Xuanyuan Jiantian (2)

The Moon Slaughter Devil Sovereign wasn't the only thing of value he took outside with him. The Netherworld Udumbara Flower, the Evil Infant's Wheel of Myriad Tribulations and some mysterious manual, which he did not know much about. The Wheel was very clearly a source of extreme darkness so he kept it tucked away in a spatial ring along with everything else. Who knows... it might come in handy later.

~

When he remerged, he was met with quite a gathering. One by one, the rulers of the Sun Moon Divine Sect, Absolute Monarch Sanctuary and Supreme Ocean Palace along with their strongest subjects had all flew down and looked down at him with disapproving gazes.

"Sword Master Jiantian, you have broken our sacred treaty. Of course, you've been constantly overstepping your boundaries ever since you become Sword Master but you've crossed the line too far this time by moving into this forbidden ground without anyone's approval. That's not all, either, of course. You acted out of hand with one of the Nations as well, namely the Divine Phoenix Empire. Our duty is to be the guardians of those inferior to us. Then..." The Saint Emperor was interrupted by laughter from Xuanyuan Jiantian.

"Guardians? Protect the weak? It is the STRONG who RULE this WORLD!" Xuanyuan Jiantian stood his ground, not fazed by anyone in front of him.

"Tell me, oh great and wise Saint Emperor, if say the Divine Phoenix Empire had gained some heavenly treasure that could very well be your key to divinity... would you not steal it off them!?"

"... No, I would not."

"You're a liar... and a good one, at that. So what are you all here to do? Slap me on the wrist?"

"No, but we want you to finally answer for your crimes."

"So, you're going to punish me for eradicating the one thing that the Supreme Ocean Palace worried about for thousands of years on end?" Xuanyuan Jiantian shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder how stupid you all really are."

'Looking for the smallest reasons to tag-team against me... how envious.'

"Oh, it's not that... you knocked a few guards unconscious and bypassed the sacred barrier!" He mocked the Saint Emperor's righteous tone. "Please, fuck off and away from my face before I beat the souls out of every single one of you."

"And here you still stand, thinking you're above the rest of us."

Xuanyuan Jiantian laughed, releasing his tyrannical aura and pressuring every Monarch in front of him onto the ground. Meanwhile, he simply ascended above them.

"That's because, believe it or not, I AM above you."

The power of the Divine Origin Realm... it was not something they could resist.

"You're all fortunate that I am not a man to kill without reason, otherwise you'd all be dead for this insult. Now don't pester me until I call upon you three again."

...

Afterwards, Xuanyuan Jiantian grasped every valuable resource from Sun Moon Divine Sect, Absolute Monarch Sanctuary and Supreme Ocean Palace, leaving them rather barren. Of course, they still had their disciples... but those disciples no longer had the resources to reach their full potential. Meanwhile, the Eternal Night Royal Family was just chilling in its own reclusive corner as usual.

After this, the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region officially became the single superpower in Blue Pole Star and its undeniable overlord under the reign of the indomitable Divine Sword Master Xuanyuan Jiantian. Before departing for the God Realm, he built a sanctuary in case the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region would be attacked by the other Sacred Grounds. The sanctuary had a secret formation that projected a reflection of him that could very easily dispatch Peak Sovereigns. It also stored weaker versions of his powerful Profound Arts along with countless resources.

After he settled all his matters with the Blue Pole Star, the Divine Sword Master Xuanyuan Jiantian ascended to the God Realm. Travelling the dangerous void that was space was far from easy, especially for a mere Divine Origin practitioner. But... against all odds, he managed to reach a Low-Rank Star Realm after many attempts.

Cut apart beyond words and more exhausted than he had ever been, he finally breathed the air of the Realm of the Gods. It did not take him long to grow accustomed to his surroundings and start growing. Using his complete invisibility technique, he managed to swindle many sects. Using the resources he would steal, Xuanyuan Jiantian grew swiftly cultivation level-wise.

In only fifty years he became an infamous Divine Tribulation Realm practitioner known for his endlessly wide bag of tricks. Even the mighty Divine King of the Low-Rank Star Realm had went through many headaches because of him... yet no matter how hard he tried, he could never quite grab hold of him.

Then, one fateful day, ominous thunder clouds filled the sky. It was far from ordinary, causing the entire star realm to shake. One stage of tribulation lightning... two stages... three stages... four stages... six stages.

He had endured them all.

Though, by then, his tribulation lightning had gained a lot of attention.

Then the seventh stage-struck, something no one had ever seen before.

Xuanyuan Jiantian stood standing, nearly completely unscathed.

