The morning sun glinted off the glass towers of Yuanjing City, casting long shadows over the streets below. Vendors shouted prices in the bustling markets, while the scent of freshly baked buns floated through the air. Among the crowd, a young man walked quietly, almost unnoticed.
Tian Ryūjin adjusted the strap of his satchel as he moved, his black-and-silver hair catching the sunlight. Handsome and calm, he smiled at the children running past him, their laughter ringing through the streets.
"Such energy… reminds me of when I first created them," he thought, his golden eyes flickering ever so slightly.
A woman rushed past him, her long black hair trailing behind her. She collided with him, nearly spilling the basket of fruits she carried.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, cheeks red.
Ryūjin's lips curved into a gentle smile. "No harm done. Here, let me help you."
He steadied the basket with a light touch. She blinked, stunned by the warmth and calm in his presence.
"I… thank you, sir. You're… very kind," she said softly.
Ryūjin shook his head. "Just a normal person trying to help another."
But if anyone had truly seen him, they would have felt the hidden aura surrounding him — subtle, yet impossible to ignore. In a world of cultivators, dragons, and dynasties, his presence alone could make even the proudest king bow.
A Quiet Home
By midday, Ryūjin returned to a modest-looking house nestled in the Unknown District, a wealthy yet discreet neighborhood of the city. To the outside world, it appeared normal. But inside, the air hummed with a quiet energy.
"Father! Mother!" shouted a chorus of voices as eight children poured into the room.
Ryūjin's lips curled into a faint smile. "You're all full of energy today. Calm yourselves before breakfast, or I'll have to teach you a lesson."
The children, though the same age, were distinct in appearance and personality. Four sons and four daughters, all incredibly beautiful and cute, yet their auras whispered of power beyond imagination.
"Father, look!" said Kaizen, the eldest son, raising a small flame in his hand. It danced harmlessly above his palm before vanishing.
"You've been practicing again," Ryūjin said, eyes soft. "Remember, control is more important than power."
Ayame, the eldest daughter, giggled as she tugged at Ryūjin's sleeve. "Father, can we go outside later? I want to see if the new cultivator from the district is around."
Ryūjin chuckled. "Patience, my children. You'll see soon enough. But today… you stay safe. There are eyes watching you already."
A Subtle Threat
In the shadows beyond the neighborhood, a pair of sharp eyes observed the house. A man muttered under his breath, "So this is the family… The rumors are true. The 'Absolute God' is hidden in plain sight."
He didn't notice the faint ripple in the air as the children casually scanned their surroundings, sensing the intruder without moving a muscle.
"Heh… they're cute," another voice whispered. "But if they are truly his children, even a single one of them could erase us."
Ryūjin, standing at the entrance, felt the disturbance but said nothing. His lips curved into a serene smile. "Let them come. It's been too long since someone dared challenge my peace."
A Family United
Ryūjin turned back to his children and wife, Meilin Aiko, standing gracefully behind him. She placed a hand on his arm, her eyes warm.
"Are you sure it's safe to let them play outside?" she asked.
He nodded. "As long as we're together, nothing can harm us. Remember, my children, strength is not just power… it's wisdom, love, and protection."
The children cheered and scattered, laughter echoing through the house.
And as Ryūjin watched them, the sun reflected in his golden eyes, hinting at the infinite power hidden behind his calm exterior.
Somewhere beyond the city, the wheels of fate were already turning, and the world would soon see the family known as the Ultimate God.