A storm raged over the highest peak of the Abyssal Dominion. The air crackled with energy as thousands of cultivators dressed in radiant robes gathered, their eyes filled with hatred, fear, and fanatic devotion.

The entire place was bursting with molten lava, making it seem like everything would be devoured soon.

The lingering feeling of death filled the air while the man who was once feared by all stood amidst his own people.

Bound by the Celestial Tribulation Lightning that corroded into his skin, he glared at his disciples, the very people he had saved and protected by being hunted down.

His disciples - the ones he had taken under his wing, raised and made into supreme geniuses, only for them to betray him.

Xie Yeming was irate. He was the revered Dark Sovereign, the first Demon God who was just a step away from becoming a Primordial Chaos, the first in existence.

But now he stood powerless, his fate unknown.

With his body covered in cracks, his demonic core shattered, and his cultivation destroyed, Xie Yeming was reduced to a mere mortal whose life and death now lay in the hands of the people who surrounded him.

Even though the Gods stood before him, Xie Yeming's eyes focused on his disciples who showed no remorse for their actions. Instead, their gazes were blazing with fire, just like the molten lava around him. 

It seemed as if they had been waiting for this day, waiting to gain his trust and betray him, kill him even.

Xie Yeming licked his lips, tasting his blood on his tongue. Coughing lightly, he swallowed a mouthful of blood, hiding his pain behind his cruel smile.

"I should have known...." he uttered to no one in particular.

Clicking his tongue, he shook his head.

"Trust..." he scoffed, finding the word bitter. It had caused his downfall, his doom. What he had once thought to be his greatest strength, had become his biggest weakness.

"Xie Yeming!" Lord Tianxu spoke authoritatively, gaining Xie Yeming's attention to him. "You are guilty of defying Heavenly Dao, practicing forbidden arts, and bringing calamity to the world."

Xie Yeming chuckled softly, his laughter filled with mirth and sarcasm. "One who wishes to uphold justice must first examine your inner self to find out if you are worthy." He sneered, examining the Gods one by one.

"Xie Yeming!" Lord Tianxu gritted his teeth and Xie Yeming coughed out a mouthful of blood again while the divine chains dug into his skin deeper until blood started oozing out.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Shifting his gaze to the woman beside Lord Tianxu, Xie Yeming smirked. "Enlighten me, Goddess Xuanyin. What are all the qualities to be a True God?"

While many did not understand why he was asking such a bizarre question, Goddess Xuanyin did. She narrowed her eyes slightly, giving Xie Yeming a mysterious look.

"Lord Tianxu, control your anger," she admonished the man in her mind, ensuring that only he heard her.

Lord Tianxu's eyes snapped towards her instantly.

"I see that you have been rebuked, Lord Tianxu."

Xie Yeming closed his eyes tight when he felt an intense gnawing pain in his chest. With his core and cultivation gone, he could not heal himself. 

As time passed, the agony only increased and the feeling was akin to death.

Chuckling lightly, he opened his eyelids again. "I hope you will have control over your emotions. Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao will not hesitate to punish you as well. Who knows what you will end up as? Maybe like me without core and cultivation or..."

Xie Yeming's lips arched up, his eyes flashing with a teasing glint. "Maybe you will be cursed to become a donkey."

"You..." Lord Tianxu was vexed. Ignoring the warning looks the other Gods were giving him, he flicked his wrist, and bolts of divine flame shot toward the bound man.

Xie Yeming gritted his teeth as he endured the pain. He did not give in and held back his screams, much to the crowd's dismay.

"Lord Tianxu, control your anger," Lord Fengdu, the God of War warned him, not bothering to speak to him in mind. 

Lord Tianxu huffed. He was still annoyed but withdrew his divine flame.

Xie Yeming spat another mouthful of blood. His body was slowly losing strength and he was close to collapsing.

"Xie Yeming," Lord Tianxu started after composing himself. "You will be punished for all your atrocious deeds. Today, we cleanse the world of your evil."

Beneath his injuries, Xie Yeming laughed, his crimson eyes burning despite his broken state.

"Cleanse the world? Hypocrites... I built my empire with blood and power, yet you used my strength when it suited."

His gaze locked on his disciples, more specifically on the woman who stood at the forefront.

Bai Qingxue. His prized disciple, his first disciple, the one he personally raised and turned into the Holy Saintess of the righteous path. She was the woman he had loved and wished to spend his eternity with.

"And you my dear disciple," his voice was devoid of emotion. He was not speaking to his beloved anymore. But a person who meant nothing to him.

"Was it not I who elevated you from a mere orphan to the Holy Saintess?"

Bai Qingxue's expression was unreadable. She stared at him coldly, yet Xie Yeming did not miss how her grip on her celestial sword had tightened.

"You have gone too far, Master. The world will never accept your existence."

"Is it?" Xie Yeming was not bothered, as if they were not speaking about his damnation.

"Foolish girl, you think this is the end?" He shook his head and sighed softly.

"The heavens may destroy me today, but I will return one day to seek vengeance."

"Enough." Lord Tainxu shouted and glanced at the other Gods who surrounded Xie Yeming instantly.

Closing their eyes, they joined their celestial energies, forcing the other cultivators to step back. The suppression was so strong that some of the weaker ones coughed up blood and collapsed to the floor.

Yet, Xie Yeming stood tall as he looked at everyone coldly. His lips curled into a sinister smile, one that sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Raising his head, he welcomed the lightening tribulation that struck him with pure celestial energy. 

With his dying breath, he swore an unbreakable vow: I will return. And this time, I will destroy everyone and make the heavens kneel.