Era of Dharma? Spiritual energy scarcity? Domain of the Nine Heavens?
Reading this, Tian Kai felt a bit stunned. There were too many surprises in a single message, giving him a broader understanding of the world he had reincarnated into.
"Are there Nine Heavens? Is each realm a heaven?"
It wasn't unrealistic to think so, as it seemed evident, especially since the sky here was different from Earth's.
It was dark blue… and had no moon.
As Tian Kai pondered this, his thoughts were interrupted by a mansion appearing in his hand. It was small but had a beautiful design. Its walls were red, and a phoenix was painted on the roof, giving it an even more immortal aura.
"This is beautiful... Is this where the Heavenly Empress resides?"
Not wanting to be disrespectful, he placed the mansion on the ground, waiting for the spirit inside to reveal itself.
Then, he assumed a cold and emotionless expression. No matter what appeared, he wouldn't let his demeanor falter.
This was preparation. He didn't want to be startled or lose control in front of the beauty that this woman likely possessed.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he patiently waited for the events to unfold.
It didn't take long. After a minute, the mansion emitted a red light that completely enveloped it.
A scene worthy of a movie unfolded. The light began emanating from the mansion and grew at an unimaginable speed. Once it reached a height of about one meter seventy-five, it molded into a human form.
A stunning woman appeared. She had long, silky silver hair cascading down her back and a pair of scarlet-red eyes as radiant as rubies. Her face was flawless, without a single blemish.
The garment she wore was a crimson dress, seemingly molded from pure blood.
Emerging from the mansion, she cast a glance at the seal that had imprisoned her and then turned her gaze to the young man seated before her. Her eyes were clear, devoid of any emotion.
Tian Kai controlled himself as much as possible in the face of the dazzling scene unfolding before him.
This Empress truly lived up to her title. To this day, he had never encountered anyone more beautiful than her…
But this didn't cause him to act irrationally. He merely admired her without other thoughts.
The Empress, seeing the serene, water-like expression on the young man's face, nodded. Her first impression of him was positive.
"What is your name?"
"Tian Kai."
He answered without hesitation. The woman before him exuded an aura of authority, a ruler who, even without governing, would never lose her majesty.
"Heavenly Victory?" She placed her delicate white hand on her chin, as if pondering. "A good name."
"Thank you?" Tian Kai replied uncertainly. His name was something his parents had given him.
The Empress, already holding a favorable impression of the young man, decided to proceed to the most important part: determining if he was worthy of becoming her disciple.
"What is your goal in pursuing cultivation?" She asked with a serious expression. Using an unknown technique, she stared into the young man's eyes with those blood-like pupils. Nothing could be hidden from her; if he lied, she would know.
Faced with someone so powerful, Tian Kai instinctively trembled. His hands were sweaty, his body filled with fear…
"Calm down…"
His mind shouted. Clenching his fists and taking a deep breath, he managed to steady himself and looked directly at the Empress.
Though he still trembled and felt intimidated by her aura, he found his courage. He wouldn't bow to anyone…
This was arrogance.
He knew that, but he needed to maintain this attitude. It was what allowed him to keep moving forward and achieve his goal.
"I cultivate to become immortal. I am a coward who fears death. That's why I promised myself I would become eternal." Tian Kai spoke in a calm voice, feeling relieved. It was the first time he had shared his goal with anyone.
He had established this upon reincarnating, and since this world was one of cultivation, he would pursue it to the end.
He didn't see himself as a genius, a Son of Heaven, or a villain. None of that. His view of himself was simple: a coward who feared death.
The Empress paid close attention to every word the young man spoke, and she was surprised. His desire was the purest she had ever seen.
Someone like that would do anything to achieve their goal, even if it meant becoming an enemy of the world…
This was dangerous…
But…
It was interesting…
As someone who pursued the Martial Dao wholeheartedly, it was good to see another person with the same resolve. Only people with pure desires could reach the end.
Because they would do anything to keep moving forward. If they fell, they would rise stronger. If they failed, they would try again until they succeeded.
The Empress smiled—a radiant smile revealing immaculate white teeth.
"You've passed, Tian Kai. From today onward, this Empress officially accepts you as her first disciple."
Upon hearing these words, which resonated in his mind like a celestial song, Tian Kai felt joy.
It was good to have an Empress as a master.
"Disciple pays respects to the master." He said, bowing with his hands clasped but not kneeling.
The Empress, seeing this, wasn't offended. She merely smiled even more.
"Well, my disciple, since I am your master, I will be the most demanding person in this world. My standards will be high. Are you sure you want to continue?"
"Yes."
"Good."
She stopped smiling, stepped closer to him, and held his wrist to examine his foundation.
Ninth layer of Body Training, stable foundation, no medicinal aids, and Tyrant Emperor Veins…
"Tyrant Heaven Royal Family? This young man from a Lower Realm and from that family? This is getting interesting…"
"Kai, what era are we in? How are the Heavenly Gates?" she asked. She couldn't check for herself as she was sealed, and using even a fraction of her celestial energy would attract a calamity of a hundred thousand bolts of lightning upon her.
"Master, according to the books I've studied, we are in the Martial Era, which began hundred years ago. The Heavenly Gates are open, and many fortunate geniuses have emerged in this era. It is the best of all for cultivation."
The Empress, hearing this, sighed.
"I wish I had been born in this time, not in the desolate one…" She muttered, referring to the era she had named herself.