Ren Zu slowly landed on the ground, his black robes gently billowing around his body, as if even the wind hesitated to touch him. His perfect face remained completely expressionless, carrying only a cold and superior indifference, as though everything around him was nothing more than insignificant insects.
His arrival caused an immediate commotion.
All the nearby experts turned their attention toward the central gate in a state of complete alert. In a matter of moments, dozens of figures emerged from all directions, their auras erupting like dark waves that engulfed the region.
However, before any of them could attack, Ren Zu simply raised his right hand. With a casual gesture, he released a breath of condensed dark energy that transformed into black flames spreading across the skies.
Whoosh!
The flames swept through the battlefield like an inevitable storm.
All the guards who advanced against him—dozens of Divine Sovereigns and Divine Kings—were sent flying backward like dry leaves before a hurricane. Their bodies violently crashed into the ground, creating craters and raising clouds of dust. Groans of pain echoed everywhere as dark energy invaded their bodies, corroding meridians, flesh, and even their souls. None of them died, but all of them completely lost their ability to fight.
Although those guards were only lower-stage Divine Sovereigns and Divine Kings, they were far from weak. After all, this was the main gate of the sacred lands of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery. Any one of them could easily become an absolute overlord in a mid-tier Star Kingdom if they wished. However, they had chosen to remain there out of pride and devotion to their sacred duty. It was precisely because of this that, even after being defeated in a single strike, they refused to openly show fear.
The guard occupying the central position struggled to support himself on the ground. His body trembled violently from pain as blood flowed from the corners of his mouth.
Still, his eyes remained filled with hatred.
"It doesn't matter who you are…" he growled through gritted teeth, coughing blood in the process. "By attacking a sacred region like the Kingdom of Soul Robbery, you have committed an unforgivable sin. You will not leave here alive!"
RUMBLE!
A burst of profound energy shook the heavens right after the guard finished speaking. In just a few breaths, more than three hundred black-robed figures appeared from all directions, forming a perfect encirclement around Ren Zu. Hundreds of auras locked onto him simultaneously, making the air grow heavy and even space itself seem frozen.
The gathered force was astonishing.
Half of those experts were Divine Sovereigns, while the rest were Divine Kings, with even the weakest among them possessing at least mid-stage cultivation within that realm. More impressive than their numbers was the speed of their response. In mere moments, the entire defense of the main gate had already been organized and prepared for battle.
The massive disturbance spread for hundreds of kilometers. Powerful practitioners passing through the area fled in panic upon sensing the suffocating pressure gathering around the sacred lands, scattering in all directions like frightened birds.
However, in front of that army capable of making countless experts tremble in fear, Ren Zu remained completely motionless.
His hands were still placed behind his back, and his eyes observed everything with an almost bored indifference, as if he were watching a group of children acting out an insignificant game.
It was at that moment that a calm and serene voice echoed through the area.
The tranquility contained in that tone completely clashed with the deadly tension dominating the surroundings.
Curiously, the voice seemed to come from very far away when it first spoke, but by the end of the sentence, it felt as though it was resonating beside every person present.
"What is going on?"
As soon as the voice fell, a figure began to slowly materialize on the other side of the protective barrier.
Step by step, his form became clear.
He was a tall and extremely handsome young man, appearing to be only eighteen or nineteen years old. His features were refined and elegant, while his eyes conveyed an indescribable serenity. His aura carried neither the aggression of a drawn blade nor the oppression of a ferocious beast. Instead, it was silent, deep, and vast like the ocean itself.
He was a Level Six Divine Master!
However, what truly drew attention was not his cultivation.
That man was simply unusual. The type who attracted gazes wherever he went. Not because he was a mid-stage Divine Master, but because he looked like a living god walking among mortals.
His face seemed carved from exquisite jade, every feature reaching an almost unreal level of perfection. His skin was flawless and white, without the slightest imperfection. His gaze was cold and intimidating, yet it did little to conceal the extraordinary beauty of his eyes, which resembled clear pools of autumn water. His lips carried a naturally rare red hue even among most women, while his fingers were long, slender, and elegant.
In short, he was so handsome that he could even provoke jealousy in the most proud women.
The word "beauty" was normally not used to describe men, but in his case it fit perfectly. It blended with his existence as naturally as breathing itself. It would not be surprising at all if someone mistook him for a woman at first glance.
The expressions of the guards changed instantly upon seeing him.
The tension dominating the area vanished like smoke in the wind. Even while injured, several of them forced themselves to stand before bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Spiritual Lord!"
The guard who had spoken earlier endured the pain and hurriedly explained the situation:
"Spiritual Lord, this intruder invaded the sacred region and attacked us without any warning. We… we will capture them immediately."
