one of your brothers harbors the dark core and has now become the Lord of Darkness. But I don't know which one."
"It was Líng Zhuì, Grandmaster!"
All eyes turned to the estate door as Líng Fūyì entered, his clothes torn and dusty, a deep, bleeding wound on his shoulder. His guard, Zhào Róu, supported him as he bowed.
"I saw Líng Zhuì this afternoon, as usual, disgracing our family in the market. He was abusing his magical skills, stealing money from shopkeepers and tormenting them. Since Father entrusted me with his discipline, I brought him back to the estate to punish him. But he fought me and left me in this state. When the dark core appeared, he ignored everything I said. He claimed he had been waiting for this moment for years to take revenge on our family and destroy us. He surrendered to the darkness and obeyed its every command. He even killed our mother when she tried to stop him… and left with the core."
Fūyì collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly.
"Forgive me, Father. I couldn't keep my promise to you. I did everything I could to stop him, but he overpowered me. You know he's been using dark energy as part of his magical skills. That's why he defeated me so easily. If it weren't for Zhào Róu, I would have died."
Zhào Róu, standing beside Líshā with a dagger hidden behind his back, nodded in agreement with Fūyì's words.
The disciples and clan members murmured among themselves:
"So, he's been waiting for this day all these years?"
"Did he know about the prophecy?"
"It was obvious he'd do something like this. What else can you expect from an illegitimate child with filthy blood?"
"Poor Líng clan. Their name will forever be remembered in history as the clan that birthed the last Lord of Darkness!"
Líng Fēng stepped forward in anger, shouting:
"Enough! All of you, stop this nonsense! I've known Líng Zhuì since he was a child. He would never harm his own mother." (He advanced further, standing in front of his father.) "And you know it too, Father. For years, he has endured Fūyì's cruelty, your neglect, and everyone else's disdain just for his mother's sake. He's done everything in his power to protect the honor of this family—unlike your dear son Fūyì, who's always disgracing us in gambling dens and geisha houses. But you never saw any of that, and now you're putting all the blame on Zhuì? No, not this time. I won't let you destroy him. I'll find him, take him away, and we'll never return to this estate."
He turned his back, picking up his bundle from the ground and throwing it over his shoulder. As he walked away with Lián, the Grandmaster's voice stopped him:
"Wait, Fēng. What Fūyì says is true. When the dark core manifests, it takes over its host with immense power. Zhuì has harbored years of hatred and resentment in his heart, borne from the humiliation he and his mother endured. Tonight, on the darkest night of the century, that hatred attracted the dark core, which sought out its master. Zhuì was different from the start—his abilities were unlike anyone else's, and he always gravitated toward using dark energy. I know it's hard for you to accept that your brother has become the Lord of Darkness, but Fēng, what have I always taught you? Even if your family is in danger, you must always stand for justice and righteousness. Now, the lives of innocent people, animals, plants, and the entire planet are in our hands. We must focus on stopping the Lord of Darkness before he destroys the world. The choice is yours: will you abandon years of cultivation and devotion to the path of righteousness to follow a brother who now belongs to darkness and evil, or will you join us and fight for the salvation of the world—even if it means opposing your brother?"
Líng Fēng lowered his head, tears streaming from his eyes. Líng Chén, her face wet with tears, approached him and pleaded:
"You know this isn't true, Brother Fēng. Zhuì could never have killed his mother, the person he loved more than his own life. Fūyì must have misunderstood. If we don't go now and find him, we'll never be able to prove his innocence. He has no one else but us. Please, Brother Fēng… I'm begging you, don't abandon him. Please!"
She collapsed to the ground, clutching Fēng's hand, her sobs shaking her voice. Her maid, Míng Yù, also crying, tried to lift her up. Meanwhile, Zhào Róu leaned close to Líshā, whose face had turned pale with fear, and whispered:
"If you want to perform the rituals for your lady's ashes peacefully, you'd better keep your mouth shut about what really happened. You know Lady Mùyáng's name shouldn't be tarnished because of Zhuì. Let her be remembered as a poor mother who was tragically killed by her demon son for his ambitions, rather than the mother of the Lord of Darkness destined to destroy the world. Otherwise, her spirit will never rest, doomed to wander aimlessly forever. She never lived in peace during her life, so at least let her soul find peace in death."
