The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

With an iron fist, I have worked diligently for five years to govern the country, making the Tianfeng Dynasty increasingly powerful and its fortunes soar.

However, fortune may be fraught with misfortune. The prosperity of a secular dynasty is not seen as a good omen by some, but rather as... usurpation.

[The 178th Year of the Kendo Era - Spring]

On this day, a rosy glow suddenly appeared in the sky above the imperial city from the east. It was not an auspicious sign, but rather three sharp sword lights that tore through the clouds and hovered above the main hall of the imperial palace.

The sword energy was chilling, its oppressive power like a mountain, enveloping the entire imperial city. The people were terrified, and the officials trembled with fear.

The sword light dissipated, revealing three Taoist priests.

The leader was a middle-aged Taoist priest with a white face and no beard. He had indifferent eyes and wore a moon-white Taoist robe with cloud patterns and a small sword embroidered on the cuffs. He was the outer sect steward of the "Lingyun Sword Sect" and his Taoist name was "Yun Yizi". He was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.

The two people behind him were also late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, their expressions arrogant as they looked down at the palace below as if it were an anthill.

"Where is Empress Tianfeng?"

Yun Yizi's voice was not loud, but it sounded like the clanging of metal, resounding throughout the palace.

I stepped out of the main hall, clad in a black imperial robe and a phoenix crown, and faced the three towering figures, my expression calm: "I am here. Immortal Masters of the Lingyun Sword Sect, what brings you from afar?"

Yun Yizi's gaze fell on me, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, as if he hadn't expected me to remain so calm under his pressure.

But he quickly regained his composure, and with a flick of his sleeve, a jade slip floated down and hovered in front of me.

"This is the Lingyun Sword Sect's 'Offering List' for this year."

Yun Yizi's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "The Tianfeng Dynasty has enjoyed several years of peace and prosperity, and its national strength has increased, so the tributes should naturally increase accordingly."

"The items listed must be prepared and delivered to Lingyun Mountain within three months."

"Any delays or shortages... you will be responsible for the consequences."

My spiritual sense swept over the jade slip, and my heart sank.

The list is several times more stringent than in previous years!

The required amount of spirit stones, elixirs, and minerals has increased several times over.

They also added ten boys and girls with "Grade B" or higher spiritual roots, and requested the opening of three newly discovered suspected spirit stone mines, which would be "assisted" in mining by the Lingyun Sword Sect!

This is no longer an offering, but a naked plunder and enslavement!

Those ten boys and girls, once sent to the immortal gate, how could they possibly survive?

Most of them were used as furnaces or sacrificial offerings for cultivating some kind of evil art!

"Immortal Master Yunyi,"

I suppressed my anger and said in a calm voice, "The list contains far more than our dynasty can afford."

"Furthermore, demanding young boys and girls is against the natural order and violates the laws and ethics of our dynasty."

"The amount of offerings we've made in previous years has already reached its limit, could it be...?"

"snort!"

A Foundation Establishment cultivator behind Yun Yizi snorted coldly, interrupting me, "Your Majesty, do not forget your place!"

"It is only natural for secular dynasties to support immortal sects!"

"You mortals are already greatly blessed to receive the protection of the immortal sect and be spared from the harassment of demons!"

"Now that our national strength is slightly greater, we think we can bargain? We are truly ignorant of our own limitations!"

Another cultivator scoffed, "What laws and ethics? Before the path of immortality, mortal rules are nothing but empty words!"

"It's their good fortune that you offered it to them!"

"To be able to serve a celestial sect is an opportunity that countless mortals would rather die than attain!"

Yun Yizi did not stop his subordinate from speaking, but just looked at me indifferently, his eyes seeming to say: either do as I say, or... die.

Among the court officials, some timid ones were already trembling with fear, wanting to speak up and persuade me to compromise.

The frontier general clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fury, yet dared not utter a word of his anger.

The power of the Immortal Sect has accumulated over thousands of years and is deeply ingrained in its very bones.

In their eyes, secular dynasties were nothing more than granaries and servants to whom they could take whatever they wanted.

I looked up at the three figures high above me, and at the indifference in their eyes that regarded all living beings as worthless. The last trace of hesitation in my heart completely disappeared.

