The Hegemony of the Die Family
The name Die Yuan was no longer whispered only in the shadows; it had become a name that inspired fear and respect across countless lands. In an unbelievably short period of time, the Die Family rose to become the absolute number one power within the Heavenly Baran Domain.
To truly understand the scale of this achievement, one must first understand the vastness of the domain itself. The Heavenly Baran Domain was an enormous world containing more than 100 sovereign nations and over 1,000 massive cities. Yet even this domain was only a small fragment of a universe that was one thousand times larger than Earth, divided into 45 great domains, each struggling endlessly for supremacy.
The power of the Die Family had already become terrifying:
12 Ancestors — supreme masters who stood as the pillars of the clan.
The Die Army — over 2,000,000 soldiers, each possessing at least the strength of a Level 3 Martial Practitioner.
The Elite Core — more than 500 Level 5 experts and 100 Level 6 masters.
But in Die Yuan's eyes, this was merely the beginning.
As he gazed upon his endless legions, he felt no satisfaction—only the cold hunger of ambition. To a being seeking the path of immortality, such numbers were still no more than ants beneath the heavens.
---
The Sect's Submission
For the final time, Die Yuan returned to the Martial Sect where his journey had once begun.
The atmosphere changed the moment he stepped through the gates. The disciples who had once mocked and ignored him now lowered their heads in terror, bowing so deeply that their foreheads touched the stone ground.
Even the Sect Leader, a man who once held unquestioned authority, approached with visible humility.
"Die Yuan… or perhaps I should call you the Lord of the Die Family," the Sect Leader said quietly. "Never in my dreams did I imagine that the young disciple of our sect belonged to the clan that now rules the entire Baran Domain. I have heard rumors… that your family possesses cultivators at Level 9 and even Level 10."
Die Yuan's expression remained emotionless.
"The rumors are true."
The Sect Leader hesitated before taking a deep breath.
"Our sect possesses only a single Level 9 Ancestor. Compared to the Die Family, we are nothing more than a pond before an endless ocean. After discussing with the elders, we have decided… we wish to abandon our independence and merge into the Die Family. Please accept us."
Die Yuan slowly nodded.
"Strength naturally follows greater strength."
At that moment, a mechanical voice echoed within his mind:
> [NOTIFICATION]
Sect Integration Successful.
Reward: Global Level Up.
The foundation of the Die Family has strengthened.
All members' cultivation speed has increased.
With the sect now under his control and the Baran Domain completely secured, Die Yuan turned his gaze toward distant horizons.
Without looking back, he bid farewell to the lands of his past and began his journey toward the legendary Heaven and Earth Domain, searching for a power that surpassed mortal limits.
---
The Fall of the Radiant Sun — Fang's Betrayal
Far away from Die Yuan's rise, another story was unfolding—a tragedy that would give birth to something far darker.
In a distant city lived a young genius named Fang.
At a remarkably young age, Fang had already reached Level 3, earning fame throughout the region. He was known as the "Radiant Sun" of his city—a talented, righteous, and compassionate young cultivator admired by countless people.
He was also deeply in love with his fiancée, Xioneya, the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. Together, they were considered the perfect couple, destined for glory.
But the brighter the light, the darker the shadows surrounding it.
The son of Fang's Sect Leader grew consumed by jealousy. Unable to tolerate Fang's talent and reputation, he secretly poisoned Fang's food with a forbidden toxin.
The poison did not kill him.
Instead, it did something far crueler.
It shattered Fang's cultivation roots.
Overnight, the proud genius became worthless in the eyes of society—a cripple unable to gather Qi.
The world abandoned him instantly.
His Family: Ashamed of his weakness, they stripped him of his name and cast him into the streets.
The People: The same citizens who once praised him now mocked and spat at him as he passed.
The Ultimate Betrayal: Desperate and broken, Fang went to see Xioneya—only to discover her standing beside the very man who had destroyed his life.
"Xioneya!" Fang shouted desperately. "How can you marry him? You loved me!"
Tears filled her eyes, but she remained silent.
The Sect Leader's son laughed coldly before pulling her into his arms and kissing her in front of Fang.
"Look carefully, Fang," he sneered. "She belongs to me now. She's only marrying me so my father won't execute you. You survive only because of her pity."
Fang collapsed to his knees as the sound of celebration echoed around him.
At that moment, it felt as if his heart had completely shattered.
"The world I loved… abandoned me."
The Sect Leader's son waved his hand toward the guards.
"Throw this trash into the wasteland. Let the desert bury him."
As the guards dragged him through the city gates, Fang desperately begged the crowd for help.
"Please! These guards are only Level 5! There are many stronger cultivators here! Someone stop them!"
But nobody moved.
Some merely looked away.
Others laughed.
"To help a cripple? You're nothing now, Fang."
---
A Meeting with the God of Death
Three days later, Fang crawled alone through the endless desert.
His lips were cracked from thirst. His body was covered in wounds. He had neither food nor water, and the merciless heat slowly drained the last traces of life from him.
As his vision blurred, he suddenly saw a dark silhouette emerging through the burning haze.
The figure wore a flowing black robe and a wide-brimmed black hat. His long dark hair danced with the desert wind, giving him the appearance of Yama—the God of Death himself.
Fang collapsed onto the sand.
"So… death has finally come for me…"
Hours later, Fang slowly opened his eyes.
Cool shade covered his body, and the taste of water lingered on his lips.
Confused, he looked ahead and saw the mysterious man standing silently beside a rock formation, staring into the endless desert.
"Am I… still alive?" Fang whispered weakly.
"You are."
The voice was calm and cold.
The man was none other than Die Yuan.
The emotions Fang had suppressed finally exploded. Tears streamed down his face as he cried out:
"Why did you save me?! My family abandoned me! My friends betrayed me! The woman I loved chose my enemy! I'm worthless now! I have nothing left!"
Die Yuan slowly turned toward him.
There was no pity in his eyes.
Only cold understanding.
He had not come to this city to save lives.
He had come to gather power.
And in the desert, he had discovered a weapon waiting to be forged.
"They abandoned you because they are weak," Die Yuan said calmly. "And you suffer because you still care about the opinions of weak people."
He stepped closer.
"You ask why I saved you? I do not save people, Fang. I collect useful tools. And right now… you look like a tool that wishes to burn the entire world."
Fang stared into Die Yuan's eyes.
For the first time since his fall, he no longer felt despair.
Instead, he felt something else.
Hatred.
A cold, endless hatred.
Die Yuan leaned down slightly, his voice like a whisper from a demon.
"Do you want your cultivation back? Do you want to watch those who betrayed you scream in terror as everything they love turns to ash?"
A dark aura surrounded him.
"If you follow me, I will turn you into a God of Ruin. But you must abandon the weak Fang who believed in love. Leave that person buried beneath this desert forever."
Fang's trembling hand grabbed the edge of Die Yuan's black robe.
His eyes burned with vengeance.
"I no longer want love," Fang said hoarsely. "I want justice… I want revenge."
For the first time, Die Yuan smiled.
It was the smile of a devil who had just found a new disciple.
"Then rise, my disciple," he said. "Your new life begins now."