The black-haired youth’s eyes, clear and eerie, were like two pools of jade-green water. A slight upturn graced his lips as he lifted a long, pale hand, gently cupping Ye Chen’s chin, as if a hunter appraising his quarry. “Such an aura, such a feeling. Worthy of the descendant of the Heavenly Messenger. Truly a captivating scent. I eagerly await our battle after you reach the ‘Epoch Realm.’ Do try to hurry; my patience is notoriously thin…”

Ye Chen felt as if his entire body—hands, feet, and limbs—had been encased in ice, leaving him paralyzed. Despite countless brushes with death, this man, beautiful as a celestial being, exuded a chilling, almost manic coldness, overlaid with a nauseating scent of blood.

He realized he lacked the strength to move so much as a finger. Gazing at the handsome face inches from his own, his throat felt constricted by invisible talons, and his body instinctively recoiled, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the man…

The black-clad youth watched his expression, offering a soft chuckle. Then, he turned his head toward Bai Yijun beside him, his slender eyes narrowing slightly. The eyes, like clear jewels set within them, glittered with both amusement and an icy sheen. A playful, intrigued expression spread across his face as he reached out toward Bai Yijun’s delicate features.

Terror flooded Bai Yijun’s body, rendering her face ashen, like a snow lotus in early winter. She found herself utterly devoid of the courage to retreat, watching helplessly as that long, pale hand moved slowly to caress her cheek…

Slap!

A sudden, crisp, sharp crack echoed in the unnervingly silent living room, like thunder breaking on a clear sky. It spread through the air like ripples expanding across a lake suddenly struck by rain. The pale hand that had been reaching for Bai Yijun was now askew, bearing the distinct marks of several bright red finger impressions.

Bai Yijun swallowed hard, as if something were stuck in her throat, and laboriously looked toward Ye Chen at her side. Ye Chen seemed suddenly weak, gasping great draughts of fresh air. Then, with a resolute defiance that dismissed all consequence, he took a single, small step forward—just one—placing his entire body directly in front of Bai Yijun, ensuring the black-clad youth’s view was obstructed, seeing only the delicate sweep of her shoulders draped in white gauze-like silk.

The soft overhead lighting illuminated the three of them, casting an atmosphere thick with gloom and deathly stillness, as if unseen specters hovered above, observing them.

The black-clad youth drew his gaze back from his own hand and looked steadily at Ye Chen for a moment. Then, he lowered his head with a soft laugh. “How touching. I wonder what your reaction would be if I killed her right in front of you?” His smile was as bright and handsome as warm spring breeze, and he watched Ye Chen with keen interest.

Ye Chen’s heart lurched violently. The blood within him surged from his deepest core like a raging beast, a flame boiling and erupting, threatening to pierce his very veins and bones. His white hair stood rigidly on end like the quills of a porcupine, his handsome, cold features contorted into something fierce and terrifying. His voice, low and guttural like that of a demon from hell, articulated each word: “Touch her, and you—die!”

The black-clad youth’s eyes brightened, and his smile deepened. “What captivating eyes. Yes, this is the feeling I crave. Haha, killing you now would be a pity. Besides, she is a part of you, formed from your own heart. By that logic, I should wait until you both reach the ‘Epoch Realm’ before I play with you again…”

He laughed handsomely, utterly disregarding Ye Chen’s fierce, savage glare, and walked casually toward the nearby hatch. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly paused, as if remembering something, causing the atmosphere in the living room, which had just begun to ease, to snap instantly taut once more.

This time, however, he merely tilted his head back to face the slightly tense pair. “My memory—I almost forgot to tell you my name. I am Di Zichuan. Make sure you remember that name…” By the time Ye Chen and Bai Yijun recovered their senses, they saw only the lingering impression of his smile by the hatch; his body had vanished like smoke, as if he had never been there at all. If not for the cold sweat drenching their backs, Ye Chen would have almost believed the entire encounter was a dream!

“Di Zichuan…” Ye Chen stared out at the inky void beyond the porthole, his sword-like brows furrowed with worry.

Bai Yijun’s body seemed drained; a pallor clung to her pretty face as she murmured, “Who was that? Such a bizarre aura… it was like… like a sinister and cold monster!” Ye Chen remained silent.

“Master!” Xiao Zongsheng’s voice, stripped of its usual composure, shrieked with alarm from the control room. “Quick, look!”

This sound, filled with extreme terror as if they had witnessed a wraith, made Ye Chen and Bai Yijun’s faces turn white. They spun around quickly, their pupils contracting sharply. Outside the forward viewport, beneath the dim sky, the headless ancient corpse on the distant horizon had turned its body to face the Heavenly Dao Divine Ark.

