Xīn Yán First Part

Following the Eternal God Emperor's announcement of a delayed grand final fight in the Conferred God Battle Stage, many dispersed. While some chose to remain at the Eternal Heaven Realm, Luo Changsheng and his master, Luo Guxie, decided to return to their home realm.

The Eastern Divine Region boasts several star realms, including the Holy Eaves Realm, Glazed Light Realm, and Shrouding Sky Realm, which are among the top three Upper Realms outside of King Realms. The Holy Eaves Realm holds the title of the strongest Upper Star Realm outside of the King Realm, prompting the Eternal Heaven Realm to construct a teleportation portal to their border.

"I cannot wait! In three days, I will defeat Yun Che so thoroughly that he will be gasping for breath and begging for mercy," exclaimed Luo Changsheng, fueled by his intense hatred for his opponent.

Luo Changsheng gritted his teeth and vowed to defeat Yun Che until he begged for mercy, expressing his intense hatred for him. He eagerly anticipated the opportunity to face him in three days' time.

Luo Changsheng held the five Time Wheel Pearls in his hand, contemplating whether to crush them in his rage or store them for later use. He ultimately decided to save them, despite his overwhelming urge to destroy them. The idea of waiting three more days to confront Yun Che was unbearable, as the gift of the Time Wheel Pearls only served to prolong his agony.

"Changsheng, it would be best for you to prepare yourself and calm your mind in the meantime. Remember that in three days, you will have the chance to exact your revenge," advised Luo Guxie with a worried expression.

"Understood, Master," replied Luo Changsheng before bidding his farewell and departing to his residence.

As one of the Four Divine Children of the Eastern Divine Region, Luo Changsheng was widely considered to be the strongest. His talent was unmatched in the entire God Realm, with his divine bloodline stemming from three different elemental beast gods. However, all of that changed with the arrival of Yun Che.

Dressed in plain white garments, the young man appeared to be around 17 or 18 years of age, with smooth and unblemished skin. His delicate features exuded an air of elegance and refinement, giving him the appearance of a scholarly individual upon first glance.

However, as someone who had never tasted defeat before, the young man harbored an intense sense of pride in being the strongest among his peers. This pride ran deep within his very being, fueling his intense hatred towards Yun Che.

Luo Changsheng's place of residence was situated atop one of the highest peaks in the Holy Eaves Realm. Though simple, his dwelling exuded an air of elegance and sophistication.

Luo Changsheng's residence was enclosed by towering stone walls that had withstood the test of time, adorned with intricate carvings and delicate detailing that harked back to an era long past. Nestled within a lush, verdant forest, the house was surrounded on all sides by towering trees and blooming flowers, with a magnificent waterfall cascading down the rocks, sending a fine mist into the air that glistened in the sunlight.

Upon returning to his peaceful abode, Luo Changsheng found solace in the simplicity and serenity of his dwelling. Many drawings adorned the walls, contributing to the tranquil ambiance.

As he was about to settle down for meditation, a surprised voice rang out, belonging to a servant who resided within the dwelling. The voice was clear as a spring well, yet weak and trembling, akin to a lone lotus flower swaying in the wind. "Ah... Young Master Changsheng! Welcome back!"

"Yán'er..."

Luo Changsheng's countenance transformed from one of anger and hatred to that of worry and concern as he approached the trembling servant, Yán'er. He gently took hold of her weak hand and lifted her up, carrying her away.

"Ah!..Young Master..."

Yan'er let out a surprised scream as Luo Changsheng whisked her away. If word were to get out that the illustrious Young Master Changsheng, the high and mighty scion of the Holy Eaves Realm, was carrying a servant princess-style to her bed, it would surely shock the entirety of the God Realm, causing their eyes and ears to pop out in disbelief.

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Many years ago.

Eastern Divine Region, Sea Gazing Realm (Lower Star Realm)

The elderly man, who was a Divine Sovereign and Luo Changsheng's protector, called out to the young man ahead of him, "Young Master Changsheng, please wait for me!"

Despite the plea, the young man in grey clothes only quickened his pace and shouted back, "Tan Jinhai, is this truly your home world?" The elderly man responded with a sigh, "Yes, young master. This is the home world of this old servant."

Catching up to Luo Changsheng, who had not yet reached Divine Spirit Realm despite his protector's advanced cultivation, was an easy task for him, but he often paused in thought, lost in memories of his past. In this world, the name Tan Jinhai was well-known and revered for the many legends that surrounded him. He had been the brightest practitioner of Sea Gazing Realm several thousand years ago and was destined to one day surpass the Realm King.

Later in Tan Jinhai's life, he was bestowed an opportunity by the heavens when a member of the Holy Eaves Sect visited the Sea Gazing Realm and took notice of his talents. Unfortunately, despite having the brightest talents in the Lower Realm, he could not ascend to the position of Divine Master during his lifetime. Despite this, he takes pride in his achievements and is currently responsible for managing the affairs of Holy Eaves Sect in the Lower Realm.

