Chapter 1: As I was laid to sleep.

‘They think I’m dead.’

A massive explosion high in the sky, bloody redness filled the heaven.

Colossal pressure pushed the surrounding heaven, clouds separated and dispersed, mountains cracked and trembled. Four flying figures witnessed the bloody sphere in the sky; the remains of their attack.

Two of them were elderly men, while the other a middle-aged man and a woman. All four had armor cladding them. Breathing heavy, a look of gladness on their face. Finally, their Asura Formation Strike connected, hitting their target. It was damn hard to hit him, this was their fourth try!

An elder exclaimed;

“We did it!”

Yes, the others thought so as well, it was evident on their face. Glad, relief, regret! Finally, the long fight ended. Finally, he had fallen. The primary headache they had faced for years, the one opposing their side for thirty years.

He, that troublesome fellow, had fallen.

‘They’re dead wrong.’

Behind the excited elder, a distorted light crept near. He was further away from the three, thus none noticed the seemingly invisible figure coming close. Its hand gripped his shoulder. Sensing this, the elder shuddered.

Light came out from behind him.

‘How, how could this be?!’

He did not turn around, yet his eyes widened. Sensing how powerful that attack was, he refused to believe it! Just when he thought it was all over, this light came out behind him.

From behind? Sure, he had let his guard down, and he was tired at the time. Still, in his mind, it was something impossible!

‘Cause who was he? An ordinary expert, an ordinary ancestor?

Hell no! He was a Peak Soul-Titan, one of the top men in the whole world! One of the strongest, most influential! Someone with millions of cultivators under his command!

Someone so illustrious, no empire in the world would dare ignore him, no emperor would dare raise his voice towards him. Someone who stood atop billions of others!

Still, he was ambushed. As the light overpowered him, he could finally see from whom this attack came from. His eyes trembled, as the very guy he thought they had finished off, was looking at him.

Smiling, mischievously.

“AN SHANNN…!”

Terrible wail shook the sky. The red sky, turned bright.

It happened in an instant. The other three only realized it when he shouted, turning to look. When they saw the light, fear gripped, stunning their being. The light had peculiarity, something which shook their very soul. The elder extended his hands, struggling against the light. Spherical Qi Shield surrounded him, protecting him.

Yet it could not protect him for long. The beam of light shattered his hand and body, as if a pillar of sunlight piercing through the clouds. Pain filled his whole body, fear overwhelmed him.

As the light passed through the elder, his body started disintegrating.

AHHHH…!

As he wailed, the light overcame him, entirely. It dispersed his body all into the air, dust of shining lights filled the sky. From the very location, a voice echoed;

“So loud, hush it. You’ll disturb the neighbors, sheesh,”

The perpetrator complained, his finger touching his ear.

The sky turned silent, as if the elder never existed. The three had their body frozen. It happened all too sudden. Just when they thought they had finally succeed, that pillar of light came from behind, piercing the sky. It took out the most senior of them all, right in front of them.

But who did it? When they saw him, they could hardly believe it. No way! He was hit by the Asura Formation Strike, that was of no doubt. They locked his soul for one whole second, he could not avoid it.

So how did he survive?!

As the thought came to them, he turned his attention towards them. His gaze, shaking them. Seeing him, a sense of crisis hit them. As if total emergency, the three dashed backward, gaining distance.

Huffing, they calmed down. Their mind a bit clearer, they started to question;

“An, An Shan! You, you’re still—”

“How did you survive? You’re hit dead on!”

“L-lord Qian, had been done in… Too, too fast,”

The fight was long, yet one short moment of letting their guard down, one of them had fallen.

Most shockingly, it was Lord Qian, their de facto leader. The most senior Soul-Titan on this frontline, their empire’s most senior representative, fallen in a mere moment. His body turned to shining dust.

In his place, a middle-aged man was hovering in white scholar robe. His face was spotless, fine-looking with mature expression. His robe was quite ragged, cuts and traces of blood were here and there, yet he seemed undisturbed. His breath was deep, his eyes were tranquil. His expression calm, as if the long fight was not a problem at all.

Seeing him all too composed, their breath turned irregular, almost terrified.

“This, this… Our info was lacking,”

“He’s too much, did he reach Soul-Sovereign already…”

“No, he’s still half-step from it, but how?”