As the wise teacher once said: Some roads must be walked alone. Some blood must be shed alone.

Today, let this blood stain the barrier between immortals and mortals!

"I refuse."

I spoke slowly, my voice clear and resonating in all directions.

"What?"

The three Lingyun Sword Sect cultivators were stunned at the same time, seemingly doubting that they had misheard.

"I declare that the Tianfeng Dynasty rejects such unreasonable tributes."

I spoke slowly and deliberately, as crimson-gold phoenix flames began to rise faintly around me. "From this day forward, the Heavenly Wind Dynasty and the Lingyun Sword Sect will no longer have a relationship of worship."

"The people of our dynasty are not something you can take at will!"

"presumptuous!"

Yun Yizi's expression finally darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "A mere mortal emperor, not even having achieved the Golden Core stage, dares to defy the decrees of the Immortal Sect?"

"It seems we haven't displayed our mighty power for too long, causing you mortals to forget what reverence truly means!"

He pointed his fingers like a sword and pointed in mid-air!

A dazzling, cyan sword aura tore through the air, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, and pierced straight at my face!

Before the sword energy even arrived, the sharp sword energy had already caused cracks to appear on the golden brick floor in front of the main hall!

Yun Yizi did not use his full strength in this sword strike, but it was enough to severely injure or even kill an ordinary early-stage Golden Core cultivator!

He will crush my resistance with absolute power and re-establish the inviolable authority of the Immortal Sect!

"His Majesty!"

Numerous exclamations rang out.

Instead of retreating, I advance, taking a step forward!

"Nine Strikes of the Heavenly Phoenix, Phoenix Wings Soaring Through the Sky!"

Crimson-gold flame wings suddenly unfolded behind him, spanning five zhang, blazing with flames and radiating a scorching and majestic aura!

I formed hand seals, and my fiery wings closed forward, like two giant fiery shields, to meet the azure sword energy head-on!

boom--!

Flames and sword energy collided fiercely!

A violent energy shockwave suddenly exploded, sending dozens of guards and officials flying!

A deep crater was blown into the plaza in front of the main hall!

The crimson flames flickered violently, their light dimming, but they did not dissipate!

The azure sword energy was blocked by the fiery wings!

"Um?"

A genuine look of surprise flashed in Yun Yizi's eyes.

Although he didn't use his full strength in that sword strike, it was still something that a cultivator who had only recently entered the Golden Core stage could not block so easily!

This woman is indeed strange!

"Form ranks! Capture her! Slaughter the entire palace as a warning to others!"

Yun Yizi no longer held back and gave a stern order.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him immediately summoned their flying swords, their sword light splitting into a simple sword formation to block my retreat.

Yun Yizi pointed his sword again, and three more solid and powerful cyan sword energies formed a triangular shape, sealing off all my escape space, and shot towards me!

At the same time, hidden agents of the Lingyun Sword Sect in various parts of the imperial city also launched attacks, creating chaos and assaulting the defending troops.

"Heavenly Phoenix Guards! Protect the Emperor! Martial law throughout the city! Anyone who causes trouble will be killed without exception!"

My voice pierced through the explosion and resounded throughout the imperial city.

Five thousand elite Heavenly Phoenix Guards, who had been secretly deployed, donned spirit-patterned armor, and were equipped with magic-breaking crossbows, poured out from all directions and fought against the Sword Sect's spies and low-ranking disciples who were causing trouble.

In front of the palace, I was surrounded and attacked by three sword sect cultivators.

Flaming wings danced, deflecting each sword aura, but Yun Yizi's cultivation was a whole realm higher than mine. His swordsmanship was sharp and his true essence was abundant, gradually gaining the upper hand.

A sword aura grazed my left shoulder, taking away a piece of flesh and blood, with crimson blood splattering everywhere.

The excruciating pain shot through me, but my eyes remained cold, showing no fear.

My gaze passed over Yun Yizi and looked towards the distant sky.

Today, I will use my blood to begin this new chapter of conflict between immortals and mortals!

"The Phoenix Soars Through the Nine Heavens!"

