Ye Chen stood beside a crystal-clear lake nestled within the forest, where dozens of beautiful, nude maidens bathed playfully in the water. Among them, a particular figure stood out a goddess-like beauty with snow-white skin, soft curves, and eyes like polished gems. As he moved to embrace her, the dream dissolved into mist.
He blinked, awakening in his bed.
"That dream again," Ye Chen murmured.
Ever since mastering the Heart of the King technique, these vivid, sensual dreams had haunted his nights. They always ended just before contact, leaving him frustrated yet yearning.
It had been a year and a half since his training began. No longer the scrawny man from before, Ye Chen now stood at 182 cm, his body refined and powerful. His once ordinary face now exuded charisma, with long, flowing hair that had grown untouched throughout his cultivation.
Rising from bed, Ye Chen tied his hair into a loose ponytail and stepped out of the ancient wooden house.
He soared into the skies above the forest, stretching his limbs. Today, he sought a warm-up. Not long after, he encountered a magic beast known as the Flame Fang Wolf. Towering at 2.5 meters, it had blazing fur and massive flaming fangs.
Landing gracefully before the beast, Ye Chen smiled.
The wolf growled, instantly pouncing at him. Its jaws opened wide, aiming for his throat.
Ye Chen didn't flinch. He raised one hand and caught the beast's flaming fangs mid-air. The heat failed to faze him. With a swift twist of his waist, he spun in a full circle, gathering momentum, then hurled the beast like a ragdoll.
The wolf flew dozens of meters through the sky before crashing into the earth, creating a massive crater.
By the time Ye Chen arrived, the beast had already fled, terrified.
"Shame... I was just getting started," Ye Chen muttered.
Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Chen."
He turned to see Gu Xuan, his master, standing nearby. "Come with me. There's something important I must tell you."
Inside the wooden house, they sat facing one another.
"Chen," Gu Xuan began, his voice calm but heavy, "It's been nearly twenty months since I began teaching you. You've mastered everything I can offer. Now, it's time to return to your origin to Planet Earth and face the trials ahead."
Ye Chen nodded solemnly. "I understand, Teacher."
"But listen well." Gu Xuan's eyes narrowed. "This world respects only power. If you're weak, everything you care for will be taken from you. Protect what's important, even if the whole world turns against you."
Ye Chen clenched his fists. He remembered the past how he was powerless as those he cherished were taken from him. That memory burned deep.
"And above all," Gu Xuan continued, "Do not reveal your inheritance as the successor of the Sage God. If word gets out, the greed of others will become your nightmare. Even those closest to you may betray you."
"Even… family and wives?" Ye Chen asked hesitantly.
"Yes. Especially them. If they know, the Realm Gods will come hunting. You must never expose it."
Ye Chen took a deep breath. "I'll remember, Teacher."
Gu Xuan paused, then added with a softer tone, "I have one personal request. When you're strong enough, I want you to find my daughter, Gu Xun. She currently serves as a personal attendant to the Snow Butterfly Goddess on the Holy Sky Star."
Ye Chen's brow raised in surprise. He had heard tales of the four legendary beauties of the Western Galaxy.
Dongfang Xiu the Snow Butterfly Goddess
was one of them.
"Why isn't your daughter with you?" Ye Chen asked.
Gu Xuan's expression dimmed. He clutched his chest as if in pain. "She hates me.
I made a mistake long ago… one I deeply regret. But I cannot speak of it."
Ye Chen stood quickly to support his master.
"Don't worry, Master. I'll protect her when I have the strength," he promised, placing a firm hand over his heart.
Gu Xuan smiled faintly. "Thank you, child."
He removed a ring from his finger and handed it to Ye Chen. "Inside is a storage space with cultivation resources to aid your journey."
Ye Chen shook his head. "Teacher, you've done enough
"Take it," Gu Xuan insisted. "It's for your future."
Reluctantly, Ye Chen accepted the ring. "Thank you, Teacher."
"There's also a teleportation stone inside," Gu Xuan added. "It will take you back to Earth. You've already been taught how to use it."
Ye Chen stood, preparing himself. "Will we ever meet again?"
"Only time can answer that." Gu Xuan smiled as he stroked his beard.
With a respectful bow, Ye Chen activated the stone. A swirling black vortex opened in front of him. Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
As his disciple vanished into the portal, Gu Xuan sighed in relief. Suddenly, a gush of blood sprayed from his lips.
"It seems… my time draws near," he whispered.
There was one final task he wished to complete. Gathering his strength, Gu Xuan soared toward the horizon, his silhouette fading into the light of the setting sun.