A resplendent array of crimson-and-gold thrones, intricately crafted, supported hundreds of emperors like celestial seats radiating the brilliance of power and prestige.
At the center stood the most ornate throne, flanked by rows of seats reserved for elite warriors, loyal guards, and powerful nobles from across the universes. They sat with dignified postures, exuding authority and honor, their gazes fixed ahead on the rectangular arena. Built from fine gray stone and carpeted with soft crimson rugs, the dueling grounds exuded grandeur.
Opposite the emperors stood an exquisite pavilion for princesses, princes, consorts, and noblewomen numbering nearly three hundred.
This colossal venue had been created for emperors, kings, and the elite to witness the duels of young princes, princesses, and participants under twelve. It was a proving ground of honor, the first trial for future heirs.
The rules were strict: those with overwhelming power were barred. This ensured fairness for the young competitors and prevented the arena's destruction in an instant.
One throne, elevated above all others, remained empty, awaiting a mysterious figure of unmatched status or power. No trace of their arrival had yet appeared.
Today's tournament gathered princes, princesses, and talents from myriad universes to determine supremacy. Reserved solely for children under twelve, it would recur once more in a decade to crown the rarest of geniuses those who emerged perhaps once every hundred millennia.
"Emperor Xiang Renti," another emperor inquired politely, "five years ago, rumors spoke of your son's betrothal to the daughter of the woman titled 'Peerless Beauty of the Infinite Universes.' Might I confirm this directly?"
Xiang Renti, seated serenely on his crimson-gold throne, sipped tea without haste. The white jade ornaments adorning his robes shimmered as he paused, then turned toward the questioner with gentle eyes.
"True, not rumor," he replied calmly. "My son was… too unruly. My wife could bear it no longer and arranged the match. The girl is so cold even snow retreats."
He stifled a laugh, rose gracefully, and approached the other emperor. Leaning in, he whispered like a breeze:
"...So he'll learn to fear his wife, as I do."
A seasoned smile played on his lips as he returned to his throne, leaving the audience stunned.
The questioning emperor massaged his temples, sighing. That Xiang Renti a warrior whose might made thousands flee had uttered "fear my wife" so plainly defied all expectations.
And now he'd consigned his son to the same fate!
Was this… karmic revenge?
"Emperor Xiang Renti," a warm, resonant voice called from behind. "Long absent, yet you remain a cherished friend. Time fades not my joy at seeing you. How fare you?"
The speaker, Emperor Chun Feilong, wore pristine white robes embroidered with deep green, trimmed in gold and draped in fur elegant yet unpretentious.
Xiang Renti's eyes brightened. He turned, his rare, genuine smile unfolding.
"Ah! Chun Feilong! I knew that voice a comrade who's shared my trials. You move me deeply."
He laughed warmly. "As for my well-being? Superb. The wife you helped me win remains my heart's sole occupant. For that, I thank you sincerely."
"Gratitude is undue," Chun Feilong chuckled. "You charmed her yourself. I merely introduced you." His gaze turned admiring. "But that you've loved only her all these years… truly remarkable."
Most emperors kept multiple consorts. Xiang Renti's devotion was an anomaly.
"Tell me," Xiang Renti asked eagerly, "will Lan Shanjun, your son, compete today? With his reputed brilliance predicting opponents' moves in an instant this year's matches would shine brighter."
Chun Feilong's face darkened. A weary sigh escaped him.
"Lan Shanjun… and my daughter Ye Juan… I sent them to the desert realms."
His eyes grew distant, shoulders heavy.
"Why?" Xiang Renti frowned.
"Days ago… my wife perished." Chun Feilong's voice fractured. The light in his eyes dimmed. "Grief unleashed my latent power. The surge… hurled them into the wastes."
He exhaled slowly. "Perhaps I couldn't bear them witnessing my weakness. Or fate wished them tempered by hardship. I chose not to recall them."
His tone blended sorrow, guilt, and icy restraint.
"I came today only as an emperor… no longer a man with a heart."
"My condolences, old friend," Xiang Renti murmured, gripping Chun Feilong's shoulder. "Such loss… is no ordinary pain."
He bowed his head respectfully. "No words can mend this wound. I've not endured it myself… but to stand helpless as loved ones depart that agony is beyond telling. None comprehend it until fate strikes."
In the blink of an eye, a tremendous wind howled violently from above like a thunderstorm. A dazzling golden light illuminated the entire arena, forcing everyone to squint and shield their eyes. A thunderous roar, like the voice of the heavens, shook the earth and made the air tremble incessantly.
