Qing Long

*In the Present*

*Black Turtle, Ancestral Xuan Family Domain spanning millions of kilometers*

Patriarch Zheng Xuan of the Xuan family sat on his throne, his long graying beard and time-worn face contrasting with the raging aura he emitted. The eye on his forehead had prominent veins around it.

Around him, guards struggled to stand straight under the crushing pressure of his aura, some coughing up blood from the invisible impact. At the foot of the throne lay the lifeless body of his rebellious son, shattered and drained of essence.

"Father."

A beautiful young woman in her twenties stood beside the throne, her delicate features framed by short black hair that partially concealed her forehead. Her jade-like eyes regarded the scene with detachment. Her younger brother was dead, but they hadn't been particularly close. In her two hundred years of existence, she'd seen him at most three times.

She had always been reclusive, focused on cultivation. It was only when she reached the Holy Sage realm that she emerged, only to learn her younger brother had returned from a lower realm—dead.

"Father, please calm down."

"How can I calm down, Daiyu? Shen died like a dog in the Lower Realm. Even his essence was devoured!"

Zheng Xuan slammed his fist on the throne, causing a tremor that resonated for thousands of kilometers. After all, being a Heavenly Emperor was no joke.

"You're only killing mortals and your subjects for nothing, Father."

"You're right..." His aura finally retracted.

He glared at the guards.

"It's that damn hedonist from the Ancestral Hu Family who led him there, isn't it?"

One of the guards coughed, then spoke.

"Indeed, Patriarch. Rumors say he intended to kill the Devourer."

"That little fool! He thinks the Devourer is someone he can face alone with a few lackeys. Bring him to me. I need an explanation, or else..."

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Instantly, a hundred beams of destructive Qi split the sky.

Daiyu, still silent, finally spoke.

"Father, I don't think attacking an ancestral family is wise."

"You think your father is weak. Even if those old hags try to stop me, I'll still destroy his cultivation. That good-for-nothing caused Shen's death."

"Very well, Father. I'll take a walk and see if I can meet some geniuses of this era." She said with a disinterested gaze.

"Do so." Zheng Xuan waved his hand. He knew his daughter's only interests were cultivation and tormenting geniuses, so he let her be. After all, she was now his only descendant.

She disappeared as if she'd never been there.

...

*Temple of Tao*

**POV: Hu Bai She**

*'I'm really in deep shit.'*

I sat casually before a statue of a great White Tiger.

You're probably wondering what I'm doing here instead of running to my family's estate.

Well, it's because I'd be killed—either by my mother, the Patriarch Xuan, my master, the sect leader, or the sect elders. There were so many people who wanted me dead that I didn't know what to do.

At the center of the East Continent, divided by domains of the most powerful, stood the Temple of Tao, the most sacred place. Cultivators and mortals alike paid homage to the Law Incarnations of ancient times. There were statues of legendary figures: the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Yellow Qilin, Black Turtle, and White Tiger... It was a crucial place that gathered faith to preserve their souls until reincarnation.

And me... I'd slept with three disciples in the altar dedicated to the Azure Dragon. Why? Because Qing Long, the descendant of the Azure Dragon, had beaten me up, so I decided to humiliate his ancestor. But I was caught by an elder.

Then, I manipulated Xuan Shen, my childhood friend, pretending to want to clear my name by killing the Devourer. I ended up killing him in the Lower Realm and stole his power, which partially restored my memories and gave me another bonus.

And now I'm kneeling here, my cultivation still unstable, my left arm mangled and oozing with dark energy.

Even as a young master, I wasn't respected because I was lecherous, rebellious, and disrespectful to elders. I rarely cultivated despite my innate talent. No, I was simply trash among my peers.

*'Looks like no matter the era, I'm always the same.'* I laughed in self-derision.

Looking at the statue of my ancestor, the White Tiger, I couldn't help but sigh. He, who had sacrificed his life to kill the Devourer of his time, ended up with the Devourer as his descendant.

*End of POV*

"White Tiger, your descendant is going to die today, and yet you remain inactive. Aren't you also trash?" Bai She clicked his tongue, seeing the soldiers arriving at the Temple.

"Young Master Hu, come with us without causing trouble. The Patriarch needs an explanation!"

"Death doesn't scare me. Let me pay my respects to my ancestor first." He declared, his tone calm and cold, showing no fear. He still stared at the statue, his thoughts full of curses.

The leader sneered and pointed his spear.

"No need for bluffs, Young Master. Come with us, or else..."

"Or else what? Are you going to kill the descendant of the White Tiger in front of him?" He retorted arrogantly.

"Don't... Don't make this difficult, Bai She!"

A Sage's aura swept the area, making Bai She cough up blood. He was already weak with unstable cultivation, compounded by the severe wound he'd inflicted on himself. He was already dying slowly.

Bai She clenched his teeth, maintaining his calm demeanor despite the humiliation he'd just endured.

The Temple of Tao was a restricted area, but due to the commotion, many curious cultivators had gathered in the distance. Among them was a figure descending slowly from the clouds, their cyan and black robe billowing slightly. A mist seemed to cover their face, but their long black hair and reptilian scales on their cheeks and eyes were visible. It was Bai She's greatest rival, Qing Long, known as the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon and the most powerful of the younger generation.