But that was not what truly horrified them. What truly made them pale with dread was Di Zichuan, who had just vanished inside the ship, now appearing like a black bird, his toes lightly touching the void. With a flicker, he materialized thousands of miles away, his form seemingly shrouded in starlight, his flowing long hair drifting like silk threads in the wind. Before him, the headless ancient corpse knelt respectfully, one hand placed over its left heart, exhibiting the piety of a soldier sworn to absolute loyalty.

Di Zichuan drifted down to rest upon the ancient corpse’s shoulder. The fierce, biting cold wind whipped at the edges of his robes, causing them to snap sharply. His long, lean body was as still as a black javelin, unmoved by the gale.

“That… that monster… he keeps it as a pet…” Bai Yijun’s voice had shifted, thick with inexpressible horror.

All the blood in Ye Chen’s body instantly turned frigid, as if doused with ice water. After a long moment, he finally recovered and roared, “Retreat!”

Xiao Zongsheng too snapped out of his shock and frantically slammed the retreat buttons. The engines in the ship’s lower bay roared to life, and the view outside the viewport began to slide forward slowly, then accelerated into a blur, pulling away at light-speed. In an instant, the entire vessel had sped away from that perilous sky.

After the Heavenly Dao Divine Ark departed, Di Zichuan did not turn, yet it seemed he saw everything. His bright eyes sparkled like stars, and his lips curved into an elegant smile. “Ah, the plan has begun. I wonder how spectacular it will be this time. When blood drenches this entire continent, it will surely be beautiful…”

He smiled softly, then gently patted the muscular contours of the headless ancient corpse beside him, murmuring softly, “Let’s go. It’s time to visit our friends…”

“Aargh…” The headless ancient corpse slowly rose from the ground, its massive, ancient bronze body standing majestic against the heavens. It then strode away quickly toward the distance…

Heavenly Sovereign Continent, Frontline Battlefield.

Pfft!

A golden sword body was grasped between two small, tender fingers and instantly twisted and snapped like a brittle stalk of straw. With a slight flick of those small fingers, the severed, razor-sharp blade shot back like reverse flowing light, piercing swiftly into the chest of the Yellow Emperor. Bright red blood spurted out from the wound like scattered scarlet pearls.

The Yellow Emperor’s body convulsed violently, his eyes wide with terror and shock. The Xuanyuan Divine Sword, a peak-tier Dao Artifact that had accompanied him through countless ages and battles, was now effortlessly broken in the hands of this smiling, red-hooded child, as easily as… snapping a blade of grass!

What manner of strength was this!

In the brief moment his mind reeled in confusion, the tension in his body’s cells seemed to slacken. Thus, he failed to notice the gigantic, savage lion with blood-red fur rising behind him like a small mountain. Its sharp, hideous fangs dripped with fresh blood and yellowish fluid, exuding a foul, rotten stench. Its massive body blotted out the sun, casting a shadow over the small human figure before it…

Then, with a savage grin, it brought its claw down hard to tear at the head!

Splash!

A spray of blood flew forth, raining down like a torrential downpour, glistening coldly under the light of the blood-red moon.

The fierce, howling gale swept over the soft, expensive fur trimming the edges of the Yellow Emperor’s golden armor, and whipped his long, dark hair sideways. His entire body felt stiff and stunned; only the sudden warm raindrops falling on his head—scaldingly hot—dampened his hair and face, clinging to them with an indescribable stench of rot and gore.

Whoosh!

The colossal body of the blood-furred lion dropped vertically from the sky, its descent accompanied by a mournful howl of rushing air.

“Stand down!” A deep, authoritative voice, imbued with masculine charm, rang out from behind, carrying an undeniable command.

The Yellow Emperor felt a sudden release of tension in his heart, as if seeing a savior. He turned back to look, and saw standing behind him a figure of dark bronze, blocking the blood-red moonlight overhead. Its body was a study in power and beauty, every muscle line appearing as if forged by a god—a masterpiece, truly!

Pangu!

Seeing the supreme leader of his clan, the Yellow Emperor knew that any further engagement was beyond his capability. He glanced back at the two heads clutched by the red-hooded child with a complex expression, bit his lip, and then, with the rationality of a great Roc, spread his arms and retreated backward, floating back to the edge of the defensive line.

Between him and Pangu lay a barricade of thick, black corpses of savage beasts, a veritable river of death. He looked forward at the towering figure ahead, his heart filled with trepidation.

The red-hooded child watched the Yellow Emperor depart from before him, then turned his head, his innocent, pure face breaking into a brilliant smile. “Will you play with me?”

My writing style has noticeably improved over the last two days; I wonder if you all have noticed it? If you read without scanning quickly, you should be able to catch the nuance. Also, the seeds planted in the story and the true high-level secrets will be unveiled one by one. Before, I could finish a chapter in two hours. Now, a chapter takes three and a half hours. Old Gu finds this exhilarating—this painstaking process of scrutinizing every word to ensure its suitability is incredibly satisfying! (To be continued)