"It will only be in your best interest to surrender, tell your men to put down their weapons or your head comes off" Atticus said as his large sword stayed pointed to the neck of the man kneeling in front of him.
"Never" The kneeling man replied with a defiant look."I admire your bravery but I also despise your stupidity, you and your men are surrounded, there is no way out but death if you continue to fight." Atticus warned. He wasn't interested in anymore bloodshed and if he truly wanted to end the battle a long time ago it was within his capabilities to do so, but this would mean more blood and death."So once again I ask, do you yield?" Atticus asked as he looked at the opposing soldiers, using his stance to break their spirit. Bai Xu felt a sense of defeat as he stayed on his knees in face of a sword ready to rip his life, he took a deep breath and answered."What honor is there in cowardice, I am ready to enter the circle of samsara so I have embraced death and I am sure my men feels the same" after this reply Bai Xu felt fulfilled but then his soldiers murmured which hinted at their dissatisfaction with his words. Bai Xu still kept a straight face and closed his eyes waiting for his death to come.'Clang!' The sharp, metallic clatter of a sword hitting the ground echoed through the silence.Bai Xu countenance was broken with the sound as his warrior heart shook, he looked towards the culprit and there he was, a soldier of his dropping his arms to surrender to the enemy.Atticus had expected this, it was the same plot over and over again. Humans in the end of the day don't want to die for another man's cause, he looked to Bai Xu with a questioning expression."So?"Bai Xu suddenly felt tired and with a deep breath he gave his order before the situation got more embarrassing. "I yield, drop your weapons!"He could at that moment swear that he heard his soldiers voice out relief, those bastards!"We are done here, old Zhou!" Atticus called out to the Lieutenant of the Royal army and also his second-in-command. "Go get their king, its time to raise up our flags on this lands.""Yes General!" Zhou Ran bowed then took with him some of the soldiers before going to carry our Atticus's order.Atticus, a towering figure with a physique befitting a legendary warrior, had carved his name deep into the annals of Eldoria's history. Tales of his heroic feats were the bedtime stories every child grew up hearing, weaving his legacy into the very fabric of the kingdom. The hero of Eldoria, they called him, and his presence in the palace hall was nothing short of awe-inspiring.Standing at over seven feet in height, Atticus possessed an imposing aura that seemed to radiate with each step he took. It wasn't just his physical stature that left an impression; it was the intangible force of his presence that could send shivers down the spines of those who dared cross his path.But what made Atticus even more remarkable was the fact that despite his legendary status and accomplishments, one could easily mistake him for a seasoned elder, when in reality, he was in his early thirties. At the astonishingly young age of 25, he had ascended to become the youngest general in Eldoria's history. While he might not have been the most powerful cultivator in the kingdom, his combat prowess remained unquestioned. There was no one under a century years old who could dare challenge his might.Yet, beneath the armor and the warrior's exterior, Atticus was not just a soldier. He was a husband and a father, a man who had pledged his blood and sweat to the kingdom but also knew the importance of love within the walls of his home.As Atticus and his elite royal guard made their way through the palace, whispers of reverence followed them like a gentle breeze. They arrived at the grand throne room, where the Emperor, Ling Tian, awaited. Atticus, his steps echoing in the opulent chamber, approached the throne with a respectful bow."My king" Atticus spoke with a deep and commanding voice.Emperor Ling Tian looked at Atticus from his throne as several thoughts ran through his mind. "What are the reports?" He asked, referring to the territorial war Atticus and the soldiers had gone on."Successful my Lord with no casualties on our side"Atticus replied respectfully."You never cease to surprise me Atticus, good job""Just doing my duty my king"Emperor Ling Tian expression got more serious, "Well that's not the main reason I called you here, I have a mission for you" Ling Tian looked at the royal guards "leave us"Now alone with Atticus the king continued. "Information has reached my ears about Listrea mobilizing an army, we may have a peace treaty with them but we all know how fragile