《The Crest of the Emperor》


 Prologue 1

    A man stood elegantly, his black hair lightly fluttering in the wind, he was staring at the distant horizon. He had two swords in each of his hands, one was reflecting the moonlight while the other blended into the night¡¯s darkness.


    He was deep in thought, a few years back he was nothing more than an average cultivator of earth realm but, now he stood at the top of the cultivation experts, he was only one step from the heaven realm.


    As he sighed he looked around him, he was surrounded by thousand number of corpses. There was some middle aged, old as well as young people among them. They were all geniuses of either sky or king realms.


    He expanded his senses and felt there were eight high level experts approaching him from all the direction. The mountain peak he stood was now already surrounded by another ten thousand experts, he was cornered to the point where fleeing was never an option.


    He sighed again as the eight high level experts approached him. He previously fought for seven days and seven nights without any break, but there was neither fatigue or tiredness left in his body. He looked cool and aloof like a celestial being came for stroll in beautiful moonlit sky.


    The high level experts all came to a halt not more than five hundred meters distant from him, uneasiness, fear and malice could be felt from their eyes. A young youth not more than thirty years old came forward and cupped his hand before him and spoke.


    ¡°Heavenly elder it would be good if you surrendered, there is no way you can fight all of us to the ground and es- escape.¡± his voice cracked.


    It was very difficult to even speak before the man¡¯s heavy presence. He could only sweat and shiver before someone who was realms apart.


    The man before him was an imposing middle aged man, had aloof look and his face shrouded in mystery.


    He stared at them, slightly lifting his left hand which held the of sword eternal destruction <<the moonlight divider>>, there was no trace of anger, malice or even fighting spirit in his eyes which brought shiver down their spine. It felt like he was looking at their heart and mind laid bare before him.


    Legends speaks that the <<moonlight divider>> can split up the sky and cut through the heavens. It was a sword every warrior dreams to possess but unfortunately the weapon itself chose its master it desires to serve. It¡¯s said that the weapon chose its master through a series of tests which was similar to calling hell itself down to earth.


    The eight high level experts gulped as they saw the radiance and heavy pressure the sword emitted. They had come here upon the orders of the three empires summon, they were the best among the best experts and warriors but realms apart from the man before them.


    The difference between them was like heaven and earth but even so they were forced to subdue the man before them. The man looked indifferently at them. He sighed and spoke in a cold voice.


    ¡°Haa ¡­.. it seems I have lived enough and already fulfilled my duties, but as a warrior I can neither surrender nor submit, but in accordance I shall seal my strength in the star realm to that of ancestor so that the fight would be fair, you can use any skill against me, but be sure to kill or else¡­¡­!¡±.


    He looked at one of the young girl among the experts, her face was anxious and her body trembled time to time. She was beautiful girl and any man would desire to have her by side. He sadly looked at her, if his daughter was still alive she would be around her age and a beauty beyond the girl before him.


    He acquired strength and power to take revenge and kill the people responsible for his wife¡¯s death, but at some point of time he even forgot to protect his only daughter, his wife left behind. His eyes were shrouded in dark for revenge and lost the important people whom he should have held close to him. He lost last part of his humanity when he saw his fourteen-year-old daughter¡¯s body hanged on the city walls.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    He insanely burned the city to the grounds, destroyed countless towns and countries. He wiped the entire bloodline of the people who plotted against him. Before he himself knew, his cultivation had climbed to star realm and attained innumerable skills which could shake the heavens.


    He was also possessor of the divine sword <<moonlight divider>> and the demon sword <<silent dark heart>>. When he had regained his sanity back and the thirst for blood quilled, he was already a living disaster. The three empire decided him as threat and send the allied forces of great experts from the nine clans. But none of them could face his strength and faced annihilation.


    Before he knew he was now facing eight high level experts. He had neither regrets nor worries that anchored him to this world, he desired death but none was able to provide him a warrior¡¯s death. But now for some reason he couldn¡¯t kill the people before him, he thought he was either mentally tired or simply longed to reunite with his family on the other side.


    The eight high level experts were startled by the replay. There was no way from the start to avoid the fight, but they feared the man¡¯s power, no matter what they did, his power was simply unstoppable. The great elders who fought before them in the first wave lost their lives before they could even display their skills honed for hundreds of years.


    But for some reason, now the man before them gave a ray of hope to seal him rather than kill him. There were three ancestor realm and five emperor realm experts after all.


    There were three spiritual emperor realm experts who were very capable in sealing spells. They calculated that they could have slight chance if they worked together.


    They all moved together without any warning strengthening their body and mind.


    The spiritual experts sealed the movements of the man binding him while the other three rushed forward brandishing their weapons and skills <


    ><<frozen leviathan>><<dragon palm>>


    He looked at them solemnly and, a slight wave of his hand dispersed the energy connected to their cultivation. The skills used even didn¡¯t scratch a hair on his body.


    He bound his sword spirits to his hands as they were not at all necessary and activated <<divine ghost steps>> and appeared right before the three as shadow clones, breaking spirit binding like tearing a piece of paper.


    He lightly flicked his fingers tearing forth wind and smashing right on their face, condensed his qi into blade and approached swiftly to spiritualists.


    When he was about to cut through them, the entire atmosphere changed, a pressure never felt like before slammed him and brought him to his knees. The sky cracked, roaring thunder and lightning illuminated the sky.


    He knew something was about to happen but no longer knew what the situation he was in, before his mind got to work, a beam of light poured down, splitting the sky from the heavens.


    ¡°Flames from the heaven, was he judged for his sins for going against the gods? Will he finally be able to die.¡± So many questions clustered his mind.


    But then¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..

