During the time Li Cheng was in the miniature world…
Inside the Li Sect where the elders resided, dozens of elders were seen bustling. When an elder came sprinting through the long hall into the elder reception hall, another would be seen shortly leaving the hall.
The true chaos was in the main hall intersection. Unless there was a special event, the room would never be filled past thirty disciples, which that in itself was rare. It was a hall that many disciples wished to avoid because of the inevitable conflicts that would arise from the inner court disciples meeting the outer court disciples.
However today, it was as though Li Cheng had fused a war between those disciples.
The entire main hall was flooded with disciples!
And elders!
It was not merely because of those who have been injured and were being taken care of. Many were using this as the hub spot to exchange information about the earth-shattering phenomena.
"Do you think an elder entered tribulation to try to breakthrough the Sky-Seeking Realm?"
"Sky-Seeking Realm? What nonsense are you spouting?! Some of our late elders had already reached this realm. The Sect Master is already at the end of that realm! I've heard from my daddy that these tribulations were never this exaggerated!" the disbelieved boy rebuked. Then he said,
"I haven't seen your face. Are you an outer court disciple?"
"Umm… uhh yeahh?"
"Stupid dog! No wonder you're in the trash court."
"Come on man, I was just asking a question!" The outer disciple felt aggrieved.
"I will tell you what. This young master will be magnanimous. Go lick a fellow dog and I will let you off," he said, nodding his head.
"Fuck you!!"
The outer dog jumped on the master. Nearby outer-disciples watching the scene righteously joined into the fray, prompting the displeased inner-disciples to retaliate.
This was just one variation of clashes that occurred.
"These god damn kids!" Third Elder Li Tang cried.
Elder Li Tang was moments from breaking off the conflict when he suddenly heard the Sect Master's voice in his head.
"Understood Sect Master!"
As he was told to report to him immediately, he pardoned himself, pushed off above the crowd, and headed towards the Sect Master's adobe.
When he arrived, he saw a handful of late elders on the sides of the Sect Master.
"Reporting to Sect Master, I have received news that Sect Masters Petal Fairy Ruolan and Slaughter Axe Kong Tengfei are heading this way to investigate."
"Those two?" The Sect Master knitted his brows. "Why?"
"Apparently, they were only a few cities away in preparation for the upcoming joint Great Southern Sect Expedition."
"It's a week away, but it is not far-fetched considering the distance of the Ferocious Battle Mountain… but Flower Leaf Valley? Did they come with their disciples?"
"There were words that there were some crazy ragged cultivators slaughtering the Gangfu Bandit Stronghold. But nothing about Flower Leaf Valley."
"What about the Slumbering Rest Villa?"
"There doesn't seem to be any movement... at least for now."
Third Elder Tiang trembled as he saw the Sect Master's face turn a deep sour. He knew that he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear next.
"Anything else?"
"Y-yes Sect Master… there were more reports of itinerant cultivators entering the borders into Deepthorn."
"Maggots that think they can just worm into our territory." He faced the First Elder and Second Elder. "Li Zhu, Li Wan help the other elders outside clean up."
"Yes Sect Master!" the two elders said in unison, bowed, and disappeared.
"The rest of you manage the sect!"
Amidst their response, the Sect Master had already left.
As the Sect Master soared out of the Li Sect into the skies, he cringed when the golden rays shot into his eyes and cursed.
Twenty minutes ago it appeared as if the entire city was about to be obliterated by the Heavens. Now the city looked like a tourist spot with all the cultivators riding their flying swords or running in the streets looking for treasures.
The Sect Master being the owner of Deepthorn obviously abhorred this. 'Perhaps I should swat out the insects myself?' he thought to himself.
"Who!"
In the middle of his flight, a burly figure blocked his way.
Before his eyes registered the figure, he already knew who he was the moment he had contact with the figure's aura.
"Ancestor!" he hastily cupped his fists. "Weren't you recovering in seclusion? There is no need for you to come out. I will not fail your expectations."
"I sensed two figures that you wouldn't be able to handle alone. Go handle them."
Without saying anymore, the Li Ancestor flew off towards the clouds. Not a single one of those cultivators in the air were able to reach the feats of him. He had already transcended the skies.
"It seems Ancestor has improved."
"Li Hao. Did 'they' find out?" The Sect Master heard his departed Ancestor's voice suddenly ring into his mind. Li Hao couldn't help but freeze, but not because he was paying deference to his Ancestor's voice.
He used his spiritual sense to locate the familiar aura. Slowly, he spoke,
"I'm unsure. I haven't yet received word from 'them'. It wouldn't be strange if they simply dismissed it but…"
"Li Hao. Forget the task if one of 'them' comes. I will personally do it, so you don't need to worry."
"Grandfather, I…"
"Don't be like your mother."
Those were the last words he said.
***
Returning back to the present.
Li Cheng was flabbergasted.
When he exited the portal and returned to the real world, he saw countless cultivators amok whether it was the skies or the city.
His secret hideout, which was only pressed with the occasionally rare wandering small beast and his and Li Wei's feet, had been trespassed with foreigners.
While it may be just two cultivators at present, who knew how many had previously searched this area during his time in the miniature world.
In fact, one of them was three metres away from him, staring in his direction.
Li Cheng remained as still as a statue.
The female cultivator did not say a word and strolled past, seemingly very ignorant of his existence.
Like a tiger not sparing a glance at the ants it steps across.
