King of Ten Thousand Years

「Five days later.」

Azure Cloud Kingdom, Lingyun County.

Near a river in the Black Demon Ridge, a young man and woman, both around fifteen or sixteen years old, were taking a leisurely stroll.

”I thought the Black Demon Ridge was supposed to be dangerous, but the Demon Beasts here are nothing special.”

The one who spoke was a young man in green robes with thin lips, a straight nose, and a faint look of arrogance.

”For a small place like Qingchang City, this area really could be considered a dangerous, forbidden land.”

Next to him, a petite and lovely young woman with a delicate, porcelain-like face offered a slight smile.

Before long, the two encountered a Cyan Wind Wolf at the Seventh Layer of the Meridian Opening Realm!

”Let’s kill this Cyan Wind Wolf and get out of Black Demon Ridge. There isn’t much time left before the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion’s assessment begins!” the green-robed young man shouted.

His cultivation was at the Seventh Layer of the Meridian Opening Realm, while the petite young woman was at the Peak of the Sixth Layer of Meridian Opening Realm.

After a few exchanges, the Cyan Wind Wolf was severely injured and fled in a panic.

”Where do you think you’re going?!”

The green-robed young man was full of high spirits.

After chasing it for several hundred meters, the two killed the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening Cyan Wind Wolf.

”Brother Cheng, your swordsmanship is incredible! Almost all the wounds on this Cyan Wind Wolf were from you.”

The petite young woman’s eyes were clear and bright.

”Of course! My goal is to take first place in this year’s Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion assessment!”

The green-robed young man was brimming with confidence.

But just then, a gale of Demon Evil erupted from a nearby canyon.

’Is the wind picking up?’

The green-robed young man froze for a moment. This was no ordinary wind; an indescribably powerful sense of crisis descended upon them!

”Brother Cheng, you... look over there!”

The petite young woman’s face suddenly turned deathly pale. She pointed a trembling finger at the canyon behind the green-robed young man, her voice shaking and her gaze vacant.

A colossal creature, as tall as a multi-story building, was rising to its feet, casting a terrifying shadow over them!

”Is... is that the legendary taboo of the Black Demon Ridge... the Sleeping Beast?”

The green-robed young man was so shocked he started babbling incoherently.

Under the Sleeping Beast’s oppressive aura, the blood in their veins seemed to freeze. Their bodies grew cold and rigid, unable to move a muscle!

’It’s too terrifying. What kind of horrifying existence is this?’

ROAR!

The Sleeping Beast let out a sudden roar, unleashing a ferocious aura that swept across the land. Every Demon Beast within a thousand meters was scared out of its wits.

The hearts of the green-robed young man and the petite young woman pounded so violently they felt like they would burst from their chests.

’To think that I, Luo Yicheng, a genius of my generation, will die here. Is this truly a case of heaven being jealous of great talent?’

The green-robed young man, Luo Yicheng, looked up and sighed.

Faced with such a terrifying existence as the Sleeping Beast, they had no hope of survival. Death was certain.

However, the Sleeping Beast made no move against them.

Just then, they saw a handsome young man in white clothes strolling casually toward them as if he were out for a walk.

”Get out of here! The Sleeping Beast is awake! Run!” the petite young woman cried out to the white-robed man, her face pale and tear-streaked.

’He’s courting death! Can’t he see the Sleeping Beast?’

Luo Yicheng’s body trembled.

’Who could be so stupid as to walk to their own doom?!’

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The Sleeping Beast moved. Luo Yicheng and the petite young woman felt the ground tremble and the space around them shake. A terrifying pressure enveloped everything, and their bodies felt imprisoned, unable to move.

The two were filled with terror and despair, simply waiting for death to claim them.

However, the Sleeping Beast didn’t kill them. Instead, it headed straight for the young man in white.

Neither of them expected the Sleeping Beast to target Luo Tian first, and looks of pity appeared on their faces.

The Sleeping Beast raised its enormous paw and swiped at the white-robed young man. It seemed that in the next instant, a living person would be turned into a pile of meat paste.

