Although Qin Tian's cultivation was at the first level of the Human Emperor realm, defeating opponents of the same level was as effortless as slaughtering dogs.
Especially against a Human Emperor from the lower realms, such as the Da Xia Dynasty's Summer Tianhuang, who was also merely at the first level of the Human Emperor realm. Killing him didn't even require Qin Tian to move.
"Please spare us, my lord!"
The remaining figures from the Da Xia Dynasty were now a far cry from the arrogant demeanor they had displayed upon their arrival. Their faces were pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, and their expressions were filled with terror—utterly disheveled and pathetic.
Not far away, the Da Zhou emperor and the imperial court's powerful figures watched with satisfaction. Earlier, they had to endure the arrogance of these invaders. But now? Who was arrogant anymore?
Qin Tian rose to his feet slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. His demeanor was calm, his features strikingly handsome. Dressed in immaculate white robes, he looked like an ethereal being descended into the mortal world.
Gu, who had been observing this youth who seemed no older than eighteen, felt a wave of unease wash over him—unease not only for himself but also for the fate of his Grand Dao Heavenly Palace.
He had noticed that the flood dragon at Qin Tian's side had not even made a move earlier. And yet, Summer Tianhuang, a bona fide Human Emperor, had been effortlessly obliterated by this young man without even the faintest ripple of effort.
This could only mean one thing: Qin Tian himself was at least at the Human Emperor realm.
What truly terrified Gu was not just Qin Tian's cultivation but his youth. A young Human Emperor? In the Grand Dao Heavenly Palace's Tianzhou region, even the most monstrous geniuses of their generation were only at the sixth level of the Divine Mansion realm.
A youth at the Divine Mansion realm was already considered a once-in-a-century genius. But a youth at the Human Emperor realm? That was unimaginable.
Gu had seen countless prodigies in his long life, but never had he encountered someone as monstrous as Qin Tian. Even in the Primeval Immortal Domain's prestigious Yao Tai Immortal Palace—known for its powerful heritage and exceptional talents—their most extraordinary saintess, Hua Qingyu, possessed an innate sacred physique and was only a Void realm expert. Yet, she already ranked as the top prodigy in Tianzhou.
The Yao Tai Immortal Palace was one of the most terrifying forces in Tianzhou. With countless Human Emperors, several Heavenly Sovereigns, and the legendary founding goddess still alive, no one dared to question its supremacy. Yet even the Yao Tai Immortal Palace's most revered heirs could not compare to Qin Tian.
Gu realized that the Grand Dao Heavenly Palace had offended an unfathomable entity. A force capable of nurturing someone like Qin Tian was far beyond their comprehension—likely a forbidden ancient clan with the power to obliterate their Heavenly Palace at will.
Qin Tian ignored the desperate pleas of the kneeling figures, his gaze distant as he cradled Yi Yi, the small flood dragon beast, and left without a word.
Ling Jiao, with a vicious gleam in his eyes, transformed into his towering hundred-foot flood dragon form and lashed his massive tail at the kneeling figures, sending them flying through the air. Their desperate attempts to resist were futile. One by one, they were consumed by his fiery dragon breath.
That day, the Central Plains of the Qingyun Realm witnessed an unprecedented event. News of the annihilation of the Da Xia Dynasty spread like wildfire. Accompanied by two Human Emperors from the Grand Dao Heavenly Palace, the dynasty had invaded the Da Zhou imperial palace, only to be utterly destroyed by a single flood dragon.
The Da Xia royal family was exterminated, and the dynasty ceased to exist. What sent shockwaves through the Qingyun Realm, however, was the revelation of the figure behind it all—a young Human Emperor named Qin Tian.
Every major power fell into silence upon hearing of Qin Tian's existence. The leaders of countless factions scrambled to prepare lavish gifts, intending to visit the Da Zhou Dynasty to pay their respects to this enigmatic youth.
Da Zhou, Ye King's Manor
"A Human Emperor... a young Human Emperor..."
"This is impossible. How could such a being exist?"
Ye Chen was filled with unparalleled dread. Those in the lower realms might not fully grasp the concept of a young Human Emperor's power, but Ye Chen, having glimpsed the truths of the higher realms in his past life, understood the sheer absurdity of it.
To become a Human Emperor at such a young age? That was utterly inconceivable.
The Human Emperor realm was a dividing line that separated the ordinary from the extraordinary. Beneath this realm, all were ants. Reaching it required insurmountable effort. In his previous life, Ye Chen would have scoffed at the notion of a young Human Emperor, dismissing it as delusional nonsense.
But now, standing before the undeniable reality of Qin Tian, Ye Chen felt a deep chill spreading through his body.
"No... I must obtain the Ancient Tower as soon as possible."
Ye Chen's expression was tense. The sense of crisis Qin Tian brought him surpassed any he had ever felt before. Qin Tian was shrouded in an impenetrable veil of mystery.
At first, Ye Chen had assumed Qin Tian to be an ordinary disciple from a significant force in the higher realms. However, the revelation of Qin Tian's status as a Human Emperor shattered that illusion. Ye Chen now suspected that Qin Tian hailed from one of the forbidden ancient clans.
The more Ye Chen thought about it, the less he could fathom why someone like Qin Tian would come to the Qingyun Realm. If Qin Tian was indeed from a forbidden ancient clan, what could the Qingyun Realm possibly offer him?
"The Immortal-Demonic Secret Realm should be opening soon," Ye Chen murmured, recalling his past life's memories. During this time in his previous life, the Da Zhou Dynasty had already fallen, its royal family slaughtered. His parents had been killed just days later, leaving him to escape in disguise as his cultivation had been inadequate to protect them.
After narrowly surviving, Ye Chen had stumbled into an ancient secret realm, discovering treasures and ancient texts. Most importantly, he had found the Ancient Tower, the artifact that changed his fate.
"It should open in a few days," Ye Chen calculated. He was determined to seize the Ancient Tower and leave the Da Zhou Dynasty as quickly as possible to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Inside the Da Zhou Palace
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for altering the fate of the Child of Destiny, Ye Chen. Reward: 100 Fortune Points."
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for winning the heart of the Fortune Female Lead, Ji Lingxian. Reward: 1,000 Fortune Points."
The system's notification echoed in Qin Tian's mind.
The fall of the Da Xia Dynasty had indirectly impacted Ye Chen's destiny, though the change was minor, yielding only 100 Fortune Points. However, the rewards from Ji Lingxian were substantial—1,000 Fortune Points, reflecting her growing affection.
"It seems Ji Lingxian has truly fallen for me," Qin Tian mused, a faint smile gracing his lips. It was within his expectations. Ji Lingxian had already held a favorable impression of him, and recent events had only solidified her feelings.
"Now, Ye Chen must be highly wary of me. According to the usual behavior of these so-called Children of Destiny, he'll likely choose to flee if he feels outmatched. But with his family still here..."
Qin Tian's eyes glinted coldly. "Ling Jiao, keep an eye on his parents. If Ye Chen attempts to flee, deal with his family first."
His voice was calm, yet the malice behind it was unmistakable. "Compassion for one's enemies is weakness. Ruthlessness achieves results."