Shen Xuan was standing amidst a mountain of corpses. His chest heaved violently, his robes—once pure white were now drenched in blood, though not a drop was his own. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, mixing with the crimson stains as a faint trail of blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
Around him, the lifeless remains of over five hundred beasts littered the ground. Mid-stage and late-stage Qi Condensation beasts, their bodies torn apart, ripped into brutal pieces as though shredded by a merciless predator. The once lush forest had turned into a slaughterfield, the air thick with the stench of blood and death.
Lu Zhen stood at a distance, his sharp eyes narrowed in disbelief. Even for him—an Emperor Clan powerhouse—this sight was hard to fathom.
"This boy, he's not human. He's a monster wearing human skin."
Shen Xuan's expression remained cold, his pitch-black eyes carrying a faint glimmer of madness. When he fought, it was as though something deep within him had snapped—an uncontrollable storm of violence that wouldn't cease until everything before him was annihilated.
He wasn't just killing. He was erasing.
Each swing of his sword, each strike of his fists, was fueled by a ruthless determination. It was as if the world itself was his enemy.
Lu Zhen clenched his fists unconsciously. He had expected talent. He had expected strength. But this… this was destruction incarnate.
"If left unchecked, this boy could one day topple entire continent by himself."
As the silence of the battlefield settled, Shen Xuan finally dropped to one knee, his body trembling from exhaustion. Yet, in those tired eyes, the same cold fire still burned—unyielding, unshakable, terrifying.
Lu Zhen walked toward Shen Xuan, his steps calm yet firm. He glanced at the battlefield one last time before placing his hand on Shen Xuan's shoulder.
"Enough," he said, his voice steady but carrying authority. "Your foundation has already become rock-solid. In just three months, your strength has advanced to a terrifying level."
He gave Shen Xuan a deep look, almost as if trying to measure the unfathomable depth hidden within him.
"But now," Lu Zhen continued, "we're about to reach Emperor City."
At the mention of the name, even Shen Xuan's cold gaze flickered with curiosity.
Lu Zhen's lips curved into a faint smile. "That place isn't like the wilderness where you've been slaughtering beasts. Emperor City is unlike any other city in this continent. It was built through the joint efforts of all ten Emperor Clans. Its size, its majesty… it's something you cannot even imagine right now."
Shen Xuan silently listened as Lu Zhen's tone grew serious.
"Inside Emperor City, no one dares to stir trouble. The rules are absolute—stricter than anywhere else. Even Emperor Clan geniuses don't dare act recklessly there. Break a rule… and the consequences are something if you found guilty even I would not be able to save you."
Lu Zhen clasped his hands behind his back as he explained, his eyes gazing toward the horizon.
"More importantly, Emperor City serves as a passage. It is the only gateway to the realms of the Emperor Clans. In the city, countless transmission arrays are set up. If someone wishes to enter a clan, they must use the array connected to that clan's private realm."
His voice dropped lower, carrying weight.
"Each Emperor Clan exists in its own independent space, a separate realm created personally by the clan's patriarch. Without permission, not even a single fly can enter those realms. That's why Emperor City was built—it acts as the hub, the heart, and the gateway for all Emperor Clans."
Shen Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Ten Emperor Clans?"
Lu Zhen nodded. "Yes. The Bai Clan, Lu Clan, Yao Clan, Jiang Clan, Xu Clan, Zhao Clan, Qin Clan, Yun Clan, Han Clan, and Mo Clan. Together, they are the unshakable pillars of this continent. Each one is an existence that countless powers worship and fear."
For the first time, Shen Xuan felt the weight of the world pressing on his shoulders. His heart remained steady, but somewhere deep inside, a spark of battle intent flickered.
As the flying dragon ship descended from the clouds, Shen Xuan's sharp gaze finally caught sight of the legendary Emperor City.
The sight stole his breath away.
From afar, towering gates rose like a divine wall that seemed to split heaven and earth. The city's entrance alone was enough to shake his heart— twenty feet tall and thirty feet wide, forged entirely from shimmering jade stone. Each inch radiated majesty and wealth, as if even the gates themselves were treasures priceless enough to drive sects to madness.
Crowds filled the vast road outside the gates. Cultivators of all ranks bustled about—some arriving with excitement, others leaving in silence but despite the sheer number of people, an unshakable order and peace lingered. Shen Xuan could feel it in the air: here, chaos dared not exist.
Lu Zhen stood at the ship's helm, his eyes narrowing slightly. "These days, the Emperor Clans are selecting disciples. That's why the city is so crowded. Geniuses from King Clans and countless first-class forces have gathered here, each dreaming of stepping into the gates of an Emperor Clan as an outer disciple."
Shen Xuan listened silently, his gaze still locked on the jade gates.
Lu Zhen's voice dropped lower, a spark of anticipation flickering in his eyes. "Three years from now, the younger generation's grand gathering will be held here. Geniuses from across the continent will participate. King Clans, first-class forces… even Emperor Clans themselves. You, Shen Xuan… must prepare yourself. At the very least, if you can break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm by then, you will shock the world."
