Boots

6.22 - The Legendary Tan Zihao

As He Yu slammed into Sha Xiang once again, Tan Zihao and Long Tingguang clashed in the skies above. All four of their presences pressed down on the world, creating a clash of aspects nearly as int...

6.21 - Siegebreaker

Across the field outside Iron Gate City, He Yu locked eyes with Sha Xiang for the first time in decades. She had changed during that time, to be certain, but she was also much the same as she’d a...

6.20 - Return to Iron Gate City

The following morning, He Yu joined Tan Zihao in the palace courtyard. When He Yu stepped out into the early morning air, Tan Zihao was speaking with an official of the palace. The others were nowh...

6.19 - A Journey East

He Yu stood before the desk in Tan Zihao’s study. The paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling cast a warm light over the polished wood desk, the shelf stuffed with yet more scrolls and jade slips...

6.18 - Message from the Li

He Yu gave the Monarch his thanks once again and bid the great storm eagle his final farewell. When he activated the Sky Dragon’s Flight and set off into the storm, his own presence sheltered him...

6.17 - Divine Body Attainment

Seated in his cycling position, He Yu reached out to the Monarch’s feather. The divine treasure pulsed with the power of the storm. Lightning crackled along its length while the delicate iron-gra...

6.16 - Always Another Step

The Monarch’s words echoed across the world. “What comes next?”

Even as the storm retreated, at least around He Yu and the great mountain of Sky’s Throne, a certainty settled over him...

6.15 - Monarch of Sky's Throne

The storm eagle reared up. Its massive head reached to the heavens, and its wings embraced the world. “Proclaim to me your nature, Regent of the Heavenly Palace, so that we may know one another i...

6.14 - Heart of the Storm

For what seemed like weeks, He Yu and Chen Fei drew ever closer to the endless primordial storm. Angry clouds blackened the sky, eternally flashing with the light of heaven deep within. The cacopho...

6.13 - A Desperate Escape

Zhang Lifen fled for her life. To be sure, she gave almost as good as she got. But almost was far from enough. Especially, as it turned out, against someone who had fully mastered a demon core. Whe...

6.12 - Northward Once Again

At Liao Shan’s invitation, He Yu and Chen Fei spent the day at the temple. They were glad for the opportunity to rest after their trip over the mountains and across the great steppe. The abbot pr...

6.11 - Abbot Liao Shan

Chen Fei rushed forward. “Abbot Liao! You’re still alive!” That, at least, let He Yu relax a bit. If Chen Fei knew this expert, he probably didn’t pose any danger to them. Still, He Yu foll...

6.10 - Ghosts of the Past

He Yu and Chen Fei made their way down to the valley floor together. They walked, as using either treasure or technique would require at least some portion of their cultivation base. They’d agree...

6.9 - Mastered Core, Sundered Earth

For weeks now, Zhang Lifen had been traveling with Ren Huang and Yi Xiurong through the fertile plains of the central empire. Disguised as mortals, they’d been largely unhindered as they moved, s...

6.8 - Under the Eternal Sky

It took them another two days to descend. Although the battle with Qingzhao had frightened away most of the spirits and beasts on the south slopes of the mountain, they’d needed a full week to re...

6.7 - Great Serpent Qhingzhao

He Yu flexed his spirit, but didn’t fully release it, cycling just enough of his cultivation base to push against the serpent’s own presence. Next to him, Chen Fei did the same. He saluted Qing...

6.6 - Mountains of Heaven

The sun had just fully crested the horizon when they crossed into the White Desert. With He Yu carried by the Sky Dragon’s Flight, and Chen Fei atop her bronze disk, they soared over the bleached...

6.5 - Seeking Legends

After spending the rest of the day in cultivation, He Yu joined the others for their evening meal. While all five of them were far beyond the point of needing to eat or sleep with any regularity, s...

6.4 - Old Tiger's Guidance

He Yu made his way through the austere halls of the Tan royal palace. Weapons—each one a minor treasure—lined the walls, and constructs stood in alcoves ready to come to life in defense of the ...

6.3 - The Sixth Realm

Cradled by the wind itself, He Yu flew over the densely wooded peaks and valleys of the Jade Mountains. As he made his way back to the capital, he turned over this last errand in his thoughts. He k...

6.2 - Soul Refining Expert

Lei Jianyu spit out a mouthful of blood. His jaw hurt from where he’d just been kicked. It was probably broken. He may be the strongest expert in his village, but he was only a Middle Golden Core...

6.1 - Empress

Surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and rulership, Jin Xifeng sat in discontent. She turned over the messenger’s words, considering how she ought to respond. An empress should not give hers...

5.49 - Return in Triumph

He Yu and Tan Xiaoling made their way north, to the looming bulwark of Jade Mountain Citadel. They kept their pace sedate. Neither felt a need to rush, and the others still had to catch up besides....

5.48 - The Dragon of Heaven

The heavenly dragon roared. He Yu struck out with his guandao, the blade cloaked in wind and lightning both. Opposite their foe, Tan Xiaoling advanced with flames dancing along the edges of her pai...

5.47 - Insight

Under the renewed clash of the storm and the twin black suns, a spiritual weight settled over the world. Weight that came from ever greater ideals, a grander sense of significance and purpose that ...

5.46 - Strife

Tan Xiaoling nodded her thanks to He Yu as he helped her back to her feet. Her uncle’s kick still smarted in her ribs, but her qi had already repaired most of the damage. The Golden Tiger Cultiva...

5.45 - Matters Put to Rest

For the first time since his advancement, He Yu fully released his spirit. His Soul Refining presence exploded out. A heaviness pressed down on the world as the air grew thick and wet. The sky dark...

5.44 - Return to the Jade Kingdom

“I’m leaving, with or without the rest of you.” Tan Xiaoling stood at the foot of the path leading up the valley, arms crossed and her chin lifted.

“It won’t be long,” He Yu said....

5.43 - The Dao of Heroism

Days turned to weeks that stretched to months, then years. Among the peaks and in the valley, He Yu and the others cultivated and trained. They availed themselves of the resources left behind by th...

5.42 - A Battle Unending

Tan Xiaoling fought on a battlefield without end. Her spirit roared as each swing of her sabers trailed tongues of flame. A dark sun outlined with an orange-red corona beat down on a flat and desol...