In the Heavenly Realm, at the Nine Heavens.

Amidst the mist-covered immortal mountains, atop the peak of Nine Heavens, a slender figure stood quietly within an ancient array. Clad in a snow-white robe, the figure's eyes resembled a cold spring, gazing down upon the mortal world like a god untouched by earthly matters.

This figure was Ngọc Trần Tịch, the youngest son of the Heavenly Emperor, the beloved disciple of the Heavenly Lord (who held greater power than the Heavenly Emperor), and a high-ranking immortal general—above tens of thousands, below only a few.

However, at this moment, this elegant and aloof immortal general was facing a shocking event.

At the foot of the mountain, a group of young immortals rushed up, holding a… round, white cabbage.

"Immortal General! It's bad! Our cabbage… the cabbage was stolen by the Demon Realm!"

Ngọc Trần Tịch furrowed his brow. For someone of his status, hearing such words early in the morning?

Seeing that the Immortal General remained silent, another young immortal spoke up with a pained expression:

"It's not just any cabbage! It's the Linh Căn Ngọc Cốt Thiên Địa! If the Demon Realm eats it, won't we lose a genius of the Immortal Realm?"

This was no ordinary cabbage, but the Linh Căn Ngọc Cốt Thiên Địa—a priceless spiritual item that absorbs the essence of the heavens and earth, capable of transforming into an immortal being. It took three thousand years to grow five of these, and now the Demon Realm had stolen one.

More importantly, this cabbage had been personally overseen by Ngọc Trần Tịch.

Ngọc Trần Tịch: "…"

A group of little immortals in such an uproar over a cabbage, truly, there was no trace of immortal dignity left.

At this moment, the group of young immortals trembled, kneeling beneath the immortal dais, their eyes filled with tears as they gazed up at him. The smallest among them bit his lip and stammered:

"Immortal… Immortal General, should we report this to the Heavenly Emperor?"

The other immortals nodded in agreement.

"Yes! The Heavenly Emperor cares for you most. If he knows the Demon Realm stole the cabbage, he will surely come and help you reclaim it!"

Ngọc Trần Tịch: "…"

He looked down at their expectant faces, his heart sinking.

Report to the Heavenly Emperor?

No.

In truth, if the Linh Căn Ngọc Cốt Thiên Địa were lost, the Heavenly Emperor would probably just think of it as losing a shoe—nothing worth much attention, and easily replaceable.

But…

From a young age, he had been the perfect son in the eyes of the Heavenly Emperor—smart, capable, and mistake-free. If he were to trouble his father over a cabbage now, would the impeccable image of a diligent, outstanding son he had worked so hard to maintain collapse?

This couldn't be allowed to spread.

But at the same time, they couldn't afford to lose such a valuable spiritual item.

Ngọc Trần Tịch narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke coldly:

"No need. I will retrieve it myself."

---

The Demon Realm, Nine Nether Cold Abyss.

After a thousand years of seclusion, the Demon Lord finally emerged. At that moment, the heavens and earth trembled violently, dark clouds covered the sky, and the sunlight couldn't pierce through. Both the Demon Realm and the Heavenly Realm felt the disturbance, a clear sign that the Demon Lord had returned.

The sky was as dark as ink, demonic energy swirling violently, and hellfire raged everywhere.

At the peak of a mountain, a tall figure in black stood, his eyes glowing red like blood, exuding both seductive charm and arrogance. He stood firmly in the air, his demonic aura swirling around him as though it wanted to devour the very land and sky. This was Demon King Thương Lãng—the ruthless, tyrannical Demon King of the Demon Realm.

In his hand, a round cabbage trembled, its young leaves twitching as if trying to escape.

"You say this… hideous white thing is the precious spiritual root of the Heavenly Realm?" Demon King Thương Lãng raised an eyebrow, tightening his grip on the cabbage, causing it to make a pitiful squeaking sound.

At that moment, a cold voice spoke up. It was Diễm Huyền Không, the Demon Lord's trusted right-hand man, a loyal demon who had served him since his rise to power. He said, "Yes, this is the Linh Căn Ngọc Cốt Thiên Địa. It absorbs the essence of the sun and moon, forming only five fruits every three thousand years. The Heavenly Realm uses this to create many things, including immortals. Once consumed, it increases one's power immensely. Demon Lord, after a thousand years in seclusion, perhaps you should eat it to stave off hunger."

The Demon Lord sat on his throne, his cold gaze studying the cabbage, though he didn't seem particularly interested. He thought to himself, "This kind of food, lacking in protein, claims to relieve my hunger? It's not even enough to fill my teeth. I'll take it just to annoy the Heavenly Realm. It won't be of any use to me."

His thin lips curled into a smirk as he spoke with icy authority:

"How did you obtain this?"

Diễm Huyền Không smiled faintly, then replied nonchalantly: "It was just through some connections."

The Demon Lord gave a disinterested nod, not particularly caring about how the cabbage was obtained. To him, such trivial matters weren't worth his attention.

"Alright, you may leave now. I have things to attend to."

Diễm Huyền Không bowed and left, feeling immense respect in his heart. The Demon Lord had finally returned. Now, he could take his long-awaited break!

The space around the Demon Realm fell into silence once more, only the cold wind and swirling dark clouds remained, as if waiting for a great upheaval that would shake the heavens and earth.

Just as the Demon Lord was about to toss the cabbage into the trash…

BOOM!

A gust of wind swept through, shaking the heavens and earth with its celestial energy.

A figure in white appeared amidst the void, bathed in immortal light, his face as exquisite as a frozen mountain. The moonlight illuminated his features, casting a cold and ethereal glow upon his beautiful face.

Ngọc Trần Tịch had arrived.

He stood in the night sky, his cold gaze fixed directly on Thương Lãng, his voice devoid of any emotion:

"Put down the cabbage."

Demon King Thương Lãng froze for a moment as he looked at the figure before him.

…Could it be that the Heavenly Realm had someone so beautiful?

But then he quickly recovered his mocking demeanor and sneered: "What if I don't?"

Ngọc Trần Tịch raised his hand, celestial light flashing brightly.

"Then we shall fight."

Demon King Thương Lãng: "…"

A lofty, ethereal immortal… over a cabbage… was challenging him to a fight?!

Suddenly, the Demon King felt as though the Heavenly Realm wasn't as cold as he had thought…

Fine then.

He liked it!

----

To be continue