Zhu Mao

Zhu Li was the known overlord of Nedong District, the sect master of the Zhu Sect, the one and only almighty Martial Grandmaster in the entire region. He was heroic and cold with an aura that prevented others from approaching. Currently, he was kneeled before the true ruler of the Zhu Sect, the Patriarch of the Zhu sect and an unfathomably strong ancient being, Zhu Mao.

Zhu Li was the great grandson of the Zhu Sect patriarch and it's his only surviving blood relative with any chance at ascending to the higher stage, reaching Martial king and creating history as the second to step into this realm. Hence, Zhu Mao favoured him greatly, treating him as his own son.

After reports of an attack from beasts the size of small trees, and small green creatures overtaking key city regions, and attacking from all directions, Zhu Li was taken off guard. The watchtowers caught nothing, as no reports came through and the defences surrounding the city had proved to be useless. Zhu Li had guessed that the watchtower disciples had been slaughtered initially before the following invasion.

After commanding units to fortify the north, west and east, he dispatched another 500 disciples headed by an Elder to assist the South before leaving to awaken the ancestor. Zhu Li was already over 150 years old and yet meeting with the founder had always been nerve-racking. Someone this powerful was almost always in seclusion unless awoken in a time of emergency, and this definitely fulfilled the criteria. Monsters swarming the city from all directions and civilians fleeing towards the inner city had led to city-wide chaos, leading to the events occurring now.

Walking into the palace situated in the centre of the city, Zhu Li located the furthest chamber and announced himself.

Kneeling on the floor Infront of the sealed door, he spoke "Zhu Li, Your descendant requests a meeting. This is an emergency!" He yelled out.

After several seconds of silence, a deep voice spoke back, "Yes, I see that" He replied, the door slowly opening to reveal the body of what looked to be a bear, but on closer inspection revealed to be a giant man so huge he could easily be over 8 foot tall. He was bare chested with no shirt on, training shorts and a long beard reaching his lower pecs. With bright red hair and a youthful aura, it was hard to imagine this giant of a man was over a thousand years old.

Stepping out of his personal chambers, he was about to ask for the situation, before hearing another elder rush in. It was Zhu Pao.

"Sect Master, I request a meeting with y..." Upon reaching the sect master, he immediately saw a bare-chested giant with bright red hair. Almost instantly, he dropped to his knees in reverence. "Zhu Pao greets the founder!" He yelled.

Zhu Mao raised his brows. "I recognise you, aren't you from my bloodline, kid?" He asked curiously.

Zhu Pao's face flushed red in excitement. "Yes Ancestor! I'm greatly honoured you remember me!" He once again bowed profusely. He had only ever met the founder once in his life, and that was more than most, to be remembered by such an existence was flattering to say the least.

Zhu Li communicated with his eyes for Elder Pao to rise. After rising, Elder Pao stated his reason for being here. "Sect Master, there is a guest that saved our lives in the south, massacring many enemies and ensuring we didn't fall. He says he is your acquaintance and wishes to meet with you regarding the invasion." He spoke.

"Acquaintance, of mine? What's his name? I have no time for catching up." He flatly stated. This wasn't the time for speaking with a friend, but for retaking the city. Besides, the founder was here, and he couldn't take his time for a mere chat with his friend, he would likely be killed.

"He said his name was 'Sheng'" Elder Pao said.

"Sheng? Never heard of him, send him aw..." Zhu Li's words were cut short by Zhu Mao's hand on his shoulder, forcing him to stop speaking. When Zhu Li's eyes looked up to his Ancestor in confusion, he noticed his leader with eyes open as round as saucers.

"What did he look like?" Zho Mao immediately questioned, seemingly thinking of something.

"Founder, He had on a pristine white robe..." He spoke before being interrupted once again, this time Zhu Mao's aura was unstable, allowing Zhu Li and Zhu Pao to feel the brunt of it, before Zhu Mao realised what he was doing and stopped. He looked down at Elder Pao and commanded, "Take me to him right now!" shocking both the Elder and Sect Master. 'Who on earth was this that made the Ancestor so nervous?' they thought.

Snapping out of the confusion, Zhu Pao led the others outside of the palace and down the steps, opening the main gate. Tang Sheng and the others were forced to wait here as they weren't allowed access. Sheng found this humorous, but understood the reasoning, so he patiently waited.

The gates were heard opening and three figures came out, the villagers carefully observing them.

One had a demeanour befitting a ruler, with a stern look and muscular build, he would typically be the centre of attention, if not for the giant of a man hulking over the other two, including Zhu Pao.

Upon noticing his second disciple, Zhu Mao, Tang Sheng smiled. This kid was the same as ever, he thought. An unkempt beard, height enough to trump the tallest of men, and a youthful Vigor. He hasn't aged a day, Shang thought.

Zhu Mao, on the other hand, was shaking in ecstasy. This wasn't purely excitement but fear too. Zhu Mao had never had an opponent with the exception of his senior and junior disciples, and even with them, he had never been afraid of another being in his life. That was, with the exception of one, unreachable mountain; his Master. After taking him in as an orphan, Tang Sheng was brutal with his training, so much so that they would be left with broken bones and torn muscles daily, threw into life-or-death situations on the battlefield and continuous tests to ensure they were improving. This, over the course of 100 years, moulded Zhu Mao to be the man he was today. Hence, he not only had great respect for his teacher, he loved him like a father, and also feared him all at the same time. Due to this, he didn't know exactly how to feel when he saw his Master again. What should he say? what should he do? Many thoughts were running rampant in his mind, before being interrupted by a cold snort beside him.

"Who the hell are you? Another brat begging to be my disciple?" Zhu Li, the sect master of the Zhu sect, yelled in annoyance.

Before he could continue berating Tang Sheng, Zhu Mao threw his fist directly to Zhu Li's abdomen, making him fly into the wall 15 feet away, cracking the house he crashed in to. He looked back in agony, blood flowing through his mouth and staring up at his great-grand father, "W-What was that for? Patriarch" He softly spoke, finding it difficult to breathe.

Zhu Mao turned back to Tang Sheng, ignoring Zhu Li. He approached Tang Sheng and knelt on one knee. "Zhu Mao greets Master!" His words shocked Elder Pao and Zhu Li to the core. 'MASTER?!' They both thought in unison. They had never heard of their founder having a master, if he, a being in the Martial King realm, had a master, just how powerful was he? the Martial Emperor realm?' they both sucked in a breath of cold air, calming themselves and staring directly toward Tang Sheng.

Tang Sheng smiled at his kneeling disciple. 'At least, he still remembers me'