The vast expanse of the universe stretched endlessly, adorned with countless stars. Each one gleamed brightly, as if celebrating an unseen, celestial triumph. Their brilliance seemed to ripple across the heavens, filling the boundless sky with an overwhelming sense of awe and mystery. Yet, beneath this seemingly eternal serenity, a tale of betrayal and vengeance was unfolding—a story that would shake the very fabric of existence.
---
Moments ago.
The scene was one of devastation. A man stood in the midst of a ruined battlefield, his body drenched in blood, his breath ragged and shallow. His once-commanding aura now seemed diminished, though his eyes burned with a fire that refused to be extinguished. This man was Chen Feng, a being of unimaginable power and ambition.
"Why?" he rasped, his voice heavy with anger and betrayal. His gaze bore into the figure before him—a younger man with piercing eyes and a cold smile. "Why did you betray me, Zeus? I was the one who raised you when you were nothing but an orphan child!"
Zeus remained silent, his expression unreadable. But before he could speak, a mocking laugh echoed through the broken air. The laugh was sharp, cruel, and filled with derision. It came from a shadowed figure standing nearby, a man with an air of smug confidence.
"Orphan?" the figure scoffed, stepping forward into the dim light. His features came into view—a face as sharp as his voice, his demeanor exuding arrogance. "Did you really think he was an orphan?" The man's laughter erupted again, reverberating through the space, each note more grating than the last. It was clear he found Chen Feng's ignorance amusing.
The man finally calmed himself, wiping away an imaginary tear. "It's hilarious that you believed that, Chen Feng. You, of all people, who are so meticulous, so careful. And yet, you never suspected a thing." His lips curled into a sneer. "That boy, your precious Zeus, was never an orphan. He was a tool—our tool. A mere clone, created and planted into your path. No talent, no lineage, nothing special. We threw him into your city, knowing you'd take him under your wing, all for this very moment."
Chen Feng's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing. He had always been a cautious man, a tyrant who trusted no one. And yet, he had been deceived.
The man continued, his voice dripping with malice. "You've spent your life as a ruthless tyrant, clawing your way to power, striving to surpass the heavens themselves. At first, the heavens didn't care. Why should they? Countless fools before you tried the same and met their ends. But then—" the man's tone grew darker, "—then you found it. The Mysterious Pearl. That accursed treasure you stumbled upon in your endless quest. It changed everything."
Chen Feng's face twisted with fury. The heavens themselves had conspired against him, using the one person he had let into his heart.
The man smirked. "The heavens couldn't let you live after that. So, they devised this plan. And now, here we are." He raised his sword, the blade gleaming with an unholy light. "Let's end this, shall we? Witness the final breath of the great tyrant, Chen Feng."
Chen Feng's body tensed as the sword descended. But before it could strike, an otherworldly force erupted from within him. The Mysterious Pearl, the very treasure that had doomed him, flared to life. A dazzling array of multicolored light burst forth, engulfing the battlefield. Space itself seemed to warp and twist, bending under the sheer power emanating from Chen Feng's form.
The man stumbled back, shielding his eyes. "What—what is this?!"
Chen Feng's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You wanted the treasure? Then take it."
Suddenly, the light consumed everything. The battlefield disappeared, swallowed by an endless void of darkness. The air vibrated with a deep, menacing laughter—a voice ancient and unfathomable. "How lucky you are," the voice boomed, shaking the very fabric of reality. The man screamed as the darkness enveloped him, his form vanishing into nothingness.
---
When the light dimmed, Chen Feng found himself in a strange, unfamiliar place. He was smaller, his once-mighty physique reduced to that of a young man. Thick ropes bound his limbs, and he struggled against them, his power diminished but not gone.
Before him stood a girl, her beauty radiant yet terrifying. Her eyes burned with determination, and in her hand, she held a short sword. The blade's edge hovered mere inches from Chen Feng's neck.
The girl spoke, her voice steady but cold. "You thought you could defy the heavens, Chen Feng. But the heavens are not so easily overcome."
Chen Feng stared at her, his expression unreadable. Yet deep within his eyes, a spark of defiance remained. Even in chains, even on the brink of death, the tyrant's will refused to break.
The girl raised her sword higher, the tension in the air palpable. "Let's see if the heavens can break you after all."