Chapter 32: Whispers in the City
Xiao Feng strode through the crowded streets of Mystic River City, his footsteps light and measured. Though his appearance was unremarkable, his eyes absorbed everything with a sharpness born from centuries of experience. He had been away for far too long, and much had changed in this world. The city he once knew had grown into a massive hub of activity, filled with cultivators and merchants, their ambitions flickering like faint candles in the night. He had been dead for hundreds of years in the Heavenly Realm, and the world had clearly moved on.
The pulse of spiritual energy coursing through the city was far stronger than it had been in the past. Xiao Feng could feel it in the air, faint but unmistakable—ancient powers stirring beneath the surface, old ley lines awakening, their presence unnoticed by most of the cultivators that passed by him. They were oblivious to the larger forces at play, content with their struggles for minor treasures and local dominance.
**"So much has changed,"** he mused as he walked down a wide boulevard lined with shops and stalls, his gaze sweeping over the city. Mystic River City was once a quiet place, but now it thrived with sects, rogue cultivators, and countless merchants vying for supremacy. The tension in the air was palpable, but none of it concerned him.
For Xiao Feng, this city was merely a stepping stone on his path to reclaiming what was rightfully his. The real question weighing on his mind was the current state of the Heavenly Realm. He had been away for too long, and the thought of how things had unfolded in his absence gnawed at him. After all, he had once ruled as the First Supreme, a title that meant nothing now. What had happened in his absence? Who ruled in his stead? And how had a mysterious black-robed figure come to power?
His thoughts swirled with these questions as he approached a modest tavern on the corner of a bustling square. The sign outside was old but well-maintained, the smell of food wafting out and mingling with the scent of incense burning in the nearby temple. This was the sort of place where people gathered to share stories and information—exactly what he needed. Without a second thought, Xiao Feng pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.
The interior was warm and lively. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow on the crowd of diners seated around long tables, engaged in animated conversations. The clink of bowls and cups filled the air, accompanied by the occasional burst of laughter. Xiao Feng moved through the room, his presence going unnoticed, and took a seat at a corner table. He called for a waiter and ordered a simple meal, blending in as just another traveler.
As the food was brought to him, he listened intently to the conversations around him. Most of the chatter was unimportant—talk of local trade, petty disputes between sects, and rumors of the upcoming tournament. But it wasn't long before he heard something more relevant.
At the table closest to him, a group of cultivators was deep in conversation.
**"Did you hear? The Heavenly Realm is under new rule now."**
Xiao Feng's ears perked up. He took a sip of his tea, careful not to draw attention as he listened closely.
**"New rule?"** another voice asked. **"I thought one of the Supremes was still in charge."**
**"That's what everyone thought,"** the first voice replied, lowering his voice as if he were sharing a great secret. **"But it's not one of the Six Supremes. No one knows his real name, but they call him the Mysterious Black Man. He's the one who's been ruling the Heavenly Realm ever since the First Supreme fell, hundreds of years ago."**
Xiao Feng paused mid-bite. The First Supreme… that was him. His death in the Heavenly Realm had caused a ripple effect, but this was beyond what he had expected. A black-robed figure ruling in his absence? How could this be?
**"The Six Supremes couldn't stop him?"** another voice chimed in, disbelief lacing their words. **"They were supposed to be the strongest in the Heavenly Realm."**
The first cultivator laughed bitterly. **"They tried, but they couldn't. The black-robed man appeared out of nowhere after the First Supreme's death and crushed them all. They say the Six Supremes were forced to submit to his will. Now, they barely have any power. No one challenges him."**
Xiao Feng's mind raced as he processed this information. The Six Supremes, once considered invincible, had been defeated and subjugated? And by a single man? This black-robed figure had taken control of the Heavenly Realm in the aftermath of Xiao Feng's death, and not even the combined strength of the Six Supremes had been enough to stop him.
Who was this man?
His brow furrowed in thought. The cultivators continued their conversation, speculating about the black-robed man's strength. Some claimed he was in the Tao Seeking Realm, the highest realm known to most cultivators. Others believed he had surpassed even that, though no one knew for certain. The rumors about his power were vague, and there was no real consensus.
**"Maybe he's higher than Tao Seeking,"** one of the civilians whispered. **"No one knows for sure, but his power is terrifying. If the Supremes couldn't beat him, what chance does anyone else have?"**
Xiao Feng sat in silence, his mind piecing together the puzzle. He had never heard of anyone beyond the Dao Seeking Realm in this world, but if this black-robed man was truly as powerful as the rumors suggested, then it was possible. Xiao Feng had once believed he stood at the pinnacle of cultivation, but even in death, the world had continued to evolve. New forces had risen, and this mysterious black-robed ruler seemed to be at the center of it all.
He finished his meal in silence, though his thoughts churned with questions. Who was this man, and what did he want? What had become of the Heavenly Realm after Xiao Feng's death? More importantly, how had the Six Supremes—whom Xiao Feng had known to be powerful beyond measure at least in Heavenly Realm—been forced to bow to this mysterious figure?
As he stood to leave, Xiao Feng knew one thing for certain: he needed more information. He had only scratched the surface of what was happening in the Heavenly Realm, but one thing was clear—the world had changed in ways he could never have imagined.
He would uncover the truth about this mysterious black-robed man.
With that, Xiao Feng disappeared into the night, his mind set on the path ahead. The Heavenly Realm may have changed, but so had he. And no one, not even this mysterious ruler, would stand in his way.