Chapter 125: Golden Steppe And The Celestial Shadow Church

The world of Axina was a land of contrasts, a tapestry of four continents woven together by history, power, and strife. To its inhabitants, the lower realms were a place of both beauty and danger, where the four continents—Golden Steppe, Azure Peaks, Obsidian Woodlands, and Mirage Delta—stretched across the cardinal directions, each ruled with an iron fist. Yet, above them all, the Golden Steppe stood as the heart of power, its royal family the undisputed sovereigns of the land. The Jin dynasty, with its sun-kissed banners and unyielding knights, was the glue that held the realms together, a beacon of strength in times of chaos.

The Golden Steppe itself was a sight to behold. Its endless grasslands shimmered under a perpetual golden sun, the fertile soil yielding bountiful harvests that fed its people and fueled its prosperity. Cities rose like jewels from the plains, their spires gleaming in the sunlight, their markets bustling with traders from distant lands. The cultivators of the Steppe were as resilient as the earth they tilled, drawing strength from the sun and the soil, their techniques honed over generations.

Yet, for all its wealth and beauty, the Steppe was not without its vulnerabilities. The open plains, while perfect for trade and travel, offered little natural defense. Raiders and invaders could sweep across the grasslands with ease, forcing the rulers of the Steppe to invest heavily in fortifications. Great walls, reinforced with intricate formations, now crisscrossed the land, their maintenance a constant drain on resources and manpower.

The royal Jin family, seated in the heart of the Golden Steppe, was the linchpin of this vast realm. Their knights, known for their unmatched strength and discipline, were the envy of the other continents. When disaster struck—be it famine, invasion, or rebellion—the Golden Steppe was the first to answer the call. And now, as the Celestial Shadow Church spread its dark influence across the land, the royal army once again marched to war.

The Sunlit Vanguard, as the royal army was known, was a force to be reckoned with. Five thousand strong, they moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine, their golden armor glinting in the sunlight like a field of stars. At their head rode General Jin Kael, a man whose very presence commanded respect. Tall and broad-shouldered, his armor bore the insignia of the royal family—a blazing sun encircled by a ring of flames. His eyes, sharp and calculating, missed nothing, and his voice carried the weight of authority. A cultivator of the 8th level Golden Core stage, Kael was a living legend, his strength, and wisdom the stuff of songs and stories.

The army itself was a diverse assembly of warriors, each unit specializing in a different aspect of warfare. The Dawnblades, a thousand knights strong, formed the vanguard, their swords gleaming like the first light of morning. Behind them marched the Sunwardens, archers whose arrows could pierce the heavens, and the Earthshakers, heavy infantry whose shields and hammers could turn the tide of any battle. Among them were also the Emberhealers, cultivators skilled in the arts of restoration, their hands glowing with the warmth of life as they tended to the wounded if needed.

The journey to the Obsidian Woodlands had been long and arduous. The dark forest, with its twisted trees and shadowy undergrowth, was a place of dread, its very air thick with malevolence. The Celestial Shadow Church had made its stronghold here, in a place known as Phantom Valley. It was said that the valley was shrouded in a perpetual mist, the ground littered with the bones of those who had dared to challenge the Church's power. As the Sunlit Vanguard approached the edge of the Woodlands, the atmosphere grew heavier, the sunlight dimming as though the forest itself sought to repel them.

"General," called out Lieutenant Mira, a young but fiercely capable officer, her voice cutting through the tension. "Scouts report the formation shield is still intact. A five-colored dome, just as we were told."

Kael nodded, his expression grim. "A Spirit Integration formation," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "To think such power exists in the lower realms. Whoever created this shield is no ordinary cultivator."

The formation shield was a marvel of cultivation, its five colors shifting and swirling like a living thing. It was a testament to the Church's growing influence, a barrier that even the strongest of the Golden Core cultivators would struggle to breach. The fact that such a formation could exist in the lower realms, where spiritual essence was scarce and the Spirit Integration stage was thought to be unattainable, was both baffling and alarming.

"Do we have a plan, sir?" Mira asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Kael's lips curled into a faint smile, though his eyes remained hard. "We'll do what we've always done, Lieutenant. We'll adapt, we'll fight, and we'll win. But first, we need to understand this shield. If we can't break it, we'll find a way around it."

As the army made camp at the edge of the forest, the air was thick with anticipation. The soldiers moved with purpose, their training evident in every action. Fires were lit, their golden flames a stark contrast to the encroaching darkness of the Woodlands. Around the camp, cultivators worked tirelessly, their hands weaving intricate formations to bolster their defenses and gather intelligence.

Kael stood at the edge of the camp, his gaze fixed on the distant glow of the formation shield. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on his shoulders as a general and as a member of the royal household, but he bore it without complaint. He had sworn an oath to protect the Golden Steppe and its people, and he would see it through, no matter the cost, even if it was family.

"General," came a voice from behind him. It was Elder Po, a seasoned cultivator and one of Kael's most trusted advisors. "The men are ready. But they're uneasy. This place... it feels wrong."

Kael nodded. "It's the Church's influence. They thrive on fear and doubt. We must remain steadfast. Remind the men of their training, of their purpose in coming here. We are the Sunlit Vanguard, and we do not falter no matter what!."

Elder Lin bowed his head. "As you command, General."

As night fell, the camp grew quiet, the only sounds were the crackling of fires and the occasional murmur of conversation. Kael remained awake, his mind racing with strategies and possibilities. The battle ahead would be unlike any they had faced before, but he was determined to see it through. For the Golden Steppe, for the Jin family, and all of Axina, he would not rest until the Celestial Shadow Church was brought to heel and his cousin Jin Wu, dead.