But to their utter shock and disbelief...

SLAP!

Luo Tian reached out and gently high-fived the Sleeping Beast’s massive claw.

”Hey, old pal. You’ve gotten fatter recently, haven’t you?”

Luo Tian said with a smile, looking as if he were just catching up with a friend.

In his heart, Luo Tian truly did consider the Sleeping Beast a good friend.

He had faced crises many times, only to have the Sleeping Beast help him turn peril into safety.

Luo Tian was never lenient with his enemies. But for a drop of kindness, he would always repay with a gushing spring.

ROAR ROAR HOO!

The Sleeping Beast opened its mouth and roared, explaining that it had just gotten stronger.

It then asked Luo Tian when he was going to fulfill his promise to bring it three thousand catties of heart-meat from an Earth Level Demon Beast.

”Don’t be impatient. Our agreement was for three years. I won’t go back on my word.”

Luo Tian said with a laugh.

Not far away, Luo Yicheng and the petite young woman were dumbfounded, frozen like statues.

’How is this possible?’

Luo Yicheng couldn’t believe it. He was actually watching a young man laughing and chatting with the terrifying Sleeping Beast.

’This young man in white doesn’t even look much older than me.’

”Unbelievable... He’s so amazing!” The petite young woman’s face was filled with reverence.

”Old friend, I have to go. I’ll bring you the meat in a while!”

Luo Tian bid farewell to the Sleeping Beast.

He had returned to Qingchang City this time mainly to see his old home.

His father, Luo Xiao, had left several years ago without a word. It was possible he had returned to Qingchang City at some point.

But Luo Tian hadn’t heard any news about his father. So, after swinging by to see the Sleeping Beast, he prepared to head to the Azure Cloud Royal Capital!

Just as Luo Tian was about to leave, two figures approached him. Luo Yicheng said, ”Brother, thank you for saving our lives. My name is Luo Yicheng.”

’Saving your lives?’

Luo Tian hadn’t saved them at all.

The Sleeping Beast Kun Ga was also confused. It had sensed Luo Tian’s arrival and came to greet him, not even noticing these two ”ants.”

”You’re so incredible! How did you get to be so familiar with the Sleeping Beast?” the petite young woman asked, her eyes sparkling.

”The Black Demon Ridge is dangerous; you two shouldn’t go too deep. I have business in the Royal Capital, so I must be going. Farewell.”

Luo Tian couldn’t be bothered to say more.

”The Azure Cloud Royal Capital? We’re heading there too!” the petite young woman said, slightly excited.

Luo Yicheng smiled confidently. ”Why don’t you join us? We brought a Flying Bird Mount for this trip, which could save you a lot of time.”

In his eyes, Luo Tian was about the same age as him and must also be heading to the Royal Capital for the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion’s assessment.

He was very interested in Luo Tian and intended to befriend him.

Luo Tian considered it. Traveling alone was rather tiring.

He felt carefree at the moment, with nothing urgent to do. It might be nice to experience a bit of ordinary life and relax.

’These two are also named Luo. I suppose it’s a kind of fate.’

”My surname is also Luo. In that case, let’s go together,” Luo Tian said to the pair.

The green-robed young man took out a whistle and blew it hard. A dozen breaths later, a large black eagle at the Peak of the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening descended.

’Peak of the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening...’

Luo Tian’s eyes flickered, and he paused for a moment.

The last time he traveled, the flying mounts he rode were all at the Half-step Earth Element Realm Level.

Now, if he were to casually catch a flying mount, his target would be at least the Spirit Sea Realm Middle Tier or higher.

’Oh well. For cultivators at the Sixth to Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening Realm, having a mount like this is pretty good.’

Luo Tian climbed onto the eagle’s back, and the three of them rode the Black-Feathered Eagle into the blue sky.

”What do you think? It’s fast, right?”

Luo Yicheng, thinking Luo Tian had been stunned by the Black-Feathered Eagle, began to boast about it.

