When Lu Xian opened his eyes, his eyes widened.
The world he saw was nothing like he had ever imagined. In every direction, giant suns floated in the endless sky, so numerous they were impossible to count. Each ball of fire radiated dazzling light, yet somehow, his eyes didn't burn.
Instantly, a heat pressed against his body. Although it was hot, it wasn't strangely painful—instead, it felt like pure energy was flowing through his veins.
Before him stood a giant figure, his body suffused with golden light. Every breath he took made the air vibrate, and in each of his hands, he held five rotating suns.
Lu Xian's voice choked. "Who are you? Why am I in a place like this?"
The figure stared at him with eyes that glistened like the core of a star.
"I am Che Su, the Sun God. You are here because you were sucked in by the Solar Storm, my creation. Every millennia, the storm appears—and with it, the Sun Domain opens."
Che Su stood closer, his aura like a golden mountain pressing down on the soul.
"The Sun Domain has only one purpose… to find a worthy successor to my throne as the Sun God."
That name shocked Lu Xian. In the world of cultivators, he had heard that the Sun God was one of the three supreme gods revered by the divine realm. However, Che Su's words sounded different.
"I am not the same as the gods in the divine realm," Che Su continued dismissively. "The gods in the divine realm are merely cultivators bound by the laws of heaven. I… stand above them all."
Lu Xian gripped his sword tightly. "I don't have time to listen to your boasts. I must return to the demon realm. My senior… I must save Qin Chang'er."
Che Su raised his hand, five suns spinning in his palm, as if the world could collapse with a single grasp.
"Don't be hasty. I offer you something you cannot refuse. Become my successor. That way, you will possess power surpassing all cultivators. You can look down on all the laws of heaven."
Lu Xian fell silent. His eyes glinted with caution. He knew such an offer would not come without a price. "The successor of the sun god? Hmph. What good is that to me?"
"What good is that?" Che Su smiled sarcastically. "With the inheritance of the sun, no cultivator, not even a god, can stand above you."
Lu Xian narrowed his eyes. "If that's the case… why do I only see you in spirit form? Where is your true body now?"
The question left Che Su speechless. The light on his body trembled slightly. Slowly, he replied, "My body… is currently trapped within the Dark Spiral. Therefore, I can only appear in spirit form."
Hearing that name, Lu Xian immediately felt a chill pierce his bones. The Dark Spiral, a vortex of darkness in the highest dimension—an existence capable of devouring even gods. History records that almost no one dared to set foot there. Only one cultivator throughout the ages had successfully conquered it, and he is now known as the World Creator in the upper dimension.
"Your body is trapped…" Lu Xian lowered his head, contemplating.
A long silence filled the Sun Domain. Finally, Lu Xian looked up, his eyes firm.
"Che Su, I appreciate your offer. However, I don't want to rely on inheritance or shortcuts. I want to forge my own path, with my sword and pure cultivation."
Che Su stared at him for a long moment. His golden light dimmed, then he let out a long sigh.
"…I can't force you. Every cultivator's path is different, and your decision… deserves respect."
A silence fell over them. Although Lu Xian refused, Che Su knew that the seeds of that decision would change the fate of many worlds.
---
Meanwhile, in the demon world…
Qin Chang'er was still being dragged by the demon army. Her body was covered in wounds, her spiritual energy nearly depleted. She tried to resist, but the chains of darkness restrained her.
"Restrain her. Take her to the palace. The Demon King will be pleased to see this captive."
The demons laughed lowly.
But suddenly, a voice rang out from before them.
"Release her."
Quiet footsteps were heard. A man in a black robe appeared, his face hidden behind a hood.
"Huh?! Who are you to stand in our way?!" roared one of the demons.
The man didn't answer. With just a single wave of his hand, a jet-black light swept through the air. In an instant, the demons' bodies disintegrated like ashes in the wind.
Qin Chang'er's eyes widened. What kind of technique is this…? So fast…
Her body weakened, she lost her balance and fell. But the cloaked man quickly caught her before she hit the ground.
"Are you okay?" His voice was calm yet heavy.
Qin Chang'er opened her eyes slowly, her face pale. She stared at the figure, trying to recognize it. Something felt… familiar.
"Who are you?"
The man paused for a moment, then slowly lifted the hood of his black cloak.
Qin Chang'er was shocked, her eyes widening.
"…Su Baijun?!"