Prologue

In the mist-laden valleys of ancient China, where the mountains whispered secrets and the rivers sang tales of old, lived a boy named Xue Yang. Orphaned at birth, he was raised by the frail and gentle maid, Li, who served a nobleman. Her days were filled with toil, yet she managed to nurture Xue Yang's spirit with stories of valor and magic. As he grew, the boy often pondered his unknown lineage, but his thoughts were overshadowed by the warmth of Li's unwavering love.

Tragedy struck when Li, once vibrant, fell ill. Despite her pleas, the nobleman's household turned a blind eye, as did the townsfolk. In her final moments, she held Xue Yang's hand, her grip weakening, leaving him alone in a world that had never truly embraced him. Tears streamed down his face as he mourned the only mother he had ever known. Yet, amidst his sorrow, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He could no longer remain in a city that had offered him nothing but heartache.

Hearing whispers of a prestigious school in Hanqin that sought new students, Xue Yang set forth, driven by hope. The school was renowned for its spellcasters and warriors, and he longed to find a place where he could belong. After a grueling selection, he was accepted by the formidable Elder Mo Chou, igniting a spark of joy in his heart. He believed he had finally found his destiny.

However, reality proved cruel. The other students, envious of his presence, treated him with disdain. They reveled in their luxurious huts, while he was relegated to a dilapidated dwelling on the outskirts, where the icy winds howled like lost souls. The coldness of his peers mirrored the chill from Mo Chou, who seemed to take pleasure in belittling him. Yet, one soul shone like a candle in the darkness—Li Mei, a low-ranking disciple, whose kindness offered Xue Yang solace.

As years passed, Xue Yang's strength blossomed. He trained tirelessly, fueled by a desire to prove himself. At sixteen, the time for the grand competition arrived, a spectacle held every five years, and Mo Chou reluctantly designated Xue Yang as a participant. The anticipation was electric, and for a fleeting moment, Xue Yang felt hope surging within him.

But fate twisted cruelly. As the competition commenced, a rift tore open the very fabric of reality, unleashing a torrent of demons upon the disciples. In the chaos, Xue Yang felt an awakening within himself—an ancient power that surged and roared. His eyes turned crimson, and a black horn sprouted from his forehead, marking him as one of the very demons he fought against. Mo Chou, horrified and blinded by fear, banished him into the rift, believing it to be a death sentence.

Yet Xue Yang's story was far from over. In the depths of the ghost realm, he harnessed the chaotic energy swirling around him, transforming pain into power. Emerging from the rift, he was no longer the boy who had sought acceptance; he was reborn as a demon emperor, wielding unimaginable strength. With a heart consumed by rage, he unleashed his vengeance upon Hanqin, decimating the school and slaying Mo Chou's master.

In the wake of his wrath, Xue Yang collected a harem of 800 wives, yet for all his power, an emptiness gnawed at him. The demonic energy coursing through him twisted his soul, driving him to madness. Each day, he lost a piece of himself, until the very earth trembled beneath his fury, culminating in a cataclysm that shattered the world.