Runeterra: I actually know a little bit about everything

"This"

Although Kai'Sa's power isn't particularly strong, most of her characteristics are related to the Void, so Zuo Chi has always had high expectations for the next four options.

But now, looking at the four options in front of him, Zuo Chi was really having a headache.

Zuo Chi speculates that Kai'Sa and Kassadin's wishes overlapped, which is why Kassadin's abilities and traits appeared in the options.

At first glance, none of these four options seem to have any effect, but upon closer examination, they appear to have some merit.

They're all really useless!

Especially the second one, Zuo Chi was really puzzled, how could there be a trial card as a reward!?

If it really were the Blade of the Underworld, Zuo Chi would definitely choose it without hesitation, after all, it was a half-step mythical weapon that once ended the Void War.

However, if it's replaced with a trial card, it doesn't seem to be as effective. After all, the real Blade of the Underworld is in Kassadin's hands. If he really wants to use it, he can just go to him directly.

As for the other three

After a long silence, Zuo Chi finally pointed his finger at the light screen in front of him.

The light screen gradually disappeared, and a purple teleportation array appeared in Zuo Chi's mind.

A teleportation array over a sea of ​​pale purple!

On the other side, in the southwest of the Shurima continent.

Compared to the capital city during the ancient Shurima Empire, the current capital city is as dilapidated as Zaun appears to the Demacian capital.

Once upon a time, the capital city of Shurima covered a vast area, and its buildings were incredibly luxurious. People from all over Runeterra practically wore down the city gates.

Now, despite the Shurima Empire being rebuilt once again, the new capital city appears quite shabby, with many buildings still being low-rise mud-brick houses.

The streets, covered by a layer of yellow sand, were deserted despite the presence of many vendors hawking their wares.

The liveliness here cannot even compare to that of Belgüen, which is occupied by Noxus on the border of Shurima.

A pale golden sun disc slowly rotated in the sky, while clear water flowed down, passing through the capital of Shurima below and flowing east and west across the Shurima Empire, bringing a touch of life to this land covered in yellow sand.

Below the Sun Disc lies the Sun Order of the Shurima Empire, one of the two most sacred places in Shurima, once on par with the Celestial Assembly where the Celestial Warriors resided.

Not far from the Order of the Sun is the Shurima Palace, the residence of the Shurima royal family.

At this moment, the gates of Shurima Palace were wide open, and apart from the occasional patrolling guard, there was no other sound in the palace.

In the not-so-grand palace hall, a tall figure clad in golden eagle armor sat on the throne, with the commander's scepter beside him reflecting a dazzling golden light.

The aura emanating from his body was extremely powerful, comparable to that of Nasus and Renekton.

Azir, the last emperor of the Shurima Empire!

Not long ago, Azir's only descendant used his blood and Caroline's to open the Imperial Tomb, releasing Xerath and Renekton who were sealed inside. At the same time, Sivir's blood also awakened Azir's broken body.

With Azir's resurrection, the ascension power that was three thousand years overdue finally descended upon him.

Perhaps because he had endured too many hardships, or perhaps because he was the only Shurima emperor after Queen Setaka to choose ascension, Azir obtained the most perfect ascension power, making him the most perfect Ascended being in the present day.

The golden eagle armor enveloped his body, granting him not only endless lifespan and immense strength, but also the special ability to manipulate the yellow sand!

In the land of Shurima, where the sands are thick, the power of this ability is almost beyond description.

However, despite successfully gaining the long-awaited power of ascension and the ability to control the yellow sand, there was not a trace of joy in Azir's sharp eagle eyes.

Because Azir faces far too many problems.

"Tap tap tap~~!"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall. Azir, on the throne, snapped back to reality, a look of anticipation appearing in his eyes.

A moment later, Nasus, a dog-headed man with a battlefield scepter in hand, appeared at the entrance of the hall.

“Your Majesty,” Nasus bowed to Azir.

Facing this ascended god, the only one still willing to assist him after his resurrection, Azir's tone was very humble. He quickly waved to Nasus:

"Grand Scholar, please come in quickly."

Upon approaching, before Nasus could even speak, Azir quickly asked, "Any news?"

Faced with Azir's hopeful gaze, Nasus couldn't bear to discourage him, but as his subject, he could only tell Azir the truth:

"Your Majesty, besides you, me, and Renekton, there are no other Ascended beings left on the continent of Shurima. During this time, I have gathered many survivors, and many more are heading towards the capital. However…"

"Just what?" Azir asked, somewhat dejectedly.

Nasus sighed softly and continued, "However, apart from me and Renekton, we have no high-end combat power available, and we don't even have any strategists or generals to appoint."

"Your Majesty, just recently, Xerath declared himself Emperor in Narimar."

Azir didn't speak again, but his originally upright posture slumped slightly, and even his eyes showed a hint of confusion.

