In a place full of greenly stood a pavilion – withered with time. Different animals were gathered around the pavilion, playing.
It was a beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil sight. But, suddenly, a burst of dark energy – in the form of a shockwave – is released from the pavilion.
The animals that were present outside started to deformed into grotesque shapes. Some had eyes gouged out, while some's backbone made a strange arc outside of their bodies.
Their teeth started to increase in length, becoming more ferocious and sharp. They begin to howl towards the sky.
The once calm and tranquil scene changed into that of madness.
They looked back at the pavilion and bowed, showing their loyalty to the one inside the pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, a girl in her 17s sat, meditating. She wore green robes. Even though her age was 17s, her body was fully developed. Big breast, butt, hour-glass figure, her skin was a smooth as jade; perfectly crafted.
Her long hair flutters even with no wind present inside the pavilion.
A moment later, her eyelids trembled. She slowly opened her eyes, which had a dark glint passing from them.
Forming a fist, she checks her strength. A lunatic grin formed on her face as she said, "Hehehe~! I am back, 'brother'. You just wait for me. We will definitely be together again!"
As her voice fades, she again closed her eyes and went back to her cultivation. The whole forest descends into silence as if afraid to anger her.
***
Demon Imperial City was the biggest city in Illusionary Demon Realm. It was three times bigger than the Divine Phoenix Empire.
This city was created by the first Demon Emperor when he gathered Ten Divine Families to went on an expedition to clear the Illusionary Demon Realm of anarchy.
Once Demon Emperor conquered the whole Illusionary Demon Realm, he settled in the Demon Imperial City with Ten Divine Families that acted as guardian families for the Illusionary Demon Royal Family.
Today, this place was filled and completely packed with the demons and humans all over the Illusionary Demon Realm; the reason being, today was the start of the Hundred Year Region Ceremony.
As the name explains, it was the ceremony where people would celebrate the one hundred years' rule of the Demon Emperor.
A total of one hundred thousand people all over the continent will gather in Demon Imperial Hall for the celebration.
Top forces and leaders from each major region are invited, and so are top powerhouses and profound sects, but they can bring no more than ten people.
Each of the Twelve Guardian Families and major Duke Palaces can bring one hundred people and are seated in golden seats at the center of the Hall because of their special status
This was the reason why Demon Imperial City was so packed with people.
Demon Imperial Hall was a great hall, as big as Yun Family – was packed with people, demons, and humans alike.
The outer area was for people all over the continent, while the inner area was for influential families like Twelve Guardian Families.
The inner area was divided into three sections; East Wing, Middle, and West Wing.
The seating arrangement was done from north to south, with north being closest to Little Demon Empress while south being the farthest. It also indicated the positions of the Families and their influence.
East Wing: Helian, Chiyang, Bai, Nangong, Lin, Jiufang, Xiao.
Middle: Little Demon Empress
West Wing: Su, Yan, Under Heaven, Mu, Yun.
Soon, the hall was filled with members of Twelve Guardian Families – each having hundred members.
Since Little Demon Empress was still not present, many little skirmishes were going here and there. Though most were targeted to Yun Family.
Duke Huai, who wanted to start a rebellion against the Illusionary Demon Royal Family, was the spearhead during the insults.
He wanted to make sure to kick Yun Family out of the Twelve Guardian Families. Even though everyone now knew that Canhai has come back and is present in the meeting, Duke Huai and the Families that have taken his side still ridicule him for losing the Mirror of Samsara for the exchange of his life.
As fights were happening, everyone heard a gong – indicating the start of the ceremony.
Hall turned quiet when everyone's attention was on the Middle Wing, at the throne of the Little Demon Emperor.
There were waiting for her to arrive when, suddenly, Sakura petals started to fall in the hall. Many frowned on this unusual occurrence of Sakura petals.
They looked around by could not find the source of these petals.
Tuk* Tuk* Tuk*
They all heard the sound of a footstep. Even though it was the sound of footsteps, they felt every sound hitting their heart.
Every sound was producing a unique rhythm. If one was not of firm heart, then they might be pulled into the rhythm – losing their consciousness or even worse life.
Feeling it, everyone hurriedly used their profound energies to protect their hearts. Elders instructed the juniors to do the same.
"What in heaven is going on?!" An elder from the Xiao Sect shouted.
"What is this sound? Is someone attacking us?" Helian Kuang – the patriarch of the Helian Family – said while looking towards Duke Huai; to see if he is related to it somehow.
Duke Huai, feeling his gaze shook his head. Indicating that he also was not aware of what it was.
Soon, everyone saw a shadow coming from the entrance of the inner hall. Their attention diverted towards it.
A moment later, a young man – with long silver hair that was left open, red slit eyes – walking inside.
They did not know who this young man was, except Yun Family. They had their eyes opened wide; especially, Yun Canghai.
Seeing Wang Lei, he had hopes of stopping the rebellion.
Before they could yell at him for entering the hall without permission, they saw Little Demon Empress and a girl with long red hair, red dress – she looked to be 14 years of age – walking in.
Since Caiyi had become Primordial Golden Crow, her beauty was enhanced to another level. Though there was not much change on her body except a slightly bigger bulge on her chest, her appearance was still enough to mesmerize any mortal.
Younger generations had their mouth wide open with saliva coming from them; elders were not much better.
They watched as Wang Lei calmly walked towards the throne. With every step he took, petals would make a way for him as too afraid to come in his way.
Soon, he made it to the top of the pedestal and sat on the throne.
Seeing it, others seemed to forget Little Demon Empress as Helian Kuang shouted, "Presumptuous! How dare you sit on the seat of Demon Emperor?!"
His shout seems to awake everyone from their stupor, but non-participated as they could still see the Little Demon Empress walking towards the throne.