Although in this case, the ant was not stepped on and rather just ignored. Li Cheng was reinforced with the assumption that it was not because of the usual different levels of cultivation realms but rather, he was unaware of Li Cheng's existence!
To make sure his assumption was correct, Li Cheng skipped on his toes in a dainty manner.
He stopped in front of the cultivator, bent his waist forward, and closed his head to the face.
"Hi." He waved his hand.
The lack of response elicited Li Cheng to let loose a series of giggles.
*bump*
?
'Shit!'
Li Cheng hurriedly slinged himself to the side. The cultivator wore a confused expression on her face. Eventually, she shrugged it off as her imagination and continued searching.
'I see so that's how it works.'
Li Cheng sat down on the ground, tilted his head up, and assessed the situation.
From initial glance, it didn't appear that there were any old monsters and that could hold true; however, Li Cheng knew that if they didn't show themselves, then nobody would know if they were present or not.
With the hundreds of cultivators he saw, just with his sight alone, there was no way a hidden monster wouldn't be lurking somewhere. Or at least, a very strong one.
"Fucking what's wrong with the brains of these cultivators. Have they heard the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat'? How can they be sure that it was a heralding of a treasure being born or some sort of secret realm and not some old monster undergoing a tribulation?!
"*Cough* I mean… they weren't far off. It was a genuine godly artefact that had descended into this world."
However...
"You're all courting death!" Li Cheng yelled like how a young master from a prestigious clan should.
Dare trespass into his hideout?
Dare court his treasures?
Dare waltz into his residential area?
Perfect.
He was planning to be low-key and that would not change.
However, this was his time to strike while the iron was hot!
The world shall know Legendary.
Thinking about the next level of uproar he was about to cause, Li Cheng heard his heartbeats accelerate and his breathing quickened.
He opened the System and took out a large, long robe.
[Demonic Emperor's Sacred Dragon Robe x1]
[The tainted robe of the 'Son of Heaven'. No longer golden and instead black, the robe lost its heavenly properties and had fallen demonic. Its demonic ritual and ceremonial uses are greatly enhanced. Heavenly attacks on this robe under the Divine Realm are nullified. It reduces all incoming damage, effects and influences, including soul and mind attacks. The aura clash of heavenly and demonic properties resulted in a mutual destruction, causing the aura of this robe to be long lost.]
Li Cheng spent a couple of minutes adorning this robe. He used a hand mirror he had in his interspatial pouch to aid him. The robe was large and long and was not able to fit his size. The ends of the robe draped down like a cape, making it harder for him to walk. Annoyed, he spent extra time trying his best to adjust until he had the hang of it.
Once finished, he took out another treasure item out of the System. He gazed at the jaded, sleek perfume bottle and muttered,
"I hope this is as mystical as it is titled."
[Butterfly Queen's Mystical Misty Perfume x6]
[One of the Butterfly Queen's cherished perfumes, this fragrance encapsulates her renowned allure in the insect realm. Beyond her beauty, she's notorious for her skills in enticement, teasing, and applying pressure. This perfume embodies those captivating abilities. When sprayed, it releases a mist that envelops the area, leading onlookers to let their imaginations run wild. The intensity of the effect depends on the quantity used, with the full amount lasting roughly a week.]
With a few shoots of spray to his body, he closed his eyes and then sprayed his face, taking further time.
The first thing that came to his mind was how fantastic it smelled. For a short moment, he was a wolf, sniffing out its prey.
Unknowingly, the perfume had helped him relax the adrenaline running rampant in his body.
"Old monsters, I'm not afraid of you!"
Unfathomable Sect Master Li Cheng!
[When activated, you become unfathomable! Nobody can see through your cultivation level. People who look at you are pressured, effect based on your cultivation level. Other Sect Masters are compelled to listen to you. Your aura gives off a mysterious feeling. This is permanently activated towards a disciple of yours. Active Duration: 45 minutes Cooldown Period: 1 day.]
'Emperor or Immortal?'
'Immortal would be ideal… but Emperor will have to do.'
With mannerisms groomed from his young age of being one of the stars from the branch family, his legs smoothed out and elegantly walked, crossing into reality.
Channelling his Qi, he softly bellowed,
"10,000 years later, I have returned."
For a moment, almost nobody listened. Li Cheng with his low cultivation was unable to perk the ears of those higher, meaning he was deaf to their ears.
However, when the few curious and nearby ones subconsciously turned, they all stopped what they were doing and became struck in a daze.
The cultivators and non-cultivators followed the eyesight of the frozen: they too followed in their footsteps.
Suddenly the entire periphery came into a halt. And soon, those who wandered in were also affected but instead, their eyes expanded as large as saucers.
Before their very eyes was a tall, awe-inspiring visage. Even below, the man appeared majestic and otherworldly, dressed in demonic black silks stretched unbound. Observed from the front or the back, the robe carries five exalted embroidered dragons, immaculate.
As he took a step foot into the mortal plain, the mundane were impelled to bow; their feet kneeling collapsing into submission. When the man turned, the world turned.
Upon taking a peek to imprint, their unquenchable desires to continually stare flared.
Indeed, that was the face of an emperor. If the men held no thoughts of jealousy, what of the woman?
Once he stopped, the long black hair which gently swayed in the wind came to a rest.
Contrary to the demonic garment that spoke otherwise, there was no question to those who understood what his entirety evoked.
This young man?
No, this Emperor was—
—the 'Son of Heaven'.