The stars shimmered faintly in the endless void, their brilliance dulled by the towering structures that dominated Zhen Wu's celestial domain. Suspended in the fabric of space, the kingdom was a masterpiece of cultivation and cosmic engineering, a self-contained paradise that only Zhen Wu could have forged. Endless spirals of silver and gold, radiant gardens blooming with eternal flowers, and streams of shimmering energy flowed between floating palaces. It was a world crafted not to impress but to shelter, built for his family and loyal subjects.
At the heart of this kingdom stood the Grand Pavilion, where Zhen Wu resided. Despite the opulence surrounding him, the man himself was the epitome of simplicity. Seated cross-legged on an emerald cushion, Zhen Wu's black robes billowed slightly as if touched by an unseen breeze. His silver hair cascaded down his back, the strands reflecting light like polished steel. His eyes were warm yet carried an unfathomable depth, as if he had witnessed the birth and death of countless stars.
A soft carefree smile lingered on his face as he enjoyed the peaceful scenery around him.
However, beyond the calm exterior was a power so vast it could shatter entire Galaxies with ease. Few dared to think of him as a man, he was a legend, an existence beyond mortal comprehension. Stories of his exploits had transcended generations, whispered in awe and fear.
Zhen Wu, once known as a terror across the galaxy, was now an old man, or at least that is the visage he liked to keep to numb his enemies, to cultivators of The Sovereign stage like him appearance was changeable with a single thought.
Thinking of his enemies Zhen Wu couldn't help but feel annoyed although the smile on his face didn't change.
He would deal with them eventually one way or another, after all he already killed a few of them, even though supposedly they were at the peak of the cultivation Journey one realm higher than him.
....
The peace was suddenly broken by the approach of a servant, who flew down at high speed, landing in front of him steadily.
"My Lord, a visitor requests an audience. She claims it is a matter of great importance."
Zhen Wu raised an eyebrow, amused. It was rare for anyone to disturb his solitude, let alone someone bold enough to seek him out. "Let her in," he said calmly.
Moments later, a young woman entered the pavilion. She was tall, with sharp, intelligent eyes and an aura of cultivation that marked her as extraordinary. Though she was at the same sovereign realm as Zhen Wu's current stage, she didn't dare show any disrespect, the fear in her eyes evident.
She can't be blamed for it though, as his reputation was too shocking.
Years ago when Zhen Wu first established his kingdom declaring himself as a new sovereign, Paragons had tested him.
The first had come with an offer: join the Paragons as a subordinate. Zhen Wu's answer had been swift and merciless. The Paragon vanished, his death a whispered legend.
The second Paragon had sought answers or vengeance, if Zhen Wu was after his friend's disappearance, but the result was the same. Zhen Wu had beaten him to death in full view of countless witnesses this time. It was a brutal warning: even the universe's mightiest were no match for him.
The other Paragons had learned their lesson. They left him alone, wary of provoking his wrath. Still, Zhen Wu knew that if they united against him, even he couldn't stand against their combined strength. Thus, he remained in his space kingdom, unbothered but watchful.
Back to The woman as she knelt respectfully. "Lord Zhen Wu," she spoke, her voice steady but edged with urgency, "my name is Liu Mei. I have come to seek your aid in a matter that concerns my family."
Zhen Wu gestured for her to rise. "Speak freely, What is it you seek?" and stand up, they should've told you, I don't like man kneeling to other man. "
She heard about Zhen Wu a lot and in detail, but in her nervousness she forgot everything.
After standing up, She hesitated, as if weighing her words carefully. "my mother unable to reach the Sovereign realm she died over 20 years ago, but it's not about her, but It is about my younger brother that she left for me to raise. He was born without the ability to cultivate, a cruel twist of fate in a world where strength determines survival. I've exhausted every method, consulted countless experts, but none have been able to help him."
Her gaze sharpened. "I have learned of a technique you created in your youth, one that allows even those without natural aptitude to cultivate, the Heavenly Foundation Method.
I seek permission from you to use it. My brother's life depends on it."
Zhen Wu's smile faltered for the briefest of moments. The technique she spoke of was one he hadn't thought of in millennia. It was one his greatest triumph and a reminder of his humble beginnings, a time when he, too, had faced the despair of being unable to cultivate.
Zhen Wu leaned back, his expression softening with nostalgia. "Ah, that old thing. A technique I created when I was still a boy, barely past my teens. I almost forgot it existed."
The woman nodded. "It is unmatched. My brother… This method could grant him a future."
Zhen Wu chuckled. "Do you know how long it took me to create that technique? Fourteen years. I was just a boy on a weak little planet, surrounded by ignorance and mediocrity. I didn't even have the qualifications to cultivate, but I was determined to rise above it all. That technique was my first step."
