Great Zhou Mountain, at a waterfall among the peaks....
On the mountain's walls, which stood about two to three hundred meters high, a massive waterfall cascaded down into the pool below, raising a mist. The deafening roar was immense, like the rumble of thunder traveling far into the distance.
At the edge of the waterfall, a young man, barefoot and shirtless, was currently walking step by step toward the curtain of water that seemed to fall from the heavens. All his Profound Energy was being unleashed without reservation, protecting his head and back.
His figure seemed especially small beneath that colossal curtain of water. Though the height of this waterfall wasn't absurdly extreme, the force of the falling water was still enough to easily crush a body to pieces…
Yet the young man continued without a care, walking toward the massive rock that the waterfall had been striking for who knows how many years. He calmly sat cross-legged upon it.
The water plummeted violently, hammering his body like relentless blows. Still, Ren Zu remained motionless, seated cross-legged on the smooth, wet rock.
The Little Demon Empress watched him from where she sat on one of the rocks surrounding the waterfall. Her eyes reflected complex emotions. She hated to admit it, but she felt worried about this infuriating man who, in just a few days, had pierced her heart and melted the ice she had carried for decades. Since the loss of her father and her husband—who was also her brother—she had taken her position with a single vow: to live only for the honor of her family. Yet here she was, harboring feelings for someone she'd known for less than a week. Even knowing he was extraordinarily strong—far stronger than she was—she couldn't help but feel this kind of concern.
An even more complex look appeared behind her emotionless eyes as she recalled the past four days. During that time, Ren Zu had taken seriously the goal of getting to know her, and to her surprise, she had begun asking him questions, driven by an unexpected curiosity. She wanted to know about the sword art he had used, to which he replied he had created it himself. She also asked about his absurdly strong body, how he concealed his cultivation, and finally, what exactly his cultivation level was…
Well, it wasn't just questions about cultivation… but that, of course, was the most important!
For instance, at that moment, he was about to attempt breaking through to the next level of his Profound Art, and that was exactly why she was there: she wanted to observe the process purely out of curiosity.
Yes, just curiosity.
It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he was shirtless, displaying that perfect physique, or with any trace of concern in her heart over him doing something as insane as positioning himself under a waterfall without using even a shred of profound energy to protect himself.
Be that as it may, it only made it clearer how absurd the power of his body was…
More than anything else, what truly unsettled her was her reluctance to accept that soon all of this would come to an end. Spending a week living simply, alongside someone, without responsibilities, without worries, far from the weight of her title… it had brought her a peace she didn't want to lose.
Meeting Ren Zu had been the best thing to happen to her in decades. But she knew that once she recovered her cultivation, this brief respite would inevitably end.
Deep down, even she couldn't fully understand the whirlwind of emotions consuming her.
She knew she would miss watching him train, hearing the rhythmic sound of his strikes echoing through the waterfall. She would also miss the quiet conversations they had at night while sharing a cup of tea, and even the strange games he had invented just to distract her, which, against all her expectations, had become moments she would cherish…
But that was it. No matter how much she wished, she couldn't stay there. There were too many responsibilities waiting, too many matters demanding her attention… things she couldn't escape.
On the other hand, Ren Zu raised his gaze and, through the droplets of the waterfall, caught sight of Huan Caiyi's silhouette in the distance, noticing the complex glint in her eyes. Over the past four days, he had made an effort to get to know her better and, to his own surprise, found himself growing more and more "enamored." Women from worlds where strength defines everything seemed, in a way, more feminine than most in the modern world. It would be impossible for any man not to be charmed by someone like her.
Especially when that "someone" was a true tsundere…
…Well, putting that aside, this was the day the next phase of his plan would finally begin. Everything was prepared; only one final step remained. He had no intention of putting his life at risk, so he planned to open one of the Eight Inner Gates to further elevate his strength and, with it, reach the Sky Profound Realm.
