Chapter 273: Shi Zi Teng

“It is I who have returned. After so many years apart, Grandfather, how have you been? I pay my respects to you.” A figure emerged from the curtain of rain, composed and unshakably steady. His body bore no radiance, nor any protective glyphs, yet not a single drop of rain touched him. Tall and slender, his strides were firm, carrying a rhythm both ethereal and elusive—so much so that if one weren’t paying attention, his presence would go unnoticed, as if he had merged with the very fabric of the world.

“Zi Teng, I have been waiting for your return. Your grandfather has been crippled!” Shi Yuan cried out, his face ashen, seething with resentment.

“Grandfather, fear not. I have returned.” Shi Zi Teng’s voice turned icy.

His appearance sent ripples through the Martial King’s Mansion, shifting the expressions of many. Shi Zi Teng—a man of formidable power, whose name might not resonate loudly in the common circles of the imperial capital, but to those in the know, he was a figure of terrifying repute. Mysterious and low-key, he rarely acted, but when he did, his strikes were ruthless and merciless, leaving no survivors. His infamy remained subdued, largely because he seldom appeared in the capital, spending years in distant cultivation, returning only once in a great while—sometimes not for nearly a decade.

A rumor circulated in the capital: he had apprenticed under an ancient divine mountain, learning from a primordial beast of legend, and had spent years comprehending the supreme Dao. It was this very rumor that instilled deep dread in those who understood his true strength.

Within the Martial King’s Mansion, this long-absent descendant, who returned only once in many years, was regarded with particular attention—for many suspected the rumors might hold truth.

“Fifteenth Uncle, it has been many years. How have you been?” Shi Zi Teng stepped forward, revealing his true form. Though he appeared no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, his clan knew he was already past forty. Tall and upright, his skin was pale as jade, shimmering with a crystalline luster. His eyes were deep as the starry sky, his raven-black hair thick and cascading over his chest and back, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Some people leave an indelible impression at first glance, destined to soar beyond mediocrity—Shi Zi Teng was clearly one of them.

“I have not been well. What I’ve witnessed upon returning has brought me great sorrow and disappointment,” the Fifteenth Elder replied, his towering frame radiating honesty.

“Fifteenth Uncle, your spirit and vitality surge like the ocean. How can you say such things?” Shi Zi Teng remarked.

“Why pretend? You’ve returned now only to oppose me, haven’t you?” The Great Demon God’s aura was unfathomable, his eyes swirling with collapsing galaxies as he fixed his gaze ahead.

“I truly do not wish to stand against you, Fifteenth Uncle. But sometimes, there is no choice. What else can be done when things have come to this?” Shi Zi Teng spoke calmly.

“You know everything, don’t you? You understand it all?” the Fifteenth Elder asked.

“Yes. I know of the past, and I am aware of the present,” Shi Zi Teng answered.

The Great Demon God’s expression darkened. He knew this nephew’s talent was transcendent, far surpassing even the so-called geniuses by manyfold. His potential was immense, making this confrontation all the more regrettable.

“Do you truly intend to walk this path to the end?” the Fifteenth Elder asked gravely.

“Fifteenth Uncle, you should not have returned. Our clan is now on the right path—prosperous and strong. With Yi’er here, we will surely reach the pinnacle in time,” Shi Zi Teng said, his voice soft yet carrying an oppressive weight.

“What you mean to say is that with you and Yi’er here, I should not have returned, isn’t it? You believe the two of you are enough to elevate our clan,” the Great Demon God countered, his gaze piercing.

“Perhaps,” Shi Zi Teng replied.

“Shi Zi Teng, you are too arrogant!” The old brothers behind the Fifteenth Elder could no longer hold back.

“Strong on the surface, hollow within. If you continue down this path, the Martial King’s Mansion will crumble and perish,” the Fifteenth Elder said, having no desire to elaborate further.

“Shi Zi Teng, since you understand the cause and effect, you must know where Yi’er’s Supreme Bone came from. Do you feel no remorse?” an elder shouted.

“My wife is dead—executed by Shi Zi Ling. If we delve into accounts, how should that debt be settled?” Shi Zi Teng’s voice was frigid.

“You remember only the punishment dealt to your wife, but not the reason. A child born a Supreme Being was destroyed, even killed—how cruel is that?” another elder roared.

“Then let us not dwell on the past. Yi’er’s rise cannot be stopped. Do any of your descendants surpass him? If so, I will turn and leave!” Shi Zi Teng said coldly.

“So, in the end, you believe I should not have returned, that I should not have sought to rectify our clan?” the Fifteenth Elder said.

“Fifteenth Uncle, you truly should not have returned. Our clan has Yi’er—that is enough,” Shi Zi Teng replied evenly.

“To kill you with a single strike would be a waste of your talent. But to let you live would be a violation of clan law.” The Great Demon God’s words were merciless, his face stern.

“Fifteenth Uncle, do you truly believe you can kill me?” Shi Zi Teng smiled faintly. His deep eyes, flawless jade-like skin, and gleaming black hair left an unforgettable impression—as if he were a reincarnated being from the higher realms.

“You are not yet capable,” the Great Demon God said simply.

“I am ten years your junior, and Zi Ling is ten years mine. Cultivation is not solely a matter of time, but it does play a role. I am no match for you now, and if Zi Ling were to face me, he would fare no better,” Shi Zi Teng said calmly.

His words unsettled many. He openly admitted inferiority to the Great Demon God, then pointedly mentioned Shi Zi Ling—was this a veiled threat?