Eight hundred years ago, after emerging from seclusion upon breaking through to the Divine Sovereign Realm, he left the Holy Eaves Sect to return home and reunite with his friends and family. However, instead of finding his clan and former sect thriving, he discovered that they were in decline due to the rise of a new overlord.

A young man riding a monstrous tortoise had been leading a random sect, forcing people to sign permission notes claiming ownership of their profound crystals and demanding payment of the debt. Even Tan Jinhai's former clans and sect were not exempt from this, which enraged him. He appeared in the heart of the sect and unleashed the full force of his power, killing everyone on the spot and freeing those who were forced to sign the permission notes.

"The scenery of this Lower Realm isn't bad at all," remarked Luo Changsheng as he gazed out at the vast sea.

"Yes, it's quite pleasant," Tan Jinhai replied before continuing, "The Sea Gazing Realm is mostly covered by sea water, so many practitioners here specialize in wate..."

"You talk too much! Let's go, we're here on a business trip and time is of the essence!" Luo Changsheng cut him off before Tan Jinhai could finish his sentence.

"Yes, Young Master Changsheng, we are on a business trip," Tan Jinhai replied with a sigh in his heart. "Business trip? The sect has treasures far greater than the one we are going for. Are you just looking for some fresh air, Young Master?" Tan Jinhai silently thought to himself.

Luo Changsheng, the young lord of Holy Eaves Realm and its brightest younger generation, had seen all sorts of treasures. Tan Jinhai had been requesting permission from the elders to return to his planet when Luo Changsheng happened to pass by. Perhaps he was bored with his practice and wanted to take a break. He had tagged along, telling his master that he wants to accompany Tan Jinhai to secure a treasure.

Tan Jinhai felt like he was caught between heaven and hell. Who didn't know that Young Master Luo's master was a rank nine Divine Master? If Young Master Luo lost even a single hair, he might as well forget about living.

So, after arriving at his home, he had been following Luo Changsheng everywhere as his protector.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes silently watched them from above the clouds.

While journeying, the duo encountered various people and places, but Luo Changsheng remained disinterested. He was there only for the fresh air.

Time flew by quickly, and it was time for them to return to the Holy Eaves Realm.

Luo Changsheng spoke in a bored tone, "Already time to return?"

"Yes, Young Master. It's time to head back to the Holy Eaves Realm," Tan Jinhai replied to the young master in front of him. Tan Jinhai silently breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the trip had been trouble-free.

"I already told Master that I'm here to fetch some treasure," Luo Changsheng stated.

Tan Jinhai felt like his head was about to explode. "He's still going after treasure?" he thought to himself.

Tan Jinhai remembered something and suggested to Luo Changsheng, "There's an underground auction house nearby. Would you like to check it out, Young Master?"

"Sure, let's go," Luo Changsheng replied. He wasn't excited about the prospect of treasure; he just wanted to spend more time outdoors.

The two continued flying until they reached an underground auction house. They had disguised themselves, the entrance fee of a few thousand middle-grade profound crystals was no obstacle for them.

As it was just a lower realm underground auction house, there was nothing that excited Luo Changsheng, and he casually bid sky-high prices for a few items, leaving the other participants speechless. However, during the final item of the auction, something unexpected happened.

The auctioneer announced the final item of the day, "For our final item today, we have..." He dramatically revealed a painting brush, accompanied by a woman with scars and wounds on her face. Her tattered clothes and chained hands made it difficult to determine her age. Moreover, her eyes were blind.

The auctioneer continued, "This is the legendary brush used by Divine Painter Xiao Shoushan, whose paintings are worth millions of profound crystals! Its value is unimaginable!"

The mention of Divine Painter Xiao Shoushan caused a stir in the crowd, with one person shouting out in recognition. "Divine Painter Xiao Shoushan?!" he exclaimed. "I know him! His artwork can even soothe a troubled soul! It is highly valuable to cultivators whose souls have been damaged!"

Curiosity got the better of someone in the crowd, who asked, "Who is the woman?"

The auctioneer replied, "Oh, before the famous Divine Painter Xiao Shoushan passed away, he was attacked by bandits and left his inheritance to her. We are taking care of her on his behalf since she is unable to protect the inheritance,"

In this world, theft and stealing items was a common occurrence, especially in the underground business. It was something everyone understood and expected, as the auctioneer had implied.

Despite this, for some inexplicable reason, Luo Changsheng's attention was drawn to the painting brush. "Buy it," he instructed Tan Jinhai, without giving any explanation.

Tan Jinhai obeyed, and as they were receiving the item, a voice filled with hatred suddenly rang out. "You murderers! You killed my master and now you're selling his legacy!" It was the blind woman who had spoken.

The blind woman's words were met with disdain and contempt from the crowd of practitioners. They saw her as nothing more than a powerless weaking, she should be grateful for being allowed to live. One person even openly suggested that she should just be killed.

However, before anyone could act on the suggestion, Luo Changsheng's hand shot out and grabbed the arm of the person about to attack the blind woman. "What are you doing?" the attacker asked, surprised by the sudden interference.

