Huang Shan and Yui Shan exchanged a glance, their lips curling into gentle smiles as they locked their eyes. Their expressions softened with a mixture of understanding and reassurance as they turned their attention to Eli Shan, who knelt before them with eyes filled with remorse.

Stepping forward, Huang Shan reached out and patted Eli Shan's shoulder, helping him to stand. "Eli," he said, his voice gentle yet firm, "remember what we always told you? No matter what, we're here for you."

Eli Shan stood up slowly, his gaze still downcast as he wiped away the tears with the back of his hand. Though his father's words brought a flicker of relief, he still couldn't forgive himself, especially the king, for what happened to his parents.

Huang Shan turned his gaze toward the king, nodding at Eli Shan. "You go and do what you must do," he said to Eli Shan, his tone supportive. Then, with a soft smile directed at Yui Shan, he added, "We want to see how much our kid has grown up, right?"

Yui Shan moves forward, gently massaging Eli Shan's head with a smile, her nod affirming their shared sentiments. "Right," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of longing, "I also want to see if it was worth keeping my dear son far from me for so many years."

Hearing his parents' words, Eli Shan felt a surge of determination wash over him, reigniting his lost confidence. In that moment, all he could think of was protecting his parents and ensuring that they never faced such peril again.

He nodded earnestly at his parents, his gaze unwavering. "Your son has made a mistake as a human, but mother, father, today I will show you that your son has grown a lot as a cultivator."

Then, with a flick of his wrist, Eli Shan created a shimmering barrier around them.

Behind him, the king's mocking laughter echoed through the chamber, clapping his hand, "What a delightful scene," he sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But it looks like you have forgotten that you are in the castle of the king! Don't worry Eli Shan, I won't kill you, just because I need your technique. But, your parents... I can't take their guarantee, Hahaha."

After erecting the barrier around his parents, Eli Shan turned his gaze towards the king, his fist clenching with anger. The fury burning inside him was evident in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and growled, "You are dead today."

The king's smile widened, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth. "I love that," he chuckled darkly, relishing the intensity of Eli Shan's rage. "I love that look in your eyes, Hahaha. It seems I am going to have a lot of fun today."

With a sinister flourish, the king clapped his hands, summoning a large number of elite soldiers. Each one boasted a cultivation level ranging from the fourth to the fifth stage of the origin realm – a significant realm higher than Eli Shan's.

In the blink of an eye, the soldiers appeared and encircled Eli Shan completely.

Knowing the strength of these soldiers, the king thought that Eli Shan would give up instantly. Well... that's what an ordinary person would have done. But... was Eli Shan ordinary? Of course not! He was the son of the strongest person ever!

To the king's astonishment, Eli Shan didn't even spare a glance at the formidable soldiers. His eyes remained fixed on him, his demeanor calm and resolute. With a nonchalant step forward, Eli Shan's voice rang out, cutting through the tense atmosphere, "It seems today I can't hide my power anymore."

His words stirred a flicker of unease in the king's mind, but he remained confident in his own strength and that of his soldiers.

However, as Eli Shan confidently strode towards the center of the encirclement of soldiers, the king's eyes widened in disbelief. Because, suddenly a dark domain appeared out of nowhere around the soldiers, and in the next instant, the domain enveloped them completely, hiding them in the ominous darkness.

"What is this?"

"What's happening?"

The soldiers started to attack the darkness, attempting to remove it, but to their shock, no matter what they did, the darkness felt impenetrable.

Meanwhile, Eli Shan stood at the heart of the encirclement and stretched both of his hands. Suddenly, a dark line emerged from the dark domain and connected with his body.

No one knew what Eli Shan was doing, but after a moment, all of their eyes widened in shock. From the time the dark domain had appeared until now, only a breath of time had passed, but as soon the dark domain connected with Eli Shan, the soldiers unexpectedly started to feel weak, as if their strength was getting devoured by something.

They didn't know what to do against this kind of attack, all they could do was try to break through the dark domain as soon as possible. But no matter what he did, their futile attacks only served to hasten their own demise.

While the soldiers were busy punching the air, Eli Shan felt himself growing stronger with each passing moment. His cultivation at the peak stage of the zun realm began to boil, and his aura grew even more potent. His pure qi, which would normally take years to convert into origin qi, began to transform at such a rapid pace that it seemed he could break through to the next realm at any moment.

