Chapter Forty: Scourge of The Universe

Before dawn, 329 Chrysalises surge from the Sui-Tang frontier toward Kunlun to annihilate the Hundun nest. Zetian, Li Shimin, and Yizhi lead in the Vermilion Bird, planning to sever command trucks after broadcasting An Lushan’s confession. Crossing unexpectedly lush forests, they note eerie Hundun stepping holes and the absence of attacks, implying a concentrated defense at the mountains.

Near the canyons, a nomad appears in a Hundun track, signaling in Han script: “Can you cure the Emperor?” Strategists suspect he means Emperor-General Qin Zheng. Citing disease risk and imminent combat, Sima Yi orders the Vermilion Bird onward, deferring investigation.

Inside fog-bound canyons, a silent Hundun herd lures them toward Mount Zhurong. Zetian briefly scans and is overwhelmed by an immense spirit presence—proof of an Emperor class. The Metal Emperor reveals itself, having pre-spun ultra-fine spirit-metal webs hidden in the fog. The webs compress and drag multiple Chrysalises, while a projected voice brands humans the “scourge of the universe,” terrorizing pilots who cannot explain the panic to strategists.

Rallying, the White Tiger triggers Heroic Mode, and the Vermilion Bird follows, burning free and forcing the Metal Emperor to expend more thread. As they prepare a shot, the black “lake” reveals itself as a Water Emperor reshaping the valley, nullifying Fire’s advantage. With allies entangled and exhausted, the Vermilion Bird chooses to stay and strike rather than flee to the volcano to recharge.

They dive, pin the Metal Emperor, and unleash overwhelming Fire qi, enduring slashing counterattacks. The Black Tortoise arrives in Heroic Form, bracing the Metal Emperor’s legs so the Vermilion Bird can superheat its core beyond safety limits. The Metal Emperor explodes, but as the Vermilion Bird collapses toward Standard Form, the Black Tortoise engulfs and abruptly tears off one of the Vermilion Bird’s wings, turning on them at the moment of victory.