Afterward, he asked, ”You’re also named Luo. Where are you from?”

”...Qingchang City.”

This question sent Luo Tian into a thoughtful silence.

He had moved to Qingchang City when he was a child. Where did he live before that? Luo Tian couldn’t remember.

Along the way,

Luo Tian adopted a relaxed mindset and chatted a great deal with the two young geniuses. His mood seemed to brighten considerably, and he became more easygoing and approachable.

At a certain moment, Luo Tian faintly felt his state of mind improve, becoming clearer and more transparent. His Creation Technique had also advanced slightly, bringing him very close to Second-Layer Perfection.

’The path of Martial Arts is one of cultivating not just the body, but also the mind...’

Luo Tian thought, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

Improving one’s state of mind was crucial. Without a strong heart, how could one control great power?

Throughout history, many powerful Martial Artists had gradually lost themselves and gone astray as their strength grew.

...

「Three days later.」

Within the Imperial Palace of the Azure Cloud Kingdom Capital.

Stunning news shook the Azure Cloud Royal Family!

”Luo Tian is back!”

”The last time he left, he declared he would visit again someday. I can’t believe he’s actually come back!”

”He’s a Core Disciple of the Yunxiao Sect! What are we going to do?”

All the civil and military officials of the court were alarmed and gathered together.

The Monarch and Empress were both present, with the Crown Prince and several other Princes listening in from the side.

”Is this news reliable?”

The Azure Cloud Monarch asked, his brow furrowed.

He had aged considerably in the past few months, all because of something Luo Tian had said upon his departure: ”In the days to come, I will personally pay a visit to the Azure Cloud Monarch!”

Those words had given the Azure Cloud Monarch nightmares every night, making it impossible for him to eat or sleep in peace.

And now, a few months later, Luo Tian had arrived as promised!

”Reporting to the Monarch, this matter was witnessed by many... They say Luo Tian was with two youths, riding a Black-Feathered Eagle toward the Royal Capital,” an old official reported.

Many people were puzzled.

’A Black-Feathered Eagle? Isn’t that a Meridian Opening Realm level Demon Beast? Why would Luo Tian ride such a bird?’

”And the other two youths, what are their origins and identities?” the Azure Cloud Monarch continued to ask.

”That is not yet clear!” the old official replied.

The Azure Cloud Monarch leaned back on his dragon throne and sighed deeply.

Given the enmity between him and Luo Tian, the Azure Cloud Monarch had no doubt that Luo Tian would kill him.

The Royal Family, with its power, had no reason to fear Luo Tian as an individual. The problem was that he had become a Core Disciple of the Yunxiao Sect, which made them extremely wary and afraid to act against him!

”Monarch, why don’t we... bow our heads?” a member of the Royal Family asked tentatively.

The Yunxiao Sect was simply too terrifying, and Luo Tian’s future potential was limitless. Bowing their heads, apologizing, and resolving the grudge would be beneficial in the long run.

Many of the high-ranking officials present shared this view.

But others felt there was no need to worry too much.

”Monarch, in this subordinate’s opinion, even if Luo Tian has come for revenge, he won’t go too far. After all, this is his country, and you are its Monarch!” said a Military General clad in Golden Armor.

”The Tenth Prince and the Twelfth Prince are exceptionally talented. They also have a chance to enter the Yunxiao Sect in the future. When that time comes, we won’t have to be afraid of him!” another person added.

”No! We must bow our heads and apologize sincerely. What if Luo Tian really does something drastic?”

”How can the great Li Royal Family apologize to one of its subjects?”

Instantly, the entire court devolved into chaos. The high-ranking officials argued incessantly, making it as noisy as a marketplace.

The Azure Cloud Monarch’s mind was also in a tangle, and he was unable to make a decision.

At the side, Crown Prince Li Sheng and the Third Prince, Li Yi, were both silent, their hearts filled with emotion.

Who could have predicted that the mere appearance of that young man from the past in the Azure Cloud Kingdom would throw the entire royal court into turmoil?