A rare light of excitement flashed in Lu Zhen's eyes. If he truly manages that… Shen Xuan will be the first cultivator in history to step into Foundation Establishment before reaching twenty years of age.
With that thought, Lu Zhen reached into his ring and handed Shen Xuan a pouch of spiritual stones.
"Listen carefully. You will go directly into the city alone. Every clan has its own transmission array inside the city. If you give the array's caretaker some spiritual stones, they will activate it for you. Use the Lu Clan's array—it will take you straight into the Lu Realm."
Lu Zhen's tone became serious, his eyes locking onto Shen Xuan's. "Once you arrive, an elder will be waiting near the gates of the Lu Clan. Show him this."
He placed a golden token into Shen Xuan's palm, its surface engraved with a "Zhen" character. "Tell him to send you to the Thousand Flowers Peak within the Inner Clan. If he asks too many questions, simply show him my token. That will be enough."
Before Shen Xuan could respond, the flying dragon ship lowered outside the jade gates. Lu Zhen gently pushed him off, letting him land steadily on the stone-paved ground.
Shen Xuan turned back sharply, wanting to speak—yet in the next instant, Lu Zhen's figure blurred.
With a faint ripple in the air, the man vanished into the skies.
Shen Xuan stood frozen, gripping the golden token tightly in his hand. Then, slowly, he turned toward the jade gates of the Emperor City.
Shen Xuan walked calmly through the bustling streets, his steps light yet unhurried. Despite the crowd, people couldn't help but glance his way. His features were sharp, his aura cold, and his presence naturally eye-catching. Especially the young women one after another, they found their gazes drawn to him as if compelled. They could not believe that someone can actually be this handsome. Even men here were jealous of shen xuan charm.
Frowning slightly, Shen Xuan tugged a simple black mask over his face. Annoying… He had no interest in attracting attention.
When he reached the city gates, two armored guards blocked his path.
"Identity," one demanded.
Shen Xuan silently produced the Lu Clan token.
The moment the jade crest glimmered in the guards' eyes, their tones shifted completely. Their backs straightened, and both bowed respectfully.
"Please, sir. Enter."
The abrupt change made bystanders whisper in curiosity, their eyes chasing Shen Xuan's masked figure. But no one could pierce through the veil of mystery.
Once inside, Shen Xuan was forced to pause. His breath caught as he gazed upon the city itself.
Even the streets were paved with jade tiles that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. Grand inns, towering shops, and elegant pavilions stretched endlessly—every structure adorned with priceless jade or rare materials. A single building here would be worth more than entire towns outside.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Xuan steadied himself and moved forward, weaving through bustling markets where cultivators shouted over pills, treasures, and weapons.
He was just heading toward the transmission array when a commotion erupted behind him.
"Move! Clear the way! The Young Master of the Mo Clan approaches!"
A group of ten disciples stormed through the crowd, shoving aside anyone too slow. Their arrogance was palpable. Ordinary cultivators clenched their fists but lowered their heads; resistance meant ruin.
Behind them, seated arrogantly between two beauties, a young man appeared, laughing loudly as he whispered and kissed the girls shamelessly in public.
"Mo Tianho…" someone muttered, and the crowd instantly fell silent.
He was the Mo Clan's treasured genius, born with Heaven-grade spiritual roots. Though yet to awaken, the clan already allowed him to act without restraint.
As his entourage passed, Mo Tianho caught sight of a figure standing still amidst the bowing crowd.
A masked youth.
A pair of cold, disdainful eyes staring directly at him.
Mo Tianho's smile froze. Slowly, he turned to the beauties at his side.
"Wait here. I've spotted an insect that displeases me. I'll squash him and return."
He swaggered toward Shen Xuan, smirking as the crowd watched in tense silence.
"Brat," Mo Tianho sneered, stopping inches away, "when everyone lowers their heads, what makes you so special? And what's with that mask? Are you some petty thief hiding his face?" His laughter rang arrogant and sharp.
Shen Xuan's eyes were ice. His voice was steady, but each word cut through the silence like a blade.
"Tell me—why should I lower my head to you? The city's rules do not say we must bow to spoiled young masters of Emperor Clans." Shen xuan hated the most when someone tell him to bow or lower his head. Shen xuan actually don't consider anyone to qualified enough to make him bow except his grandpa Du.
The words fell, and the entire street seemed to freeze.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Eyes widened in shock.
Someone actually dared… to talk back to Mo Tianho!
The Mo Clan's young master's expression twisted, his pride pierced before the eyes of hundreds. Rage blazed in his eyes as his spiritual aura began to stir.
"Very well," Mo Tianho snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "Since you don't understand the rules… I'll carve them into your bones myself."
For the first time since its creation, the strictly ordered Emperor City was about to witness its rules tested.
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