1 001: Homecoming
The great war that ravaged the Continent now has ended. For the last twenty years, the war between beast and humans took place, millions of soldiers, men and women had sacrificed themselves in order to bring peace upon the mortal's realm.
After decades of endless fight and countless arduous battles, Ling Tianzun, the Admiral of Aegis Kingdom finally returned to the impenetrable capital city, Aegispolis.
He was welcomed as the hero of the ages, not only in the Aegis Kingdom, but also in the entire Argoth Continent after he defeated the Monarch of The Beasts, Cerulean Dragon.
"Ling Tianzun is back! Open the gate!"
The whole company of knights flanked the main road on either side to welcome the hero.
From that one voice, the citizens paused their daily morning activities to see the homecoming of their hero.
Everybody was bemused upon witnessing Ling's regal and gallant appearance in his golden armor while he rode his warhorse with grace.
Flower's petals of various colors rained upon him, cheers and applause reverberated in the air as he strode his way on the main street towards the palace.
His fame and popularity had surpassed even the King himself, beloved by the people. Many people of the Aegispolis wished him to become the king instead.
Even the nobles secretly put their interest upon Ling Tianzun to ascend the throne.
The king wasn't happy about this, he who reigned the kingdom since his adolescence, was renowned for his tyrannical iron fist law.
Before long, Ling Tianzun had arrived at the palace and was welcomed by the palace's servants.
Thus, Ling Tianzun was ushered by the King's Butler to the throne hall where the king had awaited him.
He stood tall and proud in the throne room of Aegis Kingdom, his armor gleaming in the dim light of the torches.
His spear which had tasted the blood of countless enemies, was sheathed at his back.
Legend has it, his spear was forged by Ling himself using the blood of his enemies and his companions that had fallen during the war.
King Qi Dian, had heard this legendary spear which had the power of the heaven and hell that could alter the battleground with just one strike.
He looked upon Ling Tianzun with a mixture of fear and hatred, for he knew that the General was far more powerful than he could ever hope to be.
"Ling Tianzun," the king sneered, "you have returned from the war at last. I heard all of your valiant deed in battlefield. You even sacrifice the blood of your comrades to forge your weapon."
Ling Tianzun bristled at the king's words, but he kept his composure. "I have brought back the victory that your armies could not achieve," he replied. "And your accusation is false, your majesty. I did not sacrifice my fallen comrades."
The king'a advisor, Dugu Bo laughed, a cruel and bitter sound. "Oh really? My Scryer Bird reported to me that you are using a taboo technique which was forbidden by the Heavenly Monastery! The Blood Iron Art! Don't listen to him, your majesty. I can even smell the putrid scent of hatred from his spear, he must be after His Majesty and dethrone him!"
Ling Tianzun's hand twitched on the hilt of his spear, but he restrained himself. He knew that any action taken against the king would only make matters worse. Instead, he spoke calmly and rationally.
"Your Majesty, I did what I had to do to win the war. I made difficult decisions. But I did it all for the good of Aegis Kingdom. I am not asking for reward nor justification."
Dugu Bo scowled, "Yes… you did the taboo art, there's no way around it. And that's exactly why you must be punished for your taboo act"
Hearing this unreasonable man made Ling Tianzun's blood boil hard, he squeezed the pummel of his spear.
"Dugu Bo! You are a wretched snake!"
"You dare lashing your killing intent in front of his majesty?! f you want to live longer, you better let go of that spear of yours! Cripple your cultivation and kowtow before him!"
"I would rather die than give up my honor as a warrior!"
"You ungrateful bastard! Guards! Execute this man at once!"
As Ling drew his spear, the guard were sent flying with just a single swing. He did not want to bared his fang to the fellow guards. However, they didn't gave him the chance.
The guards shuddered in fear when their comrades being butchered by Ling.
"Enough!" The King exclaimed. "Dugu Bo! Apprehend him at once!"
With a sneer of a devil, Dugu Bo activated the Trapping Artifact which summons the Nether Chains that could ensnared even the greatest warrior of all time such as Ling.
It was clear that the imprisonment array spell has the power of Sage Realm Cultivator. Even Ling's strength as Sun Realm Warrior couldn't defy the spell.
The king laughed like a madman, "No one shall be higher than me! Because I am the King of Kings!"
Stab! Stab! Stab!
Ling's body was impaled by chains from every side.
Before the hero drew his last breath, he said this to the king. "I shall come back from the abyss and your head is mine to take! Your kingdom shall set ablaze by the hell's flame! And there would be nothing else but ashes of your remains!"
"Kill him," said the King, coldly.
Slash!
One of the King's Guards beheaded the hero with just a single swing of the sword.
Soonly, Ling Tianzun's mind goes into oblivion.
However, Ling Tianzun's could feel his consciousness was floating around and about amidst the void space.
As he regained his vision, he found himself lying down amidst a huge temple, everything was in white and bright.
Then suddenly, a strange humming noise reverberated in the whole temple.
Ling Tianzun sprang from his position, he readied his fighting stance instinctively.
"Who's there! Show yourself!" Ling Tianzun exclaimed.
The hall suddenly quiet.
"I am down here!" A sharp, flute-like voice came from below him.
Right in front of him, there was a small bird, no, a chick with red and golden feathers.
Ling was askew, "What? A chick? What the hell is this place?"
"How dare you call me a chick, puny human! I'm an Eternal Flame Phoenix! A Primordial Chaos God that controls the Circle of Reincarnation!!" The chick flew towards Ling's head as to pecking his head over and over.
