Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The sunset gradually descends westward, illuminating the fiery clouds. The towering Great Temple is suffused with blood-red light, reflecting in the pale red Lake Texcoco, resembling the legendary and imposing Snake Mountain. The sacred sacrifice continues, the chant of the Priests echoing across the sky. The fervent cries of hundreds of thousands of people sound like the Thunderbolt in the hands of the Chief Divine. At this moment, the rolling thunder reverberates between the crimson sky, the dark red temple, and the blood-colored lake, as if the red Divine Kingdom has descended.

"Praise the Chief Divine! Praise the Divine King! Repay with devotion, repay with sacrifice and blood!"

This is the cry desiring war, representing the will of the Mexica people. This terrifying wave of shouts weighs heavily on the hearts of each foreign envoy, witnessed by the blood of the Tlaxcala Divine Descendants.

"The sun of the Mexica people, unlike the mountain forests of the South, is blood-colored indeed!"

Mistec envoy Yun Zhao bowed his head, cautiously treading on the blood-stained ground. Adorned with exquisite gold ornaments and wearing a shining silver crown, he donned a fine white robe with cloud patterns, and his legs bore turquoise-encrusted bands. His entire being radiated Treasure Light, moving gracefully, showcasing the reverence of his ancient lineage. In reality, among those in the South's clouds, bearing the surname 'Cloud' and the name 'Sun' signifies his noble status.

"To the mighty, valiant, and revered Mexica King, descendant of the great Tiger Claw King, honorable nobility of Mountain River City, Mistec envoy Yun Zhao pays his respects!"

Yun Zhao reached the top of the Great Temple, respectfully bowing from a dozen steps away to the Mexica King, the most powerful man on earth, seated on the Throne of the Gods. Then, he carefully extended his hand, retrieving a rather long silver box from his bosom, offering it to the King's guard.

"Honorable King Aweit, this is a tribute from Great Chief Yun Chen of Mountain River City. Inside is a bunch of Chager Bird feathers and a Golden Crown inlaid with turquoise, rare treasures of the world! May your majesty be as everlasting as turquoise, your brilliance as radiant as gold, and your divinity as soaring as feathers!"

Having spoken, Yun Zhao knelt, prostrating himself in a grand gesture of respect. The rich stench of blood immediately assailed his nostrils, causing him some discomfort.

Aweit received the silver box after the guard's inspection, glanced at it indifferently, and his expression suddenly turned cold. He held the silver box in his hand, gazing expressionlessly at the prostrate envoy Yun Zhao, remaining silent.

The King remained voiceless, and suddenly, the Great Temple fell into dead silence. Numerous Samurai gripped their Bronze Axes, eyeing the frail envoy like tigers and wolves. Only the sacrificial offerings by the Elder Priests continued steadily, filling the ears with sound.

"Descendants of the Jiao People, Mistec Divine Descendant, hereditary noble of Divine Stone City, warrior Yun Shan, journeying to the War God's realm! His spirit will battle for the Sun God in the sky for four years, then descend to the southern valley, transforming into a majestic dahlia!"

Hearing this familiar name, Mistec envoy Yun Zhao trembled inside. He turned his head and saw a blue corpse tumbling down from the high pyramid. Meanwhile, scorching green smoke rose from the adjacent blazing Sacred Fire.

"... Res... Respectable King..."

The Sacred Fire blazed fiercely, bringing with it an approaching heatwave and an unsettling smell. Beads of sweat began to form on envoy Yun Zhao's forehead. As he turned back, he saw Aweit's expression, a mix of amusement and disdain, along with the blood-stained Bronze Axe in his hand.

"You... what is this?..."

"I have heard that several months ago, Great Chief Yun Chen of Mountain River City, accompanied by tens of thousands of warriors, allied with Viko, the chief priest of Divine Stone City, and conducted the Rain Divine ceremony in the Cloud Temple, subduing the military leaders of Divine Stone City."

Aweit spoke with an enigmatic tone, recounting the upheavals occurring five or six hundred li away as if he had witnessed them firsthand.

"Now, Yun Chen claims to be the Guardian of the Cloud Temple and the leader of the Mistec Alliance. He commands the southern factions, intending to unify the Mistec tribes and oppose the Alliance?"

