The Five-Petaled Lotus Realm System, a relatively young Quazi-Dao realm system, is the cradle of countless factions and a treasure coveted by many. This realm once housed five formidable Dao realm beings, each designated and crowned under heaven's grace.

The Azure Dragon presided over the eastern landmass.

The Vermilion Bird ruled the southern land of fire.

The Black Turtle governed the northern islands and seas.

The White Tiger commanded the western continent, characterized by its gargantuan, heaven-reaching peaks.

Lastly, the central landmass was ruled by the lofty and ambitious Yellow Dragon.

Under the watchful gaze of these five powerful entities, the world remained stable and prosperous. However, disaster eventually struck. The heaven's will went dormant, and the Dao realm beings were forced into seclusion to recover from the calamity. This catastrophe wiped out almost all life within the realm system, leaving it in ruins.

In the wake of this destruction, new beings emerged. New lineages were born, most notable among them were those descended from the Yellow Dragon through a taboo that defied the heavens themselves. These five lineages, bound by an ageless oath, included—

- The Xin family of the Crimson Star.

- The Yin family of Abyssal Depths.

- The Lin family of the verdant calamity.

- The Shattered Blade.

And another lineage, disguised from the world in plain sight.

The Xin family, known as the bloodied huntsmen of the Profound Heavens Sect, was a particularly esteemed family and feared by many.

This family, bathed in blood and glory, remained as glorious as it was when it formed from its progenitor's blood. Generation after generation, the Xin family had birthed countless geniuses and countless monsters, each member a testament to their lineage's glory.

Their innermost teachings were one of relentless pursuit of power, marked by the crimson eyes of their main family's heirs, eyes tainted by the blood of their own kin.

In this renowned lineage, one name shone with unparalleled brilliance. This story pertains to one such genius, born in an era filled with extraordinary talents.

Amidst this golden age, his radiance did not fade but instead grew ever brighter. His accomplishments and prowess were such that he stood at the forefront of this golden generation, a beacon of excellence and potential.

By the age of 23, he had already reached the realm of unity, an achievement that placed him far above the so-called geniuses and monsters.

He was a genius among geniuses, a dragon among men. His strength, intelligence, and charisma set him apart, making him a figure both admired and feared throughout the realm. The protagonist of this tale was...

"Xin Dongyang!!"

...currently running away from an enraged woman chasing him with a sword in her hand.

Xin Dongyang ran as if his life depended on it, for his pursuer was someone of similar strength, and the woman just looked scary as hell when angry. He sprinted through the crowded streets of the gigantic city, weaving between the startled crowds.

"Old Wang, help me!!" Xin Dongyang screamed aloud, seeking protection from his sworn brother.

"Hell no!" came the immediate and unapologetic response.

"Damn you, Wang Anyu, you traitor!" Xin Dongyang gritted his teeth in anger but had no choice but to keep running. His heart pounded as he heard the relentless footsteps of his pursuer closing in.

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"Take this!" A rope slithered through the air, wrapping itself around Dongyang's leg and making him tumble. He managed to balance his tumbling body and landed gracefully on his feet, but it was already too late. His pursuer had reached him.

Looking upwards, Dongyang faced the beautiful woman whose eyes burned with fury. Bracing himself, Xin Dongyang prepared to counter-attack, but before he could make a move, a voice pierced through the tense atmosphere.

"What are you two doing?" A boy in his late teens with a delicate face, inky hair, and soft azure eyes interjected between them.

"This bastard dared to—!" the woman began, her voice filled with anger.

"I did not!" Dongyang denied it vehemently.

"Sigh..." The boy sighed, shaking his head at the sight before him. "Why not calm down and speak one after the other? This conversation won’t go anywhere otherwise."

"Fine." The woman relented, her voice dripping with anger. "This bastard stole my clothes!"

"...Is that true, Senior Brother?" The boy turned towards Xin Dongyang, his expression filled with shock and confusion.

"I DIDN'T DO THAT!" Xin Dongyang roared in indignation. He turned to face the woman, his eyes blazing. "Yin Meili! Don't be so full of yourself! Why would I even want to steal your clothing?!"

"Hmph! Then why were you near the Serene Waters Peak's disciple accommodations?" Yin Meili snorted, clearly not believing a word he said.

