October's light rain, the autumn wind cool.
Jiangcheng, West Lake Cemetery.
A rain, a person, a pot of wine.
A grave.
Ye Ling sat, gazing quietly at the tombstone before him. Rainwater streamed down his cheeks, indistinguishable from tears.
Clad in an ancient ink-black robe, his long hair cascaded over his shoulders. With sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, Ye Ling appeared as an ancient king stepped from a painting. Yet, his face was ashen, his eyes filled with solitude.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back..."
Ye Ling's eyes closed slightly, his voice trembling.
Six years ago, the Ye Corporation was framed, leading to bankruptcy. Mr. and Mrs. Ye died in a car accident, their eldest son, Ye Ling, was shot dead, and their youngest daughter, Ye You, disappeared without a trace.
A massacre that shook the heavens and earth!
"If I hadn't encountered a spatial rift before death and been cast into another world, I would likely have been at the bottom of West Lake by now."
Ye Ling opened his eyes, demonic energy emanating from him. The rain froze in mid-air, the world falling silent.
He murmured, "Sixty thousand years in the Eastern Xuan Continent, six years on Earth. Fortunately, my enemies still remain."
His voice, though not loud, echoed through the cemetery.
Killing intent surged, reaching for the sky.
Six years ago, he had been stranded in another world, a place where immortals roamed the eight directions, capable of moving mountains and filling seas at will, where the weak were treated as mere ants.
He cultivated diligently for sixty thousand years, traversing mountains of corpses, drinking from seas of blood, ascending to the firmament of that other world, and suppressing all living beings!
Yet, he could not forget his family, brutally murdered on Earth, nor his lost younger sister.
Therefore, defying the Heavenly Dao, he tore through the firmament, crossed the universe, and finally returned here!
"Six years ago, Earth lost a good-for-nothing named Ye Ling. Today... I, the Emperor, have returned. This world shall tremble because of me."
Ten divine weapons materialized behind Ye Ling, transforming into ten figures, male and female, each with a distinct aura, yet all equally powerful.
These were treasures that could suppress the world; any one of them could slay gods and demons, and dominate an era!
Ye Ling drained the pot of wine, the surrounding demonic energy vanishing completely.
The rain began to subside, the wind continued to blow.
Ye Ling rose, turned, and departed. He addressed the ten figures, "Disperse to your respective locations, gather countless talents, and rebuild the Demonic Palace here. Search for Ye You's whereabouts."
"As you command, Emperor."
The ten figures bowed respectfully to Ye Ling, transforming into ten beams of light that shot into the sky, scattering in all directions.
Ye Ling descended the mountain, and a tall, stunningly beautiful woman approached him.
She wore a blue jacket, a purple dress, and brown knee-high boots. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, her skin was like jade, and her features were as if meticulously carved by the gods. Her demeanor was serene, evoking a sense of tenderness.
Her name was Su Ruoxue, a descendant of a prominent family in Jiangcheng and a former friend of Ye Ling.
Su Ruoxue, holding a bouquet of flowers, brushed past Ye Ling.
A gentle breeze stirred, her dark hair fluttering.
Su Ruoxue paused, turning to look back at Ye Ling, feeling his silhouette was incredibly familiar.
"Is it just my imagination?"
Su Ruoxue murmured, then turned to leave.
A gust of wind swept through, and Su Ruoxue's grip loosened. Her umbrella was blown away, and she hurried to catch it. However, her foot slipped, and she stumbled towards Ye Ling.
"Be careful!"
Su Ruoxue cried out. Ye Ling turned, and Su Ruoxue fell directly into his arms, their eyes meeting.
The umbrella rolled down the mountain. Su Ruoxue stared blankly at Ye Ling, lost in thought.
"You..."
Su Ruoxue was completely stunned, forgetting even to pull away from Ye Ling's embrace.
"Be careful."
Ye Ling said gently, as if he didn't know Su Ruoxue.
"I-I'm sorry... You look a lot like a friend I used to have."
Realizing her impropriety, Su Ruoxue quickly stepped back two paces and bowed to Ye Ling in apology.
