Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 29: The Demon Race

Not long after, Tian Xingzi also caught up with them. This man was renowned throughout the world, and Yang Hao and the others could not help but regard him with deep admiration. A figure like His Highness, akin to a true dragon, would naturally be accompanied by such extraordinary companions.

“Sir, do you have any advice for me?” Wang Chuan asked again.

“Chaos is brewing, the great era of contention draws near. Do you truly have no desire to become the Sovereign of Men?” Tian Xingzi questioned him. “Your martial cultivation has reached such a level—such momentum is rare even among the great masters of the land. Beyond every sky is another, beyond every man another. Your martial path has already shattered its limits. What step remains for you now?”

“We who contend with the heavens find endless joy in it!” Wang Chuan gazed up at the vault of the sky. “In the mortal world I temper myself, entangled by fate, so there are things I must do, but for the rest, I will not be drawn in. As for vying for the throne of Sovereign of Men, I have no interest.”

“But in this age of upheaval, when dragons and serpents rise together, when a multitude of dragons contend, the world will be plunged into chaos,” Tian Xingzi pressed. “Fate is such that all encounter brings conflict. Even if you refuse to fight, others will strive for it.”

“I have met several whose fortunes were at their peak—much like yourself. What comes of that? Dragons battle to the death, the land of Shenzhou bathed in blood, such is no blessing for the world. I must prevent it, which is why I hope you will become Sovereign of Men, to quell the coming storm,” Tian Xingzi said. “You have met the lords of Jin, Wei, and Yu, all men of great talent and ambition. If the six states can stand together, all may be well. But once chaos descends, a struggle is inevitable!”

“Wang Chuan, the world is about to change. These people are all destined by heaven, none clearly superior to the rest. If the dragons have no leader, the world may yet find peace.” Tian Xingzi had sensed the shifting winds and pleaded earnestly. “Your arrival may be the turning point. You are surely the one we have been waiting for.”

“The fate of nations, the great currents of the world—these have little to do with me,” Wang Chuan shook his head. “What is mine cannot be taken by others, and what I desire, I must not be without. The world has little to do with me. I have a premonition that at any moment, I might simply transcend it all.”

“What? You too will break the void?” Tian Xingzi was stunned. “What level have you reached? Wang Chuan, you truly are a born sage, a sovereign among men!”

“I cannot say,” Wang Chuan shook his head. It was not that he was unwilling, but that he could not put it into words. “I only know that once I sever all entanglements of fate, my martial path will finally be complete!”

“Wang Chuan, then why not make a great vow, to bring salvation to the world? If you could do this, your path would be deeper and more enduring, truly immortal,” Tian Xingzi urged.

“I discussed this with a high monk not long ago. One cannot inflict suffering upon oneself simply to temper the body,” Wang Chuan shook his head. “I cannot deceive myself, nor do I wish to.”

“No, you are destined to be Sovereign of Men!” Tian Xingzi was unwilling to let go, shaking his head repeatedly. “There must be something—some opportunity that will set you on the path, that will make you Sovereign of Men. There must be.”

As he left, he kept muttering, determined not to give up.

He was resolved to make Wang Chuan change his mind.

...

At last, he was gone.

Wang Chuan breathed a sigh of relief.

That man was far too persistent; it seemed he would not give up in the future either. Besides trying to brainwash me, what else can he do?

“Fame and fortune are mere dust to me. I will bow to no one, nor will I force myself to chase after power or wealth. In my eyes, only the endless martial path matters.” Wang Chuan shook his head and turned to the two in front of him. “How far along are you in your cultivation? In this world, only strength is eternal.”

Zhong Bo and Yang Hao looked rather ashamed before replying that they spent more than four hours a day practicing, though it was still incomparable to Wang Chuan.

They were already trying their utmost.

With a glance, Wang Chuan nodded, able to see their progress in cultivation.

“There are some born with extraordinary talent. Judging by their cultivation and vitality, they must have had some fortuitous encounter. But then, which of the peerless geniuses of any age have not had their own miraculous stroke of luck?” Wang Chuan continued. “There are still those in the world stronger than I. I have heard of several such prodigies—stunning and extraordinary, blessed by great fortune. From a young age, they stumbled into the abodes of ancient sages, inheriting their legacies. They possess countless treasures, elixirs, secret arts, and their cultivation is so profound that none of their generation can rival them. I eagerly look forward to meeting such people.”

