"It’s me, I’m back. After many years apart, Grandpa, how have you been? I’m here to pay my respects." A figure emerged from the rain, walking with composure and unmatched steadiness. Though his body emitted no radiance and bore no protective runes, not a single drop of rain touched him.
This person was tall and graceful, his steps deliberate and rhythmic, light and ethereal. If one wasn’t paying attention, his presence was almost imperceptible. He had become one with the surrounding space.
"Ziteng, I’ve been hoping for your return. Grandpa has been incapacitated," Shi Yuan called out, his face ashen and filled with intense resentment.
"Grandpa, you need not fear. I’m back," Shi Ziteng’s voice grew cold.
When he made his appearance, the expressions of many people in the Martial King’s Mansion changed.
Shi Ziteng, a powerful man whose name wasn’t widely known in the capital, was nonetheless extremely fearsome to those in the know.
He was a mysterious and low-profile individual, rarely making a move. When he did, he was ruthless and merciless, leaving his opponents with little chance of survival.
His reputation wasn’t prominent mainly because he seldom appeared in the capital, spending years away in seclusion and returning only once every few years, sometimes even after nearly a decade.
There was a rumor in the capital that he had joined the Ancient Divine Mountain and studied under an ancient beast, spending years comprehending the supreme path, which explained his rare returns.
This rumor made those who knew his combat abilities highly wary.
In the Martial King’s Mansion, people paid special attention to this rarely returning clan member, knowing that the rumor might be true.
"Uncle Fifteen, it’s been many years. How have you been?" Shi Ziteng approached, revealing his true self. He appeared to be only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but his relatives knew he was already in his forties.
He was tall and straight, with very fair skin and a face like jade, shimmering with a gleam. His eyes were deep and starry, and his hair was black, thick, and cascading down his chest and back, giving him a unique aura.
Some people left a lasting impression at first glance, suggesting they were destined for greatness. Shi Ziteng was clearly such a person.
"I’m not well. Returning to the clan, I am filled with great sorrow and disappointment," Uncle Fifteen said, his large frame reflecting his feelings of sorrow and frankness.
"Uncle Fifteen, you seem full of energy and vitality, like a boundless sea. Why do you say otherwise?" Shi Ziteng remarked.
"Why should I? You’ve returned precisely to deal with me, haven’t you?" The Great Demon God’s aura was as deep as a chasm, with galaxies seeming to fade in his eyes, fixed on the front.
"I truly do not wish to be at odds with you, Uncle Fifteen. But sometimes, there is no choice. With matters having reached this point, what else can be done?" Shi Ziteng said calmly.
"Do you know everything? Are you fully aware of the situation?" Uncle Fifteen asked.
"Yes. I know what happened in the past, and I understand the current situation," Shi Ziteng answered.
The Great Demon God’s expression grew cold. He knew that this nephew’s talent was truly extraordinary, far surpassing many geniuses, with immense potential. He felt it was somewhat regrettable given the circumstances.
"Are you truly determined to go down this path?" Uncle Fifteen asked in a deep voice.
"Uncle Fifteen, you shouldn’t have come back. Our clan is on the right track now, everything is flourishing and strong. With Yi’er here, we will surely reach the pinnacle in the future," Shi Ziteng spoke with an imposing demeanor.
"You should say, with you and Yi’er here, I shouldn’t have come back, right? You think you can bring glory to our clan," the Great Demon God’s gaze was sharp as he looked at him.
"Perhaps," Shi Ziteng replied.
"Shi Ziteng, you are too arrogant," the group of old allies behind Uncle Fifteen couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Outwardly strong, but hollow within. If you continue like this, the Martial King’s Mansion will sooner or later collapse and be utterly destroyed," Uncle Fifteen said, unwilling to say more. He had already spoken his piece.
"Shi Ziteng, since you understand the cause and effect, you should know where Yi’er’s supreme bones come from. Do you have any remorse?" an elder shouted.
