Chapter 25 - *The Eternal Capital*

*Part One: The Coming Darkness*

(Eternal Forest: Lower-Ring)

As Zhuyuan and the other continuously battle the onslaught of the shadow horde, there seemed to be no stopping the ever storming of these creatures against them, "Brother we are starting to get overwhelmed", said Zhinu out of breath as he was brought down to one knee, "First Prince, we are almost reaching the threshold of the 50 mile radius", said Shangjian as he reminded Zhuyuan of the limiter he placed for them. At the same time, Shangjian slashed through multiple shadow creatures using his sword technique, . 

The barge of the shadow creature has started to weaken Jinxi as his Inner force was nearly depleted, "I almost spent all my inner force", he said to himself. Just as he was temperately taking a quick breath, a massive shadow creature appeared behind him, ready to attack. He noticed it too late and couldn't dodge or counter in time. As the creature struck at Jinxi, Mu Yuan blocked the attack of the massive shadow creature with his huge axe. "This one is strong and massive; it will be difficult to deal with them", he said, struggling to maintain his footing against the creature. 

At that moment, a massive surge of swords ran through the battlefield and cut every shadow creature around the children. It was Mu Xuan using his sword technique, and the shadow creature attacking Jinxi and Mu Yuan was destroyed, "Thank you Big bro!", shouted Mu Yuan relieved, he proceeded to lift Jinxi by the arm but Jinxi collapsed and fell unconscious, "Jinxi, Hey!", shouted Mu Yuan confused at what is happening and he tried wake him up.

Everyone, hearing Mu Yuan shouting in shock, turned their attention to Mu Yuan and Jinxi's direction, but the onslaught of shadow creatures made it difficult for any of them to go and check what happened. "We have to get Jinxi away from the battlefield!", shouted Zhinu anxiously as he slashed through a shadow creature. "Come on, wake up", said Mu Yuan as he softly slapped Jinxi to wake him up, but to no avail. 

"We have deal with the small shadow creature first", said Chang'an to Mu Xuan as she looked across the battlefield assessing their current stance, "Yes but that will be difficult", said Mu Xuan concerned and worried, "Don't worry I got a idea", said Chang'an reassuringly with a soft smile at Mu Xuan, "Okay I will aid you then", said he smiling. 

Chang'an flew up into the air, cultivating her inner force and releasing, which resulted in it radiating around her like bright burning star, "This is going to consume a lot of inner force", said she to herself as she activated her ultimate technique of her sword art, , creating a massive array of swords in the form of flower petals, that had the power to multiple upon release and moves free at the command of the user and follows its target until it destroys it.

As Chang'an channel immense amount of inner force and activated her ultimate sword art, Mu Xuan followed and protected her as the air-born shadow creatures that flew straight at Chang'an to stop her. Mu Xuan then defends her by attacking the creatures, , creating an elegant and shining, dear horn-like bow in his hands and pointing it directly at the horde of flying shadow creatures. This drew the attention of Mu Yuan, who noticed the shining light of the bow, "Brother, he's really using it", said he with a worried tone. Mu Xuan then proceeds to shoot a barrage of flaming energy arrows at the approaching shadow creatures, destroying them as the arrows made direct contact, not missing one target. 

Mu Yuan's attention immediately got drawn to a massive swarm of flying shadow creatures heading in their direction. He could not act because he had to take care of Jinxi, who was still unconscious. "This is bad", said Mu Yuan in a stuttering voice. Then, as the shadow swarm approached ever closer, Gu Nan appeared out of nowhere and used his core to generate a beautiful bow adorned with peacock feathers and shining a radiant blue that blinded the shadow swarm. He then shot a barrage of blue flaming arrows at the swarm that disintegrated them upon impact. 

Gu Nan's technique was noticed by everyone, who was amazed by its beauty, especially Zhuyuan, who looked rather familiar with the sight that he witnessed, "That is the .Who is he?", muttered Zhuyuan to himself as he saw the sight before him. At that moment Zhinu appeared right next to Zhuyuan, "Elder brother, we must make a move right now", said he to Zhuyuan, who snapped out of the moment, "Yes", replied he (Zhuyuan). As Gu Nan took out the swarm of shadow creatures, Jinxi coughed up blood, which shocked Mu Yuan, who started to panic, "Jinxi!", shouted Mu Yuan, whose scream could be heard across the battlefield. Everyone with looks of despair looked in their direction.

(Hou Palace: Outside the Sanctuary)

After an intense battle with the Xi Jin, Jinhui falls to one knee, and Anwu and Changchen are pushed back by Xi Jin's attack, "His too powerful", said Changchen with a concerned look and worried voice.

As Jinhui stood up, he suddenly felt a dark and deadly feeling washing over him, and a piercing sting that made him see a splash of blood flowing through the air and landing on the ground. He had been struck and pierced by Xi Jin's blade, "What?" he asked, stuttering as blood flowed out of his mouth. Shock flooded the faces of Anwu and Changchen as they witnessed this scene, but they could not do anything. "The Eternal realm will fall and burn", whispered Xi Jin to Jinhui as he pushed him, pulling his blade out of him.

As Jinhui fell to the ground, Xi Jin looked at Anwu and Changchen's shocked faces with a sinister smile. He picked up the scroll from Jinhui's body. Anwu and Changchen, seeing this, charged forward, but Xi Jin swung his blade and released a massive surge of Dark Qi that knocked them back and sent them flying into the building behind them. The barrier then vanished.

"Finally", said Xi Jin as he held the scroll and looked at it, and he flashed away.

With Jinhui nearing death, Su Ying, who watched on the outskirts, rushed in after Xi Jin left and started attending to Jinhui. "This is bad, he's been poisoned by Dark Qi", said Su Ying, frustrated and worried.

Jinhui is heavily injured, nearing death, and Anwu and Changchen are lying under a pile of rubble. A very important figure arrives in the Eternal Capital.

[Bifrost]

"Someone is coming through", said Wu Chen with a confused voice.

The gatekeepers were rather confused about who could have activated the Bifrost with them. That was until a white sedan with white cloth covering it appeared from the Bifrost. The familiar look of the sedan caught Song Chu'an's attention, and he sensed a familiar presence, so did another gatekeeper, Wen Huan, "That the…", said he loudly, and Chu'an stopped him and nodded his head in disagreement to alarm the others.

By the white sedan stood rather slim looking man, he was a eunuch and had on eunuch clothes, but not the regular kind, "We have reached the Capital", said he softly with a gently tone and a slight bow, "Really, as always the Bifrost is rather amazing", said a female voice coming from inside the sedan, as the wind slightly blew against the white covers, it revealed a women sitting inside, wearing beautiful white and red flowery hanfu, imprinted with royal symbols with head crown that resembles that of the empress's, and she had a band of beads in her hand rotating it constantly with her thumb.

"We shall head for Shuijing Palace", commanded she sternly in a rather stoic voice.

"Yes, Grand Empress Dowager", said the Eunuch, complying.

They headed in the direction of Shuijing Palace.