In the heart of Sky Flame City, where merchants flaunted treasures and nobles rode golden beasts, the infamous Zhou Family stood like a mountain—unshaken, arrogant, and cruel.
Inside the Zhou Manor, the richly adorned young master Zhou Liang, heir to the Zhou Clan, reclined lazily on a silk couch. Surrounded by wine, dancers, and flatterers, he sipped spiritual tea with a scowl.
"Call the Slave Market Boss," he ordered, tapping his finger on the armrest. "I want twenty Qi Condensation Level 1 slaves—preferably young ones. I feel like breaking a few bones today."
Moments later, the boss of the Sky Flame Slave Hall appeared, head bowed.
"Apologies, Young Master Zhou… but all Qi Level 1 slaves were purchased 2 months ago… by a single buyer."
Zhou Liang raised a brow, lips curling.
"One buyer… took all hundred? Who?"
"We do not know his name… but we had his portrait sketched, per regulation."
A servant rushed forward with a scroll and unrolled it. The inked face was calm, youthful, yet held an unspoken might.
Xuan Long.
Zhou Liang stared for a moment. Then laughed coldly.
"Who does this brat think he is? Buying slaves like he's a noble? I'm the richest cultivator heir in this damn city. Only I have that right."
He stood up suddenly, knocking the tea off the table.
"I was going to torture some weaklings today… to feel better. Now? Now I'm in a bad mood."
His eyes narrowed.
"Find him. I want to know everything."
A shadow emerged behind him.
"Already done, Young Master," the subordinate said. "I paid the Information Guild handsomely. He's not from any known sect or noble bloodline. He's… a ghost."
Zhou Liang's grin returned.
"A ghost who walks like a king? Interesting."
"Should we send men to kill him?"
Zhou Liang slapped him.
"Stupid! You think I'm a thug like those outer city brutes? This is a chess game."
He walked slowly to the window, watching the city lights.
"We don't strike until we know the board, the pieces, and the king's weakness. No, we'll test him."
"Send word to the Hunter Assassin Clan. I want one of their Qi Level 9 assassins. No link to us. No insignia. Just a dagger in the dark."
The subordinate hesitated.
"But Master… if he's not from a rich sect, why—"
Zhou Liang cut him off.
"He bought 100 cultivators. That requires wealth, power, or both. Either he's richer than me… or he's growing faster than I like."
"And if he's not strong?"
Zhou Liang smirked.
"Then I just gain a new dog to play with."
Meanwhile, on Mountain, Xuan Long sat on the soft grass, arms behind his head, watching the clouds drift.
Beside him, Xiao Xue giggled as she tried to balance pebbles on his chest.
"Brother, look! I made a tower!"
"Then I'll protect it with my life," he smiled softly.
Down in the training hall, Hei Mo and Mu Chen leaned on the railing, watching from a distance.
"Have you ever seen the Master cultivate?" Hei Mo asked suddenly.
Mu Chen shook his head.
"Never. He trains the army, gives orders, builds formations… but I've never seen him absorb even a single spiritual stone."
Hei Mo's gaze grew distant.
"When I first met him, his eyes… were red. Like someone who had cried too much but held back the pain. Like someone burning with revenge."
Mu Chen nodded slowly.
"He's calmed now. But not because he's forgotten… It's because he's preparing."
Hei Mo looked down at his hands.
"If I had stayed in any sect, it would've taken me ten years to reach Core Formation. Here… it took less than one."
"Stones. Pills. River. Formations. Skills… he gave us everything," Mu Chen said.
Two demi-human soldiers walked by, overhearing them.
One bowed deeply.
"Master Xuan Long… changed our lives."
His voice trembled.
"Our families were slaughtered. We were sold… like beasts. One by one, my people were bought just to be killed for entertainment."
The second added,
"But Master… he never raised his voice. Never called us tools. He gave us weapons. Treated us like brothers."
Their eyes burned with loyalty.
"Even if he never says it… he has a heart greater than any righteous sect master. If he commands, we will die without hesitation."
Hei Mo smiled.
"Then serve him well. A new world… is being built here. And he's its foundation."