"My wife has already passed away, killed by Shi Ziling. If we were to investigate further, how should this account be settled?" Shi Ziteng’s face was icy.
"You only remember the punishment against your wife, but you don’t consider the reason. A child born with innate supremacy was thus destroyed, even killed. How cruel!" an elder shouted.
"So, don’t dwell on the past. Yi’er’s rise is unstoppable. Is there anyone among your descendants who is more outstanding than him? If there is, I will turn and leave," Shi Ziteng said coldly.
"Ultimately, you believe I shouldn’t have returned, shouldn’t be reorganizing our clan, correct?" Uncle Fifteen began.
"Uncle Fifteen, you truly shouldn’t have returned. Our clan is sufficient with Yi’er," Shi Ziteng said calmly.
"With one strike, I could kill you. I regret your talent, but not killing you wouldn’t uphold the clan’s rules," the Great Demon God’s words were harsh, his face darkened.
"Uncle Fifteen, do you think you can kill me?" Shi Ziteng smiled.
His deep-set eyes, pristine white skin, and shining black hair left a profound impression, like someone reincarnated from the higher realms.
"Not yet," the Great Demon God replied with just a few words.
"I am ten years younger than you, and Ziling is ten years younger than me. Though cultivation doesn’t solely depend on age, it does matter to some extent. I am currently not your match, and Ziling would also not be my match if he faced me," Shi Ziteng said calmly.
This caused some people’s expressions to change. He admitted he was not a match for the Great Demon God and then mentioned Shi Ziling, suggesting either an implication or a threat.
"So, I’ve invited the Rain King here," Shi Ziteng added.
Rain fell heavily between heaven and earth, drenching the Martial King’s Mansion, causing many to have grim faces and feel that it was a provocation, too arrogant.
"Shi Ziteng, this is an internal matter of the clan. Yet, you’ve brought an outsider here. Is he even a descendant of the Shi clan?" an elder shouted.
"The clan is in danger. I’ve invited someone to quell the rebellion. What’s wrong with that?" Shi Ziteng asked.
The group was angry. With Uncle Fifteen’s side having the upper hand, they did not want any more changes, feeling very displeased.
Shi Yuan and others, however, were invigorated, their eyes flashing with a terrifying light. Knowing his grandson, Shi Yuan was aware that Shi Ziteng had more up his sleeve, or he wouldn’t have shown up.
The Great Demon God looked at Shi Ziteng and said, "I’ll give you one way out. Leave."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ziteng’s expression changed for the first time. This word was distant for him. No one had dared to speak to him like this for many years. His master’s sect was high above, overlooking the entire wasteland. Who would dare such a thing?
"Rain King, you have two choices. I’ve already stated them. One is to leave immediately. Two is for me to defeat you and then challenge the Rain Clan," the Great Demon God said coldly.
The rain was dense, and the water droplets shimmered, making the Rain King appear even more mysterious.
"Old Fifteen, I’m afraid you don’t have the ability," the Rain King said.
With a thunderous roar, torrential rain poured down, and lightning struck, illuminating the entire mansion in fiery brightness.
Here was the Martial King’s Mansion. Yet, the Rain King was recklessly unleashing endless rain, causing everyone in the mansion to turn pale and seethe with anger.
The Great Demon God’s face was tinged with coldness as he advanced, pressuring both Shi Ziteng and Shi Yuan with the intention of dealing with them.
"Yi’er’s mother was one of my most cherished descendants, yet she was killed by Shi Ziling. This debt must be settled; such enmity cannot go unavenged," the Rain King whispered.
The group of old allies behind Uncle Fifteen were enraged. Why was the origin of this incident not mentioned?
The Great Demon God was also furious. His pitiful grandson, born with supreme potential, had been gravely injured and left in a state of uncertainty about his life. His father sought an explanation, only to be questioned and attacked in return.
"Why did Ziling oppose my grandson’s supreme bones, and where are they now?" Uncle Fifteen’s voice was chilling and melancholic.