 Prologue 2

    A beast awoke from its deep slumber; it has been sleeping about a thousand years. With slight irritation from disturbed sleep from an otherworldly presence. Out of curiosity, it expanded its senses and sought for the cause of the disturbance.


    His eyes opened wide in surprise, extremely excited, it jumped out and flew to the location which was thousands of miles away. He was renowned for his strength and endless thirst for knowledge. He was extremely curious to explore the unknown and held back nothing to satisfy his curiosity.


    <hr />


    The eight high level experts had retreated far from the mountain, as they felt the sudden change in atmosphere. They thought the heavenly elder has used a skill to annihilate the allied forces all together.


    But before they could conclude, the flame had poured down to their very right enemy they had come to seal. Even if after fleeing a hundred miles couldn¡¯t withstand them from the pressure, they were trying their best not to be killed losing their consciousness during this catastrophe.


    Then they saw a crimson fire approaching rapidly from the horizon. It was aiming at the pillar of fire from the sky.


    The crimson fire came to stop, a mile away from the white pillar of flames. There stood a divine ancient dragon. It had a fierce look covered by crimson scales enveloped in flames.


    Their heart jumped out of their chest. The might and presence it possessed was godly and it could wipe out an entire continent at its whim.


    As the dragon released its aura they suddenly lost consciousness, but the last scene they saw was the dragon diving itself to the flames from the heaven.


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    When he approached the place, he saw a man kneeling, bathed in white flames from the sky. He was startled by the huge pressure the flames emitted.


    He released his aura, suppressing the heaven and found it useless against the white flames. But for an instance he saw the rift in time and space when his power collided the flames.


    As a being lived for thousands of years, it understood it was a portal to another dimension forcefully calling out for something.


    Exploring the unknown was his greatest passion, which he took risks of great strides to obtain new knowledge. He wasted no more time and dived himself to the flames.


    The pressure of the flames was a force to abandon resistance and submit to ¡°its¡± will, but enduring it, he bound his life-force and divine spirit to the man¡¯s soul kneeling below the ground.


    He embedded his consciousness into the man¡¯s mind and soul, sealing his spirit inside his heart.


    <hr />


    In middle of the flames, he tried his best to hold his body and mind together. Even though he felt dying, he did not wish to die without a fight.


    But then he felt a heavy blow to his mind, something was binding his soul, warm but powerful, kind but aggressive, before he could feel anyyhing anymore he lost grip of his mind felled unconscious.


    After a few more minutes, the flames stopped and sky returned to its state of calmness. The light of dawn broke in the distant horizon. Neither the man¡¯s or dragon¡¯s presence remained in the world, leaving nothing left for the proof of their existence ¡­¡­¡­¡­

 Chapter 1: New Beginning

    The ground was cold; the smell of fresh wet soil disturbed him. It has been years since he had slept good. There was no burden, frustration or hazy thoughts, his mind was clear and calm. It was as if returned to his old days as average cultivator.


    The cold drops falling from sky woke him up. He tried to raise his body, but was greeted with an acute pain from his chest and calf bones. It seems they have fractured from some heavy blow.


    He tried to circulate his qi but found his meridians to be blocked. He was confused of what had happened. The last memory he had was the flames from heavens pressuring him to the ground and some strong force binding his soul.


    As he was recollecting his current situation, a surge of memories started to fill his mind. It was like a third-person watching a young boy¡¯s life.


    <hr />


    <hr />


    The young boy¡¯s name was Min Sheng. He was adopted to the Min Clan by the Clan Patriarch when he was five. He had a step-sister named Min Rong.


    Min Rong was beautiful and kind girl. She had a beautiful and lovely face, cheerful and active most of the times. Her body was slender and curved at places where needed to be and was one among the two beauties in Jade City. She was only angered, when her brother Min Sheng was mistreated.


    Min Sheng had a crippled meridian. His meridians were blocked due to some unknown reasons. No doctor of his clan or Jade City where they lived was unable to treat his disease. Among cultivators, he was rather normal and weakest in clan.


    Other than his step-father and his step-sister, others either ignored him or mistreated him.


    He was engaged to Xiao Hui, daughter of Xiao Clan Patriarch. She was a gorgeous girl with cold and proud demeanour. Her beauty was that would make any man lose calm and countries wage war for. But her cold attitude made her an untouchable flower, also the other reason was that she being already engaged. She was the other of the two beauties in Jade City.


    The main reason he was tormented, insulted and treated cruelly was due to being the fact that he was acquainted with two beauties in Jade City, which others could only enviously look up to. One was his step-sister while the other was his fianc¨¦. No one really wanted to accept the fact that a crippled trash like him to be by the girls¡¯ side.


    His step-sister always protected him from harm, loved him and cared for him. Also she was a cultivator of fifth level Origin Profound Realm and had a sword spirit which made her seed of the clan. There were only a few individuals who could rival her in the same generation in clan. The elders and other respected her talent and potential.


    His fianc¨¦ Xiao Hui, was at first level of spirit profound realm and had a phoenix fire spirit, which made her a rare talent and genius born in a decade. Also, she was a disciple of [Raging Fire] Sect, which was ranked fourth in the continent of Crimson Sky Empire. This made her one among the chosen ones in the Crimson Sky Empire and future elite of the Imperial Army. Her talent and potential was very high that others envied to be in her boots.


    His step father left Jade City for some urgent matters. A year after his departure, others around him started to bully him. They bullied him at every chance they got, but avoided him when he was with Min Rong. They were scared of making her angry and knew how she dealt with matters related to Min Sheng. The elders in the clan either ignored him or avoided him when they saw him get mistreated, making others to act without fear against him.


    But Min Sheng was kind and tolerable kid. He didn¡¯t complain or cause problem when he was mistreated and bullied. Even after his clan elders ignored him, he never complained and didn¡¯t want to cause trouble for his sister. He kept silent. His step father has always told him when he felt down at his own incompleteness.