Tears streamed down Líshā's face as she closed her eyes, whispering to herself:
"Forgive me, Young Master…"
She handed the urn to Zhào Róu, stepped forward, and stood before Fēng. Trembling, she began to speak:
"Master Fūyì is telling the truth, Master Fēng… I never thought the Young Master would harm his mother, but it was as if he was possessed. He didn't hear anything… I was watching through the crack in the door. Master Fūyì tried to stop him but failed and got injured. And when Lady Mùyáng stepped forward to stop him, she…" (Her hands shook as she clenched them into fists. Closing her eyes, tears streamed down her face.)
"With a powerful spell… he pushed her aside, and Lady Mùyáng lost her life."
She collapsed to the ground, sobbing. Fūyì glanced at Zhào Róu, a wicked smile crossing his face before adopting a mournful and sympathetic expression.
"Brother Fēng, I know you'll never believe me, but this maid—Lady Mùyáng's loyal servant—is telling you everything she saw. Do you still not believe her?"
The elder Master Líng, sitting on the steps with his head in his hands, spoke:
"I knew from the beginning that bringing that filthy blood into this estate was a mistake. I should never have accepted him as my son or given him our family name. How can I ever hold my head up among the other clans again? The son of the renowned Líng clan—famous among demon hunters—has become the Lord of Darkness, killed his own mother, and is about to destroy the world. How am I supposed to live with that?"
His shoulders shook as he wept. Master Yù approached and sat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"None of this is your fault, my friend. He was your son, and even if you hadn't acknowledged him, people would still have gossiped, saying you fathered a child with a poor woman and refused to accept him. You couldn't have known he carried dark energy within him or what he would become. Don't worry—we're all here for you. We'll help you find a way to stop him and restore your family's honor."
The Grandmaster nodded in agreement.
"That's right, Líng Róng. Let's focus on finding a way to defeat the Lord of Darkness and prevent the world's destruction. No one blames you, nor questions your upbringing. We're all with you—right, Líng Fēng?"
Líng Fēng, still hesitant, glanced at Chén, who silently pleaded with her eyes for him not to accept the Grandmaster's request. Lián stepped forward, pleading:
"Master Fēng, Lady Chén is right. If we don't find Zhuì now, his guilt will be sealed, and he won't have a chance to defend himself. He was mischievous, always playing pranks, but a dark god? No, no, it's impossible. He only had his mother in this world, and he would've given his life for her. There must be some misunderstanding."
As Fēng prepared to respond, Fūyì rose from the ground, approached, and placed a hand on Fēng's shoulder, his face a mask of sadness and concern.
"I know, Brother Fēng, you cared for him more than anyone and always looked after him. That's why it's hard for you to believe what we're saying. But now, we must save our family's name. That filthy blood has already tarnished it enough." (Fēng glared at Fūyì angrily.) "Well, I mean to say, Líng Zhuì has caused us enough shame. Don't listen to Chén Chén—her love for Zhuì blinds her. And as for this old man, he's lived too long to know what's true anymore."
A deafening thunderclap erupted in the sky, drawing everyone's gaze upward, where not a single cloud was visible. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the sky. The Grandmaster, concerned, said:
"This is a terrible sign. We can't waste time arguing here. The Lord of Darkness is gathering his demon army and preparing the Life Drain Formation. If that formation activates, he will become immortal, and the entire world will be destroyed. We must rally everyone and fight him, even at the cost of our lives, to prevent the formation from activating."
Everyone nodded in agreement, but Fēng's voice stopped them:
"Wait… I know the only way to stop the formation. Follow me!"
Lady Chén shook her head, trying to speak, but Fūyì gestured to Zhào Róu.
"Take her to her room and make sure she doesn't leave."
Líng Chén struggled against Zhào Róu's grip but couldn't break free. The others followed Líng Fēng out of the estate, while Fūyì smirked wickedly and murmured:
"It won't be long now before I'm rid of you for good, filthy blood."
Líng Zhuì sat on a black throne in the heart of the forest, wearing a black mask that covered half of his face, including his right eye, adding an even more terrifying edge to his appearance. The final group of demons, belonging to the fifth-level Fox Clan, appeared before him. Rising from his seat, Líng Zhuì began to speak:
"As you all know, I am the last Lord of Darkness to emerge in this era. My goal is to destroy the entire world. However, my inner power is not yet strong enough to initiate the Life Drain Formation. I need time to cultivate my dark core and strengthen it. Therefore, I want all of you to scatter and find dark spiritual cores of great power and bring them to me. Some of you will remain here with me so we can enjoy this world a little before I destroy it." (A sinister smile spread across his face.) "Lǐ Huán is the commander of my Dark Army. He will guide you on what to do. For now, I must leave to complete my first mission and show the world that the Sorrowful Sovereign of Night (my title as the Lord of Darkness) has risen."
