The Invincible Young Master

"Finally here," the boy muttered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the bustling crowd.

He stood before the towering gates of the city, the grand entrance alive with activity.

People in pristine robes flowed steadily into the city, their expressions somewhat excited.

He glanced down at his own attire, white bloodstained dress. The dried, crimson streaks clung stubbornly to the fabric, standing out against the clean, polished appearances of those around him.

The faint metallic scent of dried blood lingered in the air, drawing glances his way.

The beasts he had slain during his journey back to the city had paid the price for their misstep. The thought made his lips twitch into a faint smirk.

The path back to the city had been anything but easy.

Deep in the forest, he had encountered something strange, a massive herd of beasts moving together, a sight so unusual it froze him in his tracks.

Beasts of different species, natural enemies under normal circumstances, marched as one, their movements synchronized like an army obeying a single command.

The eerie coordination still unsettled him. That wasn't normal. Something, or someone, had to be controlling them.

Then their eyes locked on him.

The moment of silence shattered as the herd charged. The ground trembled under the weight of their stampede, snarls and roars merging into a deafening cacophony.

He had no choice but to fight.

It was brutal, one against many. He struck with everything he had, each blow killing a beast.

Blood splattered across his clothes, the metallic scent growing heavier with each strike.

By the time the survivors fled, tails tucked between their legs, over a hundred beasts lay dead at his feet. He stood amidst the carnage, his breath ragged but triumphant.

Beast cores glittered like scattered jewels among the remains. He gathered them, one by one, devouring each and feeling the familiar surge of energy flood his body.

The sheer potency of the energy left him dizzy at first, but as it settled, he felt stronger and sharper.

Shaking off the memory, he turned his attention back to the city gates.

The scene before him was unusual. The crowd at the entrance was far larger than normal, with travelers from all walks of life packed into a long, restless line.

Excitement buzzed in the air, weaving through the murmurs and whispers around him.

Why are so many people here?

he wondered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the row of people.

The city, while always lively, now pulsed with an intensity he hadn't seen before.

"Do you think the immortal will appear in public?" a man whispered, his tone reverent.

"I heard they descended from the heavens themselves," another said, eyes wide with awe.

"I saw it with my own eyes!" someone exclaimed. "A rift opened in the sky, and celestial beings stepped out. It was like a dream."

"I'd give anything just to catch a glimpse of their presence," a woman added, her voice trembling with anticipation.

Nearby, another murmured, "They're staying at the headmaster's residence, I heard. The students in the school must be basking in their glory." Experience more on empire

The boy's steps slowed as he absorbed the chatter. Each word painted a vivid picture, an immortal had arrived in the city, causing a stir unlike anything the people had experienced before.

Immortals. The word alone carried weight. These weren't just powerful ascendants, they were beings who had transcended the mortal plane, their power reaching unfathomable heights.

To see one, to even be in their presence, was considered a blessing, a glimpse of the divine.

The school.

His jaw tightened. The place he had barely escaped from, betrayed and discarded like refuse. The memory of their sneering faces flickered through his mind, reigniting the simmering anger in his chest.

The line moved slowly, but his mind raced ahead. The idea of an immortal so close filled him with a mix of wonder and ambition.

…

Once he passed the gate, the boy moved steadily through the crowded streets, his blood-stained robe a glaring contrast against the vibrant scene around him.

The chatter of merchants hawking their wares mingled with the rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone roads, but it all seemed to quiet in his presence.

Passersby instinctively stepped aside, their eyes darting toward him before quickly averting.

The whispers weren't loud enough to catch words, but he didn't need to hear them to know what they were saying.

His eyes, sharp and focused, swept across the storefronts and alleyways. Then, he froze.

A restaurant caught his attention, its open windows framing a lively scene inside. A group of youths sat around a table laid with steaming dishes and pitchers of wine.

Their pristine robes shimmered with faint spiritual patterns, marking them as students of a prominent school. His school.

Their laughter spilled out into the street, carefree and loud, as they raised their glasses in a toast.

"Eat and drink to your heart's content, brothers!" boomed a tall youth at the head of the table, his tone full of authority and satisfaction. "The elders are pleased with our performance. This feast is our reward!"

The group erupted in cheers, clinking their cups together in celebration.

The boy's expression darkened as recognition flickered in his eyes. He knew them. These weren't just fellow students, they were the very ones who had left him