They had been fighting him for more than a day.

Both sides’ subordinates had retreated due to heavy loses. From six Soul-Titans against him, he took down two Soul-Titans after a long time. Yet this time, he only took a blinking moment to take down Elder Qian, their leader.

They sensed it clearly, that one attack was too vicious. It was unlike any of his attacks before. Even Elder Qian’s Soul Shield could not protect him for a second. How was it possible?

The three realized this, cold shiver ran throughout their spine.

The remaining elder commented;

“You, even if you’re half-step into Soul Sovereign, that last attack… could only be, Soul Incense!”

“An Shan, you’re crazy! You’re burning your own Soul? For what? Someone of your caliber, what a waste! Wake up!”

“You, you! We already promised your safety, even for those who followed you. It’s not like we’re here to massacre! All you need to do was turn your face the other way! Why are you doing this, continue to resist? Stupid fool, it’s not worth it!”

Hearing them saying so, he shook his head.

Especially so for the blonde woman’s complain. Calling him stupid, it was childish at best. He wondered how they managed to become Soul-Titan with that kind of mentality. Did the empire’s drug or Dan pills wreck their brain, fuck up their emotion? Logic guys, logic!

Why, you asked? You ought to see deeper than a mere ‘opening trade route’ excuse.

See to your age!

Sighing, he felt unfortunate.

They had exchanged opinions during two negotiations before. He knew, each of them as an individual was not so bad. Due to the time spent negotiating, he and these three were pretty much close acquaintance. He also sensed hesitation within them at the start of battle. That was the reason he decided to spare their life until the last moment, even when facing six versus one situation.

Still, they could not comprehend him.

Their truth was different than his.

“I’ve said so earlier, even three years earlier, right to your face. Why are you guys here? Do you even realize why you’re here? What are you fighting for? Do you even have any solid reason, aside from following orders?”

He could only lament their lack of understanding.

He harbored no hatred towards them personally. Had they come to this continent to trade or as tourist, all while abiding the law, he would have welcomed them with open arms.

Yet they came here with overwhelming force, backed by such a long preparation and so much resource from their empire and the Grand Order. By right, the six empires of this continent, plagued by civil war, could not resist them for long. Fortunately, An Shan managed to unite the Six Imperial Clans before an all-out war was waged.

Back then the seasoned Lords, generals and strategists were leading the invasion force. It was tough handling them, yet he managed to wipe them all out after twenty odd years.

Soon the second wave came. Leading the second wave, the current invasion force, were these guys.

Soul-Titans.

Cultivators of the highest degree, the top in the world.

Fortunate enough, by observing them, he knew their mentality. By right, they did not have to risk their life to live a life of luxury and veneration. They had it all. So when they came here some years ago, forced under orders, they thought it was just to wrap things up.

Deal with this troublesome war with brute force, then return.

In their mind back then, it was evident who was going to win.

Their side had over eighty Soul-Titans, their technology was superior, their resource was abundant. Yet against expectation! Against a side with merely thirty Soul-Titans! Lacking equipment, lacking resource, lacking technology, the war was dragged for years!

Why? How!

The one opposing them, An Shan, knew.

When the six of them came at him, they thought it would be all too easy. Or at the very least, they never expected to suffer such consequence as of now.

Their problem was clear.

They came with superior power, yet pity, they lacked determination.

They must have had a comfortable life all around, bullying the weak. So when the weak side bit them so terribly, they became confused. That fact was hard to accept, even after witnessing it for years already. After experiencing it first-hand, only then they knew something was wrong.

Looking at him, they had a complicated look. Seeing three others slain by him, their will had weakened. Why yes, seeing that he had to use his Soul Incense to deal with Lord Qian, it was clear he had exhausted his means. Should they continue, they might win.

But they were puzzled.

What forced someone like them, one who had reached pinnacle of cultivation, to fight against overwhelming odds? For what benefit? Had he accepted their generous offer, he and his sect would reign in the new world, without even lifting a finger!

They would do the dirty job for him!

So why?

An Shan, hovering in white scholar robe in front, noticed their dilemma. With a bitter smile, he answered their confusion;

“I know what you’re thinking, so let me say this again. This continent you invade is our land, home of our people, origin of our ancestors. Where else can we go? Should we abandon our people, our family, our history? You came from tens of thousands kilometre, to wage war with us? Well, you said you don’t wish for any massacre, of that, I believe you actually. You three, personally,”

He paused. The three, sensing the heavy air around him, gulped.

