As light as a feather, the Emperor tinkled the bell.
Bwong!
Bwong!
Bwong!
Despite the soft, powerless movement, a melodious, ancient sound rang. Its voice was deep and sonorous, and the long slow clanging filled the demonic with dread.
The ringing went on and on, and the light emitted grew brighter and brighter. Demonic cultivators a hair's breadth from shredding the despicable source shrieked with shrill cries and sloppily thrusted their bodies out. Their attacks were akin to a drunken man. In their eyes, the Emperor appeared to split into clones.
Effortlessly, the Emperor avoided the attacks. His movements were like a true martial master. He didn't appear to move but everything missed him as though it was an illusion.
Some of the stronger-willed cultivators managed to unleash their powerful techniques. Unfortunately, when the attacks collided with the enlarging light not even a ripple was formed.
The Exalted one was already miles away from the scene and was carefully hidden in a safe location. He could be thousands of miles away, but he had to view the abilities of the enemy with his own eyes. Stationed to his path were several of his most powerful aids, laying in wait for the encroaching adversary.
As he was observing with bated breath, he suddenly sensed an absolutely terrifying presence. He flung his head in several directions reflexively, but was unable to determine where it was. Even with his cultivation that should surpass everyone it was futile. Rubbing his eyes, he scrutinised the fearful golden-whiteish light that was growing larger.
Bwong!!
FLASH!!!
The golden-whitish light blinded the whole world. Everyone shut their eyes. The demonic cultivators howled and whimpered from the burning pure energy of holiness.
For those who were able to open their eyes, they were startled.
Serenely suspended above the mortals, was a breathtaking woman adorned in a flowing white garment seated upon a delicate pink lotus. In her right hand, she held a holy water jar, and on the left hand she chopsticked with her fingers a lush willow branch.
Her pure, white veil cascaded from the pinnacle of a golden tiara, cradling her impeccably smooth, long, black hair. Yet, it refrained from gracing the front of her countenance, laying bare her unparalleled beauty. Around her fair neck, a golden beaded necklace gently hung to her neckline, accentuating the elegance of the white dress adorned with golden embellishments that beautifully complemented her lithe figure. The gold on her dress gleamed with brilliance, harmonising in rhythm with her glowing, twinkling aura.
A goddess had descended.
She surveyed silently, unfazed by the cries of the earthly world. Afterwards, she turned her head to the person who called for her. Although her expressions appeared unreadable, Li Cheng, who had snapped out of his reverie, figured that she was waiting for him to speak.
Using his spiritual sense, he immediately communicated with the almighty being before him.
"Please hold on for a second great one."
As Li Cheng mused, the Deity curiously examined the holder of the bell. Eyes wandering on Li Cheng's robe, her expression remained serene yet contemplative, as if lost in deep thought.
Eyes of the Strongest Sect Master!
[Name: Kuan Yin (Miao Shan)]
[Cultivation Level: Restricted- Ruler Realm-Low Stage (Divine Realm Transcended)]
[Bloodline: Royal Chu, Great Buddha]
[Talent: SS+ Grade]
Li Cheng froze, his mouth agape. The perfect image of an Emperor had finally had holes torn through. It was only meant to be a few dozens of seconds or so, but he ended up staring dazedly for more than a minute.
It was only until he heard the Exalted one scream in horror "DEITY!!" that he had somewhat composed himself. It was the second time. First being that he was caught off surprise expecting some kind of monster-like deity, but instead the epitome of a goddess.
'Kuan Yin… where have I heard that before… AH! Guan Yin right!! Princess Miao Shan that girl from Buddhist legends that turned into a Deity! It is said she became one of the bodhisattvas; an enlightened being who out of compassion doesn't go into Nirvana, but instead stays behind and helps others to find salvation.'
'#$%^&U the legends are real!'
'And what the hell are those cultivation realms?! System explain!'
[Which one would you like me to explain first?]
'The Divine Realm Transcended! I remember seeing Divine Realm on an item description, but what the hell is transcended?'
[A very special unique path for the Divine Realm.]
'...System that's it? I don't even know what the Divine Realm is.'
[You need to find out for yourself.]
'At least tell me about the Ruler Realm?'
[You need to find out for yourself.]
'Can you at least tell me how powerful it is? No scratch that. That's too stupid to ask and I don't think you would tell me how powerful she is compared to those demonic cultivators. That absolute blessed SS+ talent aside, what the fuck is a Great Buddha bloodline? Are you telling me she has the blood of the almighty Buddha herself?
[She indeed has the blood of the Great Buddha.]
'Anything more?'
[System advises you to stop pestering meaningless things. Please help the System achieve 'Growth' to unlock new features and more details.]
'Sorry you're right. Those novels always say that some knowledge is best not to be privy to until you are capable of handling it. But I want to be prepared just in case…'
Li Cheng dismissed his thoughts with the System. Then, he quickly thought up something on the spot to quell the Deity for his very delayed response.
He deeply bowed, uncaring about his image as he wants to live, and said to the Deity through spiritual sense to avoid having their conversation heard.
"Young miss, heavenly beauty, I deeply apologise for my impudence. I was the one who summoned you here, and yet I made the exalted Young miss wait. My thoughts were torn asunder the moment I was dwelling into my thoughts from your stunning appearance. I am ashamed!"
"...Mortal you don't need to refer to me as 'Young miss'. That was all in the past. I am very happy that somebody remembers me. As for my appearance… try not to stare too much. I might be beautiful in your eyes, but up there, there are many people much more beautiful than me."
"You are too humble Young miss! Have faith in your beauty! I can guarantee that nobody here will disagree that you are incomparable. Even words can't hold justice to how beautiful you are."