    ¡°When you gain power, others will revere you but until then, you should endure. Be kind and be humble then the heaven shall amend your wishes, until then sorry my chid you should persist. You are never weak, but the world is not ready to receive your power. Before your might even the heaven shall tremble, but its only when you can judge between true reason and consequence, so  my child your power should remain sealed, so forgive this father for being so helpless. You may hate me, but never the world because all this trouble you face is because of me, so forgive them because they are ignorant of your strength. Even the whole world mistreat you because of their ignorance, forgive them, me and my daughter shall always be by your side for whatever step you shall take when the time comes. So persist and endure until the moment the heaven decides to undo your seal¡­¡­.¡±


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    He never understood what his step-father meant by his words but there was extreme sorrow and helplessness in his eyes. So his word was what gave him strength, there was at least someone who believed and respected him, there was at least someone who had hope for him. So he endured everything and left the flow of time decide his future for him.


    Until one day, in name of hunting, he was taken by young members of clan. He was glad, that the first time someone had taken him outside the city walls also it was first time he was invited by others.


    He was either ignored or bullied, but now they called him cheerfully. He always longed for friends like his sister. So he accepted the offer and left without a word for his sister.


    But when they reached at the dense part of the Black Wind Mountain range, which was vicious for cruel and high level beasts. It was an area forbidden for the cultivators, because of uniqueness of beasts and mysteries behind the strange mountains in the range.


    They beat him up to the point he was half dead. Then they threw his body down the cliff, where they heard the dangerous beast of earth realm lurked.


    When his body flew down he could feel his on death, but refused to give up. He looked up to the sky.


    ¡°You were wrong father. I endured to my best. I forgave them to my best. But in the end look at what had happened, they trampled on me and left me to die.¡±


    He had tear running at blaming at his lack of strength, he knew his approching death and shouted to the heavens with all his might.


    ¡°HEAR ME HEAVENS IF ITS TRUE THAT YOU EXISTS, AVENGE ME OR I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE FOR WHAT YOU KEPT FROM ME, I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE THE WORLD THAT CLOSED DOOR FOR ME¡­¡­IF NOT I SHALL HAVE MY REVENGE UPON YOU IN THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT.¡±


    ROARR............................................................


    The heaven trembled, the sky darkened and shook the earth below with thunder and lightning, as if mourning the air screamed, a sudden storm stroked the Black Wind Mountains, the flames from heaven strode to him as if to catch him. But the light in his eyes had already faded and was only just staring at the skies. His face revealed a kind smile as if he had his last wish fulfilled.


    <hr />


    <hr />


    As the new-found memories jerked his mind and cleared. His face was cold and calm. The cheerful youth¡¯s face was replaced by cold aloof look. His eyes were dark. His look from afar gave anyone the impression that he had lived through many battle fields and no longer feared death. He gently closed his eyes and muttered without a care for the world.


    ¡°Heavens¡­¡­. you drag me from another world to this to avenge your child, you are really being unpredictable and unreasonable. Even if your realm is almighty and still can¡¯t directly interfere the mortal world ¡­¡­¡­ but I get your feeling, you have helped me before, so I shall pay you back.¡±


    He took a long breath and sighned.His eyes turned cold, the air rippled and shook around him and an aura of death surrounded him, as if death himself has manifested on to this world.


    ¡° ¡­¡­¡­SHOULD I BURY THIS CONTINENT WITH DEATH AND DESPAIR¡­¡­¡­¡­.¡± . His eyes reflected the abyss of darkness.


    ¡°HOW INTERESTING¡± he spoke in a cold tone.

 Basics of the story

    The Realms are divided into


    Elemental < Origin < Spirit < Master < Grand Master < Earth < Sky < King < Emperor < Sovereign < Ancestor < Star < Heaven < God


    Cities


    1.        Jade City


    2.       Vermilion City


    3.       Drake City


    4.       Imperial capital


    Three empires


    1.       Crimson Sky Empire


    2.       Phoenix Empire


    3.       Holy Sky Empire


    Three Continents


    1.       Southern Continent


    2.       The Blue isles


    3.       Northern Lands


    Crimson Sky Empire prominent clans and sects (according to ranking)


    1.       Hidden Valley Sect


    2.      Imperial Clan


    3.      Frozen Ground Sect


    4.      Raging Fire Sect


    5.       Divine Sword Sect


    6.       Sealed Door Sect


    7.       Blue Wind Sect


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.8.       Void Clan


    Spirits:


    They are spiritual essence of beasts or tools bound to soul when a child is born. As of now there are


    1.       Dragon Spirit


    2.       Phoenix Spirit


    3.       Sword Spirit


    4.       Attribute spirits (like wind, water, fire, lightning, thunder etc)


    5.       Plant Spirits (Blue Lotus, Silver Rose etc.) extremely rare type


    6.       Attribute + Beast Spirit (Ice phoenix, fire phoenix, lightning or fire dragon) very rare type


    7.       Tool Spirits (Spear, Axe, Blade, Bow etc )


    8.       Tool + Attribute spirit (Ice spear, fire blade etc) rare type


    Some divine beast spirits like phoenix and dragon take potential and rare talents as their successor to show the might once they possessed.


    To put it simply, the spirits after ascension to godhood or after death wants show off what they were capable of once, giving a part of their essence to their successors.


    Attribute spirits attach themselves when the child shows particular affinity to nature.


    Tools spirit are passed through generation. They are passed on to inherit the will of their ancestors.


    Further things regarding this will be explained as the story progresses.


    I shall update the information as story goes on. These are the basic parts to understand for a couple of chapters..............