He continued;

“But this war, for what? Money, resource, trade? Or your Master’s one-sided bet against Heaven? What are you fighting for? Do you even know what’s at stake here? Well, we do.”

Saying so, he stared at them, silent.

Now that Lord Qian, the leader of the second wave was no more, the three did not have much will to continue fighting.

This war was supposed to end with just the first wave, yet the existence of this man, ruined it all. The calculated preparation, the civil wars instigated, the distrust of ruling powers in the Dragon Mountain Continent, with all of these factors, one wave was supposed to be enough.

Yet they had to come here, as part of the second wave. When they first arrived, they did not have the right picture in their mind. They thought, the fact that eighty Soul-Titans were here, they could end it swiftly with brute force.

And in their mind, the word ‘return’ was evident.

They did not wish to be here!

Their will was not in this whole stupid war. Of this, An Shan knew. Their sovereign forced them to come. Had it been a choice, they would never accept it.

After a long moment of staring contest, the silver earring on his right ear vibrated. News from the other frontlines reached him. Hearing so, he let out a breath of relief. It seemed everything went well, overall. Yet the sacrifice that came with it, pricked his heart.

He sighed. He was tired, and most importantly, he was sleepy.

The three noticed him receiving news from his Soul Artifact. Soon enough, they got theirs. Their face paled, it seemed their whole plan went awry. No, their whole plan was a complete failure!

Out of the remaining sixty Soul-Titans on the frontline, only half remained. Their ships and airships, so many got destroyed. Their divisions, routed and falling apart. Their frontline bases, abandoned. The continent’s army was marching towards their headquarters.

Their army was in general retreat.

They had been fighting for the whole day, the news of the situation did not reach them earlier. The change in the whole frontline was too bizzare, it was too swift.

Threads of light began to pierce the dark sky. The sun announced his majestic presence, as if approving the outcome. Coming from behind them, light.

Seeing their expression, An Shan uttered;

“Guys, we’re not stranger to each other. I don’t wish to kill you, you don’t wish to kill me. Why don’t we wrap this up like this?”

“This…”

The elder looked at his two younger counterparts.

While he wished to retreat as well, the headquarters did not give them an order of retreat, not yet. While Lord Qian had been slain, only the second-in-command could permit their retreat. Even with their status, their sovereign was strict in upholding military order. Ignoring military order could mean severe consequences.

Knowing what troubled them, he ‘remembered’ something.

He knocked his fist on his palm.

“Oh yeah, I heard Lord Qian shouted retreat before he died!”

“…”

“…Ah,”

“…Oh,”

They looked at each other, expression as if remembering something.

The middle-aged man had an enlightened face;

“Now that I think about it, he did say…”

“That’s right, he did shout something! So it was retreat!”

“Ai, at first I couldn’t believe my old ears, but I caught a glimpse of his eyes. Don’t waste your life here. Yes, it was clearly saying so. Lord Qian, my old comrade, you’re truly, truly…”

Tears in his eyes, he covered his face. Truly, he was full of regret.

“An Shan! Though it bleed my heart to let you live, I’ll respect military order!”

“Yes, this is not the last you’ve seen us!”

“T-that’s right! You b-better remember! Next time—”

“Aiya, you guys leaving or not? Shu, shu!”

Enough drama, An Shan shooed them, hand waving up. Gesturing them to leave, the elder and the two flew back towards the rising sun. When their figure disappeared into the horizon, An Shan descended.

Stepping onto a mountain plateau, he stood in silent.

...

“Elder brother!”

Flying fast towards him, a black-haired lady stepped onto the plateau. Clad in red armored battledress and a slim sword on her left, she stopped just before him, a head shorter. She was missing an arm, her left arm.

A wreck-kind of a bandage covered her shoulder.

“Brother, I defeated him! He ran away like a cockroach! His face, it was priceless!”

“Haha, that’s great. I’m proud of my third sister,”

“Hehe, but you’re a lot more amazing elder brother! To defeat three of them while fighting six!”

“Hm, make no mention of it. But where’s your arm, third sister? Don’t leave it around, some old pervert might take it and use it as a… Morale booster.”

