The Sovereign of the Abyss

The plaza was deathly silent.

Thousands of eyes stared at the scene before them, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

The Divine Phoenix...

A legendary summon recorded in countless ancient texts...

A creature that possessed one of the purest bloodlines in Wushian...

Was kneeling.

Not before the Family Head.

Not before the Grand Elder.

Not before the heavens.

It was kneeling before the silver-haired fox standing quietly beside Ren Jushang.

Its magnificent golden wings were folded tightly against its body, while its head remained pressed against the jade floor. Every feather trembled violently as though it were facing the embodiment of death itself.

No one dared utter a single word.

Even breathing felt dangerous.

...

Ren Jushang narrowed his silver eyes.

This was nothing like his previous life.

Back then, the Divine Phoenix had looked down upon him with utter disdain.

"You are unworthy."

Those four words had haunted him for years.

It had abandoned him without hesitation, flying toward the so-called Child of Destiny.

Yet now...

That same arrogant creature didn't even dare raise its head.

Something wasn't right.

His gaze slowly shifted toward Yun Qingjiu.

The fox looked genuinely confused.

He blinked his beautiful golden eyes before lightly scratching his cheek.

"Hm?"

"Why is it lying on the ground?"

The innocent question almost caused the Phoenix to cough blood.

Why?

Because every instinct within its soul screamed at it to kneel.

Before it had even seen Yun Qingjiu clearly, the overwhelming pressure from the fox's bloodline had forced its body into submission.

It wasn't fear.

It was instinct.

The instinct of every beast when standing before their absolute sovereign.

...

The Grand Elder swallowed nervously.

His robe was soaked with cold sweat.

"You..."

"What exactly are you?"

Every elder secretly wanted the answer.

Never in their thousands of years had they heard of a fox capable of making a Divine Phoenix kneel.

Even Heavenly Dragons would struggle to accomplish such a feat.

Yun Qingjiu tilted his head.

"What am I?"

He seemed to think carefully.

After a few seconds, he smiled.

"I'm Qingjiu."

The Grand Elder nearly stumbled.

"...That's not what I meant."

Before Yun Qingjiu could answer again, the Divine Phoenix suddenly spoke.

Its voice shook with reverence.

"I dare not reveal His Majesty's true title."

Gasps echoed across the plaza.

His Majesty?

The Phoenix continued,

"Even speaking His true name carelessly would attract Heavenly Tribulation."

The elders stared blankly.

A name...

Forbidden by Heaven itself?

What sort of existence possessed such authority?

The Phoenix slowly lifted its head just enough to glance at Yun Qingjiu.

Its golden pupils were filled with respect...

And terror.

"There were once twelve Primordial Sovereigns who ruled before Heaven established order."

"Their existence was erased from history."

"They are not gods..."

"They are older than gods."

Cold chills ran down everyone's spine.

Older than the gods?

The Grand Elder felt his worldview shattering.

...

Yun Qingjiu let out a small sigh.

"You always exaggerate."

His expression remained calm.

"I've been asleep for a very long time."

"I'm not nearly as impressive as you make me sound."

The Phoenix wanted to scream.

Not impressive?

If Yun Qingjiu merely released a fraction of his aura...

Entire continents would collapse.

Fortunately...

The terrifying fox seemed to have no interest in displaying his strength.

Instead...

He turned around.

His previously indifferent expression disappeared instantly.

His eyes sparkled like a child discovering candy.

He looked directly at Ren Jushang.

Then smiled.

A breathtaking smile capable of making flowers bloom.

"I'm just Qingjiu."

He took a few steps closer.

"...Your Qingjiu."

The entire Ren Family watched as the terrifying being who had just shaken Heaven smiled so sweetly that his eyes curved into crescents.

Ren Jushang remained silent.

For a brief moment...

He almost forgot to respond.

"...Mm."

That single syllable was enough.

Yun Qingjiu's fox ears perked up happily.

His twelve tails swayed so enthusiastically that several disciples had to dodge them.

"Master acknowledged me!"

"I'm so happy."

His voice contained pure joy.

The disciples exchanged strange looks.

This...

Wasn't what they expected from an ancient monster.

...