"It's alright…" the man said indifferently. "I am here now, so there is no need for you to act anymore…"
All the guards appeared deeply shocked by his words. Some of them hurriedly responded:
"Spiritual Lord, you are as precious as the heavens themselves! You should not deign to deal personally with a mere commoner…"
"Commoner?" The man glanced at Ren Zu, finding it hard to believe that someone with such a perfect appearance—so perfect that not even the Demon Queen could compare—was truly a commoner. "Anyone who dares to harm members of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery right in front of the sacred region is either extremely foolish… or possesses absolute confidence in their safety. Considering that even I cannot clearly discern the depth of his strength, it is unlikely he belongs to the first group…"
"Moreover, the Demon Queen recently informed us that an extraordinary figure would soon visit the sacred region. We cannot allow anything improper to happen during this period. Therefore, please withdraw and leave this to me…"
He made a light pushing gesture with his palm, and all the guards behind him were gently repelled back into the barrier. In moments, only the handsome man and Ren Zu remained in the area.
The Spiritual Lord placed his hands behind his back and smiled faintly. The unconscious gesture was strangely charming, almost flirtatious in nature. "Someone with strength as unfathomable as yours is able to roam freely throughout the entire Realm of the Gods. May I know the name of this esteemed expert… and the purpose of your visit?"
Ren Zu observed the handsome young man in front of him with an indifferent gaze. From what he remembered of the original story, this so-called Spiritual Lord before him was actually Sheng Shiyan, the leader of the twenty-seven Soul Spirits. This meant he commanded the twenty-seven Soul Halls and held the highest authority in the Kingdom of Soul Robbery, second only to the Witches.
The administrative structure of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery was completely different from other Royal Realms. Each Soul Hall was responsible for governing a specific region of the kingdom, as well as the subordinate star realms under it. Naturally, the leaders of these halls were the famous twenty-seven Soul Spirits, figures who held enormous power and prestige within the kingdom.
The Witches, on the other hand, were directly subordinate to the Demon Queen and did not have fixed administrative responsibilities. Even so, their authority was extraordinary. They had the right to mobilize resources, troops, and manpower from any Soul Hall whenever they deemed necessary. In other words, within the Kingdom of Soul Robbery, they could act almost however they wished. With the exception of the Demon Queen herself, no one stood above them, and their authority was, for all intents and purposes, equivalent to that of the sovereign.
A system like this would be simply unthinkable in any other Royal Realm or star kingdom.
The only reason the Kingdom of Soul Robbery could function this way was because the Witches would never betray the Demon Queen. Their loyalty was absolute and unshakable, forming the foundation upon which the entire kingdom was built.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke in a calm and casual tone, as if commenting on something trivial:
"My name? Well, this humble expert does have some fame. Currently, everyone calls me the Fierce Demon Venerable… I'm not sure if you've heard of me…"
The moment those words left his mouth, the Spiritual Lord's expression changed drastically.
All color drained from his face.
His elegant body trembled visibly, while his once-serene eyes widened in absolute shock, as if he had just heard the name of a primordial demon capable of shaking the heavens themselves.
Thud!
Without the slightest hesitation, the handsome young man fell to his knees.
His body bent deeply until his forehead touched the cold ground. The voice that had once been calm and refined now trembled uncontrollably, filled with respect and fear.
"This humble servant greets the Fierce Demon Venerable!" His voice wavered. "I… I did not know it was Your Lordship who had arrived! Please forgive my ignorance!"
Ren Zu cast him a brief glance before casually waving his hand.
"There is no need for such formalities. Rise."
The Spiritual Lord immediately stood up, but still kept his head lowered, not daring to look directly at Ren Zu's face. Even his breathing seemed somewhat disordered.
Ren Zu then shifted his gaze to the bodies of the guards who had died earlier. The corpses remained scattered on the ground, their expressions frozen in pure terror.
"I hope I have not caused any inconvenience by invading this place…" he said in a casual, almost bored tone. "They attacked me first. I merely defended myself."
The Spiritual Lord's face turned even paler.
Cold sweat formed on his forehead as he hurriedly replied:
"It… it was our mistake! We failed to recognize the arrival of the esteemed Emperor of the Northern Divine Region!" His voice nearly broke. "Those fools deserved to die for daring to raise their hands against the Venerable! Please do not worry about this matter!"
Ren Zu raised a slight eyebrow.
"Emperor of the Northern Divine Region?" he repeated, a trace of amusement in his voice. "So you have already given me such a title?"
The Spiritual Lord swallowed before responding with a bitter smile.