“Which is why I have invited the Rain King,” Shi Zi Teng added.

Rain poured from the heavens, drenching the Martial King’s Mansion. The faces of many darkened—this was nothing short of provocation, an act of sheer audacity.

“Shi Zi Teng, this is an internal clan matter. Yet you bring an outsider here—are you still a descendant of the Shi Clan?” an elder bellowed.

“The clan faces turmoil. I have summoned aid to quell rebellion—is that improper?” Shi Zi Teng countered.

Fury surged among the crowd. The Fifteenth Elder’s faction held the advantage, and they feared further upheaval. Meanwhile, Shi Yuan and his allies stirred with excitement, their eyes flashing with dark anticipation. Knowing his grandson well, Shi Yuan was certain this was not his only move.

The Great Demon God stared at Shi Zi Teng. “I give you one path—leave.”

For the first time, Shi Zi Teng’s expression shifted. That word—”leave”—was one he had not heard in years. His master’s lineage stood above all, overlooking the entire Desolate Wasteland. Who dared speak to him thus?

“Rain King, you have two choices. I’ve said it before—leave now, or after I defeat you, I will dismantle the Rain Clan!” the Great Demon God declared, his voice icy.

The rain thickened, veiling the Rain King in an enigmatic haze.

“Old Fifteen, you overestimate yourself!” the Rain King retorted.

With a thunderous boom, torrential rain and lightning erupted, silver serpents lashing down upon the mansion. The sheer audacity of unleashing such power within the Martial King’s domain left everyone seething.

The Great Demon God’s face hardened as he strode forward, advancing toward both Shi Zi Teng and the Rain King, intent on ending this.

“Yi’er’s mother was one of my most beloved descendants, yet she was slain by Shi Zi Ling. This debt must be repaid!” the Rain King murmured.

The old brothers behind the Fifteenth Elder burned with rage. Why not mention the cause?

The Great Demon God, too, was incensed. His pitiable grandson, born a Supreme Being, had his bone stolen, his body ruined, his fate unknown. His father had sought justice, only to now face condemnation.

“Why did Zi Ling rebel? Whose body now houses my grandson’s Supreme Bone?” The Fifteenth Elder’s voice was frigid, laced with sorrow.

“Yi’er is a Dual-Pupiled Divine Being, born a deity. How can your grandson compare?” the Rain King sneered.

“Had my grandson lived, even without his Supreme Bone, he would have risen beyond all limits!” the Great Demon God said, his voice low but his gaze glacial. The thought of such a loss filled him with grief, a howl of anguish trapped in his chest.

“Prove it then. Bring your grandson to face Yi’er—let us see who is stronger!” the Rain King taunted.

“You lack conviction, hence this provocation. You’ve already lost,” the Great Demon God said coldly, his tone eerily calm.

“Today, at the invitation of the Martial King’s direct lineage, I act in his stead to purge rebellion and execute Shi Zhong Tian!” The Rain King’s voice boomed like thunder, shaking the entire capital. He had invoked the “True Howl,” a sound-based technique that resonated across the city.

“Take your filthy rain elsewhere. Do not sully my Martial King’s Mansion with your mire. Cease your barking, or be shot down!” The Great Demon God’s voice, equally thunderous, rippled through the capital, shocking all who heard it. To address a king of a clan in such a manner—this was outright contempt.

“Boom!”

A brilliant light erupted, piercing the clouds and scattering the rain. The Great Demon God struck, his hair standing on end, his eyes unleashing two dragon-shaped pillars of energy that soared into the heavens, their colossal forms terrifying beyond measure.

A black dragon and a white dragon, birthed from his gaze, rapidly expanded to dominate the sky, their might unparalleled.

“Crash!”

The Rain King retaliated, summoning heavenly lightning to strike at the twin dragons, his dominance on full display.

“Roar—!”

One dragon opened its maw, devouring the storm of lightning as it surged forward, while the other dragon vanished into the clouds, its body erupting with radiant electricity.

“Crack!”

Lightning split the sky, tearing through the rain as countless bolts converged upon the Rain King.

“Bang!”

Though shielded, the Rain King was sent flying, nearly toppled in the first exchange.

“Rain King, by what right do you spew nonsense in my clan’s domain? Leave or die!” the Great Demon God roared, his voice shaking mountains and rivers. He charged, fist raised.

“Break!” the Rain King shouted.

Rivers of rainwater reversed their flow, surging upward to engulf the Fifteenth Elder.

“Suppress!”

The Great Demon God’s fist descended, shattering the ascending torrents and obliterating glyphs with unstoppable force.

“Boom!”

The Rain King crossed his arms to block, but upon impact, he convulsed as if struck by lightning. The force was monstrous—like a mountain crashing down. Blood sprayed from his lips as he was hurled backward.

“Hum—!”

The world trembled. The Great Demon God pursued, his next strike like a primordial peak descending, threatening to shatter the void, countless glyphs swirling around him.

The Rain King blocked again, his arms screaming in agony as if his bones had shattered. More blood spilled as he was sent flying once more.

“If you have a connection to the divine, reveal it now. Otherwise, you are no match for me!” the Great Demon God bellowed, his voice resounding through the capital.

Such arrogance, such a challenge—the Rain King’s face twisted between fury and humiliation. “You seek death!”

“It is you who seeks death!” The Great Demon God’s palm blotted out the sky, vast as a storm cloud, its terror unmatched.

The world quaked. Today would not end peacefully—a battle of divine proportions was inevitable.