 Chapter 2: Awakening

    He sat up on the ground crossing his legs and started to meditate. After a day, he slowly opened his eyes and held up his hand in the air. He gathered his spiritual power emitting from his soul core to his hand forming a Blue Lotus in his hand. It had wild glow and radiated enormous spiritual power. It started to slowly gather the qi in the atmosphere linked to the heaven and earth.


    Blue Lotus Spirit was his spirit in previous world. It had the property to purify, cure and concoct medicinal pills that was equivalent to his spiritual force. As his soul and spiritual force had already one step away from the heaven realm. The qi emitted by blue lotus was already at that of heaven realm.


    During his meditation he had found that he was not born with crippled meridian. But rather someone of high realm had forcefully sealed his meridian blocking his qi circulation at a very young age. So without serious knowledge in anatomy, it was impossible to find its cure or even detect it.


    Curing this was easy using his blue lotus spirit. He directed the qi radiated from the Blue Lotus spirit which was powered by his spiritual force directly into his veins. The surge of pure qi opened his clogged meridians passing through fifty-two points clearing and purifying the path along the way. A surge of heavy pain hit his body, but he held on to it without uttering a word and tightly holding his mind, so as to not lose his consciousness. It was as if striking his body with iron nails, burning his brain, tearing his flesh away and crushing his bones to a thousand pieces.


    Sweating and panting, he knew his body was being restructured by blue lotus spirit to become a vassal for his original profound realm power. But he sat their enduring all the pain, which was equivalent to all the suffering during his breakthrough, realm after realm in his previous world.


    Looked for afar it was, as if he was bathed in a blue light, diffusing a sweat smell to the atmosphere. The dirt and filth released during the purification of body burned with blue glow and was washed away by the wind. It looked like a god meditating with a Blue Lotus in his hand realising high amount of spiritual energy to the atmosphere. It had divine holiness to it.


    Anyone with at least one opened meridian was capable of cultivation of spiritual power to gain enlightment and insights to step realm after realm to finally ascend godhood. Born with two or more meridians opened was already considered a rare talent, a dozen opened was born genius and more than a dozen was a rare and unique talent in entire three continents.


    Cultivators was capable opening their meridians as they climb the spiritual realm. But it was impossible to open all fifty-two meridians even after climbing sovereign profound realm and no one was born with fifty-two meridians opened. So by standard, opening his fifty-two meridian has already converted him to a possessor of divine body. This was one of the property of his Blue Lotus spirit as well as what sent his family to ruin in his previous world. It was a boon as well as a curse, which attracted devious and greedy ones that could destroy everything if one was not capable protecting himself and others he cared.


    The moment his fifty-two meridians opened, the heaven shook, earth trembled, as if black hole opened itself, every spiritual energy of heaven and earth start to swirl around him violently. His body started to absorb this energy like a desert waiting, water for years.


    He was astonished by this phenomenon, when he had circulated his spirit he had already felt a special link between his body and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. When his meridians opened, it was as if something rushing inside his body before it was devoid of its entry again.


    The sky screamed, heaven started to shift, heavy wind of pure and heavy qi started to swirl like tornado, as him as the centre. The earth around, unable to withstand the pressure caved in. He gently closed his eyes, meditating and letting his body absorb the energy circulating the qi inside him.


    The beast inhabiting the black wind mountain retreated to inner part of the valley. They were scared due to strange things happening around the area. Whether it may be beasts of earth or sky profound realm they didn¡¯t want to get involved in the heavy pressure around the black wind valley.


    Even some of the emperor and sovereign profound realm beasts were shaken from the events. As intelligent beings and having spiritual sense they were the ones, most affected by the change. They didn¡¯t dare investigate or implore the happenings around them as they knew whomever causing was far beyond their league and someone not to be provoked. They stayed silent at the core of the black wind mountain range. Their existence was not known to outside world and was sure that no one would unnecessarily disturb them.


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    After an hour or so, the tornado of pure qi settled. The spiritual energy and qi in his body has synchronised. The young man sitting in the middle of large crater which extended to miles, slowly opened his eyes. There was no emotion expressed in his face, there was no sense of achievement in his reactions. He looked to boundless sky and stared at the heaven. His old cultivation had returned; he was now at heaven profound realm.


    There was no need for him to cultivate from the beginning, his soul has trans versed through space and time. His spiritual power in his soul remains unchanged, he had already received his insights and enlightment in his previous life. All he had to do was synchronise his qi to that of his soul. The spiritual energy and qi always remained in equilibrium in one¡¯s body, so it was simple. But he was afraid that his body could bear the pressure, and thought it would take at least a month to achieve this process. Fortunately, his body shared a special link with energy of heaven and earth and the process was over before he could analyse the situation.


    He relaxed and slowly stood up. He recalled his favourite swords in his hands. A light enveloped his left hand and darkness started leak on his right hand. The area around the swords was crushed by its extreme pressure, and there it was, the divine sword <moonlight divider> and the demon sword <silent dark heart>. He slowly opened his palms, the swords lifted themselves in air and started hover around him making whistling sound, he was happy to see his two old companions.


    These swords were bound to his soul, as long as his soul isn¡¯t lost, these swords remained with him forever, it was due to the blood contract he formed years ago when the swords recognised him as its master. And so, it gave him sense of calmness when he watched the two circling around him.


    Even though his mental age was fifty-five, his body was that of sixteen-year-old young youth. He decided to stay in the valley for a while to practice his old techniques and get a feel of his new body.


    State of Affairs in the three continent [Giving general idea of power distribution as our MC as standard]


    The three continents shall be sent into uproar and oblivion if they knew the fact that a sixteen-year-old youth housed the power of heaven profound realm. As of now, no one had heard or known to have stepped on to that realm for the past thousands of years. And it at least took a hundred of years to even achieve that realm, not in such a young age.


