Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Mad Dog II

The air in the secret chamber grew heavy with tension as the members of the Black Chains scattered, each assigned to prepare for the impending war. Their leader remained behind, staring intently at the map of the Immortal Realm spread out before him. His eyes locked on the red markers, each symbolizing a place Aiden had struck, each a painful reminder of their repeated failures to stop him.

“His reign of terror ends now,” he muttered, fists clenched.

Far from the hidden lair of the Black Chains, Aiden’s influence continued to grow. News of his victories spread like wildfire. As he dismantled the strongholds of slave traders and freed the captives, more people rallied to his cause. Some were seasoned warriors seeking justice, while others were survivors who saw Aiden as their savior.

Aiden stood on a high cliff, overlooking the valley where his ever-growing army was gathered. Hundreds of tents filled the landscape, with more arriving by the day. Warriors trained, shared techniques, and planned strategies. What had once been a ragtag group of rebels was now evolving into a formidable force.

Myne, one of Aiden’s closest allies, approached his side. She had been with him from the start, her keen mind instrumental in guiding many of their triumphs.

“They’re scared,” she said, her voice cutting through the wind. “The Black Chains. Their attacks are growing desperate, erratic.”

Aiden smirked, his gaze never wavering from the valley below. “They should be. They thought they could rule the Immortal Realm with fear and greed. But they never imagined someone would challenge them like this.”

Myne nodded, though concern flickered in her eyes. “I’ve heard whispers they’re preparing something big. Summoning their hidden elites—forces we haven’t faced yet. If they throw everything at us, you might be forced to reveal your full strength.”

Aiden had been holding back, only revealing a few of his laws. He knew if he unleashed more, it could turn the entire Immortal Realm against him. The greed for power would drive them.

He didn’t respond immediately, eyes fixed on the horizon as he considered the possibilities. He knew the battle wasn’t over, and the Black Chains would stop at nothing.

“Let them come,” he finally said, his voice calm but unyielding. “I’ve faced worse. They think sending their best will stop me? They have no idea what I’m capable of.”

Turning to face Myne, his eyes blazed with determination. “We’re not just ending the slave trade, Myne. We’re dismantling their entire system—the corrupt, the greedy, the ones who think they can control the lives of others. They’ll all fall.”

A moment of silence passed before he added, with a tinge of regret, “I still have nightmares about what Millie said to me… It’s one of my greatest regrets—that I couldn’t save her friends. They were long dead, eaten by that monster.”

Myne offered a faint smile, reassured by his resolve. “And if they send their elites?”

Aiden’s lips curled into a dangerous grin. “Then we’ll show them power beyond anything they’ve ever dreamed of.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden light over the valley, Aiden’s army continued to grow. Those once oppressed now stood tall, united under a common cause. They weren’t just following a leader anymore—they were part of a movement that was reshaping the Immortal Realm.

*******

In the shadowy recesses of the Immortal Realm, the Black Chains were making their move. Hidden elites—beings of extraordinary power—were summoned from their long-held seclusion, their existence kept secret for centuries. These were not ordinary warriors, but Saint King cultivators who had transcended even the highest ranks of Saints and are juts cultivating in seclusion for their breakthrough in Divine Realm. The Black Chains had reserved them as their ultimate weapons, and now, they were being unleashed.

The leader of the Black Chains stood before an imposing assembly of figures cloaked in darkness. Each one exuded an overwhelming aura, their power so immense that it seemed to distort the very air around them. These were no mere cultivators—they had mastered laws and techniques that defied logic and understanding.

“Your mission is clear,” the leader’s voice cut through the tension, cold and commanding. “Aiden must die. His army must be annihilated. And whatever secrets he possesses that allow him to fuse laws—we must claim them.”

One of the shadowed figures, his eyes glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light, stepped forward. “You call us to kill a single man? Can he truly be so dangerous?”

The leader’s expression grew steely. “Do not underestimate him. He is far from ordinary. Several Saint Kings have already fallen by his hand. His mastery over multiple laws makes him a threat unlike any we’ve encountered. You will not be facing a simple opponent.”

The figure smirked but said no more. The elites were well aware of their task, and they were ready. They would descend upon Aiden and his forces like an unstoppable storm, leaving nothing but ruin in their wake.

Yet, as the leader of the Black Chains observed his most powerful warriors prepare for the assault, a creeping sense of unease took hold. Aiden had defied every expectation thus far. But this time, there would be no escape. No matter how powerful he was, he could not possibly withstand the full might of the Black Chains’ hidden elites.

At least, that’s what the leader fervently hoped.

*****

Back at Aiden’s camp, the tension was almost suffocating. News had spread that the Black Chains were mobilizing their most powerful elites, and everyone was on high alert, scrambling to prepare for the looming confrontation. The once-bustling camp was now a hive of activity, with warriors sharpening their weapons, reinforcing defenses, and strategizing for the inevitable clash.

At the center of it all stood Aiden, silent but deep in thought. He could feel the weight of the impending storm pressing down on him. This was the moment it had all been leading to—the Black Chains were making their move, and this battle would determine everything.

“I still don’t understand why I’m leading them,” Aiden muttered under his breath. “I could kill them all myself.”

[And what then, genius?] Nexus’s voice chimed in, laced with sarcasm. [The moment you ascend, those cowards hiding in the shadows will crawl out and start their slave trade all over again. You need to leave a mark. With the help of others, you’ll build something strong enough to endure—even when you’re gone. A lasting rule to crush the slave trade for good.]

Aiden nodded, understanding the truth in Nexus’s words. He glanced around the camp, his eyes scanning over the gathering of his warriors. Among them were numerous Saint Kings—powerful allies that the Black Chains had no knowledge of. It had been effortless for him to elevate many of his followers to this level of power.

Aiden had a unique advantage—he could take the comprehension of laws from others and bestow it upon his most loyal followers. He had done this generously, empowering those who were fiercely devoted to him. Among his forces, four Saint Kings stood out, each one wielding fused laws. In the Immortal Realm, they were considered near-invincible, beings of absolute power. The only threats to such individuals were the rare Champion Spirit wielders—cultivators of almost mythic strength. Fortunately for Aiden, none of those wielders were aligned with the Black Chains.

His forces were far from the ragtag group they had once been. Now, they were an army, each soldier a testament to Aiden’s leadership. The Black Chains had no idea what they were walking into.

As his followers gathered around, Aiden raised his hand, silencing the crowd. “They’re coming,” he announced, his voice steady and commanding. “The Black Chains are sending their strongest. They believe they can crush us, that they can put an end to what we’ve started.”

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the camp.

“But they’re wrong. We’re not just fighting for ourselves. We fight for everyone who’s ever been oppressed, for everyone who’s been treated as less than human. We fight for a future where no one will be bound by fear or greed.”

The crowd roared in response, their morale surging with his speech.

“We may be outnumbered, and we may face forces more powerful than we’ve ever known. But we have something they don’t—each other. We have a cause worth fighting for. And that makes us unstoppable.”

As the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, the camp buzzed with renewed energy, warriors ready to fight for their freedom. The final battle was looming, and Aiden, standing resolute at the forefront, was prepared for whatever would come.

In the distance, the storm approached.

The Black Chains were amassing their army of cultivators, preparing to annihilate Aiden and his followers. At the same time, Aiden’s forces were also gearing up for the final confrontation.

The entire realm watched with bated breath, eager to see who would emerge victorious and claim ultimate dominance. Everyone wanted to know who would have the last laugh and whose reign would prevail. The world was anxiously awaiting the outcome of this decisive battle.