Time wound back a little, to long before any of this happened.
The Star Demon God, Haotian, and Fearful Shichen stood outside a flourishing great world.
With his hands on his hips, the Star Demon God surveyed the vast continent below and nodded in satisfaction.
"Mm, this world is good!"
He turned to Fearful Shichen beside him and grinned.
"Second Bold One, are you ready?"
Fearful Shichen's little face was deathly pale, and his legs were trembling slightly.
He looked down at his own small frame, then at the densely packed auras of countless living beings below. He swallowed, his voice trembling.
"R-ready!"
His voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. The Star Demon God frowned and said disapprovingly,
"Louder! Show some spirit!"
"I'm ready!!!!"
Fearful Shichen immediately straightened up and shouted toward the heavens. Only then did the Star Demon God nod in satisfaction.
"Very good! That's the spirit!"
"Then begin your first performance! Remember our Will of Tyranny!"
Haotian chimed in from the side, clenching a fist in encouragement.
"That's right! To bully all things-that is our will!"
He demonstrated by striding forward with his head high and chest out, every step swaggering as though he would disown even his closest kin.
"See that? Just like this! Let your domineering aura shine!"
Fearful Shichen drew a deep breath, did his best to puff out his little chest, and moved his short legs, copying Haotian as he walked up to the world's outer boundary.
Then,
He mustered every ounce of strength and shouted down below.
"Ah!!! Everyone... look... over here!!"
The living beings in the world below raised their heads, gazing curiously at the sky.
"Huh? Whose kid is shouting up there?"
"Is he lost?"
Hearing the comments from below, Fearful Shichen's little face instantly flushed crimson.
The