At the beginning of the chapter, the story introduces the Luo Family.
The Luo Family was recognized as one of the most powerful and mysterious families on the entire continent.
Their fame did not stem solely from their cultivation strength, but also from their terrifying Shadow Techniques, which were feared far and wide.
Among cultivators, a famous saying had long been passed down—
"When your own shadow stands against you, know that a cultivator of the Luo Family is somewhere nearby."
This proverb perfectly represented the Luo Family's mysterious abilities and frightening reputation.
The story then introduces the geniuses who had arrived to participate in this year's Imperial Ranking Ceremony.
Luo Family
Specialty: Shadow Techniques
Mount: Black Shadow Panther
Main Genius
Luo Feng (Shadow King)
Cultivation: Core Foundation 4th Layer
Status: Core Disciple
Luo Feng was regarded as the greatest genius of the younger generation within the Luo Family.
His mastery over Shadow Techniques was so profound that many cultivators could not even sense his presence.
Because of this, he had earned the title—
Shadow King.
Second Genius
Luo Yue (Night Moon Assassin)
Cultivation: Core Foundation 3rd Layer
Luo Yue was another outstanding genius of the Luo Family.
Unlike Luo Feng, who dominated through overwhelming control of shadows, Luo Yue specialized in swift and silent assassination techniques.
Her movements were as elusive as moonlight in the darkness.
Many cultivators claimed that once Luo Yue disappeared into the shadows, finding her again became nearly impossible.
Because of her deadly fighting style and cold temperament, she had earned the title—
Night Moon Assassin.
With the arrival of Luo Feng and Luo Yue, the strength of the Luo Family instantly became one of the hottest topics among the cultivators gathered for the Imperial Ranking Ceremony.
After all, everyone knew one thing—
When the Luo Family entered a competition, the shadows themselves became a weapon.
Luo Feng looked at the tension spreading throughout the hall and spoke in a calm voice.
"Everyone, enjoy your meal peacefully."
"There isn't much time left before the Imperial Ranking Ceremony begins."
His voice carried a natural authority that immediately silenced many disciples.
A moment later, Luo Feng's gaze landed on Kim.
Carefully observing him, he said,
"So, you're the Demonic Master Kim?"
"I've heard quite a lot about you."
"The cultivator who absorbed Death Energy..."
"The cultivator who escaped from the Association Sect's Hall Master..."
"At this moment, your name is being discussed across the entire continent."
However, before Luo Feng could continue, a new group entered the hotel.
These were not ordinary cultivators.
They were disciples of the Demonic Sect.
According to the rules of the Imperial Ranking Ceremony, all cultivators were currently permitted to enter the Empire.
Whether they belonged to a Righteous Sect or a Demonic Sect did not matter.
And until the ceremony officially ended, no one was allowed to openly attack another participant.
Because of this, disciples from every faction could be found throughout the city.
The moment the Demonic Sect disciples spotted Kim, they immediately walked toward him.
One of them spoke angrily.
"This is our matter now."
"Who gave you people the right to keep provoking Kim?"
"Demonic Master... Demonic Master..."
"Why do you keep calling him that?"
"Who gave you that courage?"
As soon as those words were spoken, several Righteous Sect disciples also stood up.
For a brief moment, it seemed as if a major conflict was about to erupt inside the hotel.
But then—
To everyone's surprise—
Kim himself spoke.
Looking calmly at the Demonic Sect disciples, he said,
"Who are you people?"
"I don't know any of you."
"And I haven't joined any Demonic Sect."
"So I think it's best if I leave."
"It seems I've caused a little too much commotion here."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone froze.
Then—
Whoosh!
A faint spatial fluctuation appeared around Kim's body.
And right before everyone's eyes—
He vanished.
Completely.
As if he had never been there in the first place.
The entire hall fell silent.
Many disciples immediately jumped to their feet.
"He disappeared!"
"It's that technique!"
"It's the same technique!"
"The technique he used to escape from Elder Zhen Luo!"
"Demonic Master Kim's mysterious movement technique!"
Both Righteous Sect and Demonic Sect disciples immediately began discussing the matter once again.
No one could understand where Kim had gone.
At that moment, the scene shifted to another hotel located elsewhere within the Empire.
Inside a private room sat a powerful disciple.
His eyes suddenly opened.
He had just sensed the spatial fluctuation created by Kim's Space Skip.
A faint smile of interest appeared on his face.
"Interesting..."
"A space-type movement technique?"
"Such techniques are extremely rare on this continent."
The story then introduces this disciple.
He was considered one of the strongest cultivators of his generation.
His current cultivation was—
Core Foundation 6th Layer.
The moment he sensed Kim's Space Skip, genuine interest appeared in his eyes.
On the other side, the powerful disciple who had sensed the qi fluctuation caused by Kim's Space Skip was no ordinary cultivator.
He was none other than the Young Master of the Fire Family.
Fire Family (Rank 2)
Specialty: Fire Arts, Flame Bloodline
Mount: Crimson Flame Lion
Main Genius
Huo Tianyang (Blazing Sun Genius)
Cultivation: Core Foundation 6th Layer
Status: Family Young Master
Second Genius
Huo Yan'er (Scarlet Flame Maiden)
Cultivation: Core Foundation 5th Layer
At this moment, Huo Tianyang stood beside the window of his room, gazing at the city below.
His eyes shone with a brilliance similar to blazing flames.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he murmured,
"Interesting..."
"A Space Attribute Movement Technique?"
"Or perhaps some other mysterious art?"
"This Demonic Master Kim is truly not as simple as people believe."
Beside him, Huo Yan'er also looked somewhat surprised.
After all, techniques related to spatial movement were considered exceptionally rare in the cultivation world.
