The Ashes Sovereign

Chapter 6

Dozens of assassins pressed in on Lin Yue inside Ironspine Gorge.

Sharp blades bit at his arms and shoulders. Blood soaked his clothing. He raised barriers of compact ash and stone, striking back with dust‑formed blades. Yet more attackers kept coming. The canyon’s two exits were quickly blocked off. Escape looked impossible.

Far away, back in Azure Ruin Valley, the red signal flares were spotted. Panic spread. The valley’s best fighters ignored Lin Yue’s earlier order to stay behind. They mobilised fast. They activated several large stone golems, constructs forged by the valley’s mist‑power. Then they rushed out toward Ironspine Gorge to rescue their leader.

Inside the gorge, Lin Yue was tiring fast. Without the domain’s support, his strength drained rapidly. He could not keep this up for much longer. The envoys watched coldly from safety, certain their target would soon fall.

Then heavy rumbling echoed through the canyon.

Stone golems crashed through the rear entrance. Massive rock bodies smashed into the assassin rear ranks. The valley warriors charged in behind them. A path of escape opened.

“Lin Yue! This way!”

Gasping and wounded, Lin Yue unleashed one final sweeping ash blast to hold back his foes. Then he sprinted toward his rescuers. The enraged assassins gave furious chase. The stone golems stayed behind as a rearguard, slowing pursuit.

Under constant harassment, the group fled Ironspine Gorge. They raced back through mountain paths, until at last they crossed back inside Azure Ruin’s mist‑covered borders. Safety.

The ambush had failed. But there was no more pretence of negotiation. Open war was now certain.

Lin Yue’s wounds were tended by Lira and the valley healers. While his body would heal, his heart was heavy. The council would come with everything they had. The suppression relics threatened to neutralise their greatest protection. And the cost of wielding the valley’s power still haunted him. If he drew its full strength, he risked losing his very self to the long‑dead sovereign.

That night, Lin Yue descended once more into the deep mist cavern beneath the old temple. He needed to search the ancient carvings, hunting for another way.