I Am a Mortal (1)

Tian Shen wore an imperial robe. He looked magnificent, like a fearsome leader who led countless battlefields. As usual, he was silent—casually sipping the wine and reading the scroll. Mao Nianzu was ignored as though he was thin air.

Mao Nianzu was an adult. Sometimes words were unnecessary; he joined Tian Shen to read the scroll.

'This... It's similar to the black scroll.'

The scroll had the same font type as the black scroll. However, it was badly damaged, seemingly very archaic. One careless touch and the scroll would be torn.

[In the far corner of the universe, invincible existences fought. A world-shattering shockwave swept across time and space, turning many worlds into obliteration and many lives perished.]

Reading the content, Mao Nianzu swallowed a cold breath.

After that, he accidentally threw his eyes to the bottom part where beautiful calligraphy is drawn.

[Heavenly Desolate Space Tribulation.]

"Young Master, it's been a while." Tian Shen suddenly spoke with a heavy tone. His voice was a little rough as though something obstructed his throat.

"Mm," Mao Nianzu hummed as a reply. The scroll had pulled his attention, and he re-read from above.

"I am here to bid farewell for a while."

"You're a grown-up. Just go." Mao Nianzu replied. He secretly complained. 'With or without you, I still am ignorant about many things. Useless servant.'

"We are in a different plane that keeps heaven-shattering secrets." Tian Shen slowly pulled a different scroll. He put his fingertip, untying the rope. The rope moved by itself like dancing, teasing and wrapping itself around Tian Shen's finger.

After the rope moved, Tian Shen flicked his finger, followed by a subtle wind that blew the scroll. "These scrolls are insanely valuable. Not even selling the first-rate sect can afford to buy one of the scrolls."

"What is it now? That I will stay here until things are settled? When will I go to Myriads Academy?" Mao Nianzu lazily responded.

Tian Shen paused. Hands in the air, he dazed off while staring at Mao Nianzu. Shortly after, he sighed. "So that's your worry. However, I am in no position to speak about that matter."

"Hold on." Eyes locked on the scroll on the table, Mao Nianzu stretched his palm toward Tian Shen, "let me finish reading it."

[Heaven and earth energy has been successfully turned upside down. Crowned Sea Venerable's words were proven true, that cultivators would heavily rely on inheritance and nature after the devastating tribulation impact.]

Mao Nianzu's index finger moved as he read each character.

"Who's Crowned Sea Venerable?" Mao Nianzu asked.

"The Eastern Sea's Four Winds at that era."

"Got it." Mao Nianzu continued reading.

[After Ten Smaller Worlds sacrificed themselves, a faint herald depicted a scene. Deities interpreted it as: Less than two hundred thousand years later, a new generation will be born. Heaven and earth energy will recover.]

Mao Nianzu gave up on comprehending the meaning. "Before anything, explain the scroll."

Tian Shen respectfully answered. "It's an authentic piece of records that Seven Middle Worlds hold, about the cause of Grim Dao Era."

Getting a further explanation, Mao Nianzu did not know how to react. As a mortal, he viewed the world to an extent of a hundred years. And the oldest record was around a thousand years old, which he never really believed.

But from the scroll, it was obvious that something had happened a hundred thousand years ago. For him to be involved in this matter... Mao Nianzu could not help but be puzzled.

'I am nobody. What's the use of me toward this valuable secret?' Mao Nianzu rubbed his temple as he frowned, internally overthinking.

Seven Middle Worlds, including Moderate Gale World, never took part in the said invincible fight. The record did not even write how people in the past knew about the fight.

'This is too much. If I have to contend against an existence who could change not only the weather but also the quality of the world itself, there's a lot more to talk about.'

Mao Nianzu then looked at Tian Shen, who looked like a professional lecturer, explaining everything in detail patiently. He did not speak too fast or too slow; Mao Nianzu understood him easily.

Suddenly, Mao Nianzu remembered about the Golden City Pavilion's accident, interrupting Tian Shen's explanation. "You know, I'll be frank, alright?"

Tian Shen gave a slight nod.