Boom!

Suddenly, an intense wave erupted from Eli Shan, causing even the king to take a step back. The king gazed at Eli Shan with astonishment, his lips trembling as he attempted to speak, "H-half step of the origin realm in one go? What kind of demonic technique is this!"

Eli Shan observed his cultivation realm, his lips curling up into a smile. "I have just started yet." His aura of the half-step of origin realm continued to grow even more, on the other hand, soldiers found their once formidable cultivation weakening under the ominous darkness.

The king had never witnessed such an attack before. After beholding it, the only word that came to mind was 'Demon!' Without wasting a moment, the king bellowed to his soldiers, "Attack him! What are you doing, standing around punching the air? Go forth and kill the wielder of this technique! Attack together; he won't be able to drain all of your cultivation in an instant!"

Hearing his command, all the soldiers felt enlightened. With a nod, they all unleashed their cultivation and lunged toward Eli Shan.

"Raging Fire Fist!"

"Thunderclap Strike!"

"Shadow Eclipse Palm!"

One after another, all the soldiers unleashed their strongest moves on Eli Shan, each attempting to obliterate him with a single attack.

However, amidst the chaos of their techniques, Eli Shan stood nonchalantly. All he did was simply closed his eyes. In that moment, both the king and the soldiers felt an ominous sensation creeping over them.

Well, they were one of the strongest cultivators of this world, they could feel any shift in the air. So they knew that something bad was about to happen. And... their feeling was correct! Because when Eli Shan reopened his eyes, a collective gasp echoed through the hall as everyone felt that his aura had completely changed. Gradually, a green aura appeared out of nowhere, enveloping Eli Shan in an ethereal glow.

The king's eyes widened in shock, horror, and a myriad of other emotions as he beheld the unprecedented phenomenon unfolding before him. "His aura... it feels like the essence of this world," he breathed, his voice trembling with disbelief.

After analyzing for a moment, the king sucked in a breath, whispering, "Power of the law of nature!"

In this universe, there existed many kinds of unique powers, like - the law of time, the power of void, world law, world force, and many more.

As everyone cultivates to the peak, they could more or less comprehend and control this power one day. But there was a force that no one in existence could control or comprehend.

That force was the power of nature itself!

But this young man, a person the king had never heard of, was wielding the power of nature right before his eyes! If he had heard of such a thing, he could never have believed it! And now, the main problem he was facing was that this young man was determined to kill him at any cost!

The king knew there was no point in talking anymore. They could never be friends now.

"I must kill him now, while he is still young, at any cost. I cannot allow him to run away and grow up for revenge," the king resolved grimly.

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As the green aura completely enveloped Eli Shan, forming a protective barrier around him, the soldiers' techniques reached him only to dissipate instantly upon contact with the serene energy. And as if that wasn't enough, with a gesture of his hand, the green aura extended, hurtling towards the soldiers like a tidal wave of nature's wrath.

Within the dark domain, it was difficult for them to look at the threat, but they could sense an ominous power approaching them, a force they had never encountered or fought against before. In terror, they tried to dodge or run from it, but how could anyone evade the law of nature while living inside it? In an instant, the green aura enveloped them easily, halting them in their tracks.

Once engulfed by the law of nature, they stopped attempting to evade or run. Because instead of feeling any pain or discomfort, the soldiers experienced an overwhelming sense of comfort and serenity, as if they were being cradled in the arms of their mother. Slowly, a peaceful smile graced their lips as they closed their eyes, surrendering to the soothing embrace of nature.

While they were deeply immersed in the peace, their cultivation began to rapidly drain at a rate millions of times faster than before, enhancing Eli Shan's realm almost instantly.

Nature was the essence of all existence, the origin of all things. It bestowed power upon every living creature, and in a world where the density of nature was high, cultivators reached unparalleled heights of strength. Conversely, if nature was depleted or damaged, cultivators would weaken in tandem.

So when the law of nature enveloped all the soldiers, they felt like all of their power was again returning back to the nature and they were obliged to give it back. On the other hand, Eli Shan was overwhelmed by the sheer power, every fiber of his being vibrating with an intensity that could destroy even the zenith of the origin realm. Waves of raw energy surged through him, each pulse amplifying his connection to the essence of the world itself. In that moment, he became an embodiment of strength, his presence commanding reverence and awe.

Boom!