“You two may be ordinary mortals, without miraculous encounters, but since you have met me,” Wang Chuan paused for a moment, “let me be your stroke of good fortune!”

He then gave them further guidance in their cultivation—a matter for which he had much enthusiasm.

Many points became instantly clear to the two, and their progress hastened greatly.

They were already far beyond the ordinary.

As for how far they would go in the future, who could say?

Leaving Wang Chuan’s room, they could not help but exclaim, “His Highness truly is a man destined for greatness.”

The road of cultivation stretches endlessly ahead!

...

Wang Chuan then sat and continued his arduous cultivation, preparing for the chaos to come.

...

“Your Highness, Your Highness...”

He was unaware of how much time had passed, lost in his meditative state, when Yang Hao and the others called to him from outside.

Only then did Wang Chuan return to himself, sweep his arm, and the door swung open. “What is it?”

“Your Highness, I hope we’re not disturbing you,” Yang Hao and Zhong Bo entered, faces grave. “There are rumors spreading outside—apparently, the Martial Institute is about to reemerge and will offer three places.”

“The Martial Institute?” Wang Chuan could hardly ignore such news.

There was but one Martial Institute in the world.

His mother had entered that very institute, standing above all others.

“You’re saying there is word outside that the Martial Institute is coming forth to recruit disciples—three in total?” Wang Chuan asked.

“Exactly so,” Yang Hao nodded. “The rumors are spreading throughout Fucheng and all over Yu. I’ve even sent people to inquire in other nations. Your Highness, do you think this is related to what we discussed before...”

“Is it an empty rumor, or do you think someone is spreading falsehoods?” Wang Chuan asked. “But if this is the same as before, with Yu’s lord and the others’ capabilities, it wouldn’t be hard for them to uncover the truth. They would be able to trace the source of the news and easily identify the one behind it.”

“But if that’s all, why spread such rumors? What could be gained, and who could profit from it? Most importantly, who in the world would dare to speak lightly of the Martial Institute? Using the chaos in Fucheng as cover—what is the real aim?”

Yang Hao’s eyes brightened as he grasped the key point. “Your Highness, I’ll do my best to track down more clues.”

“No need. Let things remain as they are and adapt to changes as they come,” Wang Chuan tapped his head with a finger, thinking for a moment. “I’ll act as the situation requires. Now, remember to take care of yourselves...”

Outside, footsteps approached—it was the Sixth Princess of the Fox Clan.

“Your Highness, your poetry is truly unparalleled. I have read your other works and am filled with admiration,” the sixth princess said with a charming smile.

“What brings you here?” Wang Chuan asked directly.

“With the upheaval in Fucheng, I hope to cooperate with you, Your Highness,” the sixth princess replied. “Many powers have their eyes on Fucheng. Besides, my fox clan is the most well-informed in the world. What do you think?”

“Why choose me?” Wang Chuan asked.

“Because Your Highness is strong enough; there is no point in weak allies. Besides, I would like to grow closer to you,” she smiled. “Among your kind, Tian Xingzi is unmatched in divination, even our clan’s great shaman deeply admires him. Yet he favors you, believing you will one day be Sovereign of Men!”

“Now that there’s a rumor about the Martial Institute reemerging, what do you know, since your clan is so well-informed?” Wang Chuan asked, getting to the heart of the matter.

If the answer didn’t satisfy him, or if he didn’t want it, there was no need for further conversation.

“This matter is indeed related to the Martial Institute, but we have yet to determine its purpose. Perhaps the original claim wasn’t about recruiting disciples, but just a case of rumor growing in the telling,” the sixth princess sighed. “If the Martial Institute really does appear, we will be the first to know.”

“Very well,” Wang Chuan nodded.

He would wait and see the truth for himself.

“Your Highness, please come to our residence for a gathering,” the sixth princess invited. “Let us plan our next steps together.”

“Very well,” Wang Chuan agreed.

As he was about to depart with them, he turned to see Zhong Bo and Yang Hao still waiting at the door.

“You two should leave Fucheng. These matters are not for you to meddle in. I may not be able to look after you,” Wang Chuan advised.

“Yes, please be careful, Your Highness,” they both replied, deeply concerned.

Wang Chuan then followed the fox maidens out of Fucheng, through deep forests, until they reached a small palace.

...

Pink mist and the scent of rouge flowers filled the air.