“B-brother! You and your mouth!”

She took out something from her spatial ring.

It was her left arm, cleanly severed by a sharp weapon near the shoulder.

“Need a hand?”

“I can fix it myself,”

She connected the arm, driving her Qi onto the severed location. She frowned, a bit in pain. Recovery was her specialty, but not waiting for her, An Shan placed his hand onto her shoulder.

“Brother?”

“Follow me,”

Guiding her Qi, soon enough, the arm reattached. It was done way better than she could have expected. She moved her left arm and hand, her Qi flowed perfectly! She held her slim sword and made some moves, her expression was full of astonishment.

It was as if the arm was never severed. When did her brother became so skilled, she wondered. For a Soul-Titan, connecting a severed arm and making a full recovery would still take an hour or so. Even for her, it would take half an hour at best.

Happily turning to him, she noticed his eyes, closed. His face, pale.

Look of concern on her, she asked;

“Brother, what’s the mat—”

Before she even finished, An Shan’s body staggered, falling onto her. Seeing this, her sword fell from her hand. She caught him. Face so close, she finally noticed. His expression was akin to someone sleepy.

Damn sleepy.

“Elder brother! What’s wrong?!”

“Sorry, third sister… I really, want to, see your lantern… again,”

Hearing this, her eyes widened.

She scanned him with her Soul Search. Her consciousness sweeping inside him, she found out what happened. She staggered, trembling.

Tears filled her eyes.

“B-brother, you… your soul, why?”

“No choice, I would’ve, died anyway.”

“It’s… it’s my fault. Had I defeated my opponent earlier and,”

“Nonsense, you did well—”

He coughed, blood smeared all over the lady’s shoulder.

She grabbed him, laying him down. She noticed him losing his consciousness. She knew, it was a matter of time. Suppressing her sniffing, she directed her Qi onto her earring.

“Second brother, fourth brother. P-please come, it’s urgent.”

“Third sister, what’s wrong?”

“I’m routing the enemy right now, if we miss this chance—”

“Eldest brother’s dying!”

“…!”

“Ah,”

Hearing this, the two did not say anything to her.

Yet she heard, from their end, they were informing their leave to their second-in-command. In a moment, she sensed them moving towards her location.

Fast.

“Brother, hang on,”

She took out a small pouch from her spatial ring, then sprinkled red dusts on him.

Phoenix's dust.

Tears flowing down her cheek, she placed her hands on his chest, her soul gripped his. She knew, when he lost consciousness, his soul would slowly disperse. She was supporting his soul, preventing it from dispersing, buying time for the two to arrive.

A moment later, the two men arrived. A giant-like man in dark green armor, and a sturdy man in shining blue armor. It was the second and fourth brother respectively.

“Second brother, fourth brother! Please!”

The fourth brother took out a crystal gourd from his spatial ring, quickly giving An Shan a gulp.

The second brother placed his large hand on An Shan’s forehead, the other on his chest. Finishing his Soul Search, he blanked out, yet quickly shook himself out of it. Hands shaking, he took out a small, black turtle shell from his spatial ring.

Channeling his Qi into it, he ripped open An Shan’s clothes, slamming the shell directly into his chest. The shell burrowed itself deep, massive amount of Qi rushed into his body. It turned smaller, soon entered fully into his chest, disappearing.

He stopped.

Looking at him being a little pale, the fourth brother asked.

“Brother, how is it?”

“…I can’t say,”

“Brother, please!”

“Calm down, third sister,”

The voice stole everyone’s attention. It was An Shan’s.

Regaining his consciousness, he noticed her agitation. Seeing the second and fourth brother were there as well, he smiled. Third sister supported his back, placing him on her thigh, her soft hands on his cheeks.

His breath weak, he still asked;

“…Only three of you? Where,”

“I… did not inform youngest brother, he was too far.”

Third sister answered him, yet avoiding other details.

He did not miss it.

“The other three?”

“…Brother, I’m sorry. We’re all that’s left.”

“…”

The second brother answered him.

Out of the twelve Imperials, the twelve Soul-Titans who made the vow of brotherhood with him, only four was left. Three had fallen during the first wave. Two had fallen during the early years of the second wave. So when their grand offensive started yesterday, there were seven of them.