    Cultivators across the continent shall revere him as a god and every empire shall make ties and offerings, so that not provoke his wrath.


    Heaven profound realm was a realm that current cultivators of the three continents can¡¯t even dream of. An expert of Heaven realm could shake the sky, erase countries and clans at their whim and provoking them means certain death. They only existed in myths and legends. The earth trembled under their feet and heavens shook under their might. They could control the elemental spirits of nature and strolled the sky like divine being.


    Around six-thousand years ago, a peak expert of star profound realm, single step away from heaven realm, shook the entire three continents. They were scared and at their wits end. Hundreds of experts from influential clan in the three continent lost their life confronting him.


    At the summons of the three continents empires, millions of experts were sent to confront him, but lost their life. In the end the heaven judged him for his sins and erased his existence, others concluded that if not, he would have been a demon to ascend godhood, so was recorded in history of three continents.


    What came after was hundreds of years of despair and struggle, most of the clans lost their prominent people, and trouble came as the succession of skill and cultivation techniques were concerned. This was named, the Black Age, many clans dissolved and some thrived. It took thousands of years, to return back its normal state, and was now not as strong as the previous cultivators before Black Age. Ancestors or High Elders who didn¡¯t take part in the confrontation were only one¡¯s left to tell the tale, and lead cultivators to a new era.


    <hr />


    Yup the MC is badass and OP. Unlike normal chinese novel MC is strong from the beginning. As the story progresses new events and characters shall be introduced, and how MC  help them with his powers. The true meaning of story title shall be explained as the story goes on (may be like in 20 chapter or so).


    Thanks for your supports and feedbacks.

 Chapter 3: Reminiscence

    Jade City


    Min Rong POV


    It has been a week since Min Sheng disappeared. The city council had denied the request for search, due to some bizarre and strange events happening around the Black Wind Mountain Range. Not too long ago there was sign of heaven shifting and change in qi. It totally gave terrifying and unyielding presence, even though it only lasted for less than two hours or so, still brought an uproar, since that strange qi was impossible to absorb and brought prickling sensation to skin due to its dense energy.


    I was very furious, with members Min Sheng went hunting, I had the urge to stab each of them to death, then and there. What did they really think taking him, when he didn¡¯t even have a cultivation base. But, others around told me that Min Sheng went with them at his own discretion.


    They told me that they scattered up due to an unpredictable encounter with Earth Profound Realm Wind Wolf, as of then, there was no one who could match such a beast, so they separated and decided to reunite at the Jade City gate, but even after waiting for a long time Min Sheng didn¡¯t show up, so they reported it to the clan.


    I sent a quick horse to the address, father has left me, if something urgent came up, giving detail notes about the events.


    I am really scared of his reaction, he really dotted on him. He always cared for him much more than his own daughter. He acted with much respect and reverence towards him, and punished and warned others harshly when Min Sheng was mistreated using his authority as the Clan Patriarch.


    Father had always told me to take care of him. No matter what happens, cover for him. He told me ¡°You should become his support at time of danger, and his seal at time of calamity, because if not everything shall end, leaving nothing behind¡±. I still don¡¯t understand what he was telling me then, but I could see fear of approaching danger in his eyes.


    From young age father had told me to love him and take care of him. Min Sheng was honest and cheerful boy, he was calm, quiet and had mysterious air around him. He was handsome, even though he didn¡¯t practise cultivation, he worked hard in physical aspects to improve his strength, giving him a sturdy and masculine look. He was optimistic, and hard working.


    Before I realised, my love for him, had out gone for my love for him as a sister, I was looking at him as a young man at my own age rather than as my brother.


    Now my heart ached, like thousand needles prickling from every side. Even though he had a fianc¨¦, I was always content with always being by his side. I used my privilege as sister to be around him. I may be the worst kind of sister to have feeling for his brother, even though he was not blood related.


    Being crippled, he was mistreated, lonely and sad. So, I worked hard in order to protect him. As long as I was powerful enough I could continue to be with him for one reason or other.


    But now, it¡¯s gone, I don¡¯t want to believe something had happened to him. But the pain in my heart gives me a bad premonition, something very bad was going to happen, and there was no way to stop it.


    Xiao Hui POV


    Min Sheng¡¯s disappearance had caused an uproar in the clan. To tell the truth, for some reason, I was very much relieved.


    It was not like I hated my fianc¨¦. But my father had forced the arranged marriage. He didn¡¯t even ask my opinion, not that I could take one since, it was made when I was six.


    When my spirit beast awoke, I was very glad, not only it was a divine spirit but a fire phoenix. My cultivation speed was rather fast compared to others and I was ranked first in terms of cultivation around my generation in Jade City.


    Soon after, I became disciple of [Raging Fire] Sect, and had a master personally assigned. Her name Lei Lanfen, she was one of the elders of [Raging fire] Sect, she was already at king profound realm, famous and prominent figure in Crimson Sky empire. Flaming eagle was her spirit, and had already cultivated different fighting techniques to their highest realm. I didn¡¯t know the reason, why someone like her would accept me as her disciple. She was not only strong but beautiful too, even the imperial family courted her but not for their avail.


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    My master had always told me that I held great talent and potential, and should not be wasted inside the walls of jade city. But, my father had told me to never leave Jade City, and was to be married to Min Sheng and should live with him.


    I could become an elite rank, in the Crimson Sky empire if I were to join the main sect. Disciples of sky profound realm was considered an elite rank, they held special title and authority in Crimson Sky empire.


    But what was holding me back was my fianc¨¦, my dream to become stronger and explore beyond the city walls was all crushed. I liked him till I was eight, he was honest and straight forward in approach. Even though he was ridiculed, he walked with his head held high. He was optimistic, hardworking, had hope and ambition.


