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Danzhou Empire
The Danzhou Empire was built by the Danzhou dynasty, surviving countless battles and lasting for millennia. It stood in the center of an ancient battlefield, surrounded by dangerous natural phenomena.
The empire waged war against the heavens, earning its title as the Emerald Dynasty. This title stemmed from the Emerald Valley, created by Emperor Wang, the first emperor and Celestial Saint of the Danzhou Empire.
The Emerald Valley, located southeast of the kingdom's walls, was surrounded by thunder and lightning. When the storm rumbled, emerald flashes filled the valley, harming the souls of those who entered. Many cultivators who tried to explore it never returned, leaving little information about its secrets.
It was created as an inheritance test for choosing the emperor's successor among his children. According to legend, after the inheritance test, the valley would revert to a normal state, with glittering emeralds hanging from its valley walls.
The valley itself had attained sentience, recognizing the first emperor's descendants the moment they stepped inside. The last inheritance trial took place 5,000 years ago, with six princes participating. After half a year, only one emerged—the current emperor—barely clinging to life.
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West District – The Forest of Beasts
In the western district of the empire lay a forest filled with ferocious monsters and countless rare herbs.
A one-horned wolf trembled in Tang Feng's grasp as his glowing eyes locked onto it. The beast struggled desperately, its instincts screaming at it to escape. But Tang Feng held it firmly, glaring so intensely that if looks could kill, the wolf would have perished.
After a minute, he let out a sigh and threw the wolf aside. The moment its paws touched the ground, it bolted away as if its life depended on it.
Tang Feng staggered, his body feeling weak. A strange voice echoed in his mind.
As clarity returned, Tang Feng looked around. He examined his hands, clenched and unclenched them, then touched his face, trying to get a feel for his new body.
His clothes were plain and simple—an indication that his current body was that of a mortal. However, what concerned him more was the voice that had just spoken.
It was the same voice, but this time, he could clearly tell—it was a female's voice.
"I don't understand what you're saying," Tang Feng spoke out loud. His voice startled a flock of birds in the nearby trees, sending them flying away.
A moment later, he asked, "Who are you?"
Tang Feng sighed and sat down, resting his back against a tree. He stretched out one leg while bending the other, making himself comfortable as he waited.
Suddenly, a blue digital panel popped up in front of him.
Startled, he instinctively jumped back but quickly regained his composure. Reaching out to touch it, he found his hand passing through the floating panel.
The screen displayed words in a foreign language, but strangely, he could understand them effortlessly.
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Host's Name: Tang Feng
Title: Chaos Sovereign Candidate
Strength Level: Qi Gathering
Combat Level: Qi Gathering
Ability Level: Void Emperor
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Tang Feng stared at the status screen in awe.
He could see his cultivation and abilities listed on a floating slate, but their meaning was still unclear. The system explained briefly, and he nodded in understanding.
As he analyzed his stats further, his eyebrows furrowed. He needed to train his physical endurance to balance his abilities.
Looking at the status, he asked, "If these are my abilities, then what cultivation level am I currently at?"
Tang Feng narrowed his eyes. He had always believed he was the only one with Chaos, but now it seemed there were others who possessed the same power.
"Does that mean there are more systems like you?" he asked.
His interest was piqued. He would have to compete with others for the title of Chaos Sovereign, a title he had already claimed for himself.
After a brief pause, another thought crossed his mind. He didn't know her name.
"What is your name?"
There was silence for a minute before the system responded.
Tang Feng was puzzled. Since she had a voice, she ought to have a name. Or had she forgotten it?
"Would you like me to give you a name?" he asked.
Tang Feng thought deeply. A name crossed his mind, but it dampened his mood.
His memories flashed back—to a moment with his wife, when they had once discussed names for their future children.
Tang Feng had wanted to name their son Linzhi. His wife had smiled and said, "But if we have a girl, let's name her Su Yan."
A bittersweet smile formed on Tang Feng's lips as tears glistened in his eyes.
"How about Su Yan?" he asked softly.
Tang Feng looked up, lost in thought. Meng'er's silver hair, radiant as the moon, flashed in his memory. He remembered how it flowed in the wind, cascading down her back.
Then—the image of her lifeless, bloodied body in his arms surfaced in his mind.
His eyes snapped open, burning red like a sea of blood.
He clenched his fists, vowing revenge.
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The Hidden Cave
Tang Feng wanted to ask Su Yan how she had ended up in the void, but he decided to find a place to rest for the night.
After some searching, he found a small cave hidden behind tall bamboo trees. The night breeze swayed them gently, creating an illusion that made the path difficult to trace.
Navigating through the illusion, Tang Feng approached the cave. However, the moment he came within three feet, a shockwave struck his soul like lightning, forcing him back.
His eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
The air around him felt strange, and the grass moved in a slow, rhythmic motion.
Before he could react further, his instincts flared in warning—danger was behind him!
With a quick leap, he executed a backflip twist in midair.
As he soared, he caught sight of dart-like plants fired at him.
Turning his gaze, he saw the bamboo trees transforming—they shifted into two gargoyle statues, one on each side, forming a pathway between them.
His eyes widened. "An illusion?"
No wonder he hadn't noticed them earlier.
More darts shot toward him, forcing him to dodge rapidly. His weak body slowed him down, and despite using Qi to enhance his movements, he still suffered several scratches.
Panting slightly, Tang Feng scoffed. "The heavens are truly playing games with me."
Just then, he sensed five figures approaching at high speed.
His eyes narrowed. "Bandits?"
Their movements were predictable—too weak to be a threat.
Tang Feng considered hiding and ambushing them but then smirked. He wanted to play along.
With a dramatic stumble, he collapsed face-first into the grass, blood pooling beneath him, his eyes closed.
"Wait, Su Yan," Tang Feng whispered in his mind. "I want them to think I'm dead. Don't heal me yet."
He lay motionless, waiting.
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The Black-Robed Assassins
Five shadowy figures emerged from the bamboo forest, illuminated by the moonlight.
Clad in black robes, their faces covered, only their cold, piercing eyes were visible.
They vanished into thin air—then reappeared almost simultaneously, surrounding Tang Feng's lifeless form.