However, Huo Tianyang was not the only one who had sensed the fluctuation.
A mysterious elder hidden somewhere within the Empire had also detected it.
The elder's eyes opened for a brief moment.
Yet he said nothing.
He simply closed his eyes once again.
As if he had just confirmed something.
But now, an important question arose—
Was it really a wise decision for Kim to reveal Space Skip in front of so many people?
In the cultivation world, the more trump cards a cultivator possessed, the better.
Every cultivator carefully concealed their secret techniques and hidden abilities.
Very few people would willingly expose their true capabilities to others.
So why had Kim done exactly that?
At this point, the author finally reveals the real reason.
Kim understood something very clearly.
If he didn't shock people...
Then he wouldn't earn Epiphany Points.
And Epiphany Points were his greatest source of strength.
The more people were astonished by him...
The more people discussed him...
The more people feared him or doubted him...
The more Epiphany Points he would gain.
That was why Kim often did things that seemed impossible in the eyes of others.
And this time was no different.
The moment he disappeared using Space Skip before everyone's eyes—
The System notifications immediately began flooding in.
Ding!
+300 Epiphany Points
+500 Epiphany Points
+700 Epiphany Points
+1000 Epiphany Points
+400 Epiphany Points
+900 Epiphany Points
Notification after notification appeared without stopping.
A faint smile formed on Kim's lips.
His objective had been achieved.
But the greatest shock was not experienced by the spectators.
It was experienced by Kimnan and his companions.
The expressions on their faces were truly worth seeing.
Because in their eyes, Kim was still the same worthless trash from the past.
The same useless cultivator.
The same person whose meridians had supposedly been ruined long ago.
Yet today—
That very same Kim had displayed a technique so extraordinary that even Core Foundation cultivators were left stunned.
Disbelief was clearly visible on Kimnan's face.
Grinding his teeth, he muttered,
"Impossible..."
"How can a piece of trash use a technique like that?"
Standing beside him, Sokhiyog remained silent.
However, unlike Kimnan, her eyes were fixed on the spot where Kim had vanished.
A strange emotion flashed deep within her gaze.
Because for the first time—
She felt that the Kim she once knew no longer existed.
The current Kim had become someone she could no longer understand.
And that realization made her heart increasingly uneasy.
However, the situation had completely changed.
The people who had always viewed Kim as nothing more than trash were beginning to doubt their own beliefs.
After all, they had just witnessed it with their own eyes.
Kim was not an ordinary cultivator.
He could use Space Skip.
He could seemingly teleport.
And in the cultivation world, techniques like these were considered extraordinarily rare.
As a result, all kinds of rumors began spreading.
"Did he really make a pact with a Demon God?"
"Has the soul of an ancient Demon God possessed his body?"
"Otherwise, how could a piece of trash become this powerful?"
"Where did he obtain a teleportation technique?"
"And how did he manage to escape from the Association Sect's Hall Master?"
Previously, people had only relied on hearsay and speculation.
But today...
They had personally witnessed Kim using Space Skip.
Because of this, discussions surrounding Kim spread throughout the Empire at an even faster rate.
Meanwhile, the qi fluctuation created in the air had also attracted the attention of numerous powerful cultivators.
Yet Kim himself remained completely unaware of it.
Some time later, Kim arrived at another area of the Empire.
Standing before him was a magnificent structure.
The moment ordinary cultivators saw this building, many couldn't help but hold their breath.
Because this was no ordinary hotel.
It was—
Nine Crown Pavilion
One of the most prestigious and luxurious establishments in the entire Empire.
This pavilion was reserved exclusively for major sects, great families, and distinguished guests.
In total, the pavilion contained nine floors.
Each floor represented a different level of status and influence.
A person's seating qualification depended on their cultivation, reputation, background, and power.
The greater the reputation...
The higher the floor they could access.
Floors Ranking System
1st Floor → Common Rich Families
2nd Floor → Small Clans
3rd Floor → Large Clans
4th Floor → Elder-Level Guests
5th Floor → City Lords
6th Floor → Major Sects
7th Floor → Great Families
8th Floor → Patriarchs and Sect Leaders
9th Floor → Peak Experts of the Continent, the Emperor, and the Imperial Family
The greatest characteristic of the Nine Crown Pavilion was simple—
Every person seated inside possessed influence over the continent in one way or another.
And because of the upcoming Imperial Ranking Ceremony, representatives from nearly every major sect and powerful family were currently gathered there.
At this moment, on the 7th Floor of the pavilion, a mysterious individual sat quietly.
His eyes remained closed.
Yet he had clearly sensed the qi fluctuation that had appeared near the hotel earlier.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
A faint glimmer of interest appeared within them.
"Interesting..."
"A Space Attribute qi fluctuation..."
"Who was it?"
He slowly turned his gaze toward the window.
For the first time in a long while, an unknown cultivator had caught his attention.
And that cultivator was—
Kim.
A short while later...
The scene shifted once again.
After walking through the bustling streets of the Empire, Kim finally arrived in front of a new establishment.
His footsteps gradually came to a halt.
Looking up, he carefully observed the grand building before him.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
Because this place...
Might very well become the starting point of his next plan.
With that, I happily bring this chapter to an end.
I sincerely hope all of my dear readers are doing well and staying healthy.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement throughout this journey. Every comment, vote, review, and share motivates me to keep writing and improving this story.
I truly hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Please continue supporting the novel and stay tuned for the exciting events that are about to unfold in the upcoming chapters.
Take care of yourselves, stay healthy, and keep cultivating alongside Kim's journey!
Thank You For Reading!
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Chapter 34 End
But...
Chapter 35 Coming Soon!
The Imperial Ranking Ceremony is about to begin...