Chapter 1: The Emperor Ascends to the World Nine stars aligned in a perfect row—the celestial gates swung open!

Volume One: The Emperor Descends Upon the World

Chapter One: Nine Stars Aligned, the Heavenly Gate Opens!

Ninth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival, in the hours before dawn.

In the prelude to sunrise, the heavens stretched cloudless for ten thousand miles. Nine stars shone resplendently, their brilliance eclipsing the countless other constellations scattered across the sky.

The nine stars revolved in their cosmic dance.

Seven of them had already aligned, forming a perfect line—a string of seven stars. The eighth star moved slowly, inching ever closer to join the others. Gradually, it too merged into the alignment.

A gentle wave of light fanned outward in all directions as the eighth star took its place. In the wake of this light, the nine stars blazed even more brightly, while the rest of the sky's stars faded into obscurity.

Yet the phenomenon was not over. The ninth star also began its journey, slowly shifting toward the shining line.

Across the world, countless powerful cultivators gazed skyward, holding their breath, awaiting the moment when all nine stars would align.

The ninth day of the ninth month, the Double Ninth Festival, also known as the Day of Supreme Yang. When Yang reaches its peak, Yin is born. On this day, Yin and Yang are thrown into chaos, fate is disturbed, and those at the pinnacle of cultivation use this rare occasion to break through to higher realms and defy destiny itself.

The alignment of nine stars—an event seen only once in a millennium—signaled the opening of the Heavenly Gate.

As the gate opened, the breath of the underworld surged into the mortal realm, nourishing the souls of living beings. The world itself benefited; those at the peak of cultivation found their souls greatly strengthened, and the moment for transcendence was at hand.

Across the land, the hearts of all supreme cultivators surged with excitement as they waited for this celestial anomaly.

Yet ordinary people could not comprehend the mystery of this event. Most were still lost in their dreams, oblivious to the wonders above.

At the base of a great mountain, a vast bamboo forest spread out.

At its center stood an open clearing, with several houses built entirely from tall bamboo. Though made from humble materials, the dwellings were constructed with grandeur—elegant yet imposing.

Suddenly, the night was shattered by the sounds of battle.

“Kill!”

“Protect the prince!”

Outside the bamboo houses, the clash of arms rang out.

On one side, forty soldiers clad in silver armor gripped their spears, resolutely defending the dwellings. Opposing them were two hundred warriors in black armor, wielding war blades as they fought the silver-armored soldiers to the death.

The silver-armored soldiers faced four foes apiece. Wounded and bloodied, their armor stained scarlet, not a single one retreated a step.

The fiercest fighting raged between the two commanding officers.

The leader of the silver-armored troops was a man of about thirty, while his counterpart in black armor was a burly, black-faced man in his forties.

“Huo Guang, what’s the point of staying in the Yan Empire? You earned great merit at the front lines, only to be reduced to a mere bodyguard for a brat. Come to my Zheng Empire. I’ll recommend you to the Grand Marshal—you’ll be at least a captain!” the black-armored commander urged.

“Swine who know nothing of loyalty and honor! I, Huo Guang, have never dared forget such things. Once my Royal Guards arrive, none of you will escape!” Huo Guang replied coldly.

“Swine? Hmph! You don’t know what’s good for you. That bastard must die tonight. Our imperial enforcer has already set up a grand formation outside—no sound or movement from within can escape. Your Royal Guards cannot know what’s happening here. Give up. I’ll ask one last time—will you surrender?”

“Surrender? Hahaha! The Huo family’s loyalty and honor have been passed down for generations—none of us have ever feared death. If I were to betray my country and surrender to the likes of you, what face would I have left in this world? How could I face my ancestors in the afterlife? If you want to harm the prince, you’ll have to step over my corpse first!” Huo Guang shouted.

“No surrender, then die!” The black-armored commander’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as he swung his great blade once again at Huo Guang.

Steel clashed thunderously as Huo Guang parried, but the silver-armored soldiers around him found their resistance growing more desperate with each passing moment.