A powerful return? Domain Lord Li Xinghe!
Heavenly Moon City...
By now, Di Chen had long since transformed into a spirited young man. Dressed in black, he had fair skin and sharply defined features, with an indescribable handsomeness. His eyes were deep and vast as a river of stars, like the primordial cosmos, inspiring awe in anyone who looked at him.
Whew~ This place was just as it had been three years ago, without the slightest change. The only difference was that Elder Wang now stood beside Di Chen!
"Young master, let's go sit in a teahouse. I can hardly wait!!!" Elder Wang said, rubbing his hands together. Flecks of golden light flickered faintly across his old, clouded face, making him look just like that oil lamp in the ancient temple's secret chamber.
"All right." Di Chen considered for a breath before agreeing. He had not left that cavern for three years, and he truly did miss the delicacies of the outside world!
A short while later... Di Chen chose a seat by the window, as always.
Soon, Di Chen ordered several signature dishes and two jars of fine wine.
Elder Wang feasted heartily, eating until grease covered his mouth.
For ordinary cultivators, three years might have been no more than the flick of a finger.
Beside him, Di Chen listened to the voices inside the teahouse,
to everyone's discussions, especially about what had happened in the Heavenly Moon Dao Domain over the past three years!
"Say, do you still remember that youth from three years ago? No one's seen a trace of him since he turned Heavenly Moon City upside down..."
"How could I forget? That fellow really had gall enough to blot out the heavens. He even dared provoke the city lord. He simply didn't know how to spell death!!!"
"What death? Didn't he beat the city lord until he didn't dare let out so much as a fart and fled with his tail between his legs?"
"Hmph! If the city lord heard that, he'd slaughter you."
"I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, go ask anyone else. Everyone witnessed that battle.
"No, listen! I heard the city lord has made a powerful return and sworn to grind that youth's bones to dust and scatter his ashes..."
"Oh? Is that true...?"
"Of course it is. I heard he's brought quite a few experts from the Domain Lord's Manor this time. Not only will he grind that youth's bones to dust and scatter his ashes, he'll exterminate his nine familial branches, leaving not even chickens or dogs alive."
"Holy shit! That youth is finished!!!"
"Not necessarily! With strength like that at such a young age, the force behind him surely can't be weak. Who knows, it might even be able to contend with the Domain Lord's Manor! Then we'll have another world-shaking battle!"
"Oh, right, the Domain Lord's Manor is holding a prodigy
championship in a month. Apparently, it's to select the top prodigies. I heard City Lord Li Yunxiao will preside over it. That youth might even show up! We have to go join the excitement..."
"A prodigy selection tournament? Let's go join the excitement too..."
"I'm going too! Me too..."
"Hmph! Li Yunxiao, oh, Li Yunxiao! There was a road to heaven, yet you refused to take it. Hell had no gate, yet you insisted on barging in."
Di Chen sneered. This time, you won't possibly escape again!!!
"Young master, what are you..." Elder Wang asked beside him, his brows knitting slightly.
"It's been three years. It's time to settle accounts with Li Yunxiao." An icy flash of killing intent passed through Di Chen's eyes.
"Oh? Who dared provoke you, young master!!!" Elder Wang narrowed his eyes and asked.
"Heh! Just a clown..." Di Chen smiled faintly, unwilling to say more about that clown.
"Let's go, Elder Wang! We'll ask around about the location first," Di Chen said, rising.
"As you command, young master!!!"
The Domain Lord's Manor stood in the core region of the Heavenly Moon Dao Domain. Vast, towering, and majestic, it resembled a divine palace. Its enormous dragon-carved stone pillars, ten thousand meters tall, were covered with mottled marks, as though they had endured far, far too many years. The entire manor exuded an ancient, weathered air.
This was the heart of power in the entire Heavenly Moon Domain, a place countless people throughout the domain looked up to.
The Domain Lord's Manor-Heavenly Moon Hall-
A man wore a long purple robe, his face resolute, wisps of authority showing between his brows. His presence flowed unceasingly around him, like a surging ocean abyss, suffocating those nearby. Terrifying currents of air coiled around his body, as though they would destroy the entire firmament.
This man was the lord of the Heavenly Moon Domain-Li Xinghe!!!
Moreover, he was a peak quasi-emperor, only a single step away from the rank of Great Emperor!!!
"Greetings, Master..."
Just then...
A respectful voice suddenly came from outside the hall. Immediately afterward, a tall, straight-backed young man with a resolute face walked in. He was handsome, his skin translucent as an infant's, giving off a hazy glow. His bright, lively eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything, and his entire bearing was ethereal and transcendent!!!
This was the domain lord's true disciple, Li Feng!!!
"Hehe! It's you, Feng'er."
Li Xinghe smiled. "Good! You reached the early Saint stage after four years in seclusion. As your master, I'm very pleased!"
Hearing this, Li Feng brightened and immediately said, "It was all thanks to the many resources you bestowed on me, Master. Otherwise, how could your disciple have broken through to the Saint Realm so quickly...?"
"Feng'er, bring Murong Fengchen along to this tournament. It'll be a good chance to temper his disposition. This time, I want everyone under heaven to know that my Domain Lord's Manor possesses not only limitless potential, but also endless geniuses. Your cultivation is higher than his, so keep an eye on him for me!!!"
"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple will handle this properly. I guarantee I won't disappoint you.
"Oh, right! Be careful of that youth who injured Elder Li. He's been missing for three years, but he'll certainly emerge again this time!" Li Xinghe said thoughtfully.
"Oh? That mysterious youth? I heard he repelled a Great Saint while only at the early Saint stage three years ago. He probably used some forbidden method," Li Feng said disdainfully.
"Hehe... In any case, be careful. All right! If there's nothing else, you may withdraw!" Li Xinghe waved a hand.
"Your disciple takes his leave..." Li Feng cupped his fist in salute, then turned and walked out of the hall.
Domain City...
Domain City was the city under the Domain Lord's Manor. It was more prosperous than Heavenly Moon City, with experts as numerous as clouds. Some cultivators walking the streets gave off presences no weaker than those of certain Great Saints, leaving people marveling. Such was the gap between Heavenly Moon City and Domain City.
Lately, Domain City had become much livelier than usual, because the Domain Lord's Manor was about to hold a grand prodigy tournament!!!
Di Chen walked
through the crowd, all kinds of noisy voices constantly ringing in his ears. "Have you heard? The domain lord's personal disciple has emerged after several years in seclusion. Apparently, he's already reached the Saint Realm."
"Ah! Such monstrous talent is simply beyond our reach. Comparing yourself to others really can anger you to death!!!"
"I heard the domain lord has also invited a superpower as a guest. I wonder who they might be. Hopefully, we'll have the good fortune to catch a glimpse and broaden our horizons."
"We'd better mind our own business. I heard many prodigies are taking part in this selection, including disciples of superpowers and first-rate sects. Their strength is terrifying, far beyond anything we can imagine."
"That's true. For rogue cultivators like us, being able to scrape together a living is good enough. Sadly, those great sects and factions simply look down on minor figures like us."
After a round of sighs, everyone streamed into a broad street in the center of Domain City.
A superpower? Hopefully, I'll meet some interesting opponents. The corners of Di Chen's lips curved upward.