Within a day, three of them had fallen.

Seeing his gloomy expression, the fourth brother quickly responded.

“Eldest brother, please don’t blame Second brother. He did not wish to distract you during your fight,”

“…I know,”

He did not blame him.

While he was the leader of this whole alliance, he did not possess the best commanding ability among them. His ability was two kinds; his fighting skill and ability to unite the different powers in the continent.

So when the grand operation started, he left it all for the second brother to command, while he and third sister distracted the enemy’s Grand Commander, Lord Qian.

The second brother took something out from his spatial ring.

Placing it on An Shan’s hand, it was an earring.

“Brother, this is second sister’s…”

“…I see, the other two?”

“They’re still searching for them.”

“…Tian-er?”

“He’s injured, but he’ll live.”

“Have him succeed Absolute Aegis in my stead,”

“Un, I understand… But brother, your soul,”

He quickly changed the subject.

He knew his eldest brother did not have time.

“…Sever my soul, then seal it.”

‘“W-what?”’

The three dazed.

Severing his soul meant forcefully keeping him in a deep sleep, while sealing his soul meant putting his soul in deep reflecting state, where his soul cannot enter his body on his own.

As Soul-Titans, they were familiar with severing and sealing soul.

Severing soul was normal, those who had reached higher-level cultivation; Heavenly-Star and above, all could use it. It was used to rest the body and achieved oneness with nature, cultivating slowly while sleeping. This way, it not only reduced burden on their body, it also helped extending longevity a little bit. This was important.

In this world, even cultivators could not live long. That was Heaven’s Decree.

A Heavenly-Star could only live up to seven cycles of sixty years, a Titan-Star eight cycles, while them Soul-Titans nine cycles. However, by severing their soul, they could cultivate while extending their age, though how much it could be extended, no one could say for sure.

As for sealing soul, that was what shocked them.

Sealing soul was usually used by a Soul-Titan as punishment to their subordinates for heavy crime, sparing them death penalty. It was meant as a way of deep reflection. Until their souls were able to reach a substantial growth, they would not be able to struggle free from their constraint. However, if the criminal’s soul was too corrupt or lacking patience, it could possibly lead to insanity, even death.

For An Shan to direct them to use this technique on him?

It was confusing. In addition, it was the first time for them to hear, to use both soul severing and sealing at the same time. It was akin to say you could study while you were asleep.

The fourth brother asked;

“Brother, will that be useful? What is it for?”

“To keep my body preserved and extend my longevity, you must sever my soul, letting it be one with nature. Yet without sealing it, my soul would disperse. So I need your help, to seal it. This is just my theory, but I believe, as long as I could reflect, my soul would recover.”

“B-but, brother! It’s just a theory, what if—”

Third sister protested. It was simply too risky doing it out of mere theory. While An Shan was obviously a genius, she still felt it was too reckless!

This concerned life and death, not a mere experiment!

“Whether or not it will work, I have no other solution, no other idea. I know my soul’s injury, there’s no other way. Do you guys have any?”

“…”

“Three of you, should be more than enough to seal my soul. Don’t be lax, or my soul might disperse.”

“Brother, how long—”

The word was stuck in her mouth.

The other two wanted to ask too, yet they restrained themselves. Even he had made it clear, it was a mere theory. It would be lucky enough if it worked. But knowing how long it will take?

Impossible.

“Use my isolation chamber—”

“Brother, please use mine,”

The second brother took out something from his spatial ring. It glowed green, soon emerging out in full view. Even larger than an elephant, it was a turtle shell.

Shining green turtle shell, full of life-force. Seeing this, the other two were jolted.

Black Turtle clan’s legacy treasure!

An Shan frowned.

“Is it fine? That’s your clan’s legacy. I fear—”

“That’s why I believe you should use it. Even if the chance increases only a mere percent, I don’t care. If there’s anyone protesting, I’ll make them know I’m still, the Emperor of Tranquil Age Empire!”

He was adamant.

Seeing him being so, An Shan nodded.

“…Hm, very well. But have Absolute Aegis return it later, no matter the result. Have everyone know you’re just lending it.”

“Yes!”

“Everyone, listen to my will. This might be the last time,”

““Yes!””

Sitting by his side, the three answered at the same time.