"... Ah! This, honorable King Aweit!... Leader Yun Chen is loyal and devoted, the clouds and sun in the sky can attest to this!... Divine Stone City dared to wage war against the Alliance. Leader Yun Chen's campaign was to uphold the Alliance's dignity, leading the factions of Teotihuacan in allegiance to the Alliance..."

Envoy Yun Zhao trembled as he hastily defended himself.

"Ha! Begone!"

Aweit's expression turned fierce as he threw! The heavy and precious silver box nearly knocked Yun Zhao to the ground as it struck him!

"A mere subordinate of the Alliance, a humble City-State leader, dare present me with a Golden Crown?!"

Aweit, filled with rage, pointed fiercely at the prostrate and trembling Mistec envoy with the Divine Staff of gemstones.

"Go back, tell Yun Chen! The eastern campaign of the Alliance must not be secretly obstructed by the Mistec tribes as vassals?! This is an offense to the Chief Divine's majesty, warranting severe punishment!"

"Tell him! Do not think that the blockage of mountains and forests will stop the Alliance's corps! The offending Tarasco Kingdom and Tlaxcala Alliance have been obliterated!... Lowland Mistec tribes must offer tribute four times this year, doubling the usual! Mountain River City must send ten Divine Descendants and five thousand people as a penalty for offending the Alliance!"

"Otherwise, in a moment, a hundred thousand warriors of the Alliance will head south, turning the Lowland Mistec tribes and Mountain River City five hundred li away to ashes!..."

Aweit's rebuke was relentless and unquestionable. The wrath of the emperor could lay corpses over a hundred miles and shed blood over a thousand li. In front of this sacrificial temple for Divine Descendants, such intimidation was particularly formidable.

However, the armies of the Alliance, having endured the harsh eastward campaign, had just disbanded and were recuperating. The northern forces had lost over fifty thousand, with fifteen thousand warriors wounded or dead. Additionally, with the passing of the Alliance's elder leader, instability crept into the northern and southern nations. Continuous wars and supply demands for the eastward campaign left insufficient grain reserves in the Lake Capital City... Therefore, realistically, it was impossible for the Alliance to launch another Divine War in the short term.

Southern Mistec tribes spanned a vast six hundred li of mountain forests. Their territories were extensive, City-States highly dispersed, and the terrain varied with hills and forests. It was not easy for the Alliance to completely conquer these Cloud tribes without being impeding geography and distance obstacles, potentially posing a significant challenge.

Nonetheless, if the intent were mere plunder, dispatching two or three Warrior Corps southward... to clear villages, burn down forts, raid nearby Mistec villages... capturing able-bodied men for labor, it would be feasible!

This was Yun Chen's concern, and also Aweit's goal. When the Alliance dispatches troops to a vassal, there needs to be a justifiable reason, so they do not provoke defiance against the Chief Divine's authority!

"South Mistec tribes have proclaimed their loyalty, Heaven and Earth can bear witness to this! We do not dare to offend the Chief Divine..."

Before Yun Zhao could finish, King Aweit gripped the Divine Staff with gemstones, striking it against the blue stone Divine Platform, interrupting the Mistec envoy's nonsense.

"Did you remember what I just said?"

"...Yes, of course..."

Aweit lifted the Feather Shield and waved it downward. Tricolored feathers fluttered amidst the blood-red light, resembling the Sun God Bird poised to devour.

"Remember, tell the noble chiefs of the Cloud tribes, tell the Mountain River City's elders! Submission or sacrifice, the choice is Yun Chen's!"

Aweit's lips curled in a meaningful parting remark, leaving behind a profound implication. Meanwhile, he signaled with the Divine Staff, and two Imperial Guards grasped Yun Zhao, taking him down the pyramid.

The king on the Throne of the Gods retained a serene expression, caressing the Divine Staff in his hand. Despite the eastern highland fortress not being fully subdued yet, he already had his eyes set on the South. The fate of the Mistec people was sealed at that very moment.

The Divine Bird, born of the blazing sun, soared high, its feathers dancing within the crimson light like a Sun God Bird ready to devour. Its power formed a mighty Force, ready to turn all that was old and resistant into ashes within the vast and overwhelming blood and fire!