The woman swallowed nervously. "I know its value, which is why I have not dared to let my brother practice it without your permission. I am willing to pay any price for it."
Zhen Wu's smile grew predatory. "Any price, you say? "
"I will give you the technique," he said, his voice playful, "on one condition. Marry me, and I will make it yours to teach as you see fit."
The proposition hung in the air like a thundercloud. Liu Mei's composure cracked for the first time, her eyes widening in shock. "Marry you?" she echoed, incredulous.
"Yes," Zhen Wu replied, his tone as calm as ever. "You seek to take something of immense value from me. In return, I ask for something equally valuable. Consider it an exchange of trust."
Liu Mei clenched her fists, her mind racing. "I… cannot. I respect you, Lord Zhen Wu, but I cannot make such a decision lightly."
He nodded, un perturbed, His smile unchanged "Then offer me something of equal worth."
After a moment of silence, she spoke. "I have three suns, condensed using a long lost forging method. Each is a treasure of immense power. Will that suffice?"
Zhen Wu's eyes gleamed with interest. "Three suns, you say? Very well. That will do."
After pocketing the things Zhen Wu felt like he should honor business professionalism, at least he felt like it this time.
"Do you know why I didn't let some of my children practice it, even with their low talent? "
" No I don't. "
" because it is dangerous," he continued. "It defies the natural order, forcing the heavens to yield where they would otherwise deny. Those who practice it risk enraging the will of the universe, I won't guarantee your brother's safety if he were to attempt it."
Liu Mei's expression darkened, but she did not waver. "I understand the risks, my lord. But I cannot abandon him. He is my family."
Liu Mei paused for a moment then spoke again with hope in her voice.
"So Why did the will of the Universe allowed you to practice it then, is it because you made it or for some other reason."
Zhen Wu's expression darkened, his silence pressing down like a tangible force. His guest froze mid sentence, her body locking in place as if the very air had turned to stone.
A cold shiver ran down her spine, her breath catching in her throat.
The temperature plummeted, and the faintest tremor in the walls betrayed the rising intensity of his anger.
His power seeped into the room, invisible but suffocating, causing the candles to dim as though recoiling from his presence.
She swallowed hard, eyes wide, but dared not speak again, knowing her mistake had just drawn a silent storm.
"I will let this incidence slide as ignorance this time, as for your question."
Zhen Wu paused for a moment speaking in a much sharper tone
"allowed me! That worm didn't allow me anything, it simply didn't know I even existed back then.
If it did it would've done everything it could to delete the planet i was born in!."
Zhen Wu noticed the stunned expression on his guests face, and feeling amused he decided to enlighten her a bit more, as for the information he was about to leave being too dangerous for her poor little life, he didn't care about that.
" You know I am famous for killing two paragons, But in fact I ended the life of three."
Liu Mei eyes widened to Zhen Wu's amusement as he kept speaking.
"My first one was way before I became a sovereign, she was called the holder of Secrets or something like that, anyway she is dead now and I get to name her whatever...
Ah back to the story.. She came after me like a madman, where I was literally hanging out in drinking tea, saying that I am a dangerous person and so what not...
Long story short, I escaped and she followed, until we left the known universe...
there at the middle of absolutely nowhere, I was able to turn the tables and end her.
But sadly, I was so injured that normally it would of been impossible to progress anymore, still with different unique methods resources skills and techniques I was able to reach the Sovereign Realm but no further....
That's why the paragons wanted to test me after i started my kingdom, they suspected I killed her ...
Ah look at me babbling, all of that is not the point.
The point is that she chased me far enough that I found a new universe with a different universal will.
To be exact it's the same universe just different territories, like countries in a small planet, but on a much bigger scale. an endless scale.
And there I discovered Secrets! those things called wills of the universe, are mere creatures, worms in fact...
They aren't omnipotent as you think they are. "
" Do you understand. "
Zhen Wu ended his words with a smile.
Liu Mei gulped nodding slightly, she wished she didn't hear his words that contain so many secrets, each one so dangerous it could end her life.
Feeling boredom Zhen Wu stopped playing with her and summoned an ancient scroll from the void, its surface glowing with intricate runes. "This technique is bound by a curse," he explained. "All my techniques are, and only the ones I allow can practice any of them safely. ."
He made a series of complex hand seals, and the runes on a certain part of the scroll faded into nothingness. The technique was now free to be used without consequence.
Taking out a different scroll he threw it to her.
"Take it,"
Liu Mei bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Zhen Wu. I will not forget your kindness."
As she turned to leave, Zhen Wu watched her go, his expression playful.
He had a feeling today's matters weren't that simple and he didn't intend to let it be.
Taking out one of his observation artifacts, a black ink mirror, he started operating it.