A lower-working-class human, Mao Nianzu. He wore a one-piece cloth for a patient after being taken care of by Elder White Line. Hidden muscles, black eyes, and long black hair.

At this moment, he raised his right leg, putting his skinny yet vigorous right hand on it. His rude worker mentality side gradually was exposed—no longer restricted as he usually did.

"Do you know that I am a mortal?"

He said it.

Mao Nianzu finally blurted this thought. If he did not say it right now, he felt like things would be extremely complicated. Just because.

He knew that in front of him was a powerful cultivator, Tian Shen. At the first meeting, Tian Shen was a dreadful human with the deepest killing intent. Somehow Mao Nianzu recalled this fact.

'If he kills me, so be it. Serving a person when you are actually multiple times stronger is not right to begin with.'

They faced each other, staring in stillness while simultaneously exploding several thoughts on their own.

However, Tian Shen calmly placed his fingertip on the scroll he held. Moving the rope from his finger to the scroll and then placed it back on the shelf. "Young Master, I must leave soon."

"No!" Mao Nianzu pounded the table. "You have something to do? Order that palanquin guy or anyone else. You can't leave without my permission."

Tian Shen glanced at the bamboo curtain, sighing. "It's not something they can do."

Mao Nianzu replied spontaneously. "I am your master. I will do it."

Tian Shen was silent.

As if he knew something, Mao Nianzu shook his head. "I see. You're suspicious. Why do you avoid my question?"

"Hey, hey. It's for your sake!" Mao Nianzu sighed. "I did all for your sake. Either a cultivator or a martial artist, they all will never be the servant of the weak, right?"

Staring curiously at Tian Shen, who only listened without showing significant expression, Mao Nianzu curled up a playful smile. "I can easily tear this scroll, though. Try me and you will see."

Hearing this, Tian Shen's eyebrows twitched. Inside the room, there were only him and Young Master; however, he restrained himself.

"So," When Mao Nianzu noticed the reaction, he quickly placed his hand on a corner of the scroll, "mind to answer, my dear servant?"

Tian Shen was a quiet person. He obeyed and acted in silence, but Mao Nianzu felt like everything he entrusted to him would definitely be done. One or two perhaps would be problematic, such as right now.

And when this happened, there must be a reason. Not to mention that Mao Nianzu had to ask almost everything to make Tian Shen spit information; Initiative was needed.

After several breaths, Tian Shen only intensely stared at Mao Nianzu's hands gripping the scroll.

"It's decided." Mao Nianzu spoke in a tight voice. "Bastard deep voice, what kind of souvenirs you give me?"

Seeing Tian Shen with no chance of speaking, Mao Nianzu calmly pulled the scroll with both hands using small energy.

Tian Shen had a gloomy face. His eyes seemed to lock on the particular scroll corner like a lion waiting for prey. However, Mao Nianzu could not detect his desire to protect the scroll.

Mao Nianzu's eyes were on Tian Shen, smiling playfully. Taking a brief look, the scroll was lightly rolled. Then he twisted his wrist.

Right after that, Mao Nianzu stopped his activity. He had torn a tiny part of the scroll and yet Tian Shen did not react. 'He's good.'

Little did he know that Tian Shen was struggling to control his emotion. His calm face gradually melted, pulled down as his eyes turned cold.

Soon after, the sitting Tian Shen exploded with a domineering aura, demolishing the room as his aura relentlessly surged up to the sky like the coiling dragon in the pillars!

A deafening sound buzzed Mao Nianzu's ears as his body was blasted to the wall. Some building materials pierced him, and he could even hear cracking bones sound.

The wall broke in an instant, revealing a blinding light of day, and Mao Nianzu uncontrollably flew further.

However, he was in no time to express these wounds. The only thing in mind was a state of shock. Pain scrambled his nerves, and white glimmering lights littered his vision.

Tian Shen was like an angered god. Everything that attached to him stood straight, blown by the aura that kept getting stronger each second.

A red, bloody vein bulged on his temple. When Tian Shen realized this, he hurriedly pressed it down with a palm while clenching another hand as he tried to calm down.

But when he saw the slightly torn scroll, his emotion was heightened, provoking another wave of energy.

"You've gone too far."