The swirling winds raged unpredictably, their ferocity carrying an almost sentient will something far beyond human. Gusts sliced through hair and robes alike, leaving everyone breathless.
The emperors and spectators in the arena jolted in unison, many leaping to their feet instinctively. Shouts of confusion erupted across the grounds.
"What's happening?!"
Every face was etched with panic and dread. Hearts wavered at this supernatural phenomenon, something none had anticipated in this place.
Yet, the emperors stood firm, unshaken like mountains amidst the storm. Their expressions turned solemn, brows furrowed, eyes sharp as they scanned the skies with piercing focus though a trace of bewilderment lingered in their gazes.
"Who are you?! Friend or foe?! Show yourself at once! No more hiding in the shadows!"
One emperor's voice boomed, shaking both heaven and earth. His words permeated every corner of the arena, making the crowd swallow hard in fear.
Another emperor stepped forward, glaring at the sky before snarling,
"If you seek a challenge, you've chosen the wrong targets today! We are the emperors who rule countless universes not one or two, but a hundred strong!"
His tone was as sharp as a blade cleaving the heavens.
"Each of us stands at the pinnacle of power, unmatched by any. If you dare test us… then prepare to face your doom!"
The moment his voice faded, he shot into the sky with such speed that the shockwave made the arena tremble.
In an instant the other hundred emperors followed, ascending like a celestial fortress of the cosmos. They stood in formation midair, their golden auras eclipsing even the sun.
The overwhelming pressure of their combined might bore down on those below, forcing many to their knees in terror. All eyes were locked on the spectacle above, hearts pounding
Each emperor extended a hand, summoning weapons of unimaginable power. A sword with intricate engravings gleamed coldly, thirsting for blood. A lightning-wreathed spear crackled with divine wrath, promising annihilation. A trident of black steel reflected a deathly sheen, as if capable of splitting oceans apart. And a green-flamed executioner's sword radiated slaughter, its glow mirroring the fallen kings of legend!
Yet, this was not even their full strength. In truth, the emperors had no intention of fighting seriously not yet. They merely sought to discern whether the intruder was friend or foe. If a true battle erupted, this universe might be reduced to nothing but dust. Moreover, among the spectators were princes, princesses, high-ranking generals, noblewomen, empresses, and concubines.
If a real fight broke out, they would first have to lure the enemy away to ensure everyone's safety.
The radiant golden light that had bathed the heavens began to shift, shimmering like the glow of a full moon. It scattered like golden pollen drifting from the divine, wreathed in a faint, luminous mist akin to a celestial veil.
The monstrous winds that had raged moments earlier suddenly stilled vanishing without a trace, as though commanded by an unfathomable will. A cold, eerie silence blanketed the arena. The crowd stood frozen, mouths agape, as if spellbound by an otherworldly enchantment.
And then… a figure materialized soundlessly within the shimmering sky.
An elderly man, his beard long and white as pure silk, flowed gracefully in the nearly nonexistent breeze. His robe resplendent yet simple, as if woven from divine crystal radiated an indescribable majesty. No extravagant adornments adorned him, yet his presence exuded an overwhelming power beyond words.
His eyes, deep as a thousand-layered universe, narrowed slightly as he gazed down upon the emperors hovering below. His sweeping glance held no hostility or disdain… only a tranquil, icy calm the stillness of one who had witnessed the turning of cosmic fate across eons. Not arrogance, but the quietude of time itself.
In that moment, the air grew dense, as though compressed by an unseen force. An inexplicable pressure emanated from the old man, silent yet suffocating, making every heart skip a beat.
Even the hundred emperors each capable of shaking heaven and earth found themselves unable to look away, unable to speak. None dared move, not even a footstep. The atmosphere was thick with an indescribable weight, something beyond mere status or power.
His mere presence seemed to freeze time itself.
As the emperors scrutinized the old man, their expressions shifted rapidly before they suddenly simultaneously bowed their heads in unison.
Their voices rang out in hurried reverence, laced with awe and panic:
"O Great Elder Yow Yi Chen! What an unparalleled honor for you to grace this tournament with your presence!"
Once the first emperor spoke, the others echoed in agreement. Then, as one, they bowed deeply once more, their movements slow and filled with utmost respect. When they raised their heads again, their gazes remained fixed upon the white-haired elder his beard like strands of cotton, his form as though stepped out from the pages of an ancient legend.