Above the infinite void of the cosmos, a vast space kingdom shimmered like a jewel among the stars. Its grandeur eclipsed imagination, with spiraling towers forged from celestial materials and floating continents adorned with glowing waterfalls of pure energy.
This was the heart of Zhen Wu's dominion, a realm he had created with his own hands.
Zhen Wu floated casually in the void above his kingdom, a solitary figure radiating unfathomable might.
His eyes, sharp and focused, scanned the universe with an almost indifferent air, as though everything before him was just another curiosity to observe.
The Universal Will, an omnipresent force that governed all realms, quivered at Zhen Wu's presence. It recognized him not just as Zhen Wu, the one who had once been a thorn at its back side with all his strange techniques, but as something far greater, an anomaly whose power made all its rules seem trivial. The Will, which normally acted to preserve balance, hesitated. To move against Zhen Wu would be pointless, a waste of energy.
After casting a spell that will deliver his message to the entirety of this Universal region, Zhen Wu casually raised his voice, as though speaking to a crowd at a gathering rather than the entire cosmos.
"I'm Zhen Wu. You've got three seconds to show up and pledge your loyalty. Don't? Well, that's on you. It's not like I care either way."
His words lingered in the void, and the universe itself seemed to hold its breath. There was no panic, no urgency, just the calm certainty of his command.
For a brief moment, silence prevailed, a universal pause as countless entities weighed their options, feeling Zhen Wu's power solely through his words.
Then, the fabric of space rippled, and portals tore open, through which beings of immense power emerged, hurrying to show their loyalty before Zhen Wu.
Among them were even Two archmages, their robes swirling with ancient spells, their faces pale but resolute in their decision to offer their loyalty.
A single paragon, golden armor dimmed by the weight of his choice, stood their with his head lowered. Emissaries from various civilizations appeared, their leaders trembling but offering their allegiance, the prospect of survival outweighing their pride.
But many remained distant. Some watched from afar, unsure of whether to obey, while others simply hesitated, uncertain.
Among those who stayed back were Liu Mei and her brother, Liu Han, alongside their sect leaders. The paragons' faces were grim, torn between their pride and caution.
...
In the grand hall of the sect, Liu Mei clenched her fists, feeling the oppressive weight of Zhen Wu's aura even from this far away. Yet, she hesitated.
"Sister," Liu Han said, voice shaking, "Should we… should we have gone?"
Liu Mei bit her lip, conflicted.
"We can't rush into this," she replied, her voice calm despite the storm within. "The paragons believe he can't enforce his rule this across the entire known universe. Maybe if we wait…"
Her words faded as she noticed Liu Han's aura flickering, growing unstable. Liu Han, the boy who had struggled for years to cultivate and finally claimed his place as a rising genius, was now losing everything.
"Sister," he gasped, tears in his eyes, "It's slipping away. I… I can't hold it."
Liu Mei's heart sank. For all her sacrifices, for all her efforts to give him this chance, it was slipping away from him. The pain of regret gnawed at her.
But it was only Han's problem, a few seconds earlier just after the three seconds past..
High above the kingdom, Zhen Wu watched the masses and let out a casual sigh.
"You've made the right choice," he said, his voice carrying across the cosmos with effortless authority. "For those who are with me, things will only get better. You'll be able to cultivate, to grow. But for those who decided to stand against me…"
He raised his Staff, and the universe itself seemed to take a breath before darkening.
"I'm done with playing games. All the power, all the bloodlines, all your so-called ascension? Gone. From now on, only those under my rule will keep their abilities. The rest of you? Well… you'll be starting over, just never able to grow back."
The staff pulsed with energy, and a spell of unimaginable scale unfurled.
Chains of the Eternal Void, a technique that bound the very fabric of space, erupted across the cosmos. Black chains, forged from the laws of causality and entropy, snaked through the void, wrapping around those who had resisted; paragons, archmages, and even the Universal Will itself.
The Will, an entity that had never known subjugation, roared in protest, its form writhing. But the chains held firm, their power derived from Zhen Wu's very being.
The paragons cried out as their strength was sealed, their auras diminishing to almost nothing. Archmages who once wielded world shattering magic now found their power stripped away.
Zhen Wu simply observed them, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You'll serve me," he said, almost lazily. "Whether you like it or not."
As the spell spread across the universe, its effects rippled out to distant worlds. Geniuses and prodigies who had once believed themselves destined for greatness found themselves powerless.
On Liu Mei's Sect, Liu Han screamed as his cultivation base collapsed entirely.
"No!" he shouted, clutching at his chest. "I was finally becoming strong… I was worthy!"
Liu Mei held him tightly, her face wet with silent tears she couldn't help him, because even her lost her powers. The paragons of her sect stood nearby, pale and shaken as they too felt their power dissipating.
Zhen Wu stood alone above his kingdom, a relaxed figure surrounded by the universe's remnants.
His will had been enforced, and the cosmos now bent to his control. Those who had defied him wept in despair, their hopes crushed beneath the weight of his power.
For the universe, there was no question: Zhen Wu was the ultimate authority. There was nothing left but his reign.
As the last echoes of the spell faded, Zhen Wu returned to his courtyard. A small, tranquil space amidst the sprawling city he ruled. He sat there, legs crossed, pouring tea from an ancient teapot as he gazed up at the stars. The endless universe stretched before him; silent, calm, and his to command. The world below was still, the weight of his power heavy in the air, but Zhen Wu felt no rush. He had all the time in the world.
"Now," he murmured to himself, lifting his cup with a relaxed smile. "What should I do next?"
The stars glittered, indifferent to his plans, yet still a beautiful sight as he sipped his tea, content and at ease.
.....
Author note :
Hello everyone...
I hope you enjoyed the short story I always wanted to write this one, finally found the time and I done it.
If you like villain novels you're welcome to check my other novel (the pet master) not a Oneshot, slightly slow paced at the start and the Mc is smart so he won't do anything villainous until he has the strength for it, the stronger he is the more carefree he is about his actions... Currently the story is at 130+ chapters and the Mc starts showing his real side slowly after chapter 50. I believe
Wish you all the best everyone..
Author paylink :
https://www.veem.com/pay/refcode-yaVvxEvLW
Just in case : You can copy the link from RoyalRoad same chapter if you don't know how from here.