From 'Marrow Refinement' to the 'Eight Hidden Inner Gates,' this was equivalent to a major breakthrough in realms. There was a nearly insurmountable gap between the two.
He let out a soft sigh and retrieved two small pills from his pants, prepared in advance for when he would cross this great realm in body transformation—one red, glowing like the purest magma, and one blue, so cold and translucent it resembled eternal ice.
Without hesitation, he placed both in his mouth and swallowed them in one go.
The impact was immediate.
It was as if he had swallowed molten magma while simultaneously ingesting a fragment of ice frozen for ten thousand years in the vacuum of space. The searing heat and absolute cold collided in his stomach, roaring like two ancient dragons that could never coexist.
His veins lit up beneath his skin, thin red and blue lines intertwining in chaotic patterns, spreading across his torso, arms, and back. But instead of letting both forces tear him apart from within, Ren Zu guided them with an impossible calm, directing the flow to his clavicle, where the Gate of Healing lay hidden.
As the red and blue energies merged, it was like a frenzied Flood Dragon, crashing wildly into the Gate of Healing!
Peng!
Between his clavicles, an internal explosion spread. A horrific pain struck Ren Zu, his vision darkening for a moment, and his entire body faltered! The energy flow surged. Along the Gate of Healing, a devastating change was occurring.
It was as if the gate were being torn apart from within. Invisible cracks echoed through the meridian, each one seeming to pierce his mind. The blood in his veins surged so fast it produced a bubbling sound, as if it were boiling.
"Kgh…!" Ren Zu gritted his teeth. The skin at his clavicle trembled as if it were about to explode.
Suddenly, the final barrier gave way.
The Gate of Healing opened with a muffled boom that only he could feel.
The Gate of Healing had been successfully opened!
This also meant that Ren Zu had finally entered the realm of 'Body Strengthening,' the 'Eight Hidden Inner Gates'!
The pain that had struck him earlier vanished instantly, and he could feel the profound energy of heaven and earth flooding into his clavicles. It was as if a hole had opened within the Gate of Healing, creating a massive whirlpool of profound energy! Not only that, but the Gate of Healing could independently filter the profound energy of heaven and earth, making it even purer.
Once the Gate of Healing was opened, a martial artist's body gained the ability to constantly absorb the profound energy of heaven and earth on its own.
The benefits for cultivation were obvious!
During a battle, it was possible to restore profound energy at an extremely rapid rate. This was equivalent to constantly consuming pills. Not only that, but the energy provided by the Gate of Healing was incomparably pure, free of the toxins found in pills.
Moreover, his recovery and regeneration abilities had greatly increased. He felt he could recover from severe injuries in just a few minutes, and based on the knowledge he had from others who had reached this stage (according to the novel *Martial World*), he knew this feeling was no illusion—it was the absolute truth.
Most importantly, he realized all his physical attributes had made a colossal leap, reaching an entirely new level. His strength now reached four hundred thousand kilograms, a terrifying number compared to the one hundred thousand before. He could measure this value precisely thanks to the information from the Heavenly Tyrant Manual etched in his mind. Even without that reference, he would have been able to estimate the result due to his intimate familiarity with his own body. After all, after over a year of relentless training in physical control, achieving such a level of perception was already part of who he was…
Though he allowed himself only a second to absorb the sensation of breaking through that bottleneck in body training, he quickly snapped out of the pause. The remaining energy from the pills was directed to his Profound Veins, where it would be refined under his control. This time, he operated his cultivation method while delving into the profound truths of the Law of Light, rapidly advancing toward the Fourth Layer of the "Ten Extreme Daos."
[Light] is the complete opposite of [Darkness]: sacred, dedicated solely to creation and salvation, never to killing or destruction. It has the power to purify the mind and soul, eliminating all contamination and malice. Though the laws of Light are, in theory, the easiest to control, their cultivation demands the strictest requirements: one must possess a sacred body or a pure heart, entirely free of corruption or contamination. In his case, thanks to the legacy received from the Goddess of Life Creation, he became capable of cultivating Light. Combined with his extraordinary cultivation method, he quickly reached a level of understanding equivalent to hers, able to manipulate the element of Light in multiple applications…
It took no more than half an hour to fully refine the remaining energy from the pills.