"Currently, the Venerable is the most terrifying existence in the entire Realm of the Gods. Almost the entire Northern Divine Region has already bowed to your name. Even Her Majesty, the Demon Queen, is under immense pressure from your rise." He paused briefly before continuing: "If anyone deserves to be called the Emperor of the Northern Divine Region, who else could it be but the Venerable?"
A low laugh escaped Ren Zu's lips.
"That saves me quite a bit of trouble."
He clasped his hands behind his back as his red eyes observed the interior of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery through the barrier.
A faint glimmer of anticipation appeared in his pupils.
"Take me to your Queen." His voice remained calm. "I wish to meet her personally… and discuss some matters."
The Spiritual Lord did not dare hesitate for even a moment. Bowing deeply once more, he opened the way with a respectful gesture.
"As the Venerable wishes." Then he pointed toward the interior of the sacred lands: "Please follow me."
It was at that moment that a cold, crystal-clear voice echoed through the air.
"Wait…"
Just a single word, yet it was enough to make the handsome young man stop immediately.
Above them, a woman stood in the sky. Her face was delicate and harmonious, with soft features that conveyed a sense of purity and elegance. Her fair skin had a smooth, flawless appearance, like the finest jade. Her eyes possessed a unique green hue, both dull and vivid at the same time, conveying an indescribable feeling. Her small, delicate nose harmonized perfectly with her pink, thin, well-shaped lips, which always seemed to carry a faint serenity. Long black hair flowed down to her waist like liquid silk, mixed with subtle green highlights. Part of it was tied up in an elaborate hairstyle adorned with jewels and delicate ornaments that emphasized her nobility. The rest fell freely over her back and shoulders, moving with extreme lightness.
Her body had graceful and elegant proportions. Her shoulders were narrow and delicate, revealed by a dress that left the upper region partially exposed. Her collarbone was smooth and feminine, while her bust, though not excessively large, had rounded and harmonious curves that perfectly complemented her silhouette. Her waist was slim and well-defined, highlighted by the fabric belt around her dress. From there, her curves flowed smoothly into slender, proportional hips, creating an elegant and balanced figure…
The moment the woman appeared, the Spiritual Lord immediately withdrew his aura and fell to his knees without the slightest hesitation. He did not even dare to look directly at her, keeping his head lowered as if in the presence of a supreme deity.
"Sheng Shiyan greets Lady Qing Ying!"
His voice carried near-reverential respect.
If any doubt remained about the identity of that woman, Sheng Shiyan's reaction dispelled it completely.
That figure was not an ordinary expert or any authority of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery.
She was one of the legendary Nine Witches.
More specifically, the Fifth Witch, Qing Ying!
She looked at Ren Zu for a brief moment, her green eyes shining with a mixture of caution and deep respect. Then her voice rang out again, cold yet extremely respectful:
"This humble servant will guide the Venerable to meet the Queen."
The Spiritual Lord let out a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief. Dealing with an existence as terrifying as Ren Zu was like walking on sharp blades—at any moment, he could die without even knowing why. Having Qing Ying take over was a weight lifted from his shoulders. He bowed respectfully once more toward Ren Zu:
"This servant takes his leave. May the Venerable have a pleasant stay in our realm."
With that said, he quickly disappeared, returning inside the barrier without looking back.
Now only Ren Zu and Qing Ying remained in the area.
Ren Zu placed his hand on his chin, calmly observing the cold and distant woman before him.
Qing Ying bowed gracefully, her voice soft yet filled with absolute respect:
"I am Qing Ying, the Fifth Witch of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery. By my mistress's will, I am to lead Your Majesty to meet her." She kept her head lowered throughout the introduction, showing the utmost deference. Even as a high-ranking Witch, in front of the man who had subdued the entire Northern Divine Region in such a short time, she did not dare show any arrogance.
Ren Zu looked at her for a few more seconds, the faint smile on his lips deepening slightly.
"Then take me to her," he said calmly, almost gently. "I am curious to meet your mistress…"
Qing Ying nodded once without raising her gaze.
"As Your Majesty wishes."
She made an elegant gesture with her hand, opening a safe path through the protective barrier. The massive formation guarding the heart of the Kingdom of Soul Robbery respectfully parted before them, as if acknowledging the presence of a superior being.
Qing Ying floated ahead, personally leading the way, while Ren Zu followed behind with his hands clasped behind his back and a calm expression on his face.
The air around them was filled with silent tension. Even Qing Ying, known for her coldness and composure, felt her heart beating faster than usual.
After all, the man walking behind her was possibly the most terrifying existence in the Primordial Chaos!
________________________
(A/N: First of all, thank you for reading this story.
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