That was where his conquest of the Low-Rank Star Realm truly began. One by one, he surpassed every expert until even the Divine King had to bow his head in both acknowledgement and fear. Then, using all of the star realm's resources, he swiftly ascended to the Divine King Realm himself. He renamed the Low-Rank Star Realm and its strongest sect to 'Shadow Sun Star Realm' and 'Shadow Sun Sect' respectfully.

The Realm was known for its lack of light for most of its days and so, he thought the change was only fitting. With how he became its Realm King, he gave himself the title 'Lord Trickster'. His most well-known trait had been the plague doctor mask he'd occasionally wear. The Shadow Sun Sect's uniform was usually all black, having red, gold and blue as secondary colours to symbolise members of a higher status. Red for disciples with talent and experience, gold for masters, elders and exceptional disciples. Finally, azure blue for the Realm King.

The Shadow Sun Star Realm was quite ordinary until Xuanyuan Jiantian became its Realm King, propelling the Low-Rank Star Realm to heights it could never dream off. Under his guidance and supreme strength, it became a Middle-Rank Star Realm. Of course, it was just not him who grew stronger... the disciples did too as he personally tutored a countless number of them.

After a prosperous four-hundred-year reign, Xuanyuan Jiantian ascended to the mighty realm of Divine Master. He was by far the youngest natural (without legacies) Divine Master, though this fact was not known to the wider God Realm until he was involved in a certain conflict. Seeking attention and to see where he was at cultivation-wise, Xuanyuan Jiantian sought a challenge outside of his Shadow Sun Star Realm.

One figure seemed a better target than the rest, being relatively independent of any Star Realm. The sword sovereign; Jun Wuming. A man who was said to have cultivated the 'Sword Path' to its very peak. Wishing to see how good he really was, Xuanyuan Jiantian challenged him for the title 'Sword Sovereign'.

Naturally, since he was a relatively nameless figure at that time, Jun Wuming ignored him. This only served to anger Xuanyuan Jiantian, who forced him into a conflict by stealing his nameless sword. Xuanyuan Jiantian declared that he would have to beat him in single combat with the God Realm as a witness to regain his sword, vanishing before his very eyes.

And so, their match was staged by Xuanyuan Jiantian. It had gained some controversy, even pulling in the God Emperors of the Eastern Divine Region to witness the fight. They wondered what kind of nameless expert could steal Jun Wuming's sword right under his nose... and challenge him to a direct battle right after, no less.

"Today, there will be a new Sword Sovereign in town." Xuanyuan Jiantian stated confidently before the match, drawing his own sword that was forged from the core of a Divine Master Realm beast.

Their match was one of mostly Sword Skill, as Xuanyuan Jiantian didn't use his arsenal to its fullest. Even the God Emperors observing from high couldn't believe their eyes when Xuanyuan Jiantian began to use sword skills FAR superior to Jun Wuming's. As a matter of fact, it was quite a jaw-dropping display. Especially when they realised that he was a 1st Stage Divine Master fighting.... and beating one in the Late Stages!

"No matter how hard you cultivate the Sword Path, your art will never surpass my Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art." He teleported to him and spoke directly to his ear. "You wanna know why? Because I'm simply better than you."

He tried to slash at him, but he merely disappeared into beautiful azure particles, reappearing in front of him. He tried to charge him but a seemingly invincible forcefield stopped him before he got too close. He looked at Xuanyuan Jiantian's hands from which he had formed an impenetrable formation.

"Uhoh, looks like you're trapped. Give me a moment and I'll end this match, alright?"

Hundreds of radiant and luminous azure swords appeared from nothing, right above Jun Wuming. Each of these swords had been charged with navy blue lightning... Xuanyuan Jiantian's greatest and most powerful profound skill.

Xuanyuan Jiantian extended his hands as he stood right above the swords.

"To dedicate your whole life to the Sword Path and only produce these results... in this Sword Master's eyes, you are a failure." With one snap of his fingers, the swords descended on Jun Wuming and the formation trapping him broke right before the swords fell onto it.

And just like that, Jun Wuming blinked to having countless sword wounds... yet, he was alive. This was all due to the man standing above him, Zhou Xuzi, the Eternal Heaven God Emperor who had scattered Xuanyuan Jiantian's swords before Jun Wuming could die.

"You saved the poor man's life." Xuanyuan Jiantian laughed. "He was so confident when he stepped onto this stage... only to be thoroughly embarrassed by me. Well, I suppose that settles it, I am the new Sword Sovereign."

He dropped the nameless sword on Jun Wuming's body. "You can have this back now, it's useless to me."

The Brahma Heaven God Emperor was so impressed he personally invited him to the Brahma Monarch God Realm. Hesitant at first, he accepted the offer when the Brahma Heaven God Emperor promised a shit ton of resources if he was loyal to him. Part-time Realm King and part-time associate of the Brahma Monarch God Realm, Xuanyuan Jiantian had become a peculiar figure in the God Realm.