Ye Ling smiled gently, a black umbrella appearing in his hand. He offered it to Su Ruoxue, "The rain hasn't stopped yet, please use mine."
"Th-thank you..."
Su Ruoxue took Ye Ling's umbrella. Before she could open it, she realized Ye Ling had no umbrella. Just as she was about to return it, she saw Ye Ling had already turned and was leaving.
"Where should I return it to you?" Su Ruoxue quickly asked.
Ye Ling remained silent, continuing down the mountain.
"He really looks like him..." Su Ruoxue gazed blankly at Ye Ling's retreating figure, her thoughts drifting to her past friend, a pang of sorrow striking her heart.
"It's a pity, Ye Ling is no longer here."
"He's not him."
Su Ruoxue sighed softly, opened the umbrella, and turned back up the mountain.
...
Night fell. West Mountain Manor, once belonging to the Ye family, was now the Li family's residence.
That night, West Mountain Manor was brightly lit, bustling with guests.
Luxury cars arrived one after another, and prominent figures from prestigious families and business magnates alighted, entering the estate.
All attendees were dressed in fine attire, their every move exuding elegance.
Today was Li Qingshan's sixtieth birthday, and he had invited the major influential families of Jiangcheng to attend the banquet and celebrate his birthday!
At the entrance of the manor, Ye Ling stood with his hands behind his back, his long hair cascading over his shoulders. His ancient ink-black robe was remarkably eye-catching.
"Li Qingshan, the Ye family's steward, a former friend of my father, and one of the main culprits who framed the Ye family."
Ye Ling murmured to himself, "Back then, I was being pursued and sought refuge with you, Li Qingshan. Little did I know you were also an accomplice, intending to kill me and usurp the Ye family's wealth."
Li Qingshan, by seizing the Ye family's assets, took over the Ye family's businesses. His influence in Jiangcheng grew rapidly, establishing him as a rising influential figure, enjoying immense prestige.
"My parents suffered for six years, companions in the underworld. Today, I shall send you down to accompany them."
Ye Ling walked forward but was stopped by the manor's security guards.
"Sir, do you have an invitation?"
The manor security guard asked Ye Ling respectfully. Although Ye Ling's aura was extraordinary, unlike an ordinary person, his attire and appearance were truly peculiar, making the guard hesitant to let him in easily.
Ye Ling smiled slightly, preparing to conjure an invitation, when a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"He is my friend."
Ye Ling turned and saw Su Ruoxue, dressed in formal wear, standing behind him, smiling at him.
"Miss Su!"
Upon recognizing Su Ruoxue, the manor security guards immediately stepped aside, no longer daring to block him.
Su Ruoxue smiled charmingly, gracefully linking her arm with Ye Ling's, and led him inside.
The surrounding guests were filled with surprise, murmuring amongst themselves.
The Su family was a top-tier influential family in Jiangcheng, and Su Ruoxue was a renowned beauty within their circles, pursued by countless young masters from prominent families.
Now, with Su Ruoxue publicly linking arms with Ye Ling, Ye Ling immediately became the center of everyone's discussion.
"I didn't expect to see you again here. I'll have someone return your umbrella to you later."
Su Ruoxue seemed to be in a good mood upon seeing Ye Ling, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Ye Ling nodded gently and replied, "Mm."
Su Ruoxue studied Ye Ling closely, finding him more and more similar to her former friend, though their temperaments were vastly different.
Su Ruoxue asked, "Are you dressed like this for a performance? What character are you cosplaying? I've seen many cosplayers before, but I've never seen someone as ancient and elegant as you."
"No," Ye Ling replied calmly.
"Then what are you doing here? This place is full of stuffy old men and spoiled brats, and it's that shameless old man Li's birthday. It's quite boring."
Su Ruoxue said frankly, her demeanor completely different from the delicate aura she had displayed at the cemetery earlier.
Seeing Su Ruoxue's lively disposition, Ye Ling couldn't help but recall fond memories of the past, chuckling softly.
"I'm here to kill."