The village streets buzzed with life.
Lanterns swayed in the breeze. Merchants shouted from their stalls. Children weaved through crowds, laughter trailing behind them. The air smelled of roasted meat and herbal incense.
But Qing Yan walked unnoticed.
His worn robes fluttered softly as he moved like a shadow between people. Though his presence was strong, it was cloaked — invisible to those who hadn't trained their senses.
"Now that I've broken free of that cursed seal… everything feels different."
His boots tapped against the stone path, slow and deliberate. Not from weakness — but memory.
"They called me a monster. Even after I reached a realm beyond godly comprehension… they never called me a god."
He exhaled.
"I was the first of my kind. Born from beast blood. I climbed the martial path with nothing but claw, tooth, and spirit. And they feared me for it."
He clenched his fists, joints cracking softly.
"They couldn't kill me. So they sealed me. To protect their honor… to preserve their lineage."
A faint smirk curled on his lips.
"But now I'm free. And killing them?"
"No… that would be too kind."
"I'll shatter their legacy. I'll make the heavens they built tremble."
He stopped mid-step. Something caught his eye.
A glass mirror displayed in a shop window.
He frowned.
Wrinkled skin. A long, tangled beard. Pale lips. Sunken cheeks.
Qing Yan:"Huh? This old man… is me?! What the hell happened to my beautiful face?!"
With a grunt of annoyance, he leapt into the sky — soaring far above the village until the rooftops shrank into dots.
Minutes later, he landed before a waterfall hidden in a quiet forest valley.
The roar of water echoed through the cliffs.
He sat cross-legged on a flat stone, closed his eyes, and muttered softly.
Qing Yan:"...Moon Mirage."
A pulse of dark Qi erupted from his core, spiraling around him like ink in water.
The waterfall trembled. The sky above dimmed.
Power flooded from his body — wild, violent, beautiful.
An hour passed.
When the mist cleared, a new figure stood in place.
Young. Tall. Radiant. His black hair flowed past his shoulders, and his face — sharp, refined, and calm — radiated charisma. His skin glowed faintly with youthful Qi.
He glanced into the reflection in the water and gave a satisfied nod.
Qing Yan:"Hmm… not bad at all.""These looks might cause chaos."
He smirked arrogantly.
Qing Yan:"Tch. The girls won't stand a chance now."
Just as he turned to leave, something pricked at his senses.
A life force. Several.
Qi flared in the distance — aggressive, unstable.
He floated upward, narrowing his eyes toward the trees beyond the cliff.
"A fight?"
"No… a massacre."
From far off, voices echoed.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN DO ANYTHING JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE FROM THE DIRECT LINE OF THE GREAT DAO FAMILY?!"
Qing Yan's expression froze.
Qing Yan (thinking):"...Dao family?"
Without hesitation, he blurred across the sky and landed silently in a nearby tree.
Below, in a small forest clearing, a girl stood defensively with a boy behind her. Blood stained her clothes, and her sword trembled in her grip.
Across from her was a smug, well-dressed young man. Ten guards stood behind him, weapons drawn.
Dao Young Master:"Marry me and I'll spare your family."(He licked his lips)"I'll treat you real nice."
The girl spat in his direction.
Young Woman:"I'd rather die than marry filth like you!"
Qing Yan's gaze sharpened.
Qing Yan (thinking):"A direct descendant of Dao Yunxie… the 9th god.""Disgusting. Just like his ancestor."
"Looks like some things haven't changed."
He took one quiet step forward.
And the wind began to whisper.