and useless this things can be "Atticus wondered a little on how he was unaware of such an important information, he was the general of the entire Eldorian army after all. "Do you have any specific order in mind my king." he inquired."Well, I sent a message to them already stating that you would be personally collecting their share of the tribute for this year's continental tournament but I also want you to use this chance and observe what you can" Ling Tian replied.Atticus nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I shall prepare for the journey immediately."Emperor Ling Tian gave a solemn nod in response. "Good. I trust your judgment, Atticus. Remember, diplomacy can be as potent as your sword, and sometimes even more so."With that, Atticus left the grand throne room and made his way through the magnificent palace, his heart heavy with the upcoming mission. However, before setting off, he had one more important stop to make – home.As he arrived at his residence, Atticus was greeted by the sweet aroma of his wife's cooking. A warm smile graced his face as he entered the kitchen to find her diligently preparing a meal.Xiao Mei was a stunning woman who could topple kingdoms with her beauty. Standing at an impressive 6 feet tall, she possessed regal grace, with long, flowing ebony hair, mesmerizing emerald-green eyes, and features that exuded elegance and strength. Her height, far from a drawback, added to her commanding presence.Atticus approached her, wrapped his arms around her waist, with one hand stroking her pregnant belly, and kissed her cheek. "My love, I've missed you."His wife, Mei, chuckled softly, leaning into his embrace. "Sure you did. How was your trip?""It was war, darling, and it was as expected, successful," Atticus replied with a laugh, knowing how his wife loved to water down serious situations with the most simple terms."Of course, genius, a trip to wage war is still a trip," Xiao Mei rolled her eyes as she countered."At least now that you're home, I would finally have you all to myself. The kingdom has had you for long enough." Mei leaned in more into Atticus's embraces as she placed a kiss on his neck."Really don't wanna ruin the mood, my love, but I have just one more mission, orders from the king." Atticus broke the news of his upcoming trip to her and twirled her around so she faced him. Mei at this point had a look of disappointment on her face."Why can't the king send someone
King Jiang Shao stood in the heart of his lush garden, bathed in the golden afternoon sunlight. The garden was a paradise of vibrant colors and scents, a testament to nature's artistry. Ornate statues and intricately designed pathways wound through an array of exotic flowers, their fragrance hanging in the air. A serene pond glistened with koi fish, and a small waterfall provided a soothing symphony of water. It was a place of tranquility in the midst of a kingdom filled with turmoil.As Atticus and his royal guards entered the garden, their arrival went unnoticed for a brief moment as King Jiang Shao was engrossed in the delicate process of gutting the antelope he had captured during his hunt. He was a king who loved to do things with his own hands, from ruling his kingdom to providing for his table.King Jiang Shao had always been a hands-on ruler. His rise to the throne of Listrea had not been a mere formality but a brutal struggle, a path paved with the blood of his own brothers. H
"Swords will!" Atticus shouted, and his entire being became a whirlwind of sword energy. In a blur of motion, he cut through the attacking soldiers like a tempest, his sword lights finding every weakness in their defenses. The battlefield was filled with the screams of soldiers as Atticus carved a path through their ranks.As Atticus's gaze turned back to King Jiang Shao, a renewed determination filled his eyes. "Boom!"He moved with blinding speed, creating a shockwave that sent the remaining soldiers flying like leaves in the wind. His target was the king, and his intention was clear – vengeance.Jiang Shao, however, was not defenseless. As Atticus closed in, his general drew his own sword, wreathed in flames, and met Atticus's strike with a fierce clash. The two warriors engaged in a high-speed battle, their swords clashing with thunderous roars. The Listrea's general fire elemental powers surged through his strikes, adding an explosive element to their combat.The garden became a
