Zhongli stepped out of the Dragon Realm.
The blackness of starry sky of Douluo Plane greeted him—but what truly caught his attention was the group of divine beings waiting silently before him. In an instant, his eyes narrowed. He didn't need introductions. The moment he laid eyes on them, he knew who they were.
Hui Mie – God of Destruction
He stood tall and proud, appearing to be in his early thirties. A dark purple cloak fluttered behind him, exuding destructive intent. His short, dark red hair stood upright like hardened steel needles, crackling faintly with destructive energy. His face was exceptionally handsome—no less than Tang San himself—but it was his eyes that held the true weight of his name: blood-red, filled with fluctuating waves of chaotic energy that spoke of annihilation and power restrained only by divine will.
Sheng Ming – Goddess of Life
A warm, soothing presence gently countered the oppressive energy nearby. She stood in a flowing, light green dress that shimmered like spring leaves kissed by sunlight. A single green flower adorned the side of her head, nestled within her long, flowing brown hair. Her brilliant green eyes were deep and kind, brimming with vitality. A soft golden halo encircled her face, gently masking her expression, yet her faint, serene smile radiated warmth. She was breathtaking—a vision of life itself. The kind of beauty that invited not desire, but reverence.
Poseidon – Sea God
Regal and commanding, Poseidon radiated a noble presence befitting a ruler of the oceans. His long aquamarine hair flowed like waves in a storm, shimmering with divine luster. He wore gold and black armor in a high-fantasy style, trimmed with turquoise and sea-green highlights. Fin-like extensions on his pauldrons resembled celestial wings, both elegant and fearsome. His face was sharp, with a cold majesty and piercing blue gaze. At his side rested a glowing golden trident, its form humming with divine authority.
Asura – Asura God
He stood like a silent judgment. Striking, upright, with vivid purple hair that glowed faintly in the air around him, exuding an overwhelming aura. His dark armor was engraved with flame-like purple designs, alive with movement and energy. Power radiated off him in waves, a mix of slaughter and righteous fury. His expression was cold, focused, and edged with unspoken wrath—a warrior forged from uncountable battles, a god who knew both pain and purpose. Purple energy coiled at his feet like serpents.
Xie E – God of Evil
Charming yet dangerous, his presence slithered between shadows. Xie E had long, smooth, silver-white hair that framed his pale, refined face. From his head curved two black horns, polished and ornate, giving him an unmistakable devilish air. His crimson eyes gleamed with cunning, and his confident smirk suggested manipulation was his art. He wore a black robe decorated with fine golden patterns and a high collar. His outfit whispered elegance, but his aura screamed danger.
Shan Liang – Goddess of Kindness
Innocence and grace stood quietly behind the others. Shan Liang was a soft presence—her black hair tied back gently, adorned with a simple white bow or ceremonial headpiece. Her large, brown eyes were filled with compassion and empathy, shining with unspoken emotion. Her small mouth was set in a concerned or gentle expression, as though constantly aware of others' pain. She wore a white and gold ceremonial gown, embroidered with delicate lace and frills. A gentle, healing aura surrounded her like a soft breeze—soothing, pure, and untouched by darkness.
As the gods stood united before him, each radiating their unique domain, Zhongli remained calm.
He clasped his hands behind his back, golden eyes unmoved.
"So," he murmured, "even the divine have come to greet me."
Moments ago, a pulse of divine energy had tore through the divine realm. It was ancient— yet familiar.
The God Kings froze, their divine senses locking onto the same origin: the Dragon Realm.
A wave of energy, saturated in divine might, rippled outward like a heartbeat returning from the dead.
There was no doubt. It was his energy.
The Dragon God.
Without hesitation, the God Kings moved.
Asura, ever the vanguard, clenched his fist and turned to his old comrade.
"Poseidon. With me."
The Sea God didn't question. In a flash of divine light, they vanished—heading straight for the source.
The rest followed, hearts tense, memories of the last catastrophe still carved into their minds.
All the God Kings stood still, their gazes locked on the figure before them—a presence that commanded the very air around him. There was no introduction, no declaration of power, and yet there was a pressure he emanated was unmistakable. It was not aggressive. It was simply there—an unshakable force, like the quiet heartbeat of a sleeping dragon.
Zhongli stood tall, his posture dignified, poised like a monarch unbothered by mortal or divine judgment. His complexion was fair, almost luminescent beneath the ethereal light of the Dragon Realm. Amber eyes, shaped like inverted diamonds, glowed faintly with ancient wisdom and concealed threat. Red eyeliner traced the lower rims of his gaze, emphasizing the sharpness of his features.
His dark brown hair, shot through with amber at the tips, shimmered like sun-touched obsidian. Most of it fell in controlled waves, but a single waist-length strand flowed down his back like a silken ribbon—an echo of something draconic and wild.
His attire was the epitome of elegance and precision. A beige dress shirt rested beneath a brown-and-amber waistcoat, tailored to perfection. Slim black trousers and glossy dress boots lent him the appearance of nobility, while black gloves—adorned with twin silver archer rings—spoke of precision and hidden skill. Around his neck, a crisp white tie, fastened with a radiant amber gemstone, gleamed faintly.
From his shoulders hung a long, dark brown tailcoat, textured like dragon scales and edged in gold and silver filigree. Golden tassels swayed gently with his movements, and a brilliant diamond symbol adorned the coat's back—repeated again and again in subtler motifs across his entire ensemble, from buttons to belt.
He was beauty, grace, and danger incarnate.
Shan Liang, the Goddess of Kindness, stood close to her husband, the God of Evil. Her voice, barely above a whisper, carried across the quiet tension like a falling snowflake."He is powerful."
Xie E gave a slight nod, his amber gaze never leaving Zhongli. He could feel it—that buried, coiled force, like a spear wrapped in silk. His instincts, honed over eons of divine battle, whispered a single truth:
This man is dangerous.