Shaurya and the City Lord bowed respectfully to each other. After that, the City Lord requested permission to leave.
Shaurya nodded and handed him a Qi Enhancement Pill.
"This will help you in your cultivation," he said.
The City Lord accepted it gratefully, bowed once more, and departed.
Shaurya then turned toward his disciples.
"Let's go visit the city."
Wang Tian replied calmly,
"I've already visited."
Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian added together,
"We're from this city, so we don't really want to go either."
Shaurya sighed.
"Okay, okay. You all stay here then. I'll go alone."
With that, he left to explore the city.
Once Shaurya was gone, Wang Tian climbed back onto a tree branch, his expression thoughtful.
This Sect Master is truly mysterious… It's better to stay here and become stronger.
Xiao Lian and Xiao Rui noticed Wang Tian sitting on the tree, fully immersed in aura cultivation.
They smiled at each other before sitting beneath the tree. Xiao Rui began cultivating immediately.
Xiao Lian spoke softly,
"You cultivate. I'll protect you."
Wang Tian opened one eye, glanced at the siblings, smiled faintly, and then closed it again.
Meanwhile, Shaurya wandered freely through the city. He bought several weapons and stored them inside the system space, then moved on to buy food.
"I didn't expect to find these kinds of ingredients, fruits, and vegetables in a cultivation world," he exclaimed happily.
"I can make so many dishes with these. That's great!"
He strolled around like a curious child, enjoying the rare sense of peace.
It's only been five days since I arrived in this world, and so much has already happened, he thought.
Soon, he spotted a clothing store.
"System, do you have more clothes like these for me?" he asked.
[Yes, Host] the system replied.
Shaurya entered the store, bought some casual clothes, and then purchased even more food and fruits.
As he wandered near the city's outer gate, something suddenly came to mind.
"Hey, System, you gave me a kitchen as a reward, didn't you?"
"Of course, Host. I thought about you and gave it so you wouldn't starve to death."
Shaurya frowned.
"What do you think of me?! I have money to build a kitchen, and I'm eating just fine without it. What's the meaning of this?"
The system went silent, completely ignoring him.
Shaurya sighed.
"Fine, fine. I know you do whatever you want. At least you gave me some good items. Now let me see the techniques."
[3 Earth-Level Techniques:
Mountain Breaking Fist
Serpent Chop
Bursting Palm]
[6 Sky-Level Techniques:
Ultimate Sword Slash
Aerial Dash
Sky Breaking Palm
Wind Cutting Slash
Sky Cutting Slash
Aerial Walk]
[1 Immortal-Level Technique:
Everything Suppressing Palm]
Shaurya was amazed.
"Okay, System. Learn."
[I don't need to learn them, Host.]
"I mean—teach them to me!"
[Oh. Then say it clearly.]
"Sorry, System sir. Please do it now."
[Congratulations, Host. Techniques have been learned.]
In the next instant, Shaurya activated Aerial Walk.
The world blurred beneath his feet.
Mountains, trees, and rivers turned into streaks of color as he crossed several miles in seconds.
Within minutes, he arrived at Demonic Valley.
"Let's test my strength," he muttered, standing atop a mountain peak.
Suddenly, a massive eagle charged toward him. Shaurya glared at it with devilish eyes. The beast froze in fear and immediately fled.
Shaurya smiled.
Then—BOOM!
A distant explosion echoed through the valley, smoke rising into the sky.
"Something's going on," he muttered, instantly dashing toward it.
What he saw made him pause.
A massive red lion stood before him, a horn protruding from its forehead, wings spread wide, and a sharp blade attached to its tail.
Its size rivaled that of a mammoth. A woman stood proudly atop the beast, while others flew beside her on swords.
Shaurya's gaze shifted to the side.
An injured girl lay there, dressed in a silver-white robe. She had an incredibly beautiful face, black hair, and blue eyes.
Around eighteen years old, she was covered in blood and struggling to stand while gripping her sword.
[System Notification:
Legendary-Level Task Triggered
Save the girl and recruit her into your sect.
Reward: Spiritual Guardian Beast — Primordial Dragon]
Shaurya froze for a moment.
Then he smiled.
And then—he laughed loudly.
The people below looked up in shock.
With a dangerous grin and his aura erupting outward, Shaurya growled,
"Even if you hadn't given me this task, I would've saved her anyway. But now that you're offering a Primordial Dragon… I've always wanted a dragon."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I'm definitely in."
The woman in the luxurious red robe atop the lion ordered coldly,
"Go and kill that boy. He saw everything."
The subordinate nodded and flew toward Shaurya.
Before she could even reach him, Shaurya vanished.
In the next instant, he reappeared, grabbed her by the mouth, and slammed her into the ground like a meteor.
The impact crushed her body and sent shockwaves rippling outward.
Everyone was stunned.
Shaurya began walking forward slowly, like a reaper approaching his prey. With a sinister smile, he unsheathed his sword.
Four more subordinates rushed him.
"Ultimate Sword Slash!"
With a single sweeping motion, he cut them all down.
The woman atop the lion screamed in rage.
The lion roared and unleashed a massive wave of flames.
Shaurya dodged effortlessly.
"System, what is that beast?"
[Giant Flame Lion. Level: Qi Refiner Level 4. Rider: Feng Ya. Qi Refiner Level 1.]
A fierce battle erupted.
Shaurya clashed with the beast, slicing off its horn, but was struck by its massive claw and smashed into a mountain.
He stood up, injured—but smiling.
"Let's test my new power."
Feng Ya shouted furiously,
"Kill him!"
Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of energy surrounded Shaurya.
[System Notification:
Qi Refiner Level 3 → Level 4
The skies change.]
Shaurya roared,
"EVERYTHING SUPPRESSING PALM!"
A gigantic golden hand descended from the heavens. The entire valley trembled. Feng Ya and her lion tried to resist—but it was meaningless.
The palm crashed down.
When the dust settled, a massive crater remained.
Shaurya stood before the injured girl, shielding her from the aftermath.
He turned to her and handed her a healing pill.
"Eat this."
She hesitated, then swallowed it.
Within seconds, her injuries vanished.
Shocked, she stared at him.
Shaurya smiled warmly.
"Join my sect."
"W-what?"
"I'm Shaurya. Sect Master of the Sanatan Flame Sect—the strongest sect in Blue Stone City."
This man is far too powerful… she thought. Even that beast was nothing to him.
After a brief pause, she bowed deeply.
"Disciple Muo Qian greets Master."
[System Notification:
Task Complete
Reward Granted — Spiritual Guardian Beast: Primordial Dragon]
(To be received upon returning to the sect)
Shaurya's eyes sparkled.
"Let's go," he said.
"I'll introduce you to the others."
As the sun set, the scene shifted back to the sect.
Wang Tian was asleep on the tree. Xiao Rui was cultivating. Xiao Lian sat nearby, munching on apples.
Suddenly—
"Yo yo, disciples!"
Shaurya's voice echoed.
Wang Tian jolted awake and jumped down. Xiao Rui stood up immediately.
Xiao Lian asked,
"Master, where did you go? Did you finish visiting the city?"
Shaurya grinned.
"Well, I visited the city… then went to Demonic Valley to test something."
"Demonic Valley?!" Xiao Rui exclaimed.
"Master, weren't you just visiting the city?"
Shaurya laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. City first, valley later… and I brought someone back."
A beautiful girl stepped out from behind Shaurya.
Her injuries were gone, replaced by fresh robes that fluttered gently in the evening breeze. Soft strands of black hair framed her delicate face, and her calm blue eyes reflected the fading sunlight like clear water under a quiet sky.
Wang Tian glanced at her—
properly.
His eyes widened.
For a brief moment, his mind went completely blank.
The courtyard seemed to fall silent around him.
His gaze locked onto her figure, unmoving, as if something invisible had seized control of his attention.
Then his heart began to pound.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Each beat struck harder than the last, echoing loudly in his ears.
A strange warmth spread through his chest, rising slowly to his face. His fingers stiffened slightly, and for the first time since his reincarnation, Wang Tian—once a supreme emperor who had faced countless life-and-death battles without hesitation—felt his composure slip.
Why… can't I look away?
Her presence felt strangely radiant to him, like a quiet moon rising in a dark night sky.
His cheeks slowly turned faint pink.
Realizing something was wrong with himself, Wang Tian quickly turned his head away, pretending to look elsewhere.
But his eyes betrayed him.
After a moment, they drifted back toward her again, stealing another glance when he thought no one was watching.
His heart was still racing.
"W-what… is this feeling…?" he murmured under his breath, his usually calm voice carrying a rare trace of confusion.
Shaurya introduced her proudly.
"She's a new member of our sect. Your fellow disciple."
For a moment, the courtyard fell into a small, curious silence.
Xiao Lian was the first to move.
Her eyes lit up immediately as she walked toward the girl, almost bouncing with excitement.
She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forward slightly, studying her face with bright curiosity.
"Hi!" she said cheerfully. "My name is Xiao Lian."
Her smile widened, warm and genuine.
"I'm really happy you joined us."
There was an innocent enthusiasm in her voice—almost like a younger sister who had just discovered someone she wanted to look up to.
Xiao Rui stepped forward next.
Unlike his sister, his posture was straight and composed. He placed one fist into his palm in a respectful greeting.
"Xiao Rui," he introduced himself calmly. "Welcome to the sect."
His tone carried a quiet sincerity, the kind of greeting one cultivator gives another with proper respect.
Meanwhile—
Wang Tian stood a short distance away.
He tried to remain calm.
Tried.
But the moment his eyes met Muo Qian's again, something inside him went completely wrong.
His mind—usually sharp and calculating—suddenly felt empty.
What… do I even say?
The great emperor who had once commanded armies… now stood there like a confused teenager.
His throat tightened.
He cleared it awkwardly.
"Heh… uh…"
A strange, forced chuckle escaped him.
Wang Tian immediately turned his face away, pretending to examine the trees nearby as if they had suddenly become extremely interesting.
Xiao Rui noticed.
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
Then he glanced toward his sister.
Xiao Lian tilted her head in confusion.
"Why is he acting weird?"
Xiao Rui leaned closer and whispered something quietly into her ear.
Her eyes widened for a split second.
Then understanding dawned.
"Ohhh…"
The corner of her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Xiao Rui straightened again, crossing his arms casually.
The two siblings exchanged a silent look.
And both of them started smiling.
Shaurya smirked.
"This guy was a Great Emperor in his previous life, and now he can't even talk to a girl. Hahaha!"
The girl spoke softly,
"I'm Muo Qian."
Xiao Rui nudged Wang Tian.
"Hey, big bro, don't tell me you've fallen for our new member."
Wang Tian folded his arms, turned away coldly, and replied,
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Shaurya watched the scene and smiled inwardly.
I thought handling this guy would be tough… but he's blending in well. That's good.
Meanwhile, at the site of destruction caused by Shaurya's battle—
A shadowy figure stood silently, smiling ominously.
To Be Continued…