Ch 3: Home -2

"I'm back..."

The entire island erupted in joy at hearing those words from the one they revered as their god, the one they had longed to see again for countless eons.

The atmosphere buzzed with life, as if the island itself had been awakened by his mere presence. Every creature, every blade of grass, seemed to pulse with renewed energy, their spirits reignited by the return of their master.

More joyful than ever, their eyes shone with a bright light, a spark of hope as if a dead body had been given new life. The despair of countless years melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of purpose and fulfillment.

The air itself seemed to hum with a soft melody, as though the very essence of the island was rejoicing along with its inhabitants.

Feng Liang stood at the center of this rejoicing, his presence a beacon of light in the midst of the island's divine splendor. A gentle smile graced his lips, for he, too, had longed to return to the roots of his journey, to the place where it had all begun.

"Mount Dai Shiang..." The words rolled off his tongue like a cherished memory, and as they did, countless memories surged into his mind, each one a fragment of his storied past.

It was as if a new twig was rising from beneath the ground, breaking through the layer of soil that had concealed it. But in Feng Liang's case, that soil was nothing other than his own stubbornness—the relentless drive that had pushed him to seek greater power, even when he already held the cosmos in his grasp.

He shook his head gently, dispelling the flood of memories, and looked toward the sky. "As expected... the sky is just as beautiful as it was countless years ago." His voice was soft, filled with nostalgia as his eyes traced the familiar patterns in the heavens. The faint smile on his face grew clearer, more genuine, as if he had found a piece of himself that had been lost in the pursuit of power.

Yet, the moment of tranquility was soon interrupted by another sound...

Step

Another foot could be seen descending from the heavens. The sky darkened slightly as the new arrival's presence altered the very fabric of reality. As soon as it came into view, an aura, sharp and unyielding, pierced through everyone's skin, as if a thousand swords were slicing their bodies into minute pieces.

The sheer force of the aura was enough to make even the strongest of beings falter. But in the face of the immense happiness they felt from their master's return, such pain was nothing more than a sting... A small price to pay for the joy of witnessing the reunion.

As he descended the staircase, his body gradually came into view, each step revealing more of his imposing figure. The atmosphere grew tense, electric with anticipation.

Everyone recognized him instantly. It was the Sword God himself..!! A being whose name echoed through the annals of history!

Who in their right mind wouldn't know about the Sword God, the one who had challenged the heavens, who had destroyed millions of worlds with a single sword strike, and who was renowned throughout the cosmos for his unparalleled skill, pride, and arrogance?

Fifteen minutes passed, and he was still only halfway down the stairs. Each step he took reverberated through the island, causing Feng Liang's body to shake slightly in frustration.

Yet despite the tremors, Feng Liang maintained his serene smile, though a twitch of amusement played at the corners of his lips. He looked up at the Sword God and said, "So, how long are you going to make me look up at you like this?"

In an instant, as soon as those words reached his ears, the Sword God leaped into the air without a second thought, his pride momentarily forgotten in his eagerness to please his master.

Determined to reach the ground as quickly as possible, he executed a flawless front flip in midair and landed on his knees before Feng Liang, smashing his head into the ground in a display of utmost submission.

"Forgive me, Master! For I have committed a sin greater than any soul..." His voice, usually so commanding and authoritative, now trembled with a mix of guilt and fear. His forehead pressed into the earth, he dared not lift his gaze to meet Feng Liang's.

Feng Liang looked at him, his emotions carefully controlled. After a brief moment, he smiled brightly and said, "It's alright."

Meanwhile, the others present at that particular scene couldn't help but share the same thought...

"Sword God, my ass! He's just another loyal dog wagging his tail around his owner..." The thought spread like wildfire through the minds of the onlookers, yet none dared to voice it aloud.

The Sword God, sensing their silent mockery, turned his face toward them as if he could read their minds. His eyes, usually sharp and cold, now blazed with the intensity of a thousand suns, ready to strike down anyone who dared disrespect his master. His fist clenched tightly, the veins on his hand bulging as he fought to restrain his anger.

The onlookers immediately lowered their heads, their bravado evaporating under the Sword God's withering gaze. In unison, they shouted, "We greet the strongest sword of the cosmos! The Sword God, Feng Yuan!"

Feng Yuan nodded in satisfaction, a smile of contentment spreading across his face. He then rose and looked at his master, who was still lost in thought, gazing around the mountain, perhaps recalling the countless battles and trials that had shaped his path.

For Feng Yuan, this moment was one of profound happiness. It had been so long... So many millions of years... Since he had seen his master truly at peace, truly happy. The sight filled him with a sense of fulfillment that not even his greatest victories could match.

As Feng Yuan basked in his master's presence, another sound from the sky drew everyone's attention. The air grew thick with anticipation, and a heavy silence fell over the island, save for the sound of wings flapping and a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.

Flap of wings

ROAR!

This was no ordinary beastly cry. It was a roar that could crush the souls of anyone within earshot, a sound that reverberated through the very bones of those who heard it. Yet even this was nothing more than a sting to the inhabitants of the island.

However, the Divine Dragon, who had already knelt before his master, was so frightened that he smashed his head into the ground with such force that it left a crater. The others looked at him in confusion, wondering what could have caused such a reaction from one so powerful.

Cold sweat broke out on the Divine Dragon's face as he mumbled, "G-G-Grand Elder...!!"

The Grand Elder of the Dragons!! The first and strongest dragon in the history of the cosmos!! The one who had refused the title of patriarch so that he could freely travel alongside his master, serving him as a mount... He was here as well!

Soon, the giant form of the Grand Elder came into sight, his immense body blotting out the sky. He flew through the winds as if he could slice through space and time itself with just a flap of his wings. The sheer power emanating from him was enough to send shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors.

Unlike Feng Yuan, the Grand Elder reached the ground swiftly, his massive form touching down with a thunderous impact. He immediately knelt before his master, his immense head bowed in reverence.

Unlike any other dragon, his scales were perfect, exuding an energy so profound that it seemed to warp reality around him. His scales, as if covered by a river of darkness, bore a stream of light that altered the course of nature, bringing balance to the chaos that surrounded him.

He cared for no one other than his master and did not even glance at the others present. But out of respect, they greeted him reverently. The Divine Dragon, still trembling in fear, managed to stammer out his greeting, "W-We greet the mightiest dragon in the whole cosmos! The Grand Elder, Ba Long...!"

Ba Long did not acknowledge their greetings. Without looking at them, he spoke in a voice filled with disappointment, "There's no need to greet us like this... After all, We are all just faithful servants of our master..."

Everyone was shocked by his behavior. He was truly as the rumors described him. Apart from the stories of him slaughtering his own kind, he had earned the nickname "Eternally Loyal"... A title bestowed upon him by those who perished at his hands for attempting to sway his loyalty to his master. To witness such unwavering devotion was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Before anyone could respond to Ba Long's words, Feng Liang spoke, his voice calm and gentle, "Don't just keep kneeling there... Get up and come with me."

His words were like a warm breeze, instantly dispelling the tension that had gripped the island. The beings slowly rose, their hearts swelling with pride and loyalty. Feng Liang, with a kind smile still on his face, began to walk toward the heart of Mount Dai Shiang, where memories of his past awaited, intertwined with the roots of the mountain itself.

The others followed closely, their steps in sync with their master's, as they ventured deeper into the sacred place where the journey of the Eternal Sage had begun.