"Silly mortal, stop it!" She slightly turned her gaze away and whisked her willow branch.
'Thank fuck!' Li Cheng thought to himself as he became enamoured by her cute actions. 'Although I'm sucking up, I don't feel anything wrong with it. It really is the truth though. I've never seen such beauty in my life. I was going to go with Princess, but I changed my mind at the last moment and said "Young miss". An immortal, probably, like her would love to be called young. Especially so since she's a woman.'
As Li Cheng's eyes rolled, he noticed that the majority of demonic cultivators were slowly backing away; tippy toeing without a sound. When he bored his eyes on them, they froze.
Straight after, half of them ran for their lives or used their life-saving teleportation talismans to travel many distances to flee.
"Young miss! Please stop those evil beings from escaping. If possible, focus on the man wearing a blood-like robe and earrings, even if you have to let the others go."
'Even if they all escape, the so called 'Exalted one' you are definitely not!' Li Cheng inwardly exclaimed. He will not let the boss escape for future troubles.
Kuan Yin's happy expression turned sullen. She let out a soft sigh. "Amitabha, those poor souls who have tread the wrong way. It's okay, do not be afraid."
She closed her eyes and began to whisper a Buddhist scripture. The voice of the scripture echoed the entire periphery, entering into the ears of all consumed by evil in the area.
Every demonic cultivator no matter how far began to collapse to the ground in agonising pain. Some of the high level demonic cultivators were able to resist, but it had transformed these racing chickens to slow tortoises.
The place most affected by the voices of Buddha was where the Exalted one was. He was surprisingly able to hold his ground and resist, but no matter what he did he was unable to escape.
He was caged!
"FUCK WHAT SON OF HEAVEN?! HOW CAN YOU BE SO SHAMELESS TO HIDE BEHIND A WOMAN TO HELP YOU! A BUDDHIST WOMAN!"
Kuan Yin did not utter a word in response; however, her expressions clearly showed she was furious from the discrimination. Despite being a bodhisattva of infinite compassion she was getting tired of the misogyny. Also, what's wrong with the those under the Great Buddha lending a helping hand for the Heavens?
Infuriated, she increased the pressure by speed speaking her words.
With her god-like cultivation and preaching abilities, she was able to utter 300 words in a second! 18,000 words in a minute!
Li Cheng was baffled, staring at her pink lips go supersonic. He thought to himself that a cultivation world was really something not to be trifled with. They can even do this?! Crazy part is that his brain and ears were able to capture what was mostly said.
Did he understand it?
Of course, not!
He wasn't a Buddhist, nor did he follow any religion. But it seemed very effective!
For a second he thought these demonic cultivators were Buddhists who had strayed from the path, but that dumb thought was soon extinguished.
The Exalted one, in deranged condition, coughed out blood. "You bitch, you forced my hand!"
Suddenly, the ordinary man's body lurched. The donned red on his body seemed to come alive. "GAGHRHHRRR" Following a hideous scream, bone-cracking snaps accompanied, as he slumped forward. The clothing behind his back pierced open, spurting a bloody fountain. In its sizzling red, one can pick out a looming monstrous, inhuman black tail.
Simultaneously, the man's body darkened. The veins on his skin bulged blood red. And his left leg and right arm somewhat morphed into a limb of a diabolical beast, honed with sharp, obsidian, razor claws.
The symmetry of human and evil beast transformation was settled with half of the man's face resembling that of a demon.
"D-Demon…"
"The Exalted one was a Demon?"
"Is that really a demon? He looks more like a humanoid Evil Spirit Beast."
The high level demonic cultivators gasped.
"Hahahahaha," the Exalted one laughed, clapping his hands. He was seemingly undamaged from the collision. His now red eyes eyeballed his foolish followers.
"Demon? Oh yes." He snickered.
With a stamp of his left leg, he flew straight up. The ground crumbled underneath his feet.
Although blood continued to rivulet down from his scrunched ears, he didn't seem to mind. Taking his time, he flew towards the hateful bitch. Laughing in ecstasy as he watched her continue to desperately continue her mantra.
'How pitiful. I'm not a match against an unrestricted Deity. Restricted you may be, but the current you seem quite weak that even I myself can handle. Hah maybe I should play with you little girl before I devour you,' he thought to himself.
He halted his flight once he was about three hundred metres away. Intentionally, he hovered a few feet up to provoke her, asserting that she a Deity was below a mortal like him.
"Amitabha, you finally showed your true form." She coldly spat. She reluctantly pardoned the arrogance of her detestable foe. These 'things' were always like this. "You have fallen too far and are no longer a human. The others may not help you, but I will make sure you have salvation!"
"Salvation? You can try little girl. Or perhaps you may want to help salivate me some other way? I will show you a true salvation…" The fiend licked, unfurling his blood red tongue. Excessive drool sizzled down as he blatantly perved her petite body.
"YOU PERVERTED BEAST!" Kuan Yin was enraged.
Li Cheng was about to help calm her down, but Kuan Yin was a Deity after all. Although she had a terrifying expression on her face, her bottled emotions had only slipped through the cap for that moment.
Therefore, Li Cheng instead gazed at the demonic cultivators who were rooted by the exchange. His eyes were frigid cold as they landed on those pesky smart dogs that were trying to escape.
Having understood the message, those demonic cultivators embraced the ice and stood still. Naturally they were smart enough to not take the risk.
If only they knew that Li Cheng couldn't actually imprison them without the Deity's help.
Too bad.
"Hmph. You followers of mine, I excuse your uselessness. You are fortunate to not be like your dead imbeciles to see this. Feast your eyes on the 'legendary realm' that you all pathetically hope to reach for. If you can grasp this, I will personally take you in as my disciple."
THIS IS—
—THE RULER REALM!!!