Unfortunately...

Not everyone possessed common sense.

A middle-aged elder slowly stepped forward.

His eyes burned with greed.

His breathing became heavier as he stared at Yun Qingjiu.

Such overwhelming power...

If the Ren Family could control it...

The Four Great Families would bow.

Even the Imperial Dynasty would become insignificant.

Greed completely overwhelmed his reason.

He laughed loudly.

"Hahaha!"

"No matter how ancient you are..."

"You're merely a summon."

"A summon belongs to humans."

The Grand Elder's face turned pale.

"Elder Zhao!"

"Stop!"

The warning came too late.

Spirit chains forged from Heavenly Steel erupted from Elder Zhao's sleeves.

Each chain was covered in sealing runes designed specifically to suppress summoned creatures.

Thousands of links shot toward Yun Qingjiu.

Ren Jushang's pupils contracted.

Without thinking, he stepped forward, placing himself between Yun Qingjiu and the incoming attack.

His hand reached for his sword.

He knew he wasn't strong enough.

Not yet.

But even if he died...

He would not stand aside while someone attacked his summon.

Yun Qingjiu quietly watched Ren Jushang's back.

His golden eyes softened.

"So..."

"Master wants to protect me."

A warmth spread through his heart.

One he had never experienced before.

Then...

His expression became cold.

He slowly raised one slender finger.

The chains froze mid-air.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

One by one...

Every chain shattered into glittering dust.

Elder Zhao's confident smile froze.

"What?"

Before he could retreat—

His body suddenly stopped moving.

Completely.

He couldn't even blink.

Invisible force surrounded him from every direction.

Fear flooded his face.

"I..."

"I can't move..."

Yun Qingjiu calmly walked toward him.

Each step echoed throughout the silent plaza.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

He stopped only a metre away.

"You wished to enslave me?"

His voice remained gentle.

Elder Zhao trembled violently.

"N-No!"

"I was mistaken!"

"I apologise!"

"I beg for forgiveness!"

Tears streamed down his face.

Yun Qingjiu smiled.

"I forgive you."

Relief spread across Elder Zhao's face.

Then Yun Qingjiu continued softly,

"So I'll grant you a painless death."

The smile disappeared.

Darkness gathered around Yun Qingjiu's fingertips.

A single black flame floated toward Elder Zhao.

"No—!"

The scream never finished.

The flame touched his chest.

His body quietly dissolved into countless particles of black light.

No blood.

No ashes.

No corpse.

Nothing remained.

The plaza fell silent once more.

One of the Ren Family's strongest elders...

Had ceased to exist.

As though he had never been born.

...

Ren Jushang looked quietly at Yun Qingjiu.

"You killed him."

The terrifying aura surrounding Yun Qingjiu disappeared instantly.

His fox ears drooped.

His tails curled behind him.

"...Master..."

"Are you angry?"

His voice became incredibly small.

"I only wanted to protect you."

His golden eyes nervously observed Ren Jushang's expression.

For the first time...

The Sovereign of the Abyss felt nervous.

Not because of Heaven.

Not because of powerful enemies.

But because he feared disappointing one person.

Ren Jushang sighed softly.

He walked forward.

Then...

He gently placed his hand atop Yun Qingjiu's fluffy fox ears.

The entire Ren Family gasped.

Soft.

Unexpectedly soft.

Yun Qingjiu froze.

His golden eyes widened.

"...Master?"

Ren Jushang gently stroked his ears.

"They're softer than I imagined."

A faint blush instantly spread across Yun Qingjiu's face.

His tails puffed into giant fluffy clouds.

He leaned unconsciously into the touch.

"...More."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Ren Jushang chuckled for the first time since his rebirth.

"You protected me."

"I'm not angry."

Those simple words completely shattered Yun Qingjiu's composure.

His heart raced.

Master wasn't afraid of him.

Master accepted him.

His ears twitched happily beneath Ren Jushang's fingers.

"If Master pats my ears every day..."

"I'll protect Master forever."

He smiled sweetly.

"No one..."

"Will ever take you away from me."

Behind that gentle smile, a dangerous thought surfaced.

Anyone who tried...

Would simply disappear.

Forever.

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