War for the Sacred

Mo Fan's question was one the Empress knew the answer to. 

She replied with some pride, "The War for the Sacred. My father and brother died on the battlefield!" 

The War for the Sacred was a conflict between humans and demons. 

The Tianhan Continent was home not only to humans but also to demons. Besides the two great human empires, Tianhan and Blue Flame, the demons had established their own kingdom called the Demon Kingdom. 

The Demon Kingdom did not border Tianxuan, so most of the populace was unaware of its existence. 

However, it was the Blue Flame Empire that faced the Demon Kingdom directly. 

Throughout history, countless battles were fought between the two races for survival space and resources, leading to innumerable deaths. 

Ultimately, both sides suffered heavy losses. 

To prevent this, the powerful beings of both races agreed to hold the War for the Sacred every 500 years. From Martial Masters to Martial Emperors, seven levels would each have a battle. 

The outcome determined which race would get more resources and territory for the next 500 years. This decisive battle was thus called the War for the Sacred. 

In the last War for the Sacred, the former Emperor Han Ling of Tianxuan led the kingdom's strongest fighters, including Crown Prince Han Feng, to the Blue Flame Empire to participate. 

Although they won the war for the humans, they were severely injured and eventually died. The top fighters of Tianxuan were nearly wiped out, and the kingdom had not recovered its strength in the five centuries since. 

This marked the beginning of Tianxuan's decline. 

Mo Fan sneered, "Do you really believe your father and brother died on the battlefield of the War for the Sacred?" 

The Empress's icy eyes narrowed sharply. "What did you say?" 

"Your father, Emperor Han Ling, and your brother, Crown Prince Han Feng, did not die at the hands of demons. After the War for the Sacred, they were gravely injured and killed by a conspiracy from the Blue Flame Empire!" Mo Fan said calmly. 

"You..." The Empress was momentarily unable to accept this. 

She couldn't believe Mo Fan's words. Her father and brother hadn't died in battle but were instead murdered by their so-called allies, the Blue Flame Empire? 

Since the War for the Sacred was established, large-scale battles between the demons and humans had become rare, but small-scale skirmishes continued, with the Blue Flame Empire bearing the brunt. 

As a result, the Blue Flame Empire's overall strength surpassed Tianxuan's. 

Additionally, many Blue Flame citizens resented Tianxuan, calling it a parasite that enjoyed peace behind Blue Flame's protection. 

The Blue Flame Empire had always sought to annex Tianxuan, believing that unifying human power was necessary and often criticizing Tianxuan. 

Despite this, during every War for the Sacred, the strongest of both nations would cooperate wholeheartedly, fighting for humanity's future. 

How could the Empress believe Mo Fan's words? Yet, upon closer consideration, she began to waver. 

Before her father's death, Tianxuan was brimming with talent and powerful fighters. Emperor Han Ling was considered the greatest emperor in Tianxuan's history, bringing the kingdom's power close to that of the Blue Flame Empire. 

Her brother, Crown Prince Han Feng, was a prodigy, achieving Martial Emperor status before reaching a hundred years old, and was considered invincible among his peers. 

Ultimately, they died for humanity on the battlefield. 

When the Empress received the news, she felt some sadness, but mostly pride. 

However, after Emperor Han Ling's death, when she ascended the throne, the four major sects began to act against her. The Blue Flame Empire became increasingly aggressive, sending numerous spies and agents into Tianxuan. 

Worse still, according to Mo Qingkuang's deduction, even Tianxuan's prime minister was a spy for the Blue Flame Empire! 

Since her coronation, the Empress had been desperately cultivating, breaking through to Martial Emperor status amidst the chaos and keeping Tianxuan's reign intact for centuries. 

Otherwise, the Blue Flame Empire might have already conquered them. 

"How do you know this?" The Empress couldn't believe it but was desperate to verify the truth. 

"Sit down, let's talk. It's been hundreds of years; getting anxious now won't help," Mo Fan gestured for the Empress to sit. 

He was gradually taking control of the situation, using her need for answers to make her follow his instructions. 

Someone as powerful as the Empress, who had been in the supreme position for years, wouldn't easily submit. He had to break down her inner resolve by appealing to her desperate need for answers. 

Mo Fan wouldn't melt the ice with warmth but shatter it with force. 

Though naturally cold and indifferent, the Empress was not without emotions. Her father and brother had held significant places in her childhood. Her relentless cultivation and protection of Tianxuan were partly to safeguard her father and brother's legacy. 

She sat down, her icy eyes now tinged with a hint of nervousness, ready to listen to Mo Fan's answer. 

"I once accompanied your father on his expedition and was a close friend of your brother, Han Feng. When the Blue Flame Empire ambushed the former emperor and Han Feng, I was there." 

"Later, I returned home and died young due to the severe injuries I sustained in that battle." 

In truth, none of this had happened. The Blue Flame Empire had sealed off the real information, and the Empress had no way of verifying it. 

Whether the real War Emperor Mo Fan had participated in the war was unknown; there might not have even been a War Emperor named Mo Fan. His identity might be a fabrication arranged by the system when he crossed over. 

Therefore, there was no way to verify the authenticity of his words. Moreover, the War Emperor's early death was indeed unusual, making Mo Fan's story seem somewhat plausible. 

The Empress's eyes showed a spark of life as she prepared to listen attentively. "Please... please, senior, tell me the details." 

Mo Fan laughed self-deprecatingly; his acting skills were superb as he seemed to immerse himself in the tragic battle of that time. "Back then, Han Feng and I returned victorious, only to find the former emperor had already returned triumphantly but was gravely injured, recuperating in the Blue Flame palace." 

"Rumor had it that the former emperor fought two demon emperors during the War for the Sacred, killing one and wounding the other, but was severely injured in the process." 

"Han Feng asked the Blue Flame Empire for medicine to save the former emperor's life. The Blue Flame Empire, known for its expertise in alchemy, claimed they had no medicine to heal the former emperor." 

"With no choice, Han Feng sent people back to our kingdom to fetch medicine. He sent out hundreds of messengers, but after more than a month, not one returned!" 

"Later, we found out they had all been intercepted by the Blue Flame Empire." 

Hearing Mo Fan's words, the Empress clenched her jade-like hands tightly. Her eyes felt a bit sore, but no tears fell. 

She would not cry. 

Mo Fan sighed and continued, "Alas, Emperor Han Ling! A hero for a lifetime, giving everything to humanity, died not on the battlefield but on a sickbed. It's a pity, a tragedy, a joke."