After a long silence, Azir asked softly:

"Grand Scholar, what can I do to restore the glory of the Shurima Empire?"

Nasus fell silent upon hearing Azir's words.

He knew that these long-standing blows had gradually cooled the once ambitious emperor down.

Azir returns with great ambition, awakening the Shurima Empire, which had been dormant for thousands of years, once again beneath the yellow sands. He believed he could gather his former followers, kill Xerath, and restore the Shurima Empire to its former glory.

However, while ideas are always beautiful, when reality actually confronted Azir, he found that every step he took was like walking on thin ice.

All of Xerath's former subordinates, except for Nasus, are gone. During his years in the Imperial Tomb, Xerath's power has increased daily, and he is now incredibly strong.

Immediately after leaving the Imperial Tomb, Xerath declared the establishment of a new regime in Narimar, and, leveraging his former status as a "slave," gathered a large number of refugees.

As a former slave-owning empire, the Shurima Empire, without the support of numerous celestial warriors, had very few commoners willing to come and seek refuge there.

After all, what ordinary person would want to return to a slave-owning empire that is in ruins and needs rebuilding?

Although Azir has ordered the abolition of slavery, what good has it done? The reputation of the Shurima slave empire has been known for thousands of years!

All of this combined has resulted in the Shurima Empire now having neither people nor an army, with only Azir and the two brothers Nasus and Renekton struggling to keep it afloat.

This is why Nasus always goes to great lengths to recruit Zuo Chi into the Shurima camp.

Inside the hall, Nasus looked up and gazed out at the sky where the sun's disc was reflecting golden sunlight.

"Your Majesty, you must always remember what the foundation of Shurima is."

Nasus's voice was very serious. He had protected the Shurima royal family for thousands of years and was hundreds of years older than Azir. At this turbulent time, he had to keep Azir constantly vigilant.

"The foundation of Shurima has never been slaves or refugees, but the Sun Disc and the warriors of the gods! As long as the Sun Disc exists, Shurima will always have hope of rising again!"

"How could I not understand this?"

Azir's tone was full of helplessness and regret: "However, without the Sun Emblem and only Charikar, the Ascension Ceremony cannot be performed. We can't even find a warrior who can pass the Ascension Ceremony."

The Sun Emblem, a sacred relic that once existed only within the Sun Order, is a key item that qualifies a person to undergo an ascension ceremony.

Previously, the Sun Emblem was always kept in the Order of the Sun, but after the fall of the Shurima Empire, it was completely lost. Nasus tried to find it, but to no avail.

However, not long ago, Nasus and Azir received news that the Sun Emblem had appeared in Narimar!

"Now that the princess has returned, Charikal is in our hands. As for the Sun Emblem..."

Nasus tightened his grip on the war scepter, a resolute glint in his eyes:

“Your Majesty, Renekton and I will travel to Narimarjana to reclaim the Sun Emblem from Xerath! As long as the Sun Disc can regain its ability to create Ascended Gods, it will all be worth it, even if we perish in battle.”

Hearing Nasus's words, Azir shook his head:

"Grand Scribe, Shurima can no longer afford to lose you and General Renekton."

"Your Majesty, there can be no new beginnings without destruction."

Nasus said softly, "We have no other choice now. Xerath is growing stronger every day, while we can only sit and wait to die. This is no different from a slow death. Rather than waiting to die, we might as well take a gamble."

"After obtaining the Sun Emblem, we still need to select warriors who can pass the ascension ceremony. We have very little time left."

“My brother and I are the sinners of the empire’s downfall. Now, the opportunity for redemption is before us, and we should defend the glory of the Shurima Empire with our lives.”

Nasus's expression was incredibly resolute. He was not afraid of death; he was only afraid that even if he died in battle, he would not be able to do anything for the empire.

He and Renekton dedicated their lives to protecting the Shurima Empire, and even now, though their former comrades have gone their separate ways, their hearts have never wavered.

Hearing Nasus's words, Azir let out a long sigh.

He understood everything Nasus said, but if Nasus and Renekton were sent to Narimani to steal the Sun Emblem from Xerath, success would be fine, but failure would be...

Azir couldn't imagine the consequences; he would probably be all alone then.

"Grand Scholar, continue your search for warriors willing to return to the Empire," Azir said softly after a long silence.

But clearly, his tone had softened, and he also knew that what Nasus had just said was indeed the only way to break the deadlock.

Nasus nodded, bid farewell to Azir, and walked out of the hall.

However, just as Nasus was about to step out of the hall, his body suddenly jolted, and he quickly looked up ahead.

On the other side, two figures walking side by side appeared on the streets of Shurima's capital.

Both Zuo Chi and Kasha frowned as they surveyed their surroundings.

Kai'Sa looked at Zuo Chi: "Zuo Chi, is this what the capital of Shurima is like? It's rather...simple."

Zuo Chi was about to say something when he suddenly looked up and saw the direction where the Shurima Palace was located.