Yun Lintian stepped through the spatial rift, emerging above a city that stretched beyond the horizon. Towering pagodas pierced the clouds, their golden roofs shimmering under divine light. The streets pulsed with energy, crowded with cultivators whose auras ranged from Divine Transformation to God Ascension Realm.
"God Ascension Divine City," Yun Lintian murmured.
"Wow! It's even bigger than Nine Firmament City!" Qingqing exclaimed, her tiny hands gripping Yun Lintian's collar as she peered down in awe.
Linlin sniffed the air. "Smells good here."
As Yun Lintian descended toward the city gates, two armored guards intercepted him. Their breastplates bore the insignia of a soaring phoenix—likely the ruling faction's symbol.
"Entry fee. Fifty divine stones," one guard barked.
Yun Lintian flicked his wrist, tossing a small pouch. The guard caught it, his eyes widening at the pristine quality of the stones within.
"Move along," he muttered, stepping aside.
The trio settled in a three-story teahouse called "Fragrant Breeze Pavilion." Its upper floor offered a panoramic view of the city's bustling center, where floating platforms hosted auctions and sparring matches.
Qingqing happily devoured a plate of spirit fruit pastries while Linlin lapped at a bowl of sacred beast milk. Yun Lintian sipped jade tea, his divine senses subtly scanning the conversations around them.
"...the Northern Frost Sect acquired another divine mine..."
"...Heavenly Sword Pavilion's young master broke through to Half-Step True God..."
"...rumors say the Primal Chaos Secret Realm will open next month..."
Nothing about Primordial God inheritors.
Linlin flicked an ear. "Big Brother Yun, how will we find them? This world is huge."
Yun Lintian set down his cup. "We bait them."
He reached into his spatial ring and withdrew the Sword God's blade, laying it across the table. The moment its aura leaked out, the teahouse's ambient noise hushed. Dozens of eyes snapped toward their booth, burning with greed and shock.
A sword radiating Primordial God essence? In this era? It was like tossing blood into shark-infested waters.
Qingqing giggled. "They're all staring!"
"Good," Yun Lintian said mildly. "Now we wait for—"
The teahouse's roof exploded. A figure clad in crimson armor descended, his aura crushing tables and patrons alike.
"The Crimson Flame Divine General!" someone shrieked.
The armored man's gaze locked onto the sword. "That artifact belongs to my Blood Fire Sect."
Yun Lintian didn't even look up. "Prove it."
The general snarled and lunged—
—only to freeze midair, his body petrified like a fly in amber. The entire teahouse gasped.
Yun Lintian finally glanced at him. "Go back and tell your sect master that I seek inheritors of the old gods. He better provide me information."
He flicked his finger.
The general went flying through three city blocks.
The crowd was shocked and no one dared to have wishful thoughts about the Sword God's blade anymore.
Yun Lintian put the blade away as he knew it was more than enough to spread the news. In fact, he wouldn't consider this method if he wanted to avoid Nian Shi. However, after experiencing Nian Shi's might, he thought there was no need to keep low profile here. If Nian Shi wanted to come, he would anyway.
The surroundings became quiet as Yun Lintian displayed his might. There were some bold cultivators staying behind in the teahouse, waiting to see a good show while others had moved out.
"Being a high profile indeed feels good." Yun Lintian sighed with a smile.
Linlin laughed and said. "You should do this often, Big Brother Yun."
"Right. We have been laying low for ages." Yun Lintian chuckled while putting more food on Qingqing's bowl.
As Yun Lintian expected, within hours, shockwaves radiated through God Ascension City.
A mysterious expert wielding Primordial God artifacts.
A demand for ancient inheritors.
And most terrifying—the casual humiliation of a peak God Ascension Realm expert.
In a hidden chamber beneath the city, seven figures gathered around an ancient stone table. Each represented one of the central region's dominant powers.
"The Primordial Era's secrets must not resurface," hissed an elderly woman with star-patterned robes.
A burly man covered in scars laughed. "That outsider has treasures worth fighting for!"
A delicate-looking girl twirled a lotus flower. "Or... we could offer him what he wants. I think he's stronger than we think."
The seven figures exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The air in the chamber grew heavy with tension as they weighed their options.
Finally, the elderly woman in star-patterned robes spoke again, her voice low and measured.
"Before we act rashly, we should assess this outsider's true strength. If he can casually suppress a peak God Ascension expert, he may be at the True God Realm—or beyond."
A lean man with piercing silver eyes, the representative of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, tapped the table thoughtfully. "If he seeks inheritors of the old gods, he may be one himself. That would explain his power."
The scarred brute from the Blood Fire Sect scoffed. "So what? Even True Gods can fall if enough forces unite against them. If he has treasures from the Primordial Era, we should take them before someone else does."
The delicate girl twirling the lotus flower sighed. "And if we provoke him and fail? Do you think he'll show mercy?"
Silence settled once more.
After a long moment, the eldest among them—a wizened man with a long white beard—spoke. "We will observe first. Send someone to negotiate. If he truly seeks inheritors, perhaps we can use that to our advantage."
The others nodded in reluctant agreement.
Meanwhile, back in the Fragrant Breeze Pavilion, Yun Lintian leisurely sipped his tea, watching the city's reactions unfold through his divine sense.
Linlin, curled up beside him, flicked her tail lazily. "They're scared."
Qingqing giggled, popping another pastry into her mouth. "They should be!"
Yun Lintian smiled faintly. "Fear is useful. It makes people cautious—and sometimes, reckless."
Time passed leisurely as Yun Lintian enjoyed his tea, the Sword God's blade resting on the table like an ordinary sword. The teahouse, once bustling, had grown eerily silent. More and more people gathered outside, their eyes filled with awe and fear, hoping to witness another display of his might.
Qingqing licked pastry crumbs from her fingers, swinging her legs cheerfully. "Big Brother Yun, they're all staring at us like we're monsters!"
Linlin yawned, stretching lazily. "They're the ones who look funny."
Yun Lintian chuckled, refilling his cup. "Let them stare."
Suddenly, a ripple of disturbance spread through the crowd. A group of cultivators clad in crimson robes approached, their auras oppressive. At their lead was a middle-aged man with sharp brows and a cold expression—his cultivation at the peak of the God Ascension Realm.
The crowd whispered in recognition.
"That's the Blood Fire Sect's Sect Master, Xue Tianfeng!"