The sky above Planet Senruo suddenly dimmed. Gray clouds began to swirl, forming a vortex as if signaling the arrival of something unnatural. The wind ceased to blow, the air thickened, and the atmosphere turned ominous.
From a distance, a dimensional rift began to open. One by one, layers of space folded and unraveled, creating a dark abyss-like tunnel. Each step echoing from within the rift shook the ground. A mysterious figure slowly emerged, his steps heavy, his aura so dark it felt as if darkness itself bowed in reverence.
Aether, who had been sitting calmly with her two disciples atop the hill, had sensed this presence long before the space began to rupture. Her sharp gaze fixed on the sky, then she turned to Yuan Jin and Hu Xue, whispering a clear yet quiet warning.
"Be careful… someone is approaching. And it seems this person is no ordinary one," Aether whispered without looking away.
Yuan Jin tightened his grip on his sword, while Hu Xue felt her heartbeat quicken. They had never experienced such overwhelming pressure before.
Aether whispered again, her tone now more serious. "He's beginning to move… prepare yourselves!"
Suddenly, a surge of energy blasted toward the hill. The ground cracked, rocks flew into the air, and the explosion flattened part of the hill in an instant. Fortunately, thanks to Aether's warning, the three had already moved quickly, dodging the attack with swift leaps.
As the dust settled, a system notification echoed in Aether's mind.
[System Detected]
Name: Shen Kai
Status: Demon God King
Age: Immortal (Currently 2.000 years old)
Origin: Unknown
Additional Info: He was sent by a Buddha named Bifu.
Aether narrowed her eyes. "So it's true. Bifu has sent one of his pawns…"
Yuan Jin, reading the system's data, gasped. "What? Demon God King?!"
Shen Kai finally revealed his full form. A tall, imposing figure with long, pitch-black hair, wearing a cloak that seemed alive—flowing like shadows at night. His eyes glowed crimson, and two curved horns protruded from his head.
Aether turned to her two disciples. "Consider this your combat training. Face him together."
In a flash, Aether's body dissolved into light and vanished. Moments later, she reappeared high in the air, spreading her arms outward. A transparent barrier formed around the battlefield. Its glow shimmered, separating the space from the outside world—ensuring no one could interfere or escape.
Yuan Jin stepped forward, glaring at Shen Kai. "Who are you?"
Shen Kai grinned, revealing sharp fangs. His voice was deep and echoed through the air. "I am the one who will kill all of you."
His wicked laughter resounded across the sky.
Hu Xue stepped beside Yuan Jin, her spiritual aura rising, forming a golden vortex around her. "We mustn't underestimate him," she whispered.
Yuan Jin nodded. "I know. But we won't back down."
He quickly unsheathed the Shidou Sword, pointing it directly at Shen Kai's chest. Lightning energy coursed through the blade. Meanwhile, Hu Xue activated her Heavenly Technique—celestial symbols rotated around her, forming both a shield and an offensive array.
Shen Kai smiled wickedly. "Good… make this fight entertaining."
In an instant, he vanished. Only his shadow remained in his previous spot, and his first strike rushed toward Yuan Jin. But the Shidou Sword blocked it immediately. The clash of metal echoed through the sky.
The battle had only just begun. And behind the dimensional barrier, a new legend was about to unfold.
---
The battlefield remained tense, heavy with spiritual pressure that could shake even the most seasoned cultivator. The ground was cracked, scorched by previous attacks, and the air was thick with the smell of ozone and fire.
Yuan Jin, with unwavering resolve in his eyes, raised the Shidou Sword and hurled it with great force toward Shen Kai. The blade glinted with a radiant surge of spiritual energy as it sliced through the air like a lightning bolt.
However.... Swish!
The sword passed straight through Shen Kai's body.
"What?! How is that possible?" Yuan Jin gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Shen Kai's figure wavered like smoke. "You thought you could hit me that easily?" he said, his voice filled with mockery.
"Then it's my turn," Hu Xue muttered with fierce determination.
She raised both her hands, summoning celestial energy from the sky. A golden flame began to ignite in her palm, flickering with intense divine power.