"Seeing you use a forbidden technique leaves a bad taste in my mouth, so much potential burnt in one go," Jiang Shao remarked with a dark smile. Atticus could feel the oppressive presence of Listrea's king closing in, and he knew that he had little time left. "But since you are at the point of death, I guess I can't really fault you."Atticus had long abandoned his sword, for it had proven useless against Jiang Shao's overwhelming power. Body cultivators like Jiang Shao were always a pain to fight, and the Listrea's king had proven to be at a level that was borderline devilish. Atticus assumed a fighting stance as he raised his hands, preparing for a fight he knew he couldn't win."You really think you have a chance now?" Jiang Shao taunted. "Sorry to burst your bubble, kiddo, but I would still end you even if you could enhance your cultivation from what it currently is."But Atticus had other plans. In the face of certain death, he unleashed a technique rarely used in his repertoire
As Atticus stormed through the palace hallways, his blood-soaked appearance drew horrified gasps from anyone who crossed his path. His crimson-stained sword, gleaming with a murderous aura, seemed poised for violence. His determination to confront Emperor Ling Tian knew no bounds.Moving with a murderous aura, his aim was the throne room, along the way he stumbled upon a palace maid, her trembling hands carrying a tray of silverware. "Clang!"The clattering sound of falling dishes echoed through the corridor as her wide eyes locked onto Atticus, frozen with shock and fear. The scene before her was a nightmare - a battle-worn warrior, soaked in blood, holding a menacing sword.Atticus, despite his inner turmoil and the bloodlust his sword emanated, couldn't bear to harm an innocent soul. With a stern but not unkind voice, he demanded, "Where's the king?"The maid's lips quivered, and she pointed a trembling hand down the hallway toward the throne room. Her relief was palpable as Attic
Streams of light flowed along a bright pool, which was ring-shaped, and in each millisecond, a light would divert to the middle of the pool ring. If one looked closely, it would be seen that each light was like an ember that lacked a definite form as they flowed along this cosmic stream. The stream was known as the pool of reincarnation, or by some, the circle of Samara.In the peaceful stream where life was constantly created and renewed, where the embers which represented souls went on their way to a new world with a clean slate and no past memories.A particular soul within the stream showed erratic movement as it seemed to be fighting the flow of the reincarnation stream and constantly colliding with other souls."Riiiip!!"A large smoky hand with claws ripped space and made a large tear. This hand dipped into the stream and grabbed this erratic soul, which turned out to be Atticus's.In a swift motion, the hand pulled out Atticus's soul into the crack, and the space tear mended.
"He's awake!""Atticus! Can you hear me?""Don't shake him around so much, you silly girl!"Atticus heard different feminine voices call out around him. Slowly, he opened his eyes and was met with three ladies standing over him, their deep blue eyes as clear as the ocean."Where in the heavens am I?" Atticus muttered under his breath as he tried to sit up on the bed."Ah~, I don't think you should move around too much!" Liu Meilin exclaimed as she held Atticus's arm in support."Argh! Why does everything hurt?" Atticus felt a sharp pain at his lower ribs. He looked around the room, which had a girlish aesthetic. The walls were painted in shades of lavender, and the bed he lay on bore intricate and pretty floral patterns that resembled the vases of flowers placed at the corners of the room. But amid all this beauty, the three ladies at his bedside stood out.Atticus glanced down at himself, wrapped in several layers of bandages still hinting at bloodstains. Wait! Wasn't he supposed to b
Stats"Name: Atticus BloodhoundBone age: 18 years oldCultivation level: Essence Gathering (8th level)Bloodline: Abyssal Inferno (locked) Unknown ??? Unknown ???Physique: Chaos Immortal (locked) Titan Inferno (locked)Legacy: Mark of Amsodeus Unknown ????Atticus scrutinized his status, which clearly displayed his attributes, but he couldn't help but wonder about the question marks. "Uhh, why are some of these things unknown?" Atticus inquired of the system.[Host doesn't have the proper clearance to view this information, as it might distract you from your path. The system also has limited capabilities to identify some attributes. The stronger you become, the clearer it will all become.]So, it essentially boiled down to becoming stronger, which was Atticus's primary goal anyway. "Do you have a name?" Atticus asked.[I am just known as the Reaper System.]"Well, from now on, I'll refer to you as Rhea, and you can call me Atticus. 'Host' feels a bit odd," Atticus suggested.[Not