His laughter echoed through the forest as he disappeared in a flash. Lǐ Huán—the boy who had given his demonic bone to Líng Zhuì—clasped his hands behind his back and stepped forward, saying:
"Let's start with the Demon God's Palace."
---
Mount Ró Dá
The midday sun shone generously, drenching the world in endless light. Líng Fēng, the Grandmaster, and their companions arrived at the heart of the forest. Master Mò Qīng, panting heavily, collapsed to the ground.
"I can't take another step… I've been walking through this boundless forest with you since last night, and we don't even know what we're looking for. No, no, I'm staying here to rest. You can take my clan members with you, but don't count on me."
Líng Fēng offered a bittersweet smile and said:
"There's no need to go any further. We're here."
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Closing his eyes, Líng Fēng placed two fingers on his forehead, drawing energy and muttering a spell under his breath. A beam of light shot from his hands into the forest, dissipating the hidden barrier and revealing an enormous cave. Mò Qīng, wide-eyed in astonishment, leapt to his feet and stood beside Fēng, his jaw dropping. He looked at the others, who were equally shocked, and said:
"I don't even know how to praise you, Brother Fēng. I always knew your skills were extraordinary, but I never imagined you could reveal a cave in the middle of a forest."
Before Fēng could respond, a brilliant light appeared in the sky, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. A man descended, landing with his back to them at the cave entrance. Speaking calmly, he said:
"Who gave you permission to remove the magical barrier and bring all these people to this area, Líng Fēng? Don't you know that Mount Ró Dá is forbidden to outsiders?"
Turning around, he revealed himself to be a young man clad in white robes, a quiver of golden and white arrows slung across his back. His long, black hair was tied with a radiant ribbon of light, and his large, dark eyes, fair complexion, and thick eyebrows gave him an otherworldly beauty. His simplicity and brilliance left everyone in awe.
Líng Fēng stepped forward, smiling, and embraced him. Resting his head on the young man's shoulder, he said:
"I had to do this to make you appear. We need your help, Yì Shēng…"
The Hidden Cave (Roda Mountains)
Yi Sheng sat on a massive white rock at the center of the cave. Ling Feng and his companions stood before him, gazing at the ethereal sight. The inner walls of the cave were white and radiated a brilliant light, illuminating the entire space.
Yi Sheng was meditating, sitting cross-legged on the stone with his eyes closed. Behind him, an intense halo of light enveloped him, adding an otherworldly glow to his presence. Ling Feng wore a gentle smile, while the others stared, mesmerized by Yi Sheng's divine beauty. Mo Qing leaned close to Ling Feng's ear and whispered:
"Brother... Who is this mesmerizing man? The halo of light surrounding him is nearly blinding me. When will his meditation end? I can't wait to talk to him. His voice was so soothing..."
Ling Feng was about to reply when Yi Sheng, still with his eyes closed, began to speak:
"I know why you've come, Ling Feng. But I will not accept your request. You are well aware that I will not leave the Roda Mountains. You must find another way to confront the Lord of Darkness."
Ling Feng stepped forward, his face filled with sorrow and frustration, and began to plead:
"I know you've lived in this cave since you were twelve, never setting foot outside... But now, the situation is dire. My brother, Ling Zhui, whom I've loved and trusted more than my own life, has become the God of Darkness. He's about to execute the Life Absorption Array and destroy the world. We have only months to pull him out of the Dark Realm and annihilate his Core of Darkness and Demonic Bone.
Right now, his inner energy is still weak since he has only recently become the Lord of Darkness. However, his armies are spread across the world, gathering dark energies for him. We have just two months. I beg of you… You are the only one with spiritual purity and divine power formed of light. Please, I implore you, save me, my brother, and this world…"
Ling Feng's voice faltered as he sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Mo Qing moved to comfort him, but the Grandmaster placed a hand on his shoulder and gently shook his head. Yi Sheng opened his eyes and approached Ling Feng, kneeling on one knee before him:
"You know I stand on the side of good and will do anything to save the people of this world. I will try to send my energy from here to confront your brother. My spiritual core is immensely powerful, at level 8, and I can accomplish this."
The Grandmaster stepped forward and said:
"But to face the Lord of Darkness, you must infiltrate his army. According to prophecy, he possesses a secret weapon that grants him strength, yet its nature and power remain unknown.
