Return of the Monarch

Return of the Monarch . . .

As the lifeless bodies of the Star River Association's experts plummeted from the skies, shock rippled through the onlookers stationed at a distance, their hearts pounding with disbelief. Chaos had enveloped the world ever since the Star River Association asserted dominance over the Sacred Royal Region, especially following the annihilation of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. In the wake of these events, every city within the Royal Sacred Region had hastily established branches of the Star River Association. While the association might not typically involve itself in external matters, it undeniably stood as the supreme authority—the unassailable kings reigning from the summit.

Those who dared to defy them were subjected to ruthless oppression and merciless execution.

The Star River Association had long held its sway over this world. However, the turning point came more than a decade ago, with the emergence of an extraordinary figure. His arrival had enabled the Medicine Sovereign Valley to topple the then-hegemon of this realm: the Royal Sacred Sect. From the very beginning, this young man had harbored a deep aversion to the presence of the Royal Sacred Region, ultimately obliterating all its branches within this particle world. It was this audacious act that had prompted the ferocious retaliatory strike by the Star River Association.

The revelation that this world existed as a particle was no longer a secret. Even during the descent of immortals and the recruitment of disciples by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, this truth had become widely known. The Star River Association had perpetually been an external entity, but after summoning immortals from other particle worlds and the immortal realms, their overwhelming forces left the Royal Sacred Region powerless to resist. If not for the swift escape of the Medicine Sovereign, his life would have undoubtedly been snuffed out long ago.

Within this entire world, none dared to oppose the Star River Association. No one had the audacity to stand with the Medicine Sovereign Valley.

However, on this day, a young man materialized, boldly entering the desolation that had once been the Medicine Sovereign Valley. Astonishingly, he had not only annihilated the Star River Association's experts but had also ventured into the heart of their power.

"Who is he?"

"I recognize his face... There's something familiar about him," murmured the crowd. Suddenly, an elderly man pushed through the throng, his gaze unwavering as it remained fixed on the path taken by the departing young man. In a hushed voice, he muttered, "He has returned at last..."

"Returned?" The crowd turned to him, their curiosity piqued.

The elderly man's eyes shone with a mysterious glint, his voice carrying the weight of history. "It's been over two decades, and though time may have wrought changes upon his aura, a legend remains a legend. He is none other than..."

With deliberate theatricality, the old man turned to the assembled crowd, his eyes ablaze with a brilliant light. He pronounced each syllable with gravitas, "Qin – Wen – Tian!"

—BOOM!— His voice reverberated like a thunderous explosion, jolting everyone's eardrums. Those who had been struggling to place the familiar face now found recognition igniting in their eyes. Indeed, though his presence had evolved, they had momentarily forgotten the legend that was Qin Wentian. In the past, they could only gaze upon him from afar, a figure standing atop the pinnacle of existence. Memories of his glory and might surged forth, painting vivid scenes from days long gone.

"Qin Wentian," some among the older generation whispered, recalling the name from ancient tales. Their hearts swelled with boundless anticipation. Could he truly be as dazzling as the legends depicted? After all, it was he who had single-handedly aided the Medicine Sovereign Valley in toppling the previous world hegemon—the Royal Sacred Sect.

Yet, the adversary he now confronted was a far mightier force than the Royal Sacred Sect of yore.

Qin Wentian, having departed, sought not to linger in nostalgia but to locate the Medicine Sovereign and Qingcheng. Their probable whereabouts pointed to the Chu Country within Grand Xia. The homeland was their likely destination, and Qin Wentian felt a strong certainty that Qingcheng would return to their roots.

However, Grand Xia remained a realm of uncertainty, shrouded in the unknown.

The Grand Xia Empire, distant from the Royal Sacred City, had once required many arduous months of travel. But now, such distances held no sway over Qin Wentian. In due time, he arrived at the Grand Xia Empire.

The grandeur of the Grand Xia's royal palace stood resplendent, unmarred by time.

Yet, as Qin Wentian hovered in the sky above, his heart plummeted.

Fairy Qingmei and Old Xing were conspicuously absent. The stalwart companions who had joined him in uniting Grand Xia had all vanished, replaced by strangers. These interlopers occupied the Grand Xia Royal Palace, apparently scouring the premises for something—possibly the palace's treasures. Listening briefly to their voices with his immortal sense, Qin Wentian instantly identified them. These were none other than the transcendent powers who had once pledged their loyalty to him.

"What are you doing here?" Qin Wentian's voice rang out, cutting through the air like an icy blade and shrouding the entire Grand Xia Royal Palace. In an instant, several figures shot upward with lightning speed. Upon sighting Qin Wentian, many of their faces twisted with recognition.

"Qin Wentian," an elderly man dressed in red muttered in a state of shock.

Qin Wentian descended with an eruption of sword qi, instantly reducing numerous structures beneath his feet to dust. The relentless surge of sword qi swept across the palace grounds, cleaving through everything in its path. The sword's unrelenting might enveloped the surroundings, making the heavens themselves seem to bear down upon them. In the face of this overwhelming power, the intruders couldn't help but tremble.

Qin Wentian had returned.

"Summon a few among you," Qin Wentian's demeanor remained stoic, holding the lives of all those present in the palm of his hand.

"We shall answer any inquiry to the best of our ability," someone replied, bowing respectfully. Qin Wentian's strength was overwhelming. In days past, he had already been a figure they could only admire from afar. The chasm between their statuses today scarcely needed mention. In this moment, the entirety of Grand Xia's royal palace lay shrouded beneath an imposing sword's dominion. At a mere thought from Qin Wentian, they could all be torn asunder.