Nine smaller phantoms of fire phoenixes flew out from my body, not to attack Yun Yizi, but to pounce on the two Foundation Establishment cultivators who had formed a sword formation!

At the same time, I endured a sword aura from Yun Yizi, blood spurting from my chest, but my figure rushed forward like a ghost, instantly appearing in front of one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators!

"die!"

With five fingers forming a claw, crimson flames condensed into an incomparably sharp claw aura, ignoring the protective sword light, directly piercing through the chest and crushing the beating heart!

Another Foundation Establishment cultivator was entangled by the Flame Phoenix and was terrified. I shattered his skull with a backhand palm strike!

In the blink of an eye, two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators perished!

"You bastard!"

Yun Yizi was shocked and furious. He hadn't expected that I would be so fierce and ruthless, willing to get injured to cut off his wings first!

He held nothing back, unleashing his full power as a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and a ten-zhang-tall cyan giant sword phantom appeared behind him—the Soaring Cloud Sword Intent Dharma Image!

"Soaring Cloud Sword Technique - Slicing Mountains and Rivers!"

The phantom of the giant sword, carrying the force to split mountains and cleave peaks, slashed down towards me!

This sword strike has locked onto the opponent's vital energy; there is no way to avoid it!

I took a deep breath, and the Heavenly Phoenix Golden Core within my body spun wildly. All the Phoenix True Fire surged out and condensed above my head into a giant crimson-gold flame shield, with phoenix totems flowing across its surface.

Boom! ...

The deafening roar of the greatsword colliding with the fire shield shook the entire imperial city! The shockwave completely destroyed the plaza in front of the palace, sending dust billowing into the sky!

The smoke and dust cleared.

I knelt on one knee, supporting myself with my halberd, blood gushing from my mouth. The crimson flames dimmed considerably, and I was covered in deep, bone-revealing sword wounds. My aura was weak.

The fire shield overhead had shattered.

However, Yun Yizi's seemingly inevitable sword strike was ultimately blocked!

His face was gloomy, and his illusory Dharma image swayed slightly, clearly indicating that he had also expended a great deal of energy.

He looked at Wu, who was severely injured but still staring intently at him, his eyes blazing with killing intent, yet also showing a hint of fear. This woman's resilience far exceeded his expectations.

Moreover, within the imperial city, the Heavenly Phoenix Guards seemed to have been prepared, and the battle against the hidden agents was not one-sided; in fact, they were subtly gaining the upper hand. If the fighting continues, things could change.

"Excellent! What a fine Empress Tianfeng!"

Yun Yizi gritted his teeth, "The Lingyun Sword Sect will remember this humiliation! One day, we will raze your Tianfeng Imperial City to the ground, leaving not a single chicken or dog alive!"

He withdrew his Dharma form, transforming into a streak of azure sword light that soared into the sky and vanished instantly into the eastern horizon.

He dared not linger any longer. This woman was too strange and ruthless. Although he could defeat her, he was not confident that he could escape unscathed from her dying counterattack. He was also worried that there were other hidden methods in the capital.

I watched him leave, and only after the sword light completely disappeared did I suddenly spit out a mouthful of blood, my vision went black, and I almost fainted.

"Your Majesty!" The commander of the Heavenly Phoenix Guard rushed forward and helped me up.

"It's alright..."

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, forced myself to stand up straight, and glanced at the chaotic square and the terrified officials. My voice was weak but firm:

"By imperial decree: Effective immediately, the Tianfeng Dynasty and the Lingyun Sword Sect formally declare war!"

"Any disciple of the Sword Sect who sets foot on our territory will be killed without mercy!"

"Summon all troops and resources nationwide to reinforce the border defenses!"

"Especially towards the Lingyun Mountains in the east!"

"This battle concerns the fate of our nation, and whether our people can stand tall!"

"I will live and die with you!"

The imperial decree sent shockwaves throughout the country.

For the first time, a flame of "resistance" ignited in the eyes of countless numb people, amidst fear, fervor, and fervent passion.

The secular dynasties have brandished their blood-stained blades at the lofty immortal sects!

[Winter, Year 179 of the Kendo Era]

The war has lasted for nearly two years.