A deafening explosion reverberated through the room as Eli Shan easily broke through to the origin realm.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

With every step toward the king, Eli Shan continued to break through his realm!

The second stage of the origin realm!

The third stage of the origin realm!

The fourth stage of the origin realm!

The fifth stage of the origin realm!

With each stage of his ascension, the king's fear grew, a sensation he had never experienced before. In his kingdom, he was the strongest person, and within the Tianxia empire, he ranked second only to the emperor in strength. He had never felt scared or humiliated before, but now, before a young man, he couldn't help but tremble in fear.

By the time Eli Shan stood before the king, all the soldiers lay motionless on the ground, their life force drained completely, leaving them lifeless.

How was it possible?

The king's mind raced with disbelief, his thoughts consumed by a single word - "Monster!"

Meanwhile, behind the barrier, Eli Shan's parents watched in awe and disbelief. At first, Huang Shan had been on the verge of breaking through the barrier to aid his son when he saw the elite soldiers, but the display of Eli Shan's newfound strength gave him pause.

Now, as he witnessed Eli Shan's incredible feat, Huang Shan was left dumbfounded. Before his eyes, the elite soldiers at the cultivation of the origin realm were lying down completely dead. Under some breath of time, his son had broken through to the fifth stage of the origin realm, and now he was facing the strongest person in the kingdom.

Huang Shan couldn't believe on his eyes even though he saw everything there.

With Eli Shan's breakthrough, the power of nature dissipated, leaving behind a sense of lingering uncertainty. "I guess I still can't control this power completely," Eli Shan muttered to himself, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Then Eli Shan met with the king's horrified and enraged gaze. "Demon, you are a demon. Today I will kill you no matter what," the king roared, his voice filled with equal parts terror and fury.

Without hesitation, the king vanished from his position and a punch appeared in front of Eli Shan with blinding speed.

In the blink of an eye, the fist reached before Eli Shan's chest, not giving Eli Shan any chance to dodge or counterattack.

Well... that's what the king thought in his mind.

Boom!

The punch landed perfectly and squarely on Eli Shan's chest, unleashing a shockwave that reverberated throughout the castle. The force emitted from the collision of fist and chest was so powerful that the castle's windows shattered and the walls bore the marks of the impact.

Seeing this, Yui Shan cried out in alarm, her eyes turning red with anger. "Eli Shan!" But Huang Shan gently held her hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Our son is strong, don't worry," he said softly. Then, he directed her attention towards the king. "Besides, look into his eyes."

Yui Shan followed her husband's gaze and looked at the king with her angry, tearful eyes, only to find the king's eyes widened in surprise. "What's happening?" Yui Shan wondered aloud.

As the dust settled and silence descended upon the castle, the king heard a voice that cut through the eerie stillness like a blade.

"Is that all?"

The king stood in disbelief, his eyes widened in astonishment. He didn't even feel like he had punched a human; it was as if he had struck an immovable object. Eli Shan remained firmly rooted in place, unaffected by the force of the blow, leaving the king bewildered by his strength.

How is it possible?

Who is this young man?

He is clearly lower realm than me, how can he be so overwhelming?

As the king's mind overflowed with the thoughts, Eli Shan seized his wrist with a firm grip and hoisted him into the air, a silent but commanding display of dominance.

In a swift and fluid motion, Eli Shan hurled the king to the ground with a thunderous crash.

Boom!

A crater formed on the ground as the king couldn't help but vomit blood. He didn't even know what had happened, and before he could even process it, Eli Shan again pulled him into the air, his hand still gripping the king's wrist tightly, and again slammed him on the ground.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

In front of Eli Shan, the king became like a child who made a mistake and was getting his punishment.

After slamming the king onto the ground repeatedly, Eli Shan lifted him into the air once more and hurled him against the wall.

Boom!

"You are not worthy of the throne," Eli Shan declared, his voice resonating with authority as he surveyed the broken and defeated figure of the king lying amidst a pool of blood.

The king, battered and broken, could only admit it in the face of Eli Shan's overwhelming might.

"Why did I provoke a monster like him?" the king's mind raced with regret and desperation.

"But if I am going to die, I will take at least one with me!"

Driven by desperation, the king launched himself toward Huang Shan, Eli Shan's father, effortlessly shattering the barrier erected by Eli Shan at the peak of the Zun realm. With swift steps, he reached behind Huang Shan, his hand clasping around Huang Shan's neck, using him as a hostage.

