The Wine Trail Tavern – Gathering of Obsidian Elites
The Wine Trail was a well-known establishment in the closest town near the Death Knights' training grounds—a place where warriors, mercenaries, and young elites of various factions gathered before setting foot into the rigorous training ahead.
Inside, Hei Xu and Yan Mei sat at a dimly lit corner table, their expressions heavy with frustration. Surrounding them were the young elites of the Obsidian Empire, all nursing their wounds from their previous failed pursuit.
The tension at the table was thick, their previous arrogance tempered by bitter reality.
A man with deep scars running across his jaw gritted his teeth. "We failed to avenge the Black Lotus Sect. By the time we received news of Tian Zhen's death, the killers were long gone."
Yan Mei's delicate fingers traced the rim of her wine cup, her eyes cold and calculating. "They weren't just running… They were leading us on. Every trap, every delay—it was all intentional. That means their leader isn't just strong but also intelligent."
Hei Xu leaned back against his chair, a shadow flickering over his sharp features. "And that's why we will wait."
The gathered elites fell silent, listening intently.
"There's no point in fighting them outside the training grounds," Hei Xu continued. "The injuries we suffered in that chase were proof enough—we underestimated them. But once we step into the Death Knights' territory, there will be no rules protecting them. That's when we'll take our revenge."
A young warrior, one of the few who had escaped serious injuries, clenched his fists. "You mean to let them think they've won? To let them grow stronger in the meantime?"
Yan Mei smirked. "If they think they're safe, that will only make it sweeter when we break them later."
The elites nodded, understanding that for now, their survival took priority. The chase had pushed them to their limits—further losses before reaching the training grounds would be reckless.
---
A Druid Genius Listens
At a nearby table, hidden among the crowd, a young man clad in simple green robes sipped his drink, quietly listening.
He was no ordinary villager. His emerald-green eyes carried a wisdom that belied his youthful face, and the way he sat—still, yet utterly in control of his surroundings—marked him as a cultivator of considerable skill.
His name was Sylas Verdant, a rising genius among the Druids, known for his mastery of nature-based cultivation techniques.
As he listened to the conversation unfolding before him, a thought crossed his mind.
"A group capable of making the elites of the Obsidian Empire suffer such losses… How intriguing."
A slow smile formed on his lips.
"Perhaps I should meet them."
---
Phoenix Cry Empire – A New World Discovered
Far to the south, at the border of the Phoenix Cry Empire, a storm of activity brewed within the imperial court. Messengers and scholars hurried through the grand halls of the palace, delivering reports to high-ranking officials.
The cause of the commotion?
News from within the portal.
A new world had been discovered—one unlike anything previously recorded.
A volcanic world, brimming with ash-covered mountains, rivers of molten lava, and an ominous sky that never cleared.
Even more astonishing…
It was inhabited by humans.
The implications were enormous. The Phoenix Cry Empire had long controlled various hidden realms, but to find a world entirely separate, yet connected through the portal, was unprecedented.
The Emperor's advisors spoke in hushed tones, debating what this meant.
"Are they a lost branch of cultivators? A forgotten sect? Or something else entirely?"
"Should we establish contact… or prepare for war?"
As the debates continued, orders were swiftly issued. A reconnaissance team would be dispatched, including warriors, scholars, and envoys. The mysteries of this volcanic realm would soon be uncovered.
And within the empire's high walls, those with power and ambition were already making their moves.