Luo Changsheng didn't reply to the question. Instead, he turned to Tan Jinhai and said in a calm tone, "I believe we bought the painting brush, didn't we?"

"Affirmative, Young Master," Tan Jinhai responded.

"If I'm not mistaken, the woman was part of the package, correct?" Luo Changsheng inquired.

"Correct, Young Master," Tan Jinhai confirmed.

"In that case, what action do you suggest we take if someone attempts to damage our property?" Luo Changsheng's eyes narrowed as he spoke.

"Those who attempt to damage our belongings deserve to die, Young Master," Tan Jinhai declared, unleashing his Divine Sovereign aura that shook and terrified everyone around.

"Just kill everyone."

The words spoken by Luo Changsheng left everyone present in shock and fear. Despite their attempts to flee, they could not outrun a Divine Sovereign in a lower realm where the highest ruler was only a Divine King. However, Luo Changsheng's decision to spare the blind woman who spoke out against the auctioning of her master's legacy was unexpected.

He had bought the painting brush out of curiosity and wanted to find out more about it. Something about the brush had piqued his interest. Thus, he decided to keep the woman alive for the time being.

The infamous Five Heavenly Sea Palace, an underground auction house, was destroyed that day. The reason for its destruction was unknown, but many speculated that they had offended a being from a higher realm.

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Somewhere in Sea Gazing Realm

"How... how may I be of assistance?" asked the blind woman, unable to see who her savior was. Though she was afraid, she understood that her fate was in their hands and listened intently to what was being said.

Luo Changsheng inquired, "Can you tell me about this painting brush?"

"It belonged to my master who has passed away. He found it somewhere, but that's all I know," the woman replied respectfully, speaking the truth.

Her master was a Divine Spirit who had a fondness for drawing. One day, the master stumbled upon a high-quality painting brush and began using it to create art. The art soon gained a lot of attention and became quite valuable. Sadly, the master's death was also linked to the brush.

Luo Changsheng listened thoughtfully to the story before telling Tan Jinhai to let go. However, before they could leave, the blind woman begged them to take her with them. She explained that the brush was the only thing her master had left her with and pleaded with them to help her. "Please sirs, young master! Please take me with you!" she begged.

Tan Jinhai was on the verge of losing his temper, "Even after saving her, she's still demanding!" he exclaimed. However, Luo Changsheng raised his hand.

"Understood, Young Master," replied Tan Jinhai respectfully.

After making their decision, the three of them left the Sea Gazing Realm and returned to the Holy Eaves Realm.

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Luo Changsheng addressed the blind woman in front of him, "Name?" he inquired.

"My name is Xīn Yán, my master gave it to me," the blind woman replied gratefully. Despite not being able to see, she expressed her gratitude towards Luo Changsheng for saving her.

Luo Changsheng sneered and asked, "Xīn Yán, as in beautiful?... what makes you think you're beautiful?" Her face being marked with scars, covered in wounds, and dressed in tattered clothes. Can anything about her appearance be described as beautiful?

Hearing this, Xīn Yán can only smile warily.

Then, Luo Changsheng asked Xīn Yán, "Now that I've rescued you and reclaiming your master's inheritance, what can you do to show your gratitude?"

"I'm afraid I can't be of much assistance as I'm blind, but I can draw just like my master, even without my sight. Would you like to see my drawings?" Xīn Yán answered.

Luo Changsheng couldn't help but burst out laughing at the thought of a blind person claiming to be able to draw. "Hahaha, you're blind and yet you say you can draw. That's the funniest thing I've heard," he chuckled. For the first time in his life, Luo Changsheng felt free to laugh without worrying about maintaining his image as the "Young Master Changsheng" in front of others.

Luo Changsheng calmed himself down before requesting, "Then draw for me."

"I'm sorry, but I can't," Xīn Yán replied.

"But you just claimed that you could! Are you trying to make a fool out of me?" Luo Changsheng narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Allow me to explain, young master. It's not because of my eyes," Xīn Yán clarified.

It turned out that the reason she couldn't draw wasn't because of her blindness but due to her injured hand and body.

Luo Changsheng hesitated for a moment before taking out some healing pills. "Here, take these" he instructed.

Luo Changsheng's pills were of the highest grade possible, even for healing pills. Not only would they heal Xīn Yán's wounded body and hand, but they would also restore her sight and remove any scars she may have had.

"I...I..." Xīn Yán stuttered. Despite being blind, the medicine's aura was potent enough to permeate the surroundings, filling the entire area with its fragrance.

"Just take them," Luo Changsheng said with a firm tone.

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Despite feeling confused and fearful, Xīn Yán ingested the pills and started circulating her energy. She was only at the fifth stage of Divine Origin, which was considered remarkable in her homeland, but her cultivation talent was at the bottom in the Upper Realm.

Out of nowhere, she sensed a hand on her back, and although she was taken aback, she felt a comforting warmth seeping through her body. The warmth facilitated the absorption of the energy from the pill at an accelerated rate, and she didn't resist it much.

As Luo Changsheng carried out his actions, a pair of eyes watched him closely from high up in the sky.