Chapter Thirty-Six: The Lord of the Celestial Cloud Realm, Zhuang Wen

“Slay the enemy!”
In an instant, over a hundred thousand voices rose in unison, their shouts shaking the heavens and trembling the earth.
Without delay, the Lord of Darkness turned, lightly stepping forward toward the vast, illusory gateway.
Qingli and Mo Yuan hurriedly stood and followed closely behind.
Behind them marched the hundred thousand shadow soldiers and several thousand Ashura warriors.
Soon, a flash of white light enveloped their vision, and as they passed through the portal, the new landscape unfolded before their eyes.
It was a continent where spiritual energy churned with unusual turbulence.
The vegetation was tinged with black, the earth shone with a deep brown hue—at a glance, it resembled a land soaked in blood.
The chaotic spiritual aura permeated the air, and combined with the scene, it imparted a sense of barrenness and desolation.
“The Celestial Cloud Realm holds thirteen thousand seven hundred cities,”
Surveying the vast continent before him, the Lord of Darkness’s gaze grew profound as he spoke in a cool, distant voice:
“Qingli, lead the Ashura. Slaughter all those within the cities who serve the master of the Celestial Cloud Realm.”
“Qingli receives the order!”
Qingli dropped to one knee in reverence, then rose and departed, leading thousands of Ashura warriors.
Watching Qingli and her retinue leave, the Lord of Darkness turned slightly and called softly:
“Mo Yuan.”
“Your servant is here!”
Mo Yuan, not daring to hesitate, bowed deeply in respect.
“Lead the troops. Encircle the main city of the Celestial Cloud Realm.”
“Yes!”
With the command received, Mo Yuan wasted no time, saluted with cupped fists, and led the hundred thousand shadow soldiers, flying swiftly toward the distant horizon.
“Mere ants, yet cunning enough…”
Once they had gone, a cold, spectral light flashed in the Lord of Darkness’s eyes. His voice carried a trace of disdain as he turned and strode toward the far north.
In moments, thousands of miles of void passed in a breath, and the Lord of Darkness appeared amidst a rugged landscape of perilous peaks and rushing streams.
For thousands of miles, the terrain was mountainous, with jagged rocks and narrow gorges crisscrossing the land.
Deep below flowed a chill river—an underground stream, shrouded in shadow.
“A mere Celestial King—do you truly think I cannot find you?”
His gaze swept over the cold river below. Standing with hands clasped behind his back in the void, his expression was indifferent, his voice betraying no hint of emotion.
“Your Majesty… you misunderstand me…”

At that moment, the river below abruptly stilled. A vortex appeared, and from it, a figure emerged—a young man, clad in white, about twenty years of age.
With sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his frame was somewhat slender.
He wore a golden crown, his demeanor gentle as jade, and his white robe imparted an indescribable sense of warmth.
After appearing, the youth bowed deeply to the Lord of Darkness above, then with a wave of his hand, revealed a blood-red droplet radiating extreme cold in his palm.
“I know my lowly status is unworthy of Your Majesty’s gaze. Therefore, in this endless subterranean river, I have forged a thing of utmost cold to present to Your Majesty.”
The youth raised his hand, releasing a ripple of spiritual energy to deliver the blood-colored droplet before the Lord of Darkness. His eyes shone with reverence as he bowed deeply:
“I ask only for Your Majesty’s forgiveness for my earlier failure to act.”
“This offering is indeed commendable,”
The Lord of Darkness glanced at the blood droplet, nodded lightly, his expression unchanged, and spoke again:
“The initial offense may be forgiven.”
“But what of your collusion with the Divine Dynasty?”
His voice was soft and faint, yet to the youth, it struck like thunder.
“Your Majesty…”
The youth trembled, a barely perceptible panic flickered deep in his eyes. Suppressing his fear, he knelt and bowed deeply:
“Within this blood bead lies the imprint of my life, proof of my loyalty.”
He offered no explanation. In the main city of the Celestial Cloud Realm, a Divine Dynasty envoy was present—this could not be concealed.
Nor was there any need to hide it; the Lord of Darkness surely already knew.
Now, surrendering his life imprint was perhaps the only slim hope for survival.
Having spoken, the youth remained silent, his manner utterly respectful, his eyes filled with devout sincerity.
Life or death—only a gamble remained.
He bet that the Lord of Darkness might lack powerful servants.
Even to become a mere slave was acceptable…
As long as he could live…
“Interesting…”
Staring at the youth in white below, a subtle depth flashed in the Lord of Darkness’s eyes, and a cruel smile touched his lips as he spoke calmly:
“Since you are so sincere, take my decree and go slay the Divine Dynasty’s envoy.”
“Kneeling in thanks for the Emperor’s grace…”
The youth did not dare linger. He bowed deeply, rose slowly, his eyes showing reverence, and spoke solemnly:
“Zhuang Wen will go forth, slay the envoy, and return with his head.”
“Take care, Emperor. Zhuang Wen takes his leave!”

With that, Zhuang Wen saluted again, then turned and sped away into the distance.
Meanwhile, in a city far from that place, armored soldiers stood in ranks, an air of solemnity pervading all.
On the city wall, a middle-aged man in scholarly robes gazed gravely down at the thousands of blood-colored figures below.
The whole city was tense.
“Who goes there?”
“I am Li Tiansheng, lord of Cloud’s End City under the master of the Celestial Cloud Realm!”
Nervously, Li Tiansheng called out to the thousands of blood-clad figures outside the city.
With spiritual energy augmenting his voice, it carried far.
Within the city, people stirred in agitation, hurrying home and locking their doors.
War was coming…
Yet the blood-clad figures acted as if they had not heard, advancing steadily.
Their steps were uniform, led by a woman in battle armor, her three thousand strands of hair cascading over her shoulders, advancing step by step…
Drawing ever nearer to Cloud’s End City.
“State your names! Take another step and I will activate the city’s defenses!”
Feeling the barely contained madness emanating from the blood-clad army, Li Tiansheng grew anxious and shouted again.
At that moment, the thousands outside suddenly halted.
No.
It was the woman at their head who paused, and the entire solemn formation stopped with her.
Relieved to see them halt, Li Tiansheng’s gaze sharpened.
The beautiful woman slowly raised her right hand.
A white vortex appeared in her palm, and a fierce, frenzied killing intent surged skyward!
A mask—ancient, eerie, and crazed, white with blood-red patterns—quickly materialized!
“This is…”
Sensing the mask’s murderous aura, Li Tiansheng’s pupils contracted sharply, a tidal wave of terror rising in his heart!
“The Ashura Mask!”
“The Lord of Darkness’s personal guards! Blood Ashura!”
His voice was filled with dread, and Li Tiansheng could no longer maintain composure. Disbelief shone in his trembling eyes as he pointed at the thousands below, voice shaking:
“How could the Lord of Darkness… come to the Celestial Cloud Domain…”