The heavens hung low. Yin Shang's great Dark Phoenix banners filled the western sky, their shadows joining into an unbroken expanse as they approached Xiqi's border.
An army a million strong stood in formation across the wilderness, halberds and spears bristling, iron armor stretching to the edge of the horizon.
A killing chill rose from the ranks. Even the wind skimming the grass tips paused briefly before the formation.
Every soldier looked toward the Nine-Dragon Chariot at the front.
Clad in Black Royal Armor, Yin Jiao stood behind the chariot's shaft, the dangling beads of his Flat Sky Crown swaying gently, his palm resting on the hilt of the Human Emperor Sword.
His gaze passed over Xiqi's defenses without lingering on the Chan Sect runes.
What he truly saw at that moment lay farther away: the mountains and rivers of the Nine Provinces, cooking smoke over cities, field ridges and village wells, and the lights of countless homes.
Yin Jiao raised his eyes. His voice crossed the ranks, crossed a thousand miles of mountain passes, and settled into the hearts of Chaoge's people.
"I, in the name of the Human Emperor, bear Humanity's fortune."
The blade left its sheath. Its plain, ancient surface reflected the daylight, showing not the slightest dazzling brilliance at first.
Yet as that inch of cold steel emerged, the fortune deep within Humanity's entire domain was drawn into a surging tide.
"Today, we strike down those who refuse allegiance and bring order to the Nine Provinces!"
Yin Jiao raised his sword toward the heavens, the strings of beads on his crown clicking softly in the wind.
"Human Emperor Heaven-Sealing Art!"
Golden ripples spread beneath the Nine-Dragon Chariot. Mortal eyes could scarcely see them, yet they stirred a response throughout the Nine Provinces in the same breath.