    But, when my talent was unfolded others started to pity and sympathise me. The look in others eyes hurt my pride, why should I be matched with untalented, crippled individual like him.


    When I told my opinion to my father whom I loved the most. For the first time in my life, he was angry at me, he trembled and spoke.


    ¡°With strength comes arrogance, with power comes ignorance, never close your eyes because the most dangerous thing you shall face will be the shadow of the weak¡±


    ¡°No matter what happens, you shall marry Min Sheng¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand most of the part, still I was angry at him and asked for his reason. But his replay was even more confusing.


    ¡°If I could save, one I love the most, dear daughter I choose you rather than any other. Because I want you to grab the hope of future, even if I end up hated by you for that matter.¡±


    He told nothing further and dismissed me. But I want to push my luck, because I knew he dotted on me. So I asked master put up the matter of me wanting to join main sect, master was so delighted and promised me she would certainly help.


    But when my master presented the matter, I could feel father''s killing intent pointed at my master. All he told was, if she was not satisfied with result, she could abandon me as her disciple, but master tried further explain things, but father replyed in a cold and detached voice


    ¡°Know your place¡±


    Those three words, had a cold shiver run down my spine, I could see my master tremble, I knew my father was strong cultivator and others feared him, it was one reason, no one could go against a word in the marriage issue even after the whole clan was against it, I couldn¡¯t see through or hear at what realm he was at, but seeing my master at king profound realm shake in fear, I could guess he was strong, there is no other way an elder who held seventh seat at council of [Raging Fire] Sect, back away without a fight.


    Seeing my master humiliated by my own request, brought the hate towards him. Even though he was not at fault, but his existence robed me of my freedom and chance for getting stronger. So, I started to ignore him, and never visited or made any connection for the past three years.


    I always wondered why he was chosen as my partner. My father told me to contact him, love him to deepen our relationship but, all I gave was cold feet. He was frustrated over my behaviour, started to beg me. I couldn¡¯t understand why he would go this far, father was afraid and insecure, for me not being by Min Sheng¡¯s side.


    Even though Min Sheng had the looks, which attracted girls, he was crippled and trash in the cultivation world, the strong ruled the weak, and weak had no place in this world.


    I prayed, I could escape from this misery. There was only less than four years from the set marriage date. And it was then the disappearance of Min Sheng reached my ears.


    <hr />


    <hr />


    Here we have our character introduction needed for the development of first arc and the relationship of girls towards MC

 Chapter 4: Acquaintance

    Somewhere inside Black Wind Mountain Range


    It took him three days to master his old techniques and get used to his new body. Now he was hunting beasts of sky and king profound realms.


    ( There are strange kind of beasts in this mountain range )


    He had already collected a wide variety of beast cores. The cores of beasts had spiritual energy they cultivated over time, and can be used to improve cultivation. The reason why he was collecting it even though he had no use for it, was to exchange it for money.


    When he was flying randomly, his sense picked up a familiar presence to the deep part of the mountain range. If he was not wrong, the world was same as his previous one, which he was certain through various encounter with beasts he fought.


    ( Don¡¯t tell me that old geezer is still alive )


    When he entered the territory, the mountain trembled and the air shook, a crude and archanic voice screemed tearing the wind away.


    [ WHO DARE STEP INTO MY DOMAIN ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ REPLY HUMAN ]


    [ can¡¯t you change the way, you address others ]


    [ YOU¡­¡­IT CAN¡¯T BE YOU ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ IT IS REALLY YOU ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ WEREN¡¯T YOU AN OLD BRAT, DO HUMANS NOW-A-DAYS GROW YOUNGER AS  THEY GROW OLD ]


    [ You haven¡¯t changed ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ COME TO MY LAIR, ZHOU WEI ZHE, THE HEAVENLY ELDER ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    He entered the lair, it was unchanged and unmoving, ignored by flow of time. It was exactly same as before his last visit. At the depth of the cave, there laid a dragon with silver scales. He was the ruler of eastern skies, sovereign of the wind, his mentor, his only friend when he lost everything.


    Seeing the silver dragon, laying their staring at him, with his deep blue eyes, it brought a sense of homely feel to him. If others were to stay in presence of such a mighty being, their soul would have already left for the far shore.


    [ HOW DID YOU SURVIVE ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ I HEARD YOU WERE JUDGED BY HEAVENS ]


    [¡­..]


    [ YOU ARE REALLY ARE A TROUBLE MAKER ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ When I opened my eyes, here I was, I don¡¯t know what the heavens really expect from me. But this body is now vassal for my soul and its hatred is directed to humanity ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ SO, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM ME ? ]


    [ Nothing really, get me some general idea about current situations ]


    [ HUMANS REMAIN SAME, THEY HAD NOT CHANGED, THE BLOW YOU GAVE THEM LAST TIME, TOOK SOME TIME TO RECOVER AND YOU HAD GONE FOR THE PAST 6839 YEARS ]


    [ Really, you missed me right ]


    [ WAS THAT MEANT TO BE A JOKE ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ I AM VERY GLAD YOU BROKE THROUGH THE HEAVEN REALM ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ OUR STANDING HAS REVERSED ]


    [ YOU WERE ONLY A BRAT OF SOVEREIGN REALM WHEN WE LAST MET ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ I AM STILL STUCK AT STAR REALM ]


    [¡­¡­]


    [ SO WHAT ARE YOU UPTO ? ]


    [ Little sweat revenge ]


    [ WIPING A COUNTRY ]


    [ Nope a city ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ NEVER MIND, I AM GLAD YOU ARE HEALTHY AND GOOD ]


    [ See you, Lets meet again ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    [ WAIT, TAKE SOME OF THESE, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL ]


    [ You really are benevolent ]


    [ DON¡¯T FLATTER ME, BRAT ]


    He opened the chest which was pushed towards him. Dragons were known for their pride and enormous strength. They took great joy and pride in their treasures they collected over the length of time. They fought with their life to protect their treasures.