Bang!
A chaotic cyclone suddenly erupted, and at the same time, a red-blue radiance, like a resplendent star, shone from within his profound veins.
Consequently, waves of an incomparably dense profound aura surged from the depths of his profound veins, rushing rapidly to every tendon in his body like a flood. His profound veins began to stretch rapidly, his meridians contracting and expanding under the excess of profound aura, as if dancing with excitement.
At that moment, a small, dark purple aura emanated from his body, like a flowing broth, its density far greater than before by who knows how many times.
The red-blue radiance within his profound veins reflected off each other, becoming even brighter. He felt his profound veins, profound aura, body, and consciousness transform as his heart overflowed with immense surprise. As he breathed, his perception of the entire world had distinctly changed.
Level breakthrough!!
A breakthrough from the Earth Profound Realm to the Sky Profound Realm!
He could clearly feel that his profound energy had multiplied countless times. If before it was just a small stream, now it had transformed into a vast lake. Most importantly, by reaching this new level, he eliminated the only weakness that limited his true strength. Before, he could only fly by relying on a sword; now, he could soar through the skies using his own profound energy.
Those who reach this realm awaken the Profound Floating Technique, allowing them to fly freely through the skies without any restrictions. However, each advancement within the Sky Profound Realm is as arduous as ascending to the heavens themselves. The time and effort required far surpass what's needed to progress through ten entire levels of the Spirit Profound Realm. Moreover, the difference between the lower and upper halves of the Sky Profound Realm is like the distance between two distinct worlds… But he wasn't concerned with those standards…
The moment his profound energy stabilized at the First Level of the Sky Profound Realm, something else blossomed within him.
The Law of Light, which had been incomplete until then, reached an absolute level! He became completely immune to this element and capable of subjugating it with a mere thought.
Thus, without hesitation, Ren Zu turned his attention to the fourth Dao, [Darkness].
Darkness manifests when negative emotions like hatred, resentment, or despair reach an extreme limit. In this state, the law distorts, and profound energy undergoes a mutation, giving rise to diabolical energy. This form of energy is more powerful than ordinary profound energy of the same level but is also far more difficult to control.
As it can only arise from intense negative emotions, diabolical energy corrupts the mind and beliefs of those who cultivate it, turning them into beings with distorted thoughts and perverse natures. Many come to be seen as creatures that shouldn't exist in this world—true demons or devils.
Dark energy not only amplifies its wielder's negative emotions but can also alter their mental state and even distort their personality. This happens because humans, by nature, are not compatible with dark profound energy. Only the demon race was born with this affinity. Thus, all cultivators and creatures using diabolical energy in the current era inevitably suffer its destructive effects unless they somehow achieve perfect compatibility with darkness.
A requirement he easily met with his unparalleled talent.
But even such talent was subject to a rule: technically, it was "impossible" to cultivate both Light Profound Energy and Dark Profound Energy simultaneously, as they are absolute opposites—one represents life, the other death. For any ordinary cultivator, attempting to reconcile these two forces would be akin to seeking self-destruction. However, this universal rule didn't apply to him. Thanks to his cultivation technique, he could harbor both light and darkness in his body.
Of course, he wasn't exactly unique. If someone inherited the legacy of the Evil God, for example, they could also cultivate these opposing elements, and perhaps there were other hidden methods across the vast world. Thus, it wasn't absolutely impossible; it was possible, but it was a feat so heaven-defying that those capable of achieving it could be counted on one hand…
The difference lay in the result: none of them could accomplish such a feat with the same perfection as he did.
Time passed slowly.
One hour later, Ren Zu opened his eyes.
The meditation had come to an end.