They thought she might kill this mortal who dared to make light of the throne of Demon Emperor.
Wang Lei ignored Helian Kuang's shout as he lazily sat on the throne, angering Helian Kuang's further.
Duke Huai did not say anything. He stood frowned. Seeing the reaction of the Yun Clan, he could tell that something was amiss.
Soon, Caiyi also reached the throne with Jasmine, but what she did next completely shattered everyone's thoughts. They saw with horror-filled eyes as Caiyi sat on Wang Lei's lap, adjusting her position to a more comfortable position.
Wang Lei also seemed to take it as natural as he started to pet her head. Caiyi closed her eyes, enjoying it.
Jasmine did not sit on his lap in front of so many people; she thought it was too embarrassing. She stood by the side of the throne.
Wang Lei seeing this, snapped his finger, and another throne was created. Jasmine, seeing this, gratefully looked towards Wang Lei and quietly sat on it.
Her whole aura changed as she sat on the throne since she was a princess previously – she was quite comfortable sitting on the throne.
Everyone down in the hall was still trying to process what was going on.
Just what is happening? Why is Little Demon Empress is sitting on the lap of some unknown mortal? Why is this young man acting as if he owns everything in this world? Who is the girl beside the young man?
Finally, Duke Huai took a deep breath and said, "What is the meaning of this, Little Demon Empress? As the Empress of the whole Illusionary Demon Realm, your behavior is indecorous. In the first place, who is this man?"
Wang Lei, who was resting his head on one hand while petting Caiyi with others, opened his eyes and glanced towards Duke Huai, saying, "Who are you?"
Duke Huai frowned deepened as he said, "I am Duke Huai, leader of Duke Huai Palace."
"Then tell me, Duke Huai, who is the ruler here? You or Caiyi?"
Duke Huai, hearing Wang Lei calling Caiyi with her name, wanted to rebuke but still kept his cool and said, "Of course, it is Little Demon Empress!"
Wang Lei nodded.
"Then who the fuck is you to decide what kind of behavior a ruler should have?"
"Mind your words, Junior! Lest you want to see your head rolling on the ground!" Duke Huai shouted.
Wang Lei leaned forwards, closing Caiyi, who was looking towards Duke Huai with disgust, "And who would do that? You? Have you ever seen an ant saying that it would kill the god?"
"You are courting dead, Junior!"
"Finally, someone said that. I thought I would have to wait for my whole life to hear that line." Wang Lei nodded to himself, satisfied by the line said by Duke Huai.
Caiyi raises her head up, looking at Wang Lei with confusion. Jasmine was also curiously looking towards him.
Smiling, Wang Lei rubs Caiyi's head and said, "Do not mind me." Then he again looked towards Duke Huai, who was on the verge of exploding.
Smirking, Wang Lei said, "So, ant, you were saying something? Yeah, right! Something like you are courting your death!... so what if am I being?"
Duke Huai, hearing him was even more enraged, but before he could say anything, Helian Kuang shouted, "What is the meaning of this, Little Demon Empress?! This is a sacred ceremony! Why have you brought this insolent mongrel here?! Are you trying to dirty the image of Demon Emperors?!"
Since they were going to start the rebellion anyway, Helian Kuang thought of slandering Caiyi in an immoral act.
Duke Huai seems to understand his attention as he also said, "What brother Helian said is true. We need answers, Little Demon Empress! What you doing right now is shaming the previous Demon Emperors!"
Hearing it, Caiyi glared towards him as the surrounding temperature increased at a tremendous rate, almost suffocating everyone with her pressure.
"Are you trying to say that this empress is mudding the face of her own family?" Her voice was calm as water, yet every word felt as heavy as heaven, making them feel suffocated.
Duke Huai was sweating but did not back away. In his mind, he still thought that Caiyi would not kill anyone here since she did not have the power to do so.
But only if he knew that she already has become something that they can never even comprehend.
"You have misunderstood me, Little Demon Empress. What I meant to say is your act of bringing this man of unknown origin, while being this much imitate with him is destroying the image of Illusionary Demon Royal Family. All I ask you to explain the origin and your relationship with this man."
Since only those of pure Golden Crow bloodline could become Demon Emperor, he thought if Wang Lei did not have Golden Crow bloodline then that means that Caiyi was having an immoral relationship with a man outside of the Royal Family.
This act alone was enough to damage the reputation of the Royal Family, definitely something he was aiming for.
Caiyi looked towards him and said, "What relationship this empress has with big brother is none of your concern."
Duke Huai raised a brow and said, "What do you mean by big -"
"Enough with this chit chat," Wang Lei said, cutting him, "We all know what you and those joining your side are here for; just start with your real performance ant."
Duke Huai frowned and feigned ignorance, "What do you mean by that? We all have come here for Hun -"
"I get it already!" Wang Lei said impatiently, "Just be done with it. Make your move, do not worry as I will not move from my positions as to not let others think that I bullied you."
"I have enough of this insolent arrogant bastard! I will be your opponent! Do you dare?!" Helian Kuang shouted. He was already reaching the limits of his patient.
Duke Huai did not say anything and waited for the results. He also wanted to see the strength of Wang Lei.
Nodding, Wang Lei said, "Just give your best shot."
Helian Kuang gritted his teeth and started to gather his energy. A sword appeared in his hands as he started to lecture other about his weapon, "This is a Tyrant Profound Arti - "
"Too long." Before he could even start, Sakura petals that were lying on the grounds engulfed Helian Kuang in it.
A loud, painful scream could be heard. Soon, the petals left as the disfigured body of Helian Kuang falls on the ground.
"Patriarch!" "Father!"
Others seeing it, hurriedly distance themselves from the petals in their surroundings.
Duke Huai had an ugly face when he heard Wang Lei's voice, "Who is next?"