Heavenly Technique – Beginner Level: Blazing Celestial Flame!
A roaring inferno erupted and surged toward Shen Kai with explosive force. The sheer heat distorted the air, and the attack slammed into Shen Kai's body.
But as the flames cleared, Shen Kai remained standing—completely unharmed.
"That's all?" he chuckled darkly. "If that's the best you can do… then you will die by my hands."
He raised his arm and chanted a mysterious incantation.
First Star Technique – Vemiloid Star: Vemiloid Prison.
Suddenly, a dark, star-shaped cage materialized around Yuan Jin and Hu Xue. The prison pulsated with ominous energy, and the glowing lines etched into its surface began absorbing their spiritual energy little by little.
Yuan Jin struggled against the barrier. "Aether! Help us!"
Hu Xue, her breathing shallow, cried out as well. "We can't move…!"
Aether's calm voice echoed from outside the prison. "Relax. You won't die."
She raised her arm and conjured a luminous sword spirit, imbuing it with ancient, sacred energy. With precision, she launched the spirit toward Yuan Jin's Shidou Sword.
The moment the spirit merged with the sword, the blade glowed with divine power, and Yuan Jin's eyes lit up.
"Now… break the prison," Aether commanded.
Yuan Jin gritted his teeth, held the Shidou Sword with both hands, and channeled all the energy he had left.
"Let's do this together," he whispered to the sword spirit. "We can break through this!"
With a mighty yell, Yuan Jin slashed the blade downward. The prison trembled… and shattered into thousands of shards, dissolving into the wind.
Shen Kai's smile faltered for a moment. "Impressive… You're stronger than I thought. This is getting exciting."
Yuan Jin didn't waste time. He dashed forward, sword flashing in the sunlight. In a single flowing movement, he spun and sent the Shidou Sword slashing toward Shen Kai's back.
But...
Clang!
Two fingers. That was all Shen Kai needed to block the attack.
Without even turning his head, he stopped the divine blade as though it were nothing.
Yuan Jin's muscles tensed, and the sword spirit within the Shidou Sword began to surge with radiant light.
"Let's push through!" Yuan Jin shouted. "We can do this!"
Seeing the opening, Hu Xue leapt into action. Her hands formed seals in rapid succession as her aura erupted.
Heavenly Technique – Beginner Level: Gracial Moonburst Wave!
A wave of frozen moonlight energy exploded forth, forming a tidal surge of shimmering white-blue energy. It barreled toward Shen Kai, who was still holding off Yuan Jin's sword.
Sensing the danger, Shen Kai's eyes narrowed.
He instantly opened a spatial rift behind him—Teleportation Gate: Void Escape—and disappeared just as the wave struck.
But the wave had no other target.
BOOM!
It collided directly with Yuan Jin.
"Yuan Jin!" Hu Xue screamed in panic.
Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, Yuan Jin was on one knee, breathing heavily. His Shidou Sword had absorbed most of the impact, though blood trickled from his lip.
Hu Xue ran to his side. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you…"
Yuan Jin looked up and offered a faint smile. "Don't worry… this is nothing. What matters is that we pushed the Demon God King back."
The barrier around them began to dissolve, its golden shimmer fading as Aether descended gracefully from above.
She landed beside them, her robes fluttering in the wind, her expression composed.
"This isn't over," she said solemnly. "Shen Kai is still alive. But I'm proud of you both. You fought together and forced a god to retreat. That alone is a great feat."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue bowed their heads respectfully.
Meanwhile, far away in the hidden depths of the Buddha Realm, Shen Kai knelt before Bifu.
"I apologize… Your Holiness," Shen Kai said, bowing low. His body trembled slightly, not from fear—but from fury.
Bifu remained silent, his twelve arms folded in a serene yet judgmental posture, his expression unreadable.
Shen Kai clenched his fists. "This isn't the end. I will return… and next time, I will not fail."
He laughed maniacally, his voice echoing throughout the sacred halls of the Buddha Realm.
"Hahahahaha… I will return!"
To be continued…