The Central Continent stood as the largest of the three continents in the Celestial Realm.
Not only was the Central Continent the largest, but it also boasted the most powerful forces. Rumors circulated that even a single faction from the Central Continent could easily conquer the other two continents, often referred to as the less developed regions within the Celestial Realm.
Amongst the various Dynasties in the Central Continent, the Eternal Dynasty was at the heart of it. It was said that the Eternal Dynasty was the oldest.
However, at the moment, the Eternal Dynasty was preparing for a battle with two other Dynasties that it shared the border with.
On the Western Side of the Eternal Dynasty was the Qin Dynasty. On the Eastern Side was the Sky Dynasty.
Everywhere, a tense atmosphere could be seen since the Sky Dynasty had already started attacking the Eastern Border with their forces.
The Sky Dynasty showed a relentless determination to advance their agenda, seemingly leaving destruction in their wake. Soon after, reports spread quickly that the Eastern Border had fallen, resulting in the loss of the General responsible for its defense.
The news spread like fire. Usually, the two dynasties were at a stalemate. That's why a sudden change like this was scary. Even many big clans of the Eternal Dynasty were alert.
Moreover, it all happened when the Eternal Emperor and the others were in the Celestial Palace.
In a short period of time, a province previously under the rule of the Eternal Dynasty was overtaken by the Sky Dynasty. Their advancement was aided by the support given by the Qin Dynasty.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe other provinces of the Eternal Dynasty scrambled to prepare for the invasion. The generals drew up battle plans while the soldiers sharpened their weapons.
At the same time, they all kept contacting the Royal City for support! Unfortunately, in the absence of the Eternal Emperor, every process became a bit slower.
Fortunately, the wait wasn't long! The Eternal Emperor returned to the Royal City. And he wasn't alone either! He came with the Celestial Palace Master!
The floating island that appeared above the Eternal Dynasty stunned almost everyone! Initially, they thought that the Celestial Palace had also joined in on the invasion.
Fortunately, the people calmed down when they saw the Eternal Dynasty Generals coming down from the Celestial Island.
Almost all the Generals could be seen scrambling to prepare their armies as per the plan. The attack came so fast, that it took even the Eternal Emperor by surprise.
The Eternal Emperor was now even more convinced that Xu Shan was correct to see that they had to take care of the Sky Dynasty first.
As the Emperor stepped into the Royal Court, his presence brought a sense of relief to all the Ministers who had been anxiously waiting for his arrival. With their strongest warriors back, the Ministers could now shift their attention to fighting the Sky Dynasty.
The Celestial Palace Master also entered the Royal Court, walking right next to him. However, what surprised the Ministers even more was that Xu Shan was walking in the center, almost on the same footing as the others.
Even the Great Elders of the Celestial Palace and the Generals of the Eternal Dynasty had stopped at the entrance, but Xu Shan entered freely.
"Third Prince, this isn't the place for you to play around. We are to have a serious meeting. Please wait outside." In the end, the Royal Advisor of the Eternal Dynasty couldn't control his urge and spoke out.
Xu Shan glanced back at the old man. He neither looked angry nor happy. If anything, he was completely expressionless. However, for some reason, the Royal Advisor felt intimidated.
He looked at the Eternal Emperor. However, the Eternal Emperor only gestured for him to sit down and not worry about such minor matters.
The other Ministers also remained silent and didn't speak. The more told they wasted, the more of their land was going to fall into the hands of the Sky Dynasty. Moreover, they didn't even know that the Sky Dynasty wasn't the only thing for them to worry about.
The Eternal Emperor sat on the throne. However, two more seats were arranged this time, one left to him and one on the right.
To everyone's surprise, Xu Shan sat on one of the two seats.
All the Ministers were taken aback. Did the Emperor already decide on who the next Emperor was going to be? They all thought the same question. However, for them to select someone like Xu Shan, they all felt uncomfortable. Unfortunately, none could intervene in the Emperor's choice.
****
After only half an hour, all the Ministers came out. However, they were all in disbelief, as if they had all lost hope. The Empire's fall was inevitable.
"No one can save this Empire anymore! To think that His Majesty would treat this like a game. To send the Third Prince as the Commander to stop the entire force of the Sky Dynasty?"
"Exactly. I don't know what he's thinking. He loves the Third Prince. But what never made him do something like this. Now that even the Celestial Palace is supporting us, we had such a great chance!"
Most of the Ministers were talking badly amongst themselves. They couldn't speak before the Emperor and had to eventually agree to the decision. However, when they were out, they all showed their discontent.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBecause of that, the news spread through the entire Royal City!
The same topic was on everyone's lips! It was that Xu Shan was going to lead the army to the Eastern Border.
This news immediately created a commotion in the entire Royal City. Even the Four Great Clans found it hard to believe it. However, they were soon able to verify it!
Another news that they received was that the army that was being sent with Xu Shan wasn't the strongest army of the Eternal Dynasty. If anything, it was much weaker.
Even the Soldiers couldn't believe it. They felt as if they were being sent straight to their death!
No matter how optimistic they were, they were all hopeless, unable to understand what the Emperor was thinking. However, there were also some people who realized that something big was happening.
Even if they justified Xu Shan being made a commander because the Emperor loved him, that didn't explain why the Celestial Palace also supported this decision!
Not only did the Celestial Palace give complete support, but they also assigned half their army under the control of Xu Shan!
****
The next day, before the sun even started rising, multiple ancient battleships took off from the Royal Palace. In the leading ship was Xu Shan, gazing in the distance.
On one side of him was Ye Han, while on the other side was the Great Elder of the Celestial Palace.
Xu Shan reached out his hand toward the rising sun in the distance as if grabbing it in his palm.
"And so it begins... Two weeks... I shall end this once and for all."