Chapter 5: Truly Terrifying
"Better than nothing, I suppose."
Ye Cheng put away the nine soul bones. Even if he didn't absorb them himself, they were valuable resources that he could gift to others or use to train subordinates in the future.
Meanwhile
After the video ended, the major forces of the continent including the imperial families, Spirit Hall, and the three upper sects immediately took action.
They mobilized their intelligence networks to investigate everything about Ye Cheng.
Never underestimate these powerful factions, which had been entrenched in the Douluo Continent for countless generations. Their information networks were frighteningly efficient if they truly wanted to investigate someone, they could dig up everything about them, down to the color of their underwear.
And sure enough, the information they uncovered matched the fragments shown in the video almost perfectly.
Clues about a person named "Ye Cheng" could be found all across the continent. Cross referencing these findings with the video confirmed that everything was consistent.
In other words the video was real.
This meant that a genuine Twin Martial Soul Ultimate Douluo existed. He had merely been too low key in the past, never displaying his strength in public, allowing him to grow unnoticed right under their noses.
If the Q&A hadn't exposed him, no one would have ever known.
This man truly terrifying!
…
Of course, the "information" these forces uncovered wasn't actually real.
Instead, it was the power of Ye Cheng's persona, altering reality and fabricating traces of his existence in certain places.
It even silently modified the memories of some people seamlessly integrating his fabricated past into history itself.
This power had forcibly rewritten history, making the fictional "Ye Cheng, the Twin Martial Soul Ultimate Douluo," a true part of the world.
Now that was true terror!
…
Overlord Dragon City
This city, built upon the ruins of Baiyun City, had been thriving and prosperous until the future video of its destruction was broadcast.
In just half a month, the once bustling metropolis had become a ghost town.
The Wang family, rulers of the city, had long since fled, taking their valuables and scattering to the winds.
On a distant hilltop, Ye Cheng stood gazing down at the now empty city.
Twenty years ago, he had stood in this very spot, watching the burning ruins of Baiyun City, silently swearing vengeance.
Twenty years later, he stood here once again.
With his immense perception, he could clearly sense that the city was completely deserted.
However, hidden in the surrounding area, he could detect many concealed soul masters.
As for their identities?
Ye Cheng could guess most of them had likely been sent by his so called father, Ning Fengzhi.
Now that his immensely powerful son had been revealed and more importantly, a son who possessed the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda it was only natural that Ning Fengzhi would desperately want to mend their relationship.
As for the other observers, they were most likely spies from rival factions, sent to monitor his movements.
After all, a figure of his level returning to the continent was akin to someone walking into another country carrying a nuclear warhead it was only natural that people were wary.
"Ran away so quickly… but did you really think you could escape?"
Ye Cheng was not surprised that the Wang family had fled early.
After all, when he had created the video, he had already expected it.
But he wasn't worried about them hiding because with his current status, there were countless people eager to curry favor with him.
Knowing that he had an unresolved blood feud with the Wang family, many would willingly track them down for him.
If he wanted, he could simply issue the order, and his enemies would be delivered to him, bound and helpless.
That was the power of true strength.
As an Ultimate Douluo, his favor was something no faction could ignore.
There were countless people desperate to offer him gifts, build connections, and gain his goodwill.
Lost in thought, Ye Cheng's expression suddenly shifted.
Then, he spoke aloud
"Since you're already here, why not show yourself?"
As soon as he finished speaking
"...Truly, a hero in his youth."
A figure stepped out from the shadows a white haired elder dressed in a long white robe.
This old man appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with white hair and beard, yet his skin was smooth and youthful a perfect example of "crane haired, child faced" longevity.
"Rank 96 Titled Douluo… such strength, coupled with your sharp aura…"
Ye Cheng slowly turned around, his gaze calm as he analyzed the newcomer.
"If I'm not mistaken you must be the one known as Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, one of the most famous figures in the soul master world."
At the same time, Chen Xin was also studying Ye Cheng.
Tall and elegant, dignified and composed.
With just one look, he was absolutely certain this young man was indeed Ning Fengzhi's son.
The resemblance was simply too strong.
Anyone who saw them together would have no doubt they were father and son.
Not to mention the video had already revealed their relationship to the world.
In truth, Sword Douluo had arrived here days ago, lying in wait for Ye Cheng's arrival.
And his purpose?
To build a connection with the only known Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda wielder in existence.
And ideally to persuade him to acknowledge his lineage and return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Because if Ye Cheng chose to join the sect, it wouldn't just mean gaining an Ultimate Douluo level combatant.
More importantly the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could finally evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
For generations, the sect had struggled with its Martial Soul's flaws, dreaming of a way to break past the Rank 80 limit.
But no one had ever succeeded.
Yet now a true Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda user had appeared.
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this was nothing short of a miracle from the heavens!
If Ye Cheng was willing to return, even if it meant forcing Ning Fengzhi to step down as sect master, the entire sect wouldn't hesitate to accept him as their new leader.
However Sword Douluo's plan was doomed to fail.
Ye Cheng had no intention of joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
For three reasons:
It didn't align with his persona.
Joining a sect would create unnecessary attachments, making it inconvenient if he ever needed to act freely or execute large scale plans.
Most importantly it simply wasn't worth it.
This was a power based world, and with his current strength, he was already unstoppable in the Douluo Continent.
The resources and influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were just a nice bonus nothing he actually needed.
If he joined them, he wouldn't gain much.
On the contrary he'd be stuck with a father and a bunch of elders trying to control his actions.
Why would he put himself through that for no real benefit?
Ye Cheng would never do something so pointless.
(End of Chapter)
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