Chronicles of the Nobles

The sun gradually set in the west, the evening wind grew hazy, and half the sky was tinged with blood-red clouds layered like fish scales, casting an unspeakable gloom.

A mountain path, winding like a serpent, twisted its way upward among the encircling peaks. At the end of this thousand-step path stood a massive mountain, towering proudly, piercing the clouds. Midway up the mountain, on a relatively flat outcrop, rested a solemn palace.

The palace gates were seamlessly joined to the final, thousandth step.

This peak was called the Sacred Mountain.

The palace was named the Sacred Palace, the hallowed ground of martial artists. All the sects, schools, clans, societies, and associations under heaven—be they masters, disciples, or even those of ill repute, righteous or wicked—held this place in reverence.

Through the generations, the Sacred Palace had always been graced by a single Sacred Maiden. Her status was of the utmost dignity, representing the honor of the Sacred Palace, and serving as the spiritual pillar of all martial artists. Wherever she walked, all bowed in submission; her words carried the weight of law. Her sanctity was inviolable. Should any scoundrel dare defile her, the entire martial world would unite to destroy him. In such a vast world, there would be nowhere to hide, and death would be too lenient a fate.

Ordinarily, during the Sacred Maiden's cultivation, none would trespass within a hundred miles of the Sacred Mountain, ensuring peace and quiet. But now, the peaks flanking the thousand steps teemed with peopl