Feng Yuntian stood at the edge of the Spirit Pavilion, the jade talisman now resting securely in his robes. The encounter with Tian Ziyu had stirred something deep within him, a fire he thought had been extinguished long ago. The Chaos, his past as Xuan Jiutian, and the betrayal that had shattered his reign—all of it was rushing back. But this time, he wouldn't be caught off guard.
His life in this mortal realm had taught him patience, strategy, and the value of growing from the ground up. He no longer wielded the overwhelming might of his former self, but what he had was knowledge, unparalleled and forbidden, of cultivation techniques that transcended even the highest realms. Techniques that others in this world couldn't even fathom.
Feng Yuntian turned to leave the pavilion, but before his foot touched the ground, a powerful aura surged toward him. He stopped and narrowed his eyes. Someone was approaching—someone strong. His instincts as a Sovereign told him that this would be no ordinary confrontation.
From the dense mist that surrounded the pavilion, a man emerged. Tall and broad, with a sword strapped to his back, his presence alone seemed to warp the air around him. His cultivation was at the Nascent Soul stage, a level of power that made him one of the most formidable cultivators in this realm.
"Feng Yuntian," the man spoke, his voice deep and authoritative. "I am Li Zhang, senior disciple of the Heavenly Cloud Sect. I've heard much about your recent feats. It seems you've gained quite a reputation."
Feng Yuntian remained still, his face unreadable. "And what does a disciple of the Heavenly Cloud Sect want with me?" he asked coldly.
Li Zhang chuckled, drawing his sword slowly from its scabbard. The blade shimmered, a low hum of spiritual energy vibrating from it. "It's simple. The sects have taken notice of you, and some of us believe you are an obstacle that needs to be removed."
An obstacle? Feng Yuntian thought. They still don't understand who I am.
"You're not the first to come after me," Feng Yuntian said calmly, his eyes sharpening as his aura subtly shifted. "And you won't be the last."
Li Zhang smirked. "Let's see if you still talk that way after I sever your soul."
In an instant, Li Zhang's sword lit up with golden energy, the full force of his Nascent Soul cultivation bearing down on Feng Yuntian like a tidal wave. But Feng Yuntian didn't flinch. As the sword came crashing toward him, he raised a single finger, his movements as smooth and effortless as the wind.
With a flick of his wrist, an ancient formation materialized in the air—a technique from the Chaos. The sword met the formation, and a loud crack echoed through the pavilion as Li Zhang's attack was shattered, his sword forced back. Shock rippled across his face as he stumbled, barely able to maintain his balance.
"What… what was that?" Li Zhang's voice quivered with disbelief. "That formation…"
Feng Yuntian lowered his hand, his expression unchanging. "You're not ready to face me," he said quietly. "Leave now, or your life ends here."
Li Zhang gritted his teeth, rage overcoming his fear. He lunged again, pouring every ounce of his cultivation into this attack, his sword cutting through the air with blinding speed. But Feng Yuntian merely sighed. His eyes gleamed, and in the next moment, the space around him seemed to ripple.
Space Severing Step.
In the blink of an eye, Feng Yuntian vanished from sight, reappearing behind Li Zhang. Before the senior disciple could react, a surge of spiritual energy erupted from Feng Yuntian's palm, crashing into his back. Li Zhang's body flew across the pavilion, slamming into the ground with a deafening thud. Blood spilled from his mouth as he struggled to stand.
"I… I yield!" Li Zhang cried, his voice filled with desperation.
Feng Yuntian gazed down at him with a cold detachment. "If you value your life, tell your sect that they do not understand the forces they are meddling with."
Li Zhang nodded hastily, his eyes wide with terror. He scrambled to his feet and disappeared into the mist, leaving Feng Yuntian alone once more.
As the day turned to dusk, Feng Yuntian found himself deep in thought. The Heavenly Cloud Sect was just one of many powers in this world that sought to control the path of cultivation. But they were still bound by the rules of this realm. He, on the other hand, was not.
The cultivation system here operated on familiar principles—Qi Refinement, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and so on. But Feng Yuntian had access to techniques far beyond those stages. In the Chaos, where the laws of reality themselves were malleable, he had wielded powers rooted in the Laws of Time and Space. If he could regain even a fraction of that strength, no sect, no cultivator in this world, would stand in his way.
But this world was not without its dangers. As his power grew, so too would the attention of those far more powerful than Li Zhang. And even more pressing was the looming threat of the Chaos. If Tian Ziyu was to be believed, then the enemies who had betrayed him were already aware of his reincarnation. They would not wait long before making their move.
His only option was to grow stronger, faster. The mortal realm was filled with opportunities for him to rediscover his former glory. Ancient legacies, divine beasts, and lost techniques—each one would serve as a stepping stone on his path to reclaim his throne in the Chaos.
---
That night, as Feng Yuntian sat in quiet meditation, his mind wandered back to the day of his fall. Xuan Jiutian, Sovereign of Chaos, had stood at the pinnacle of existence. The betrayal had been swift, brutal, and unexpected. His own disciples, people he had raised from nothing, had turned on him. And for what? Power? Greed? Fear?
He clenched his fists, his heart burning with the desire for revenge. Those who had wronged him would pay, but first, he had to regain his strength. The path ahead was clear. He would rise again, stronger than before, and when the time came, the Chaos would tremble at the name Xuan Jiutian once more.