The man in front of them was not only the leader of the alliance, he was their sworn brother, the one who united them, the one they acknowledged as their eldest. Years back, they, who were busy stabbing each other, scheming against each other, hating each other… Strangely, were brought together.

They would forever remember it.

Under the gazes of the stars and the moon, with him, the twelve of them had sworn brother and sisterhood for each other. The night sky at the time was clear, beautiful. They could see the universe for all its glory. It was a weird phenomenon. It was a weird feeling. A surge of warmth filled their being.

For the first time in twenty thousand years, the six Imperial Clans could see eye to eye with each other. They were united with a common goal. No, not just that. They were truly united, each was looking out for another as if he or she was their own blood sibling!

Looking back, even they themselves could not believe it.

How? Why?

They could not answer that. It was like a sweet dream. You enjoyed it, yet you could hardly recall it. The feeling however, stayed. And the man who made it all possible, was laying in front of them. Even the brothers now could not contain their tears, sitting with hands on their knees. Trembling, they could hear their eldest brother’s will.

Most likely, his last Will.

“…Support those who have lost a lot. The Soaring Dragon Clan, the White Tiger Clan, the large and those smaller sects too. Let our people truly be secured by The Law of the Land. Let that be a fact, let them feel it,”

He said a few more, before concluding;

“Keep the unity within our community. Know that disagreement is normal. At the end of the day, we’re still brothers and sisters. Be righteous, do not transgress. Do not transgress, for we will be judged,”

Surrounding him, the three were trembling.

They could not believe this. They had won the war, the enemy had been routed, the Grand Commander slain in battle. Though their losses were great, it should still be celebrated.

Yet in front of them, their centre of gravity, his existence was fading.

What’s there to celebrate, huh?

“…I hope you’ll remember, and never be divided, ever. My second brother, Hei Man. My fourth brother, Jiao Shen. My third Sister, Feng Huang Yu...”

He coughed, his voice turned weak.

Not waiting him to finish, the second brother, Hei Man, changed his sitting posture, kneeling on one. His hands clasped together, head bowing, as if in ceremony.

"Hei Man of the Black Turtle Imperial Clan, hear and obey!”

In a second, the fourth brother;

“Jiao Shen of the Flood Dragon Imperial Clan, hear and obey!”

An Shan smiled, eyes turning up.

His head still on her thighs, third sister rubbed her eyes. She pressed her eyes for awhile, tears stopped flowing. Soon, she stopped trembling. Clasping her hands, she looked straight down on him. Her face still red and teary, she uttered;

“Your third sister, Feng Huang Yu, Yu-er of the Fiery Phoenix Imperial Clan, hear and obey!”

As soon as she said so, she could hear someone from her earring, continuing the vows.

“Your youngest, Wu Hao of the Majestic Qilin Imperial Clan, hear and obey!”

It turned out An Shan had opened a channel to their youngest brother, allowing him to hear everything. An Shan’s eyes landed on Hei Man.

“Of my fate— You must not, let our enemy knows. Leave them guessing.”

“Yes, elder brother!”

“Should we become hard pressed by the enemy, and the situation seemed dire, I allow the four of you to wake me up. I also allow any of my descendants to wake me, should there be emergency of utmost importance. However, know that might very well be my last struggle,”

He took out a jade token from his space ring. Whatever was left of his soul, he imprinted deep into it. Gripping his fist, the jade was divided into five smaller parts.

Handing it to Hei Man, he nodded.

“Begin.”

““…Yes!””

With that, the three of them pressed on his soul.

First step, severing his soul from his body. It was not a complicated work, they placed their hands on him. Feng Huang Yu’s on his temples, Hei Man’s on his chest, Jiao Shen’s on his neck. Soon, his consciousness faded. Finally, after years of hard work, he could sleep in peace.

Ahh, a long desired, deep sleep.

…

Before his eyes closed, the wind blew strands of black, shiny hair over. He saw, the owner of the hair, the tender face above him.

Eyes red, teary.

‘…Third sister, why the long face?’

He smiled, right hand raised, touching her cheek.

Warm, damp, soft…

‘Oh yeah, I couldn’t fulfill our promise. I made you cry again,’

A few warm drops fell onto his face, flowing down.

‘I’m really… Just a bad big brother,’

…

First Chapter: ‘As I was laid to sleep’ End