For someone like you, Yi Sheng—isolated in this cave with your profound cultivation—a mission like this might feel trivial. But as Feng said, we have little time. If the Life Absorption Array activates, the Lord of Darkness will become immortal, and all beings will perish. We planned to unite all our spiritual powers and face him, even if it meant sacrificing ourselves. But Feng suggests a different approach: finding his secret weapon first to weaken him, making it easier to destroy the Core of Darkness.
You are our last hope, Yi Sheng. Since no one knows you, we must send you in as a discarded, disgraced figure to infiltrate his army, locate the weapon, and save the world..."
Yi Sheng returned to the white rock and resumed his meditation. Feng stood up and faced the others:
"It's futile... I've known Yi Sheng for years. He'll never betray his principles or leave this cave. I just wanted to take a chance because the situation is critical. We need another plan."
Defeated, they moved toward the cave's entrance. Suddenly, Yi Sheng's calm voice stopped them:
"I am willing to infiltrate his army to save the world. But how will you conceal my spiritual energy and golden core so they don't suspect me?"
They turned, their faces lit with joy. The Grandmaster approached Yi Sheng and said:
"There's a relic, the Mask of Stealth—or the False Eye—a treasure of the Mo clan, inherited from their ancestors. It's invisible, and when you wear it, its profound spiritual force can alter your core energy, masking it with a faint level of dark energy. This will prevent suspicion.
Additionally, you must employ the Silent Meditation Technique. This isn't difficult for you since you already cultivate this state. Morning and night, it will shroud your spiritual core in silence, allowing your true power to activate only when necessary. Trust me, Yi Sheng. Together, we can defeat the Lord of Darkness and save this world."
The Grandmaster extended his hand in alliance. Yi Sheng hesitated, closed his eyes for a moment, then placed his hand into the Grandmaster's. Mo Qing clapped excitedly:
"Wonderful! Let's head to the Mo clan's manor to retrieve the False Eye for Brother Yi Sheng. Everyone, rest well—we've been traveling since last night!"
The spiritual cultivators and demon hunters nodded in agreement. Lord Yu placed his hand on Lord Ling's shoulder, leaned close, and whispered:
"Don't worry, my friend... Soon, we'll destroy that filthy boy. This way, your clan's honor will be restored, and you'll be rid of him and his disgrace forever."
Lord Ling nodded but was interrupted by Ling Feng's voice:
"That will never happen as long as I'm alive! Yi Sheng will destroy the Core of Darkness and find the secret weapon. After that, I'll take Zhui back with me, and no one will dare harm him. I only brought you here and introduced you to Yi Sheng based on the Grandmaster's promise. No clan shall even think of hurting him. Isn't that right, Grandmaster?"
The cultivators and hunters stopped to hear the Grandmaster's response, their eyes locked on him. The Grandmaster nodded and said to Feng:
"My promise stands firm, as you all know. I never break my word. Did you doubt me, Ling Feng? Now is not the time to discuss this. Time is as precious as gold, and we can't waste it. Let's move quickly; the journey ahead is long."
Yi Sheng, with his bow slung across his back, cast one last glance at the cave that had been his sanctuary for years. Then, he strode toward the cave's entrance, followed closely by the others.
-
Abyss of Despair – Palace of the Lord of Darkness (Juewang Ya)
The towering walls of the palace, painted in shades of black and gray, exuded an aura of fear and dread. At the entrance to the abyss, all the trees, flowers, and grass of the forest had withered and turned a lifeless gray. Within the abyss lay a wide and endless bridge leading to the palace entrance, beneath which streams of molten lava and fiery volcanoes flowed. Dark specters soared above the bridge, haunting the landscape. At the end of this bridge stood the Palace of Despair, its countless levels stretching toward the sky, vanishing into the heavens.
Yi Sheng arrived at the entrance to the abyss. His gray attire adorned with dangling black chains, a black headband tied on his forehead, a white ribbon binding his hair, and a worn-out cream-colored backpack slung on his back gave him a weary yet determined appearance. As he stepped forward, a sudden force hurled him several meters away. Two fox demons of Level 7—a young man and woman clad in black—materialized and approached him. Yi Sheng quickly stood up, dusted off his clothes, knelt on one knee, and bowed deeply.