He turned his perception inward and immediately noticed the transformation: his Profound Veins now glowed in five distinct hues—red, purple, green, gold, and a black so deep it was almost imperceptible. More than the colors, what truly impressed him was the vastness of the energy he now possessed. An unshakable confidence surged in his heart. In this world, below the Divine Profound Realm, he was certain: he was invincible.
If he had any doubts before, now he had none.
Ren Zu lingered under the torrent of the waterfall for a few more moments, letting the water wash away the sweat and residual energy from the profound pills. The pressure of the falling water was something he had chosen to keep himself aware of the world around him while cultivating.
Any distraction could jeopardize the second phase of his plan, and he couldn't afford that luxury.
With a smooth motion, he stood, water streaming down his muscular body. His spiritual sense still scanned the surroundings.
A few meters away, Huan Caiyi remained seated, arms crossed, her expression one of boredom.
He walked slowly toward her, crossing the curtain of water and the pool it fell into with calm steps.
"Sorry for the wait, Caiyi…"
"Hmph, how did it go? Did you break through? I really have no idea what your cultivation level is… Even after breaking through, there was no phenomenon beyond the profound energy being drawn toward you from dozens of kilometers away. Not that I could sense it that well…" Huan Caiyi no longer minded him calling her by name. She spoke calmly: "Your profound art is so impressive that even my spiritual sense was dulled…"
"You'll recover your profound energy soon, Caiyi…" Ren Zu said with a faint smile. Instantly, his body was covered by a white robe, looking untainted by even a speck of dust. His skin was as white as snow, his eyes shone like stars, and his long, dark hair reached his waist. He truly resembled an immortal gracing mortals with his presence. After dressing, he continued in a melancholic tone: "…And then we'll rarely see each other again, maybe only at some official meeting about politics… If I'm still around…"
"…What do you mean, 'if I'm still around'?" the Little Demon Empress asked, her delicate brows furrowing as her heart beat faster.
"My dream is to become the strongest practitioner there is, and to do that, I have to pursue the path beyond the Divine Profound Realm. So, in the near future, I might not be in the Illusory Demon Realm or even the Profound Sky Continent anymore. You won't find me anywhere in this world," Ren Zu said, shaking his head. He looked up at the sky and continued: "…Maybe I'll be up there…"
"…"
His words struck Huan Caiyi's heart like muffled thunder, though her expression remained as emotionless as ever. She stayed silent, but within her, the turmoil was devastating.
Was he really going to leave?
That simple realization sent a pang of dread through her, a feeling that hadn't gripped her since childhood. Her entire life had been shaped by loss until all that remained was the empress ruling an empire marked by blood and sacrifice. She had sworn never to rely on anyone again. She had sworn never to let anyone into her heart.
And yet…
In less than a week, this insufferable man had shattered every layer of ice she had built with such effort. He didn't just irritate her; he made her smile against her will. He didn't just challenge her; he made her feel alive.
And now, he was saying that, sooner or later, he would vanish from the world they both shared.
An uncomfortable heat surged through her chest, as if she were suffocating. Part of her wanted to stand, face him, and yell at him not to dare leave. She wanted to accuse him of being irresponsible, of toying with her by opening a space in her heart only to leave her alone.
But the other part, the one that had always guided her as an empress, coldly reminded her of her position. She was the Little Demon Empress. She couldn't show weakness, not even to him.
So, she kept her arms crossed and slightly averted her gaze, as if it didn't matter to her.
"…So you really dream that big," she said, her voice calm but hiding a trace of bitterness. "It's not enough to be the strongest in this world… you want to challenge the heavens themselves."
For a moment, her eyes flickered with a faint spark, revealing the conflict she hid. Fear, desire, pride, and a premature longing.
She didn't want Ren Zu to leave.
Selfishly, she wanted more days like these. She wanted to keep hearing his laugh, even if it was infuriating. She wanted more nights of conversation…
But as an empress, all she could do was bury that desire deep in her soul and accept the approaching distance.