"Eli Shan, do you think you can do anything, huh? Even if I am going to die, I will take at least one with me," the king spat, his voice laced with desperation and malice.

Seeing the king taking his father as a hostage, Eli Shan erupted with anger, his cultivation surging with an intensity that pressured the king even from a distance.

"If you dare to harm my father," he thundered, his voice laced with fury, "I will make you watch as I torture your entire family before your very eyes, and I will not stop until they beg for death!"

Huang Shan shook his head, his expression calm despite the dire situation. "Son, do not stoop to his level. Do not harm the innocent, no matter the circumstances," he advised, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom and experience.

Eli Shan, filled with anger, was taken aback by his father's calm demeanor. And then, to his shock, his father who had been at the true qi realm just moments ago, was gradually growing stronger right before his eyes!

Peak of the true qi realm!

First Stage of Tian Realm!

Peak of the Tian Realm!

Zun Peak Realm!

Origin Realm!

Origin Peak Realm!

Boom!

Half-Step Emperor Realm!

The king, who had been holding Huang Shan hostage, felt his grip loosen as fear coursed through his veins. Trembling with fear, he took a step back, his hand shaking uncontrollably.

"You... you monsters! Your entire family is a monster! How could you break through so many realms so easily?" the king stammered, his voice quivering with fear as he fell to the ground in a trembling heap.

This was the half-step of the emperor realm!

Even the emperor won't bother to save him from this guy!

Eli Shan's eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at his father in a new light. "Father? You're a Half-Step Emperor?" he exclaimed, disbelief evident in his voice.

Huang Shan smiled warmly at his son. "Didn't I always say that your father is strong? You can do what you must do. As long as you don't harm the innocent, I will always stand beside you," he reassured Eli Shan, his voice filled with paternal pride and love.

Eli Shan felt warmth from his father's words. His expression turned solemn as he made a vow to his father, "I will never do wrong, father."

Huang Shan nodded in affirmation. "I know my son is not bad," he replied, his smile gentle and reassuring.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the king attempted to use his last resort to stay alive. "I-I don't know who you are but don't forget I ascended to the throne by the emperor's decree. Apart from him, no one is permitted to lay a hand on me, not even a half-step emperor!"

Huang Shan chuckled heartily, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "Hahaha. Do you truly believe that the emperor would punish a front-line fighter for the sake of a mere king?" he retorted, his laughter echoing through the room.

The king's expression turned to one of shock and disbelief as he stared at Huang Shan in horror. "You... you are a front-line fighter?" he stammered, his voice quivering with fear.

"You are half correct. I was once a front-line fighter, but due to a severe injury, my cultivation was reduced to that of a half-emperor." He turned to Yui Shan, his smile warm and affectionate. "So I decided to live a simple life with my beloved and assist her in managing her clan."

Hearing his father's words and observing the king's expression, Eli Shan realized that his father was not an ordinary person. Despite this, he was curious and asked, "Father, what exactly is a front-line fighter?"

Huang Shan paused for a moment, considering his son's question before responding. "I believe you are strong enough to know about it now," he began. "In this universe, there are many planets, and on each planet, there are individuals who protect their homeworld from invaders."

Eli Shan nodded, but interrupted his father in the middle of the explanation. "Why do people invade other planets?" he asked, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.

Huang Shan explained patiently, "Cultivators require resources to advance their cultivation. The higher their realm, the more resources they need. However, each planet has limited resources, so cultivators often travel across the universe, invading other planets to plunder their resources."

"I see," Eli Shan murmured, his understanding deepening. "So front-line fighters are the strongest defenders who safeguard our planet from invaders?"

Huang Shan grinned proudly, puffing out his chest. "That's right. Front-line fighters are revered as some of the strongest individuals below the four emperors. We work together to protect our planet from any threats," he affirmed, a hint of smugness in his tone.

Eli Shan nodded in understanding, "Father, you're truly amazing."

Huang Shan's expression grew even more smug. "Indeed, I am quite amazing, aren't I?"

Eli Shan nodded with a smile.

On the ground, the king realized that no one could save him now.

Frontline fighters? They were the most formidable individuals below the four emperors, dedicated to safeguarding the world.

Even the emperor held them in high regard.

How could a mere king hope to compare to their might?

With resignation, he could only lie there and await his inevitable demise.