With a powerful beat of her wings, Xueyan flew to the skies, her massive form slicing through the air effortlessly. Below, Lian Fang moved quickly toward the city to get a steed for herself.
…
The wind rushed past Shen Yuan as Xueyan soared above Sacred Lotus City. From this vantage point, the sprawling city unfolded beneath him in vibrant colors and bustling activity.
[Yuan’er, you’re attracting quite the attention,]
Yue Lan teased.
[Flying above the city like this, you’re bound to turn a few heads.]
Shen Yuan chuckled. “It doesn’t matter; they won’t be able to see who I am.”
As Xueyan approached the city’s outskirts, Shen Yuan spotted the northern gate. Below, Lian Fang was just arriving with the Northern Wind Horse, a sleek, powerful steed with a glossy black coat and striking silver mane.
She looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun as Xueyan circled once before descending to land gracefully some distance away from the city in a forest.
…
Lian Fang dismounted, leading the horse closer to Shen Yuan, who had already hopped off Xueyan. “The Northern Wind Horse is ready, Young Master. We can set off whenever you wish.”
“Good,” Shen Yuan said, his tone decisive. “The Silver Fox Sect’s time seems to be ending soon.”
He turned to Xueyan, who growled softly in agreement, her wings twitching as if ready for battle.
As Shen Yuan leapt back onto Xueyan’s back, he glanced at Lian Fang with a teasing smirk. “Try to keep up, Fang. Let’s race to the Silver Fox Sect.”
Lian Fang, seated on the Northern Wind Horse, felt her lips twitching, but she still nodded her head and said, “I’ll do my best, Young Master.”
With a powerful beat of her wings, Xueyan shot into the sky, her immense body cutting through the air like a blade.
Shen Yuan sat comfortably, the rush of wind fluttering his robes as he soared high above the forest.
Below, Lian Fang urged her steed forward, the Northern Wind Horse galloping with incredible speed, but even the fastest horse paled in comparison to Xueyan’s flight.
[You’re leaving her far behind, Yuan’er,]
Yue Lan remarked with a hint of amusement.
[Is this really necessary?]
Shen Yuan chuckled, his gaze scanning the horizon. “She’ll catch up. Besides, I need to scout ahead. The Silver Fox Sect’s base isn’t the kind of place you approach blindly.”
[Fair enough. But don’t push her too hard. She’s loyal, you know.]
“I know, Lan’er,” Shen Yuan replied, his smirk softening. “That’s why she’s here.”
…
After flying for a few hours straight, the forest below lessened and gave way to rolling hills and sparse settlements as Shen Yuan neared the region controlled by the Silver Fox Sect.
The air grew colder, a subtle sharp intent being present in the air. “I see, so this is what the territory of an Assassin Sect looks like.” Shen Yuan muttered, feeling the faint sharp intent in the air.
[It’s an Assassin Sect, after all. And it being an Assassin Sect gives you the chance to attack them head-on.]
In the distance, the main city under the Silver Fox Sect’s influence began to emerge.
Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes as he observed the sprawling settlement. It was heavily fortified, with tall walls encircling the city and numerous watchtowers manned by alert guards.
The architecture was imposing, with dark stone structures that exuded a sense of authority and control.
At the center of the city stood the City Lord’s mansion, a towering fortress adorned with intricate carvings of foxes and sharp-edged designs that mirrored the sect’s ruthless reputation.
The fortress radiated a faint, sinister aura that Shen Yuan could sense even from a distance.
[Quite the City Lord’s mansion,]
Yue Lan commented, her tone intrigued.
[I can’t count the number of times they would have had to rebuild this place.]
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, before understanding dawned on him. “Ah, I see what you mean. True, with their main outpost in the open like this, they would have been attacked by the righteous sects again and again.”
Shen Yuan nodded thoughtfully as Xueyan slowed her flight, gliding silently above the outskirts of the Silver Fox Sect’s main city.
His sharp eyes scanned the fortress and surrounding areas, noting the strategic positioning of their defenses. Enjoy exclusive content from empire
[It’s impressive,]
Yue Lan continued.
[But their openness also speaks of their arrogance. They’ve likely crushed enough attacks over the years to grow complacent.]
“Arrogance often leads to downfall,” Shen Yuan said with a smirk. “And I’m more than willing to help them realize that.”
Xueyan let out a low growl as if in agreement, her wings adjusting slightly to maintain their altitude.
Below, Shen Yuan spotted Lian Fang, still on the Northern Wind Horse, closing in on the city outskirts.
As Shen Yuan directed Xueyan to descend toward a secluded area in the forest just outside the city, he considered his next move. “We’ll set up here for now. No need to rush in blindly.”
…
Lian Fang arrived moments later, guiding the Northern Wind Horse steadily. She dismounted, her gaze shifting to Xueyan before landing on Shen Yuan. “Young Master, I’ve arrived.”
Shen Yuan nodded in acknowledgment. “Good. Rest your steed for now.”
Lian Fang glanced toward the city walls, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Their defenses sure are something for a sect of this level, but it’s as you said—they’re likely overconfident. An Assassin Sect thrives on instilling fear, and that fear often blinds them to their own vulnerabilities.”
Shen Yuan smirked. “Precisely. And I plan to exploit those vulnerabilities. But anyway, do you know about any attacks happening on this city?”
Lian Fang slowly nodded her head. “Indeed, Young Master, the last attack happened seven years ago. The entire city was destroyed by the Iron Mountain Sect. Hundreds of thousands were killed back then, both the residents of the city and the disciples of the sect. Even the City Lord—a core elder of the sect—was killed.”
Lian Fang took a deep breath, thinking of the massacre back then.
Shen Yuan curiously asked, “Then what? How did the Silver Fox Sect survive till now?”
“Because they abandoned their sect and scattered away, so by the time the Iron Mountain Sect reached the location of the sect, it was entirely empty. I heard it was possible due to an ancient teleportation array inside the sect,” Lian Fang continued.
Shen Yuan rubbed his chin while thinking deeply. “I see, so did the Iron Mountain Sect not claim the Silver Fox Sect’s lands as their own?”
Lian Fang shook her head. “They didn’t have the opportunity to do it. Before they could even step foot inside the sect’s lands, news came back that the Silver Fox Sect had started a bloodbath inside the main base of the Iron Mountain Sect. Millions of disciples were killed in mere minutes.”
Lian Fang’s forehead filled with sweat as she shared the details. “That day, the news shook the entire Aurora Zone, and the war between the Silver Fox Sect and the Iron Mountain Sect began. But the Silver Fox Sect never fought head-on. They always sneakily attacked the bases of the Iron Mountain Sect, slowly chipping away their strength.”