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    But this silver dragon was like father to him, even in previous life, it had helped him without expecting anything in return. All he enjoyed was his dull stories of his battle fields. They were both lonely and shared a bond developed over time without knowing themselves.


    How they met each other was fated by the heavens. His company brought him great joy, and this was the reason he trusted beasts much more than humans, they were honest to their feelings and straight forward, even if they meant killing.


    In the opened chest there was thousands of gold coins, core of emperor and sovereign realm beasts. What caught his attention was the ice cold core. It was a core of star profound realm ice phoenix. Absorbing the spiritual energy by an ice attribute cultivator could make him jump, a realm or two and help him from bottle neck break through.


    There was also a silver mask, it had a half crying, half laughing face, looking at it would make others ridiculed, as if the silver mask was looking down on others. It was a magic tool which could converge aura according to the wearers will, and induce sense of danger and fear among others, it gave  an aura of approaching danger, which in every way suited him.


    He stored everything in his pocket, it was dimensional space to store things, one could only open a pocket, when they cultivation reached sovereign realm, others had to use magic tools to store things. He was already rich enough from the cores he hunted, an average cultivator could live atleast 500 years even if he spent lavishly. Now he also had what the dragon gave him, he couldn''t refuse his offer which was given to him with kind intentions, now he was filthy rich and could last 1000 years without any trouble.


    He looked at the silver dragon laying before him with its eyes closed, he bowed to the beast and slowly turned and started to walk away.


    The silver dragon opened his eyes and stared the back of the young man. He could feel a disturbing presence bound to his soul which was sweeping away with his power. He slowly spoke.


    [ YOUR AURA HAS CHANGED, THERE IS AN ESSENCE OF DRAGON IN YOUR SOUL, HAVE YOU SLAYED ONE ? ]


    [¡­¡­¡­]


    [ No, I wouldn¡¯t, when I have friend like you, how could I !! ]


    [ MY MISTAKE, MY SENSES ARE GETTING DULL ]


    [ BUT HEAR ME, YOUR HEART HAD TURNED DARK AND I SMELL DEATH IN YOUR AURA, REMEMBER WHAT YOU ONCE WHERE AND HOW YOU FELT BACK THEN ]


    [ BEING STRONG, DON¡¯T FORGET YOUR ORIGIN, LIKE YOU, OTHERS TOO, DO HAVE REASON OF JUDGEMENT, IF YOU COULD GET STRONG THEN CERTAINLY OTHERS TOO, NEVER TRAMPLE INNOCENT AND WEAK ] that was the code for a dragon, they fought strong beasts, but didn¡¯t kill the weak unless they are bothered, angered or provoked.


    [ I hear you, and always will ]


    [¡­¡­.]


    He left the cave and started to move towards the place, where he lived for the past eleven years. The place which provided him shelter and finally sent him to his death¡¯s door, Jade City.


    His face was expressionless, he looked to the distant horizon and spoke in a cold voice.


    ¡° FOR SINNERS I AM DEATH, FOR STRONG, I AM RULE, FOR  INNOCENT, I AM HOPE, FOR CARED ONES, I AM FUTURE AND FOR OTHERS I AM PAIN AND DESPAIR, WHAT ARE YOU TO ME ?, JADE CITY ¡°

 Chapter 5: Return

    He reached the city wall and was hovering in front of the city gate, he pulled out the silver mask which was among the items in the chest. Wearing the mask, he fled straight to the central square. His cloths were worn and tattered, central square was the busiest market place in entire Jade City, he wanted a change of clothes and landed himself in front of textile shop for nobles.


    **


    When the guards stationed at city gate saw an unknown figure passing, they panicked. They didn¡¯t dare stop him, reason being, they knew that cultivators of sky profound realm or higher were only capable of flight, offending such an individual will only end up on their certain death. All they could take notice was his silver mask. They sent a fast horse to the city council reporting the event.


    ---


    The central square was the busiest market in Jade City, all trade involved with the city went through the markets of central square.


    He entered the shop, the attendant at first gave him a disappointed look. But when he felt his presence, the attendant started to shiver.


    -----


    Even though he was an average cultivator, he knew, someone who could casually emit such pressure would be of high status and didn¡¯t dare utter a word that could cost him his life. He gathered enough courage and spoke.


    ¡° What would you like, sir ¡° his face pale and struggling for air.


    The man turned around, when he heard his voice, he saw his silver mask and had the urge to run for his life. The man¡¯s cold eyes watched him for a moment, suddenly the pressure which pinned him disappeared.


    ¡° I would like to get an entire outfit in black¡± his voice was cold, they didn¡¯t gave any trace of emotion in it.


    He didn¡¯t waste time, he got the finest garment in black, he could find in his shop, money didn¡¯t matter as long as his life remained.


    He presented what he got, and was at his wits end, afraid, scared, the man before him would dislike it.


    The man looked at the clothes presented before him and gave nod.


    ¡°How much ¡° he spoke in the same cold voice as before, there was no trace of interest or dislike in his words.


    ¡° I am content with whatever you give, sir¡± The garment costed him hundreds of gold, as it was the finest piece available in his store. But he didn¡¯t care about money as long as the man left him alone. He was wise, as merchant lived for years, he knew whom to swindle and people those who he should show favour and avoid provocations.


    But to his surprise, the man tossed him a beast core out of thin air, and changed himself and left without a word. He stared at the core in his hands. It belonged to a beast of king profound realm and had flame attribute as the core was glowing in pale orange colour. He stood their shocked, he knew it would cost thousands of gold, if sold. He also so, how the man produced the core out of thin air. Even though he was a merchant he was knowledgeable.