As the years passed, he grew even more strength-wise and gained the trust of the Brahma Heaven God Emperor. Or did the God-Emperor gain his trust...? Their personalities weren't exactly perfect, one a manipulative man while the other an unpredictable trickster. Luckily, neither showed their worst side to each other and became pretty good friends.

By the time he was one thousand and three hundred years old, Xuanyuan Jiantian was a peak Divine Master and debatably the strongest person in the God Realm. Though, when people would ask who was stronger between him and the mighty Dragon Monarch Long Bai, he'd merely laugh and humbly state that he'd lose in a close battle. Yet he said this in a rather sarcastic tone, leaving room for interpretation as to how such a battle would really go.

Then, the Brahma Monarch God Realm's greatest talent in countless years emerged. Qianye Ying'er, one of the many children of God-Emperor Qianye Fantian was truly one of a kind. By the time she was only nine years old, she completed the successor ceremony... and was a perfect fit, no less.

...

"Yo Brahma Gods, come on out. I need some sparring practice!" Xuanyuan Jiantian woke up feeling dangerous that day, looking to see how quickly he could knock them all out unarmed. Maybe he'd get a new record...

Reluctantly, they agreed and they 'exchanged pointers'. Or more specifically, he beat them all into the ground within only five seconds.

"Man, you guys aren't getting any better." Clearly bored, Xuanyuan Jiantian yawned and moved on from them. He went to look for the Brahma Monarch God Emperor... who actually happened to have a job for him.

"Jiantian, you have been by my side for hundreds of years now. Even my brothers, the Brahma Gods do not compare to how valuable you've been to me in these past years. I've realised that a man of your talents could be utilised better... hmph, I'll just cut it to the chase. I want you to personally mentor my daughter, Qianye Ying'er. Teach her all you know and I have no doubts that she will even surpass me someday."

"What do you think about such an arrangement, Jiantian?"

"'Teach her all I know'? You know, such a service isn't given for free."

"I briefly remembered you begging me for something to do. And when I did, the very first thing you ask for is payment. I consider you to be a man even greater than us God-Emperors, surely something as low as payment is beneath you?"

"You know, Fantian, if there was ever something in this God Realm that I wanted... I could very easily take it and not a single soul could stop me."

"Is that a threat?"

"Perhaps it is, perhaps not. I'll mentor your daughter, alright, because she seems quite promising and well, quite frankly, I got nothing better to do. But always remember... that you owe me."

His glowing navy blue eyes seemed to pierce through Qianye Fantian's soul as he stared at him down for a moment. Then, he turned around and walked away at his own pace.

For his first year as a mentor, he focused on instilling his core values of ambition, supreme confidence and justice. He wanted his disciple to be righteous, just as he used to be. Then, one of the days they returned to the Brahma Monarch God Realm, a shocking truth was delivered. Qianye Ying'er's mother was... assassinated.

This... shattered his disciple's world.

Naturally, he began to investigate the case. How could the Brahma Heaven God Emperor, the second strongest man in the entire Eastern Divine Region, let a few assassins kill his most treasured daughter's mother?

"I find it quite coincidental that the one time I'm not in the Brahma Monarch God Realm, Ying'er's mother dies right under your nose. Tell me, was it you?"

"You should mind your own business-"

"This IS my business, Fantian, and I will get to the bottom of it. While no one else would ever think to suspect you, I will. Someone so strong and influential... anyone you wanted to protect would naturally be protected. On the other hand, anyone you wanted to be removed from this world... would be removed."

"So tell me, why would you want that?"

"I did not." Qianye Fantian denied his claims. "It was a matter out of my control-"

"Don't give me that shit." Xuanyuan Jiantian chuckled. "I can see the look in your eyes... and it's the look I know far too well; the look of a murderer."

Seeing him remain firm, Xuanyuan Jiantian said one last thing regarding the matter.

"Lie to me again and I swear by my honour that I will kill you right here. Did you do it?" Still relatively firm, Xuanyuan Jiantian drew his sword and made a swift slash, stopping when Qianye Fantian gave in.

"It wasn't me, I swear it by everything I hold dear! The day when I found out my wife died, I was heartbroken... did you not know that? Would you kill an innocent friend on a simple hunch, Jiantian?"

Xuanyuan Jiantian forcefully grabbed him by his head and searched all of his memories... then he laughed.

"You think you can trick me with your worthless words? You know, the only reason you're still alive is that you're the Brahma Heaven God Emperor. I'll keep your little secret... on one condition. You don't lay a single hand on my disciple. Or else... well, you'll realise what I'm truly capable of."

"Am I understood?"

Qianye Fantian grit his teeth reluctantly. "Have it your way, Xuanyuan Jiantian. Ensure that she is prepared to succeed me."

"Oh, that's the easy part."