Still, as she glanced at him, she noticed her lips almost trembling.
And then, in a whisper too soft for him to hear, she murmured to herself:
"…If you really leave… I don't know if I'll ever forgive you."
Pretending not to hear, Ren Zu gave a faint smile and said, "…Of course, I'll still come visit you when I return to see my family…"
"Hmph! If you reach that level of strength, this empress will demand your help, so it's obvious you're obligated to visit me…"
The Little Demon Empress didn't have time to continue when Ren Zu's calm expression changed drastically!
"Careful!"
A beam of light flashed, slicing through the air as if tearing space itself. Its speed was absurd, impossible for any intermediate Monarch to react to: a dagger was heading straight for the Little Demon Empress's heart.
Her eyes widened in shock. Even with her battle instincts and years of experience, she had no time to move a single finger.
Her cultivation was sealed!
But before the blade could reach her, a shadow placed itself between her and death.
Ren Zu.
His body moved without hesitation, as if he had foreseen the attack from the start. In an instant, he stood in front of her.
Puchi!
The sharp sound echoed through the valley. The blade pierced his flesh, embedding deeply into his shoulder, inches from his heart.
"Ren Zu!" The Little Demon Empress stood, her expression finally breaking the cold mask she always wore. Her gaze trembled with pure dread.
He let out a low groan but didn't retreat. On the contrary: with the blade still lodged in his body, he took a step forward, shielding her completely with his frame, like a human shield.
His broad back faced her, even as blood streamed in crimson rivers down his white robe. He seemed calm…
The Little Demon Empress brought a hand to her mouth, her heart racing chaotically. She couldn't stop her voice from trembling:
"You idiot… why… why did you step in front?"
"Because… Caiyi… from the moment I met you, no matter if you treated me with coldness or disdain… I couldn't stop looking at you. In just a few days, you broke every barrier within me. I laughed with you, argued with you… and without realizing it, I started wishing these days would never end…" Ren Zu said with a faint smile on his lips.
Her gaze wavered, her pupils dilating.
He took another step, even with the blade buried in his flesh, until his shadow completely covered her silhouette.
"So when I saw that blade coming for you… I didn't think. I could never let you be hurt…"
The waterfall roared behind them, but in that moment, the world seemed silent.
His words echoed in her heart like thunder.
"You're in this situation because I put you here. So… whether it's poison, blades, or even the heavens… I'll always stand between you and anything that threatens to harm you…"
"Because protecting you… is the only vow I've made to myself that I'll never break."
Her gaze trembled.
For the first time in decades, the Little Demon Empress felt tears threatening to surface, but she forcefully swallowed the lump in her throat, clenching her fists.
But before she could say anything, two men appeared out of nowhere about ten meters in front of them, one of them mocking:
"Well, well, how touching! Hahahaha, I never thought I'd see this kind of scene from someone like you, Huan Caiyi…"
The one who spoke was dressed luxuriously. His expression carried the typical arrogance of someone born above others. His eyes radiated haughtiness, as if nothing in this world was worthy of his gaze.
"…It seems you underestimated the boy with her. When facing someone you need to kill, no matter how weak they are, even if they're like meat under your knife, you shouldn't toy with them! You must eradicate them as quickly as possible! Haven't I taught you that?"
The man who spoke was of average height, elegant and handsome, with an extremely pale face. Overall, he looked like a frail scholar, but he emitted an overwhelmingly terrifying pressure from his entire body. Around him, everything was eerily silent, with no signs of flames or lightning. There wasn't even a trace of airflow. His hair and sleeves were completely still… just like his surroundings, where his terrifying aura seemed to have condensed the air around him.
He was dressed in a red robe and appeared to be around thirty years old.
The Little Demon Empress carefully observed the two men, her expression and gaze shifting, revealing the shock and horror in her heart.
Duke Huai and Duke Ming!?
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