    He had only heard and read in books, cultivators capable of such magic. His teeth stuttered and stared at the entrance of his store. He was glad his life was spared, he was glad he didn¡¯t provoke him at his first sight, if he did, everything would have ended for him then and there.


    ( Why is someone like him in Jade City. What attracted such an individual to this remote city located at outskirt of the empire. I should certainly leave the city with my family, whatever the reason he might be here for. I don¡¯t want to take my chance and end up dead ) he made his decision to leave the city as he could predict an approaching storm from his long experience as merchant, he knew from the aura of the man, that he was here for no good, and his reasons didn¡¯t really matter as long as him and his family was safe.


    ---------


    He was walking around the shopping street watching the busy crowd passing back and forth.


    ( I would have killed that merchant by mistake, man I really did forget to suppress my aura. But he is surprisingly good to stand that pressure. Maybe his skill as merchant to deal this kind of situation was top notch. Hmmm¡­. I wonder about others though )


    He could sense there was few individuals following him, but didn¡¯t care, as they didn¡¯t cause any trouble.


    He was strolling through the stalls and watching the busy market illuminated by the evening sun. It has been years since, he had such a serene walk. Others looked at him with sense of fear, due to his strange mask and his attire, that made him look like a top class noble. Naturally a path would open as he walked through the crowd, the people didn¡¯t want to bother him which leads them to trouble.


    ( The mask is really effective, where did the old geezer get  this priceless tresure, not that he could use it on his dragon face ) he surprisingly found how useful the silver mask was. It could adjust one¡¯s cultivation, also block his heavy spiritual presence from the sight of spiritual cultivators. He had already suppressed his aura, but even after all his efforts to look normal, his appearance gave out a majestic presence of absolute power.


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    He casually strolled and reached the bank of the river, which was running south of Jade City. He held his hand behind his back and closed his eyes, enjoying the cold breeze. His long hair fluttered in the wind, his masculine and sturdy straight back gave him the look of a lone warrior. His silhouette bathed in yellow-red setting sun looked very nostalgic and was a sight to behold.


    ¡° Haven¡¯t had enough stalking me ¡° he spoke in a calm and plane voice.


    The individuals who followed him were startled. They came out from where they were hiding.


    ¡° Sir, the council of elders had summoned you ¡° spoke a young man, he had respect in his words.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡° Would you please follow us ¡°


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡° Sorry, tell them to come visit me, if they have business with me ¡° he replied in a cold voice.


    ¡° You, are you disrespecting the council ¡° another young man spoke with an arrogant tone.


    ¡°Do I know them ¡° he replied as if not understanding the situation.


    His answer stunned them, he was standing there, his eyes closed as if it was some others buisness.


    Cao Yang POV


    It was afternoon when the council ordered for the summon of mysterious silver masked cultivator. From enquiry about silver mask, the guards told them, he entered the city by sky, it meant that he was cultivator of sky realm or higher. There was less than ten individuals, who were in sky realm in Jade City, so the council needed answers from the guest who had entered the city, they wished to meet him, because only small number of people achieved this, in the entire continent.


    Gathering five peak earth profound realm experts, we went to search the silver mask. If a fight were to break out, it was impossible to fight someone a realm apart, so he gathered some peak experts of earth profound realm.


    When we found him, he was strolling through the markets in the central square. He had a strange aura which gave out an unapproachable feeling. There was a sense of danger I felt lurking around our backs.


    After a while, he was standing at the bank of river as if enjoying the breeze. His figure enveloped in light of evening sun gave the feeling of a lone warrior standing in the battle field. The picture gave a feel of sadness as well as danger, it was then he called us out. We were startled, as we were sure we concealed our presence.


    Now we had been found out, we presented the matter,  but he simply dismissed us. I had to handle the matter carefully, because my heart screamed provoking him would not leave us with good taste. Above all, he was dressed in expensive attire and his aura gave out someone with authority, which made me think, he was a member of royal family.


    But it was then, Song Xing, son of Song Clan Patriarch stepped forward. He was renowned for his strength and was ranked third in Jade City among his generation. He was famous for his arrogance and had the backing of Song Clan. He spoke to man in front of us with a rebuking tone.


    ¡° Do you think, you are someone important, you shit get up and leave with us or leave your head here ¡°


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡° Didn¡¯t you hear me you son of a¡­¡­¡­¡­..¡± his voice muffled.


    Before even I could stop him talking anymore, the very one who stood beside me provoking was torn to a thousand pieces. His minced body fell to the ground, blast with a bluish flame, burned leaving nothing behind. It was as Song Xing never existed there.


    The scene was terrifying, there was no sound, movement or change in air, it was as if he was erased from his existence. The man didn¡¯t even move, he still stood there enjoying the breeze as if not interested in his surroundings.


    But before anyone noticed, we were on our knees, it was impossible to bear the pressure emitted by the man, it was as if a heavy mountain was pressed to our shoulders. There was no path to escape, because we saw death himself standing before us, we were not even retaliating in front of his heavy presence, our body froze due to fear.


    I prepared myself for death, but the man spoke¡± Leave, I may not be generous enough next time ¡°. His voice shattered our spirit and crushed our soul. It was too detached that it felt it was not from a human, but death himself whispering to me.


    The next moment the pressure bounding us dispersed, we fled from there with all our might, my body trembled and gasped for air, all my thought was that to, not to do anything with that man, never ever again, because what I saw was death and knew that it may not be so lenient with him next time.


    <hr />


    I didn''t really got time to edit , so i will do it on a later date. Sorry for the late updates, I am having my exams.


    Thanks for your support and feedback :}