The diverse group of men and women at the front were all kneeling in reverence.
Alone and staring blankly, Chen Luoyang stood among them.
It appeared he had transmigrated.
He now occupied a body with incredible power, clad in ancient garments. Despite the immense strength within, the body seemed to have sustained a serious injury, causing pain with every exertion.
Worse still, he hadn't inherited the original owner's memories, leaving him in the dark about his current situation or any past experiences.
Chen Luoyang observed the kneeling crowd, his expression peculiar. Yet, since they all kept their heads bowed, no one noticed his confusion.
An elder addressed him humbly, "This old servant has disturbed Your Holiness and deserves ten thousand deaths. I seek Cult Master's forgiveness."
The rest of the crowd echoed, "We seek Cult Master's forgiveness."
Chen Luoyang's head ached as he pondered three crucial questions: Who am I? Where am I? What should I do next?
Taking in the people before him—men, women, old, and young, all wearing ancient attire and armed with blades—Chen Luoyang noticed the reverence they held for him.
As their Cult Master, he was revered. But if they discovered their leader had been replaced, chaos might ensue. His injured body wouldn't stand a chance against them. He needed to maintain order.
Composing himself, Chen Luoyang adopted an emotionless expression and asked indifferently, "Why are all of you gathered here?"
The elder replied with increasing respect, "Cult Master, while you were in seclusion, we protected you from the outside. But suddenly, a powerful, bloody aura emerged from your room. We didn't dare disturb you, but we grew uneasy…"
He continued, "Your power is unrivalled, and we cannot fathom your might. We are short-sighted and seek your forgiveness for any disturbance we've caused."
Chen Luoyang's thoughts turned to a mysterious black pot he had discovered in his previous life. It seemed to have brought him here and merged with his soul.
Distracted, he didn't respond right away, making the crowd increasingly anxious. Finally, he said, "Seeing your loyalty, you may rise."
Relieved, the group stood.
Chen Luoyang maintained his composure as he dismissed them. "Alright, you are all dismissed."
They bowed and respectfully filed out of the room. A middle-aged woman lingered to inquire about dinner plans. Chen Luoyang replied calmly, "As before."
Finally, alone, Chen Luoyang sighed and approached a mirror. The reflection showed a young man wearing ancient attire, his features identical to his former self on Blue Star.
Chen Luoyang wore a pure black robe with golden lapels and cuffs. The simple, stylish patterns lent him an awe-inspiring appearance.
The room, too, was fashioned in an old style.
Perhaps someone had played a prank on him, changing his clothes and transporting him to this room while he was unconscious. But the unusual power within his body would be difficult to imitate, right?
Moreover, his reflection revealed eyes emitting a black radiance.
What kind of Cult Master am I? And what kind of world is this?
He organized his thoughts and began to examine the room's contents.
On a table, he found a letter:
"This Seat understands everything that has happened. Everything will be carried out according to the original plan."
The letter seemed to be an order from the Cult Master—himself—to someone else, but it hadn't been sent.
Chen Luoyang searched further and discovered a bookshelf.
He opened a book and began to read.
This world was known as the Grand Divine Province, where martial dao experts possessed incredible abilities. Once, many nations had vied for supremacy here. The Central Divine Province was now ruled by the Great Xia Empire, with other factions existing within and outside its borders.
The era's leading figures were known as the "Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors."
Among them were the Demon Cult Master, the Sword Pavilion Lord, and the Other Tribe Chieftain. These three were at the top of the world, known as the Demon Sovereign, Sword Sovereign, and Saber Sovereign.
As Chen Luoyang read, his expression turned serious.
Could it be…?
Was he the legendary Demon Cult Master? One of the Three Sovereigns, the Demon Sovereign?
The man everyone wanted to kill, but also the man everyone feared.
The world's No. 1 demon fiend.
Below the Demon Sovereign were numerous powerful individuals and countless followers, making them the public enemy of the Divine Province and the nightmare of the human world.
Could he have become such an important figure? The situation seemed almost comical.
Chen Luoyang considered that perhaps he belonged to a different cult, not the Demon Cult.
He read on and discovered that the Demon Cult's defining divine technique, Heaven Demon Blood, caused the cultivator's eyes to produce the Radiance of Black Mysticism. This unique trait could only belong to the Demon Cult Master.
Chen Luoyang glanced back at the mirror, his eyes emitting black radiance.
He sighed in disbelief.
In his experience, almighty experts who encountered misfortune would leave behind a remnant of their soul, which would then inhabit the body of a struggling youth. Eventually, they would rise again to reclaim their former glory.
Why did his situation seem reversed? Chen Luoyang sighed.
If the Demon Cult members discovered their Cult Master had been replaced, they would likely go berserk. Even if he escaped the Demon Cult, countless others would want him dead—those who sought to eliminate evil and uphold righteousness.
The predicament was fraught with danger from both within and without.
Still, Chen Luoyang had a hidden depth to him.
In his previous life on Blue Star, Chen Luoyang had ventured into the world alone from a young age. He faced a variety of trials, including days of silent suffering, immense pressure, and desperate risks. Throughout these ups and downs, his mental state was tempered and became incredibly resilient.
"Before I can fully control the situation, the show must go on. Life is like a performance, and it all depends on one's acting skills!" Chen Luoyang reflected.
He thought optimistically that at least he didn't have to start from the bottom. But why would such incredible people find themselves in this situation? Chen Luoyang considered the mysterious black pot.
The black pot had no physical form, so how could he use it? He closed his eyes and pondered, and soon his consciousness illuminated the pot within the darkness. He wondered if he could find more detailed information about this Demon Sovereign.
As he thought this, the black pot opened, and its blood-red serum reduced significantly. A blood-coloured mist rose, forming an article of blood-red words in his mind:
[Chen Luoyang, 20 years old.]
Chen Luoyang was shocked. Not only did they share the same appearance, but also had the same name. He continued reading, finding a detailed account of the Demon Cult Master's life, including martial arts accomplishments and life events.
The most striking details were his rapid rise to power, control over the Southern Desolate Demon Domain, and a recent duel with the Sword Pavilion Lord that ended in a draw. Both parties were injured, and the Demon Cult Master tried to use the black pot to heal but failed.
Chen Luoyang realized he lacked knowledge about the Demon Sovereign's interpersonal relationships and affections. This missing information could prove detrimental. He decided to take one step at a time, focusing on hiding his injuries and recuperating.
As he pondered, a jade pendant suddenly chimed. Confused, he examined it and realized it was a communication tool. The first sound had been a signal from the chief attendant that dinner was prepared, and Chen Luoyang inadvertently summoned her over.
When the chief attendant arrived, she informed him that dinner and a bath were ready. Chen Luoyang agreed, maintaining a serious demeanour. As twelve beautiful maids entered to help him bathe and change, he couldn't help but wonder if the Cult Master was a devoted cultivator or a skirt-chaser.