"Greetings to the eternal demons of the Fox Clan. I am Yi Sheng, a low-level spiritual cultivator and an illegitimate son of the Yi family residing in the city of Xi Jing. My family has shamed me for years, and my brothers tormented me relentlessly. My mother was bedridden and passed away last week." (He lowered his head as tears streamed down his face.) "They didn't even pay for her treatment before casting me out. When I heard that the Lord of Darkness had risen and declared that anyone with profound hatred and dark energy within them could join his army, I began my journey to reach this place. I seek revenge against my family and wish to slaughter them all. Please grant me this opportunity. I promise to serve the Lord of Darkness with unwavering loyalty for the rest of my life, even at the cost of my own."
The female fox demon, with fiery red hair, striking amber eyes, and sun-kissed skin, glanced at her husband, whose long orange hair cascaded down to his waist, matching his pale complexion and similar-colored eyes. He nodded in approval. The female fox demon gestured to Yi Sheng and said, "Follow us."
Relieved, Yi Sheng stood up, bowed again, and began walking behind them. "Thank you for accepting me. I swear I'll prove my loyalty to the Lord of Darkness," he said.
The male fox demon smirked and snapped his fingers, causing the abyss's magical barrier to vanish and revealing the broad bridge. The group headed toward the bridge, with Yi Sheng cautiously glancing around. His brows furrowed momentarily, but he quickly composed himself and smiled as he followed them onto the bridge. With every step, the bridge trembled ominously. After several minutes, they reached the end, where molten lava erupted into the air.
The female fox demon clapped twice, plucking a strand of her vibrant red hair and placing it on the ground before the palace entrance. Yi Sheng watched their actions with astonishment as the male fox demon mimicked her, pulling a strand of his orange hair and dropping it after a few seconds. The massive black gates, streaked with crimson veins, slowly creaked open, allowing them to enter.
Inside the palace's first level, tall black walls surrounded a field of gray grass, with parts of the sky faintly visible above. Further ahead, a large crowd of men and women sat on the ground, whispering to one another. Upon spotting Yi Sheng entering with the two fox demons, their whispers grew louder:
"Look, another one has come."
"Poor soul doesn't know he might wait here forever."
"Who knows when his turn will come—or if he'll even be accepted?"
Perplexed by their murmurs, Yi Sheng turned to the fox demons standing in the middle of the field with arms crossed and asked, "So, once you're inside, aren't you automatically part of the Dark Army?"
Their laughter echoed throughout the hall, joined by the others. The male fox demon sneered, "What makes you think a low-level demon like you gets automatic acceptance? Ever since we entered this castle, no one has laid eyes on the Lord of Darkness. Weeks of trials are needed to assess your qualifications. If accepted, you'll be granted access to the fourth level and assigned missions based on your demonic level. The higher your power, the more crucial your tasks. If there's a war, you might catch a glimpse of the Melancholy Night Sovereign—from afar, of course."
Anxiety crept across Yi Sheng's face, and he muttered to himself, "This won't work—I don't have that much time…" Raising his head, he pleaded, "But I came here hoping to see the Lord of Darkness and serve alongside him."
The laughter grew even louder. The female fox demon approached Yi Sheng, trying to stifle her amusement. "Everyone here came with the same hope. But the Lord of Darkness resides on the topmost level, accompanied only by Commander Li Huan and a handful of high-ranking demons. You're far from reaching that level. But don't lose hope; maybe one day you'll get to meet him. For now, take a seat with the others and wait for your turn to be called."
As Yi Sheng opened his mouth to respond, the fox demons walked toward the castle gates. Suddenly, a storm erupted, and a massive whirlwind appeared in the sky. Everyone froze in fear, staring at the whirlwind descending to the ground. The fox demons' eyes widened in shock as they rushed inside, shouting to the crowd, "The Lord of Darkness has arrived! Kneel and bow! No one is permitted to raise their head or look at him!"
They dropped to their knees, pressing their foreheads to the ground and closing their eyes. Yi Sheng, still stunned, stared at the whirlwind nearing the ground until the female fox demon forcefully pulled him down, making him kneel and lower his head. The whirlwind landed, and the Lord of Darkness emerged, accompanied by Li Huan, wielding a spear with a crimson tip crackling with sparks of fire.
As the Lord of Darkness strode toward the castle gates, Yi Sheng suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, "I'm an illegitimate son, cast out by my family! I seek revenge—help me, Ling Zhui!"
The castle walls trembled as whispers of fear and terror spread among the crowd. The Lord of Darkness tilted his head to the side and growled, "How dare you address me by name? This is your last day alive…" He gestured to Li Huan, prompting Yi Sheng to take a step back, panic etched across his face.