Next Morning…
Wu Tangge awoke with a cold gleam in his eye. He rose from his bed, his expression unreadable. He casually slipped into a dark robe embroidered with crimson sigils and fastened his jade pendant—an heirloom from his mother and one of the few symbols of his true identity as the Evil God's successor.
Suddenly, his spiritual ring trembled violently.
Boom!
The Secret Realm Core shot out from the ring and crashed onto the ground with an eerie glow.
"What the hell—? Why is it outside?" Wu Tangge muttered, stepping closer.
Before he could act, the core rose into the air and slammed into his chest.
"ARGHHH!!"
A scream tore from his lips as his body lit up with runes. Blood surged through his veins like molten lava.
Suddenly, a cold, metallic voice echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Host, the Secret Realm Core has initiated fusion with your body.
"What… what does that mean?" Wu Tangge gasped, trembling as divine light and evil miasma tangled inside him.
Ding!
Upon complete fusion, a World Seed will germinate within your dantian.
Host will gain the ability to create an internal world—becoming its ruler, creator, and god.
His eyes widened.
"A world... inside me?"
His lips curved into a slow, sinister smile.
"…I see. Something extraordinary has fallen into my hands. Not just a realm—but a throne."
---
Moments Later – Immortal Dao Academy Gate
Wu Tangge flew toward the gate, a black robe fluttering behind him like a crow sweeping across the sky.
Inner thoughts:
Tian Ba said someone might try to stop me. Hmph. There's no one here. Let's just—
Just as he stepped forward, space twisted.
A figure appeared out of thin air, blocking his path.
The man's robes were simple, but his presence was oppressive—ancient and heavy like a forgotten monument. His aura was unreadable, his eyes glowing faintly with silver light.
"Why is a new disciple leaving the Academy so soon?" the man asked calmly, smiling.
Wu Tangge bowed respectfully, concealing his wariness.
"I am Wu Tangge. I have important matters outside and was granted permission by Elder Tian Ba."
Inner thoughts:
I can't sense his cultivation… who the hell is he?
The man's expression sharpened.
"No disciple may leave unless on official mission or after graduation."
"I see," Tangge replied coolly. "May I ask your honored name?"
"I am Kan Ko. The gatekeeper."
Inner thoughts (Tangge):
Gatekeeper? And I can't even sense his realm? What kind of monster is this place hiding?
He calmly pulled out the golden token.
"This is Elder Tian Ba's order."
Kan Ko examined the token—and his eyes widened slightly. A brief silence passed.
"…Very well," he said, and with a wave of his hand, the gates of the academy groaned open.
"You may go."
Tangge's smile deepened. "Thank you, Senior."
With a step beyond the threshold, his body vanished, teleported away instantly.
Wu Tangge (inner thoughts):
Heh. This Academy is wrapped in more illusions than truth. But no matter. The outside world is mine to conquer.
---
Scene Change – Holy Palace, Immortal Realm
A vast, crystalline palace stood amidst golden clouds—the sacred land of the Holy Son's Reincarnation Cycle.
Within the main hall, two divine beauties sat upon golden thrones. One radiated calm like a moonlit lake—Lady Qing. The other, colder and sharper, like a blade beneath silken robes—Lady Hana.
Before them, a masked man knelt.
Lady Hana's voice echoed softly.
"Any signs of the Holy Son?"
"No, Lady Hana. We've scoured the Immortal Realm. He's not here."
Lady Qing sighed. "Then he must have reincarnated in the Lower Realms once more."
"We have dispatched agents to investigate," the masked man added.
"There is another matter," he continued, bowing deeply. "A disciple named Wu Tangge from the Wu Clan has joined the Immortal Dao Academy. He ranked first, defeating opponents stronger than himself."
"Wu Tangge?" Lady Qing raised a brow. "That name… a genius of this generation."
"Could he be the Holy Son?" she asked.
"No," Lady Hana said firmly. "He's already 21. The Holy Son awakens divine light by 20.
Lady Qing frowned. "Still… he may become a threat."
Lady Hana's gaze turned distant.
"Let him rise. If he is the Evil God's successor, then fate has already set our blades to meet."
[Lore: The Holy Palace]
Every era, the Holy Son is reincarnated to battle the Evil God's successor. Two Holy Ladies are chosen to guide him, guard him, and restore his past life's power. This cycle has repeated for thousands of years. This time, Lady Hana and Lady Qing are the chosen ones.
---
Scene Change – Wu Clan, Secret Chamber
Deep in the heart of the Wu Clan, behind layers of concealment, Wu Tangge sit before a woman cloaked in shadows—Wu Yun, his mother.
"Yes," she said softly. "The Holy Palace will come for you. They always do."
Wu Tangge nodded. "Then I'll be ready. I won't die like the past successors."
"I told them you went to the Lower Realm for some errand. They won't suspect."
She placed a protective talisman on his wrist.
"I can only delay them. But you must grow faster, stronger... more ruthless."
Tangge stood. "I will not disappoint you, Mother."
Inner thoughts:
The Holy Palace is blind. I've already claimed the Secret Realm Core. My internal world has begun. Let them come... Let the Holy Son rise again. I'll bury him this time, along with the so-called heavens.
They emerged from the chamber. Tangge bowed once to her and flew away from the clan's estate, vanishing into the sky.
---
Scene Change – Holy Palace
Only Lady Hana and Lady Qing remained.
"You're really going to descend personally?" Qing asked.
"Yes," Hana replied. "It's been too long since the Holy Son appeared. I want to be sure."
"Don't cause a massacre," Qing warned.
Lady Hana's lips curved.
"Do I look like a butcher?"
"You look like someone who hides a dagger in every smile," Qing said flatly.
Lady Hana smirked and disappeared.
The skies above the Immortal Realm tore apart like silk under a blade.
Wu Tangge stood at the center of a collapsing formation, the Lower Realm Teleportation Array activated with Elder Tian Ba's token and his own world core stabilizing the transition.
His black robe fluttered, the crimson embroidery on it shimmering like blood under the moonlight.
He smirked.
"The Lower Realm… I wonder what kind of worms dare call themselves kings down there."
---
Lower Realm – Eastern Wastes, Boundary of the Mortal Territories
A rift opened in the heavens. Lightning streaked across the sky. A terrifying pressure descended, and beasts hundreds of miles away bowed instinctively.
Out from the void stepped a figure—calm, composed, and wrapped in profound darkness.
Wu Tangge.
His foot touched the cracked ground. Immediately, he frowned.
"My cultivation… suppressed to Mahayana - 9th layer?"
A system prompt chimed softly in his mind.
Ding!
Due to realm suppression, Host's power is temporarily sealed.
Internal World remains stable and active. System functions unaffected.
"Good enough," he murmured.