The Princess and The Madman's Might

The wind howled as Jiang Chen stepped out of the dense foliage, the wilderness behind him fading into the rolling plains leading toward civilization. He had finally left the Verdant Moon Glade after months of brutal training and life-or-death battles. His body had transformed, his strength refined to an unrecognizable level, but his journey was far from over.

As he walked, his golden-amber eyes scanned the landscape. He could sense powerful auras scattered across the region—rogue cultivators, sect disciples, mercenaries—but they were insignificant before him now. His newly awakened Starshadow Body allowed him to remain hidden, his presence flickering like a mirage.

He felt the cool weight of the Heaven Sundering Medallion inside his robes.

"Three days to the Heaven Sundering Sect." His lips curled into a smirk. "Let's see who dares to stand in my way before then."

Jiang Chen hadn't even walked a full day before he heard raised voices in the distance. He flicked his gaze forward and saw a procession of cultivators, their robes bearing the insignia of some sect, surrounding a lavishly decorated carriage.

At the front of the group stood a young man clad in white and violet robes, his expression arrogant and predatory. His hand was outstretched, reaching for the woman within the carriage.

"Princess Yan, your resistance is meaningless. The Whitefang Family desires this union, and the Purple Star Sect has already agreed. Your father should have been wise enough to comply." His voice dripped with conceited amusement.

A crisp, furious voice cut through the air.

"How dare you!" A stunning woman in royal blue and gold robes stepped out of the carriage, her long, dark hair flowing like a river of ink. Her eyes blazed with noble fury, the very presence of a true ruler emanating from her.

Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened.

"A princess?"

"Yun Menghao, you overstep your authority!" Princess Yan's tone was sharp enough to cut steel. "The Azure Dragon Kingdom does not bow to your Whitefang Family, nor to the Purple Star Sect! If you dare lay a hand on me, my father will—"

Yun Menghao laughed.

"Your father? Princess, do not mistake his influence for true power. The Whitefang Family controls the flow of resources in the province, and the Purple Star Sect holds the backing of greater forces than your pitiful kingdom. If you know what's best for you, you'll step forward willingly."

The surrounding disciples chuckled, their eyes filled with hunger as they stared at the princess.

"Besides," Yun Menghao said, his eyes dark with amusement, "I have already decided. You will be my wife."

A pulse of killing intent flooded the air.

The laughter stopped.

Yun Menghao froze, feeling something press against his throat—something sharp.

A spear.

A deep, mocking voice rumbled from behind him.

"Oh? And what if I say… no?"

Yun Menghao's face twisted in rage as he turned his head slowly, his eyes locking onto the lone figure standing behind him.

Jiang Chen stood there, unbothered, his spear resting lazily against Yun Menghao's exposed throat. His golden-amber eyes flickered with cold amusement.

"Who the hell are you?!" Yun Menghao barked, his entire body trembling with indignation and fear.

Jiang Chen smirked. "Just a passerby who hates arrogant dogs barking too loudly."

The disciples of the Purple Star Sect immediately drew their weapons, their Qi flaring.

"You dare interfere in the business of the Whitefang Family?!" one of them shouted.

Jiang Chen simply tilted his head, his smirk deepening.

"Whitefang Family? Never heard of them."

The sheer disrespect in his tone made Yun Menghao's face turn red with rage.

"You bastard—"

CRACK!

A fist slammed into his gut, sending him crashing backward into the dirt. Yun Menghao coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes wide in disbelief.

The surrounding disciples went pale.

"Kill him!" one of them roared.

A dozen Purple Star Sect disciples lunged forward.

Jiang Chen sighed.

"Morons."

He moved.

In a blur, he was already upon them.

A disciple swung a sword at him—Jiang Chen caught it with two fingers.

His knee slammed into the disciple's ribs, sending him flying.

Another tried to attack from behind—Jiang Chen twisted and delivered a backhanded strike, shattering his jaw.

One after another, bodies fell.

Within moments, the entire group lay sprawled across the ground, broken and groaning in pain.

Yun Menghao stared in horror.

"You… you're a monster…"

Jiang Chen grinned.

"Thanks for noticing."

Before Jiang Chen could land the finishing blow, the sky trembled.

A terrifying aura descended upon them.

A man in dark purple robes appeared in the air, his Core Formation pressure crashing down like a tidal wave.

"Boy," the elder said, his voice like grinding stone. "You dare raise a hand against the Whitefang Family's young master?"

Jiang Chen remained unfazed, his smirk never leaving.

"Should I have let him molest a princess instead?" His voice dripped with mockery.

The Core Formation Elder's expression darkened. "Regardless of the reason, you will kneel and accept punishment."

Jiang Chen snorted. "Kneel? How about you kneel and lick my boots instead?"

The elder's face twisted in rage. "Insolent brat! Do you even know who I am?! What Sect do you hail from!"

Jiang Chen reached into his robes and pulled out a simple, black medallion.

A single crimson character blazed upon its surface.

HEAVEN SUNDERING

The elder's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

"H-How do you have that?!" His voice trembled.

Jiang Chen smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

For the first time, hesitation appeared in the elder's eyes. The Heaven Sundering Sect was feared—their disciples were known to be battle-crazed lunatics who never forgave grievances.

But Yun Menghao, still coughing up blood, screamed in fury. "What are you waiting for?! Kill him!"

The elder's hesitation vanished. A terrifying palm strike shot forward, filled with Core Formation Qi.

Jiang Chen's eyes turned deadly cold.

"You shouldn't have done that."