"I was there to seduc-discuss something with Junior Sister Yao!" Xin Dongyang stammered, his face flushing with frustration.

"Ha!" Yin Meili let out a mocking laugh, her eyes glinting with disdain. "Then why didn’t you say that before?"

"Because you didn’t let me, you mad woman!" Xin Dongyang grabbed his head and roughly ruffled his hair in frustration.

"Sister..." The boy, Yin Huan, finally interjected, his voice calm yet stern, "Did you chase after Senior Brother Xin without any evidence?"

Yin Meili's fiery demeanour faltered under her younger brother's steady gaze. "Yes..." Her voice grew subdued, but her fiery spirit soon reignited as she turned her glare back to Xin Dongyang.

However, Xin Dongyang's expression shifted to one of bewilderment. He pointed behind Yin Meili, his voice hesitant. "Look there?"

Yin Meili's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You think you can fool me with such a trick?!"

"Tch!" Xin Dongyang clicked his tongue in frustration and took a deep breath. "...You idiotic—"

"THE CITY'S BARRIER HAS BEEN BREACHED!" Xin Dongyang's voice was drowned out by the loud announcement of the guards.

It was only then that Yin Meili turned to look behind her. There, standing with a mischievous glint in its eyes, was a monkey-like beast with grey fur, its size akin to that of a fifteen-year-old child. In its hands were the very clothes she had lost.

"..."

"..."

"..."

A momentary silence settled over them as both Xin Dongyang and Yin Huan stared at Yin Meili, whose face reddened with embarrassment as she averted her gaze.

"Tch!" She clicked her tongue and turned around sharply. "I'll handle the situation here. Yin Huan, you go help with the situation within the city. And you..." She pointed a finger towards Xin Dongyang. "Go and check the situation on the walls!"

Without waiting for any response, she lunged at the tainted beast and engaged in battle with the creature whose strength was at the initial stage of the Unity Realm.

"Sigh... I apologize." Yin Huan's eyes were filled with an apologetic look as he said so.

"Tsk! I'll settle this debt later, Yin Meili!" Xin Dongyang clicked his tongue and yelled at Yin Meili.

Xin Dongyang wasted no time as he dashed through the bustling streets, weaving between panicked townsfolk and fallen debris. His keen eyes spotted a few tainted beasts, but they were mere nuisances compared to the formidable creature he had encountered earlier.

With swift, precise movements, he got rid of them, his mind focused on the greater threat.

As he approached the grand wall that fortified the city, Xin Dongyang gathered his strength, lowering his body into a crouch. With a powerful leap, flames ignited under his feet, propelling him upward.

He soared through the air, landing gracefully atop the walls. From this place, he gazed out at the approaching horde of tainted beasts.

The sight was a bit awe-inspiring. The scale of the horde was far grander than any other he had heard of before. But this was the fortress city of Iron Veil, located in the western parts of the central continent. Such scenes, though daunting, were not entirely unexpected.

The reason for this constant threat can be traced back thousands of years to an incident of "Spillage" from the Abyss, a part of the Chaos Sea that gathers all the tainted remnant emotions and curses formed within the Chaos Sea and is the cradle to abyssal fiends.

During the spillage, when the creatures of the Abyss leave their cradle en masse, the remnants of a Dao realm abyssal fiend had fallen onto the westernmost part of the central continent, tainting the land and giving birth to these tainted beasts.

This taint was incredibly difficult to remove. Of course, the sect could have eradicated it long ago if they truly wished. But they hadn’t. Why? Because the tainted beasts provided valuable resources.

The tainted beasts provide materials for the creation of weapons, talismans, and other artifacts. The area had also become a haven for loose cultivators seeking resources, occasionally leading to the sect uncovering a diamond in the rough worth recruiting.

And then, there was the reason, for which Xin Dongyang and his fellow disciples were stationed here— to gain battle experience, to immerse themselves in war-like situations. After all, heroes are forged in the crucible of war.

"Well then," Xin Dongyang muttered, a smirk appearing on his lips as he stared down at the encroaching beasts. He cracked his knuckles, sparks flying off his fingertips. "Let's see how you fare against me."

That was the first battle that acted as the debut of the monster that the Xin family had sired.