The Ashes Sovereign

Chapter 5

Lin Yue left Azure Ruin Valley at dawn.

He travelled light, carrying only simple travelling robes and his ash‑magic. The three envoys waited for him deep within Ironspine Gorge, a narrow canyon walled by tall black rock. Cold wind blew through its passages.

Hidden far back among higher rocks, the valley’s scouts kept watch, staying out of sight.

The lead envoy spoke first, his voice calm and formal. The council knew how costly attacking Azure Ruin would be. They did not wish unnecessary s*******r. They brought an offer.

Dismantle the valley sanctuary. Hand over all the refugees to sect justice. In exchange, Lin Yue would receive a full pardon. All his crimes would be wiped away. He could return to normal life within the cultivation realm.

Lin Yue’s reply was cold.

“Hand over people who ran for their lives? So they can be imprisoned or executed. That is not mercy. That is merely another form of oppression.”

The envoys grew stern. They reminded him those refugees had broken established laws. The order of the whole realm depended on those laws being enforced.

“Laws that only favour the powerful,” Lin Yue answered. “When innocent families were torn apart, where was that justice?”

Negotiation died right there.

The envoys’ true colours showed. They warned Lin Yue that rejection meant total war. The council would bring elite warriors and the suppression relics. The valley’s ancient power would not save him forever.

A silent hand signal flickered from the lead elder. Immediately, cloaked assassins poured out from hidden cracks in the canyon walls. The truce had been a lie from the very beginning. They had planned to kill Lin Yue in this gorge.

Blades flashed. Spiritual weapons struck. Ash burst from Lin Yue’s palms. Grey dust clouds bloomed for defence. But he was far from Azure Ruin. He could not draw on the valley’s full legacy. He could only rely on his own personal ash power. Assassins swarmed all around him.

From the high rocks, the scout saw the ambush. He fired bright red warning flares shooting high into the sky, signalling back toward Azure Ruin.

Trapped inside the closed canyon, Lin Yue fought for his life against overwhelming numbers.