Instead of launching a large-scale invasion, the Lingyun Sword Sect continuously dispatched small teams of disciples to harass border towns, assassinate officials and generals, and sabotage mines and supply lines.

At the same time, they joined forces with two other sects that had old grudges against the Tianfeng Dynasty and also coveted the dynasty's resources—the "Xuanyin Sect" and the "Golden Knife Sect"—creating pressure from three sides.

The Tianfeng Dynasty mobilized its entire national strength, assembling a million-strong army. Relying on the treacherous terrain and pre-constructed fortifications, and with the help of cultivators within the Tianfeng Guard, they fought a difficult battle.

War is cruel.

A brutal, bloody battle of offense and defense unfolds almost daily on the border.

Countless soldiers shed their blood on the battlefield, and countless people were displaced.

The national treasury was being depleted at an alarming rate, and the domestic economy was on the verge of collapse.

I personally led the expedition, stationed at the Iron Wall Pass, the most important defensive line in the east.

In the past two years, I have experienced dozens of battles, large and small, and my body has been covered with scars.

The Phoenix True Fire has become increasingly refined through countless life-and-death battles, but it has also depleted its original source.

Undercurrents began to stir within the court. Some powerful families, seeing the unfavorable situation, secretly colluded with the Immortal Sect and spread pessimistic opinions.

At this moment, outside the Iron Wall Pass, snow and wind raged.

On the wall, bloodstains mingled with fresh snow, a shocking sight.

Most of the defending soldiers were wounded, and although their eyes were tired, they still stared intently at the area outside the pass.

In the distance, the allied camps of the Lingyun Sword Sect, the Xuanyin Sect, and the Golden Saber Sect stretched for dozens of miles, their lights flickering in the wind and snow, like ferocious beasts ready to devour their prey.

Inside the central command tent, the charcoal fire crackled.

I wore a cloak and looked at the enemy and our positions on the sand table, my brows furrowed.

The defenses are riddled with holes and on the verge of collapse.

The enemy's next large-scale attack will likely be in the next few days. Whether Tiebi Pass can be held at that time is truly unknown.

"Your Majesty, a scout reports that the enemy seems to be making unusual movements and may be gathering." The deputy commander of the Tianfeng Guard, covered in snow, entered the tent to report.

I nodded and waved for him to leave.

I was the only one left in the tent.

I walked to the tent, lifted the curtain, and looked out at the howling wind and snow, and the faint lights of the enemy army visible beyond the snow.

Two years of bloody war have exhausted the nation's strength, caused heavy casualties among the soldiers, and left the defense line in grave danger... Could it be that my choice was really wrong?

Using mortal strength to fight against the immortal sect is ultimately like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

A sense of weariness and confusion crept into my heart.

But I quickly dispersed them. The road has come to this point; there is no other way but to move forward. Retreat means only national ruin and extinction.

I may die, but the backbone of the Tianfeng Dynasty must not be broken!

But... Holy Master, your disciple has done everything in his power, but where does the road ahead lead?

I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug deep into my palm.

........

Lu Yao was deeply moved as she read the autobiography's description of the fierce battles, the crumbling defenses, and Wu Minghuang's loneliness and resilience as she stood alone in front of the snow-covered tent.

She could hardly imagine that the empress who respectfully visited her senior brother and performed the disciple's rites every year was under such immense pressure and waging a war with almost no hope in another time and space.

"Senior brother... can Her Majesty the Empress win?" Lu Yao couldn't help but ask.

Chen Xuan's gaze remained calm, as if he had already seen through everything.

"Winning or losing wasn't the key factor at the time."

He said slowly, "The key is that she pulled out the knife and didn't back down when she first saw blood."

"She showed the fangs of 'mortals' the fangs of those 'immortals' who were used to being high above and having everything they wanted."

"As for the defense line collapsing..."

Chen Xuan paused, a strange light flashing in his eyes, "Often, the darkest moment means... a turning point is coming."

"The era of swordsmanship is 180 years old... It's almost here."

His gaze once again fell upon the distant horizon, as if piercing through time and space.

I foresaw that year, something that was about to happen that would completely change the course of the war and the landscape of the times, or... someone.