The dawn would bring new challenges, but for now, the Sunlit Vanguard stood ready, their resolve unshaken, their hearts burning with the light of the sun.

—////

Inside the multicolored dome of Phantom Valley, the air was thick with an eerie stillness, broken only by the faint rustling of black cloaks as thousands of cultivators stood in solemn silence. Their hoods shrouded their faces, and their bodies exuded a cold, detached aura, as though they were more specters than living beings. The valley itself was vast, a sprawling expanse of ancient architecture—living quarters, courtyards, and training grounds—all carved into the landscape with otherworldly preciseness. Yet, today, the usual tranquility of Phantom Valley was disrupted. The invasion of the Golden Steppe had forced the four elders to summon every cultivator to the central grounds.

Elder Liang Yue, her sharp features framed by cascading silver hair, broke the silence with a sly smile. Her white teeth glinted like daggers in the dim light. "This is interesting," she mused, her voice dripping with amusement. "Golden Steppe sure thinks highly of us to come knocking at our door."

Elder Shenyin, standing beside her, let out a low chuckle. His dark eyes gleamed with a mix of disdain and anticipation. "Hmm, the last thousand years we've been in hiding, but with Lord Varelith here, let's see how those fools fare." He shook his head, as though pitying the invaders for their audacity.

Elder Bia and Elder Xu, the other two elders, remained silent. Their expressions were unreadable, but their presence was no less imposing. Before them stood a young man who seemed to command the very air around him. His pale, almost translucent skin gave him the appearance of someone on the brink of death, yet the pressure radiating from his body suggested otherwise.

His dark, emotionless eyes scanned the horizon, where the army of the Golden Steppe had begun to set up camp. Beneath his sickly complexion, bloody veins pulsed faintly, adding to his unsettling aura. His white hair, stark against his pallor, flowed gently in the wind, as though even nature itself paid him homage.

For several minutes, the young man—Lord Varelith—remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distant army. The elders and cultivators behind him waited with bated breath, their respect for him bordering on reverence. Finally, he turned to Elder Shenyin, his cold eyes locking onto the elders. The intensity of his stare sent a shiver down Shenyin's spine, and the elder immediately dropped to one knee, his head bowed low.

"Do you have any advice for this elder, Lord Varelith?" Shenyin's voice, usually calm and calculating, now carried a hint of trepidation. Despite his power and status, he knew his place before the Varelith. The church's rules were absolute, and any sign of disrespect could mean instant death.

The other elders followed suit, kneeling in unison, and soon the entire assembly of cultivators did the same. The sight of thousands of black-cloaked figures bowing before him seemed to have no effect on Lord Varelith. His expression remained as cold and unreadable as ever. After a moment, he turned his attention to two cultivators kneeling among the crowd—Jin Wu and Hang Cai.

"You two, step forward," he commanded, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of thunder. The sound reverberated through the valley, causing even the elders to swallow hard. Jin Wu and Hang Cai, though visibly nervous, obeyed without hesitation. They approached Lord Varelith, their heads still lowered in deference.

The young man studied them for a moment, his gaze piercing as though he could see into the very core of their beings. Finally, he gave a slight nod. "The reason I've called you two over from your punishment is simple," he began, his tone measured. "I will take the both of you as my apprentices from here on out. I can see that the two of you have the most potential of everyone here, but no one seems to be able to uncover it. From today onward, you are my disciples. I will impart to you the second and third stages of the Eclipse Veil Codex."

Jin Wu and Hang Cai exchanged a fleeting glance, their eyes wide with a mixture of shock, excitement, and disbelief. To be chosen by Lord Varelith himself was an honor beyond anything they could have imagined. Yet, the weight of his words also carried an unspoken expectation—one they knew they could not afford to fail.

Elder Shenyin, still kneeling, dared to raise his head slightly. "Lord Varelith, if I may," he began cautiously, "the Eclipse Veil Codex is a profound and dangerous art. Are you certain these two are ready for such a responsibility?"

Lord Varelith's gaze shifted to Shenyin, and for a moment, the elder felt as though the very air around him had frozen. "Do you question my judgment, Elder Shenyin?" The words were soft, but the threat behind them was unmistakable.

Shenyin quickly lowered his head again. "No, my lord. Forgive my impertinence."

The young man turned back to Jin Wu and Hang Cai. "You will begin your training tonight. Do not disappoint me." With that, he turned and walked away, his white hair flowing behind him like a banner of frost. The elders and cultivators remained kneeling until he was out of sight, the tension in the air slowly dissipating.

As Jin Wu and Hang Cai rose to their feet, they could feel the weight of countless eyes on them. The other cultivators whispered among themselves, their voices a mixture of envy and awe. The two young men, however, had no time to dwell on the attention. They knew their lives had just changed irrevocably, and the path ahead would be fraught with challenges more than ever.

Elder Liang Yue approached them, her smile now more genuine. "Congratulations," she said, her voice softer than before. "To be chosen by Lord Varelith is no small feat. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility to the Holy Church. Do not take this lightly."

Jin Wu nodded, his expression serious. "We won't, Elder Liang Yue. We'll prove ourselves worthy."

Hang Cai, though quieter, echoed the sentiment. "We'll do whatever it takes."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Phantom Valley, the two new disciples of Lord Varelith prepared themselves for the trials to come. The invasion of the Golden Steppe loomed on the horizon, but for Jin Wu and Hang Cai, the battle within—to master the Eclipse Veil Codex and live up to their new master's expectations—would be the true test of their strength.