"Yi’er is a重瞳者 (Heavy-eyed), a natural god, incomparable to your grandson," the Rain King sneered.
"If my grandson were still alive, even without his supreme bones, he would rise and eventually surpass the highest realms," the Great Demon God said, his voice low and his gaze icy.
He was deeply sorrowful, and the thought of this regret made him almost want to cry out to the heavens.
"Refuse if you must. Have your grandson fight Yi’er to see who is stronger," the Rain King said coldly.
"Your heart is hollow, which is why you provoke me. You have already lost," the Great Demon God said with a cold but calm voice, devoid of any fluctuation.
"Today, I accept the invitation from the direct line of the Martial King’s Mansion to act on behalf of the Martial King, to eradicate the rebels and kill Shi Zhongtian. This battle starts now."
With these words, the capital trembled. The Rain King used the "True Hound Howl" sound wave technique, its sound like thunder, shaking the entire city.
"Stop your filthy rain and don’t let it sully my Martial King’s Mansion. Cease your barking, or you’ll be shot," the Great Demon God’s voice rang out.
This voice spread across the capital, causing an uproar. The king of a clan was being treated with the same sharpness as the Great Demon God, an apparent contempt for the Rain King.
"Boom"
A brilliant light erupted, piercing through the clouds and scattering the rain. The Great Demon God made his move, his hair standing on end. As his eyes opened and closed, two dragon-shaped energy pillars soared through the sky, their massive forms sweeping across the cosmos.
One was a black dragon and the other a white dragon. After shooting from his eyes, they rapidly grew, filling the heavens and earth, unmatched in their magnificence.
"Boom"
The Rain King struck, summoning the nine heavens’ thunder, which struck down directly at the two dragons, displaying overwhelming power.
"Roar"
One of the great dragons inhaled deeply, swallowing all the thunderlight, and surged forward. The other dragon leaped into the clouds, emitting its own light and releasing lightning.
"Crack"
Lightning and thunder flashed endlessly, tearing apart the rain curtain between heaven and earth, all striking towards the Rain King.
"Bang"
The Rain King was hit. Despite the shield, he was still thrown back, nearly being overturned by the first strike from the Great Demon God.
"Rain King, how dare you come to my clan’s mansion and spew such arrogance? If you don’t leave, you’ll be killed," the Great Demon God roared, his voice mighty and powerful as he charged forward, his fist raised to strike.
"Open" the Rain King shouted.
On the ground, the endless rainwater gathered into small rivers, all flowing backwards towards the sky, sweeping towards Uncle Fifteen.
"Suppress"
The Great Demon God roared, his fist smashing down, breaking through the reverse-flowing rivers, crushing runes with unparalleled ferocity.
"Bang"
The Rain King blocked with his arms, resisting the Great Demon God.
However, at the moment of collision, he felt as if struck by lightning. The force was immense, like a mountain crashing down, incredibly heavy.
He coughed up blood and was thrown back.
With a "hum," the cosmos trembled.
The Great Demon God followed up, striking down again with immense force, as if a primordial mountain had descended, threatening to shatter the void, covered in countless runes.
The Rain King tried to block again, his arms raised, but felt as if his bones were breaking.
He coughed up more blood and was sent flying again.
"Bring out anything related to deities. Otherwise, you are not worthy to be my opponent," the Great Demon God shouted, his voice echoing throughout the capital.
Such overwhelming force and roaring made the Rain King’s face shift from blue to red, finally turning a deep, iron-gray, filled with shame and fury, he roared, "You seek death!"
"You are the one seeking death," the Great Demon God’s hand descended again, covering the sky and blocking out the sun, as if it were a massive cloud, terrifying beyond measure.
The entire area shook. It was clear that today’s confrontation could not end peacefully; a terrible battle was imminent, and with divine matters at stake, it was bound to be astonishing.
Note: If there are any changes in the update schedule of the authors' meeting organized by the Starting Po
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