Twin Stars

Gao Lan stood upon the steps. He raised high the Emperor's Imperial Seal of Northern Zhou, which he held in his hand, while the Human Emperor Sword pointed diagonally outward. A pale golden radiance surged forth, turning the entire palace splendidly golden.

The phantom images of the Sun, Moon, and Stars floated across the ceiling, while mountains, rivers, and great waterways filled every direction. The palace evolved into a world of its own. Within it crawled countless illusions: solemn and exalted spirits, immortals indifferent to the mortal world, murderous and fallen fiends, and all kinds of great demons.

The Human Emperor Sword—a Peerless Divine Weapon that had halted Demonic chaos on Earth, ended the Mythological Era, and ushered in the prosperity of humankind!

The sword was stained with the blood of immortals, gods, demons, and fiends, which had congealed into the images of the various races engraved upon its reverse. It had also absorbed the lingering wills and blood of human experts from generation to generation. After tens of thousands of years of tempering by the thoughts of an entire race, it had grown unimaginably powerful, reaching the pinnacle, its might pressing across the universe—the foremost weapon of the kingly way!

Within Changle City, many days of chaos had left numerous commoners terrified and uneasy. Some prayed to gods and worshiped Buddha, some sought shelter under the strong, and some had fallen into evil paths. At that very moment, all of them felt their hearts tremble as a majestic voice rang out in their minds:

"I am Gao Lan, Lord of Great Zhou. I protect my subjects and will not allow immortals, gods, demons, or fiends to run rampant!"

Each commoner felt that voice brimming with authority. They were moved despite themselves, as though they had found their backbone, found