Beyond the palace walls, countless onlookers gazed in their direction, their hearts quivering. The sprawling royal palace had been entirely engulfed by a titanic sword's presence, a terror that knew no bounds.

"Who goes there?" Countless experts gradually converged upon the royal palace, their hearts heavy with trepidation. What manner of person could blanket the royal palace with such an overwhelming sword's presence?

Within the palace, Qin Wentian fixed his gaze upon the assembled individuals, his voice icy as he inquired, "Where are those who governed Grand Xia? What has occurred within these walls?"

"Some time ago, representatives of the Star River Association arrived and declared that every city must establish a branch of their association. Those early arrivals were but the vanguard, and they promptly obliterated the Medicine Sovereign Valley. Subsequently, more envoys from their association descended upon our world. Upon receiving news of this, the leaders within Grand Xia's royal palace vanished overnight, seemingly on orders to hide from the Star River Association."

One of the gathered individuals replied, "Subsequently, the Star River Association issued a bounty offering handsome rewards for anyone capable of hunting down the fugitives. Since then, the royal palace of Grand Xia has remained deserted. We came here with the hope of uncovering any treasures left behind."

"The Star River Association failed to locate them?" Qin Wentian inquired.

"I do not believe so. The Star River Association shows no inclination to take action themselves. Following their proclamation of dominance to the world, they began recruiting disciples to rebuild their ranks. Every city across the globe has been required to construct a grand edifice to house a branch of the Star River Association. To put it succinctly, they care little for the inhabitants of the royal palace..."

The speaker paused, prompting Qin Wentian to issue a terse command, "Continue."

"Yes, it is quite conceivable. Had they unleashed their full might, it's likely that they could have eradicated everyone within the royal palace of Grand Xia as effortlessly as one might snap their fingers. However, they outsourced the task of hunting to their subordinates and those factions seeking their favor. Consequently, the former royal clan members of Grand Xia have become targets for other pursuers. On a few occasions, their hiding places were compromised, leading to intense battles."

As the speaker divulged this information, several figures in matching robes materialized above the royal palace, still enshrouded in the pervasive sword's dominion. They frowned, peering downwards. Beyond their own Star River Association, who possessed such a formidable expert in this world?

"Sir, may we inquire about your identity?" A voice called out. Qin Wentian didn't lift his gaze. Instead, he turned to the individual he had been questioning and asked, "Are these individuals representatives of the Star River Association?"

"Yes," the person affirmed with a nod.

Qin Wentian inclined his head, fixing his gaze upon the figures in the sky. His eyes brimmed with an intense killing intent. Ascending into the air, the boundary of the sword's dominion encompassing Grand Xia's entire royal palace ascended with him. Countless swords converged, akin to a surging tidal wave, their sword qi rippling through the atmosphere. In an instant, the expressions of the Star River Association's experts underwent a profound transformation. Urgently, they beseeched, "Sir, we are members of the Star River Association. Might we know your identity?"

Qin Wentian didn't deign to respond. Streaks of sword's brilliance pierced the sky, hurtling toward the Star River Association's experts. Their visages turned ashen, marked by terror and astonishment. In this world, someone dared to kill members of the Star River Association?

"No, no!" Anguished cries echoed. The swords cleaved through them, obliterating everything in their path. Moments later, the experts from the Star River Association had all been reduced to dust by the overwhelming force. It was a truly astonishing spectacle.

"This...?" Everyone within the royal palace felt their hearts tremble violently. Fortunately, Qin Wentian hadn't spared their lives.

Beyond the palace, countless onlookers shifted their gaze toward the scene. Their hearts surged like tempestuous waves—this sight had left an indelible mark on their minds, utterly terrifying. Who was this young man?

Afterward, they witnessed a handsome figure ascending into the sky. He hovered there, and upon scrutinizing his features, several people experienced a sense of déjà vu. It was as though they had encountered him before.

In the distance, the approaching sounds of experts grew louder and louder. Dressed in the unmistakable robes of the Star River Association, they raced toward the unfolding scene. Panic was etched across their faces as they gazed at the astonishing spectacle before them. Keeping a respectful distance, they politely inquired, "Senior, may we inquire about your identity?"

"I am Qin Wentian."

The voice that resonated from Qin Wentian was like a thunderclap, echoing through the hearts of those from Grand Xia.

The Monarch of Grand Xia, Qin Wentian.

He had returned.

The expressions of the Star River Association members froze in terror. They hastily turned to flee, but Purgatory reacted with lightning speed. She materialized behind them and, with a graceful wave of her hand, unleashed orbs of purgatory fire that devoured them, leaving behind nothing but anguished screams and ashes.

"I, Qin Wentian, will not permit the Star River Association to persist in Grand Xia or in this world. Such was the case in the past, and so it shall remain in the future. Henceforth, if I encounter anyone from the Star River Association, I shall show no mercy."

His voice resonated like rolling thunder, echoing across the heavens and earth, spanning hundreds of miles. Countless heads turned toward the direction of Grand Xia's royal palace, and their hearts began pounding uncontrollably.

"I, Qin Wentian, will not allow the Star River Association to maintain its presence in Grand Xia or this world. It was the case in the past, and it will be so in the future. From today onward, if I encounter anyone from the Star River Association, I shall show no mercy."

Qin Wentian had returned.

The Monarch of Grand Xia had come back!

This world—did it truly belong to the Star River Association, or was it under the dominion of Qin Wentian?