His spear rose.

Chaos Qi surged. Space twisted. Dark energy spiraled.

His Starshadow Burst ignited.

The very fabric of reality trembled.

"CHAOTIC SPEAR STRIKE!"

BOOM!

The spear strike obliterated the incoming attack and slammed into the elder's chest, sending him hurling through the sky like a meteor.

Dust settled.

Jiang Chen exhaled, lowering his spear.

The elder was alive, but severely injured. His body was half broken, blood dripping from his lips as he lay unconscious on the ground.

Jiang Chen looked at his spear and marveled at his own strength. "That felt good, although that old bastard didn't use his full strength, my spear pierced through that palm strike like paper!" 

I should firmly be at the level of an early Core Formation cultivator now. He inwardly thought excitedly. 

Although this elder was a bonafide early Core Formation cultivator, he had completely underestimated Jiang Chen, and now paid the price for it.

Jiang Chen glanced at Yun Menghao, who was now paralyzed in terror. 

Yun Menghao got his grips together and pulled out a purple amulet. He shattered it and disappeared immediately.

Uncaring, he turned to Princess Yan and smirked.

"Need a ride out of here, Princess?"

As they rode on Jiang Chen's spiritual beast, the princess's gaze never left him.

"You're… beyond anything I've ever seen," she admitted, her tone carrying both awe and interest.

Jiang Chen chuckled. "You're not the first to say that."

She smiled, but her expression soon turned serious.

"You should know… the Whitefang Family won't let this go," she warned. "They may not compare to the Heaven Sundering Sect, but they have political influence."

Jiang Chen grinned. "Then let them come. I'll send them back in boxes."

Princess Yan's eyes flickered. He's completely insane… and yet, fascinating. As expected of the Heaven Sundering Sect. A bunch of madmen. 

"You're a princess right? That means you should know quite a lot about the power structure here. Care to explain?" Jiang Chen said with a charming smile. 

"Well, there's the-" She started to say as Jiang Chen cut her off.

"Sorry, I know next to nothing, so you might need to start from the beginning," he said as he scratched his head in embarrassment. 

Princess Yan took a deep breath before she began explaining, her voice carrying the weight of history and authority.

"The continent we are on is called the Astral Horizon Continent, an unfathomably vast land ruled by countless powers—empires, sects, clans, and hidden forces beyond mortal comprehension. The province we are currently in, the Azure Sky Province, is but a small fragment of this vast world, but even here, the struggle for power is relentless."

She lifted her hand and traced a rough outline in the air with her Qi, forming a map that pulsed with energy.

"In the Azure Sky Province, there are three ruling kingdoms, two major sects, and five aristocratic families that hold the most influence. While there are many other sects, organizations, and rogue factions, these eleven powers form the foundation of authority here."

"Azure Dragon Kingdom – My home. It is known for its deep martial heritage and our royal family's bloodline, which traces back to an ancient dragon-related ancestor. Though we are strong, we lack the overwhelming force of the major sects."

"Next is The Crimson Lion Empire – The most militaristic of the three, known for its vast armies and brutal expansion tactics. They have long sought dominance over the province." She said with a hint of worry in her eyes. 

"Finally the Vermilion Phoenix Dynasty – A kingdom ruled by a matriarchal lineage, deeply tied to the flames of the Phoenix bloodline. They are isolationist but wield terrifying might."

"Now onto the sects…"

"The Heaven Sundering Sect" her voice carrying a hint of solemnity as she spoke.

"As I'm sure you know, they are a sect feared across the continent. They are known for their battle-hungry disciples, overwhelming strength, and their refusal to bow to any kingdom or family. Their warriors are raised through blood and war, making them one of the most terrifying forces in the province. In essence, they are a bunch of crazy madmen who are willing to offend and fight anyone at the slightest grievance or insult." 

"Then we have The Celestial Frost Palace. A sect of profound scholars and reclusive cultivators who walk the path of supreme elemental mastery. Unlike the Heaven Sundering Sect, they rarely engage in worldly disputes but hold immense hidden power. However, they are equally terrifying as they are reserved," She said. 

"These two forces are at the pinnacle of strength in our Azure Sky Province, and below them lie the Five Aristocratic Families and our 3 Kingdoms." 

"Getting into that, there's The Whitefang Family, the ones you just offended. They control a vast network of merchants, mines, and cultivation resources, granting them economic dominance," She spoke with hatred. There's also The Blackwood Clan, a family of alchemists and poison masters, feared for their deadly concoctions. Then Stormriver House, a naval powerhouse that controls trade routes and the province's waterways, known for being straightforward and righteous. Also there is The Ironheart Clan, a family known for their monstrous physiques and body refinement techniques, acting as the province's strongest mercenary force. Finally, The Silverveil Family, the most mysterious, rumored to be tied to assassins, spies, and secret dealings in the dark."

She looked at Jiang Chen, her gaze steady.

"By defeating Yun Menghao and his protector, you've declared war on the Whitefang Family and, by extension, the Purple Star Sect. The elder you injured will not forget this, and neither will his superiors. The Whitefang Family, however, won't act recklessly, knowing that you hold a Heaven Sundering Medallion. Still… you've made enemies, powerful ones."

Jiang Chen simply smirked. "Let them come."

Princess Yan shook her head in amusement. "You really are insane…"

But as she looked at him, a thought took root in her mind.

"Perhaps... insanity is exactly what this province needs right now."

By the time she finished, Jiang Chen only had one thought.

"This province is about to become a battlefield."