After reshaping galaxies and standing against cosmic forces, Arjun declared something that shocked the entire Hundred-Galaxy Dominion:
"Today… no cultivation."
The announcement spread faster than a lightning tribulation.
The Phoenix Empress looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"No cultivation?"
"No wars. No councils. No star forging," Arjun confirmed calmly. "We're going sightseeing."
The disciples nearly fainted.
🌿 Descending in Disguise
Arjun, the Phoenix Empress, and a handful of core disciples sealed their auras and descended to a lower realm known as the Emerald River World.
Rolling hills. Floating spirit cranes. Golden rice fields shimmering with spiritual energy.
For once, Arjun wore plain white robes.
The Phoenix Empress wore simple red silk, her imperial flame suppressed to a warm glow.
One disciple whispered:
"Master looks… normal."
Arjun turned slightly.
"I heard that."
The disciple immediately bowed.
"I mean—extraordinarily normal!"
The Empress laughed softly.
🍡 Market Mischief
They entered a lively cultivation town market.
Spirit fruit stalls. Herbal elixirs. Children playing with tiny wind talismans.
Arjun stopped at a snack vendor.
"How much for those?"
"Three spirit stones."
"Too expensive."
The vendor scoffed. "Then don't buy."
Arjun smiled faintly.
He didn't release pressure. Didn't reveal identity.
He simply looked at the price board.
The numbers quietly shifted.
Now it read:
"Buy one, get three free."
The vendor blinked.
"…What?"
A disciple nearly burst out laughing.
The Phoenix Empress leaned closer to Arjun.
"You just altered causality… for snacks."
"Balance must be maintained," he replied seriously.
🌄 Scenic Peace
They climbed a cliff overlooking the river valley.
Wind brushed past gently. Clouds drifted below like an ocean.
The disciples sat nearby, pretending not to stare at their master and mistress.
The Empress leaned slightly against Arjun.
"For once, no one is trying to assassinate us."
"Progress," Arjun said.
One disciple sighed dramatically.
"This is the true Great Dao—vacation cultivation."
Arjun flicked a pebble without looking.
Direct hit to the disciple's forehead.
👊 The Bully Incident
Peace was interrupted by shouting from below.
A wealthy young cultivator, dressed in extravagant robes, was kicking over a poor farmer's stall.
"You dare block my path?! Trash should know its place!"
The farmer and his daughter trembled.
The disciples stiffened.
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"Educational opportunity."
He walked down casually.
The young master sneered.
"Move aside, peasant."
Arjun tilted his head.
"Oh? And if I don't?"
The young master raised his hand arrogantly—
PAH!
A clean, effortless slap.
The sound echoed like thunder.
The young master spun three times before collapsing face-first.
The disciples' eyes widened.
"No aura release… pure physical technique…"
The Phoenix Empress stepped forward slightly.
The guards trying to intervene suddenly felt immense invisible pressure and froze in place.
⚖ Justice Without Cruelty
Arjun crouched beside the humiliated youth.
"Strength is for protection. Not oppression."
He tapped the ground once.
The young master's cultivation was sealed for thirty days.
"Spend this month working these fields," Arjun said calmly. "Learn what effort feels like."
The Empress gently handed a storage pouch of spirit stones to the farmer.
"Compensation."
The disciples scribbled notes mentally:
No unnecessary killing.
Correct arrogance.
Protect the weak.
Maintain balance.
One disciple whispered:
"Master's face-slapping technique has reached perfection."
🌅 Laughter at Sunset
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group returned to the cliff.
One disciple attempted to imitate the "Sovereign Slap."
He miscalculated.
Spun himself. Fell down the slope.
The Empress burst into open laughter.
Arjun watched her.
This was the same woman whose flames could burn stars to ash.
Yet here she was—laughing freely.
He thought quietly:
What's the point of ruling galaxies if you can't enjoy a sunset?
The disciples sat in peace as stars began to shine overhead—some of them stars Arjun himself had forged.
🌌 Closing Scene
The wind softened.
The world felt small and safe.
The Empress leaned against him again.
"Next time," she said gently, "no bullying incidents."
Arjun nodded.
"Agreed."
From below, a disciple shouted:
"Master! Can we officially name that move Heavenly Rotating Face Palm?!"
Arjun closed his eyes.
The Empress laughed once more.
And for that evening—
The Sovereign of Galaxies was simply a man enjoying the scenery with his wife and disciples.