Upon entering the grand hall and sitting down, a troupe of fox maidens began to dance, their bodies emanating a beguiling fragrance. They fluttered seductive glances at Wang Chuan, each one exuding a wanton allure to the bone.

Ordinary warriors would be unable to resist the charms of these fox-women.

Yet at his current level—mastering the heavens, comprehending the Dao, and having reached the pinnacle of immortal resilience—Wang Chuan was utterly unmoved by their allure.

His expression never changed; he barely spared them a glance, his interest faint.

“Your Highness, what do you think of my fox maidens? If you are interested, I can select a few to serve you. Our women adore the strong—a formidable man like you would have them all vying to be close,” the sixth princess said with a wave of her hand. Instantly, dozens of fox beauties lined up for Wang Chuan to choose from.

“I must decline. I have my path, and they have their own destinies. I do not wish to entangle myself in too many bonds of fate, lest I invite calamities down the road,” Wang Chuan shook his head.

“Your Highness truly does transcend the mundane,” the sixth princess said with delight, looking at him with admiration. “Are you aware that chaos is upon us, and all the ancient races are stirring once more? Among so many heroes and prodigies, who do you think will rule the world?”

Wang Chuan frowned, grabbing the wine cup in front of him. “Is today to be a gathering to discuss heroes?”

“Are you not interested?” she asked.

“Go ahead,” Wang Chuan replied.

“Tian Xingzi is not wrong in saying you are the Sovereign of Men—I agree. You already have no equal among the younger generation,” the sixth princess sighed. “But there is always someone higher, always someone stronger. Are you aware of the Celestial and Demon clans?”

“These two races were the strongest in ancient times, and even now they remain so—which is why the great war between gods and demons swept through all realms,” Wang Chuan said. “Indeed, they are innately powerful, possessing strength beyond what we can imagine. People say that after their great war, both clans retreated beyond the void.”

“And what do you think?” she asked.

“From what I know, some remained behind,” Wang Chuan tapped the table. “Like your demonfolk, hiding somewhere on the continent. But there’s been no sign of them for millennia; beyond that, I know nothing. But I am certain the demon clan still exists.”

He spoke with such certainty, for he knew they would appear in time.

Though the princess did not know whence he gained such knowledge, she agreed. “In fact, my clan’s elders have already discovered the demon clan’s territory. Chaos is coming, fortune and fate will be contested, the great calamity approaches. When the gods and demons return, the great struggle will begin.”

“What? You’ve found the demon clan’s lands?” Wang Chuan was taken aback.

“This is a secret of our demonfolk, and I do not mean to hide it from you, Your Highness, but I do not know the details myself,” she sighed.

“No matter. I will wait. If the demon clan truly emerges, I’ll see what state they are in,” Wang Chuan said.

He was indeed interested in that most ancient and powerful of races.

“How much do you know of the Celestial clan?” she asked.

“They are the true favorites of heaven. Mortals must toil to cultivate, but the Celestials are born strong. The demon clan’s strength comes from their ruthless cultivation methods, despised by the righteous, but fast in progress,” Wang Chuan explained. “It’s hard to compare them—one is born, the other made. Yet sometimes, the demons can even surpass the Celestials.”

“I think Tian Xingzi hopes you’ll become Sovereign of Men so that, when the great calamity descends and the contest of eras begins, you can lead humanity against the gods and demons. Then, your true adversaries will be the leaders of those two races. When they return, all will be revealed,” the sixth princess said.

“Then it’s only the leaders of gods and demons that interest me,” Wang Chuan replied with a shake of his head. “As for being Sovereign of Men, I’ll pass.”

“You really do only consider yourself. Some might call that selfish, but it is the way of the Dao,” she laughed. “You must know, in ancient times, there were many similarities between humans and the Celestials—in appearance and form.”

“That’s true,” Wang Chuan nodded. “But the Celestials have innate strength and progress in cultivation at an incredible pace, while humans are born as mere ants.”

“Yet, among all the races across the heavens, the final form is always human—or Celestial. Whether demon or monster, all follow this path,” the sixth princess said, gesturing to her own face.

“Yes, as if it were ordained, with the Celestials always supreme,” Wang Chuan remarked.

“You humans have the Martial Institute, which stands above the mortal world. There are even rumors it was left behind by the Celestials,” she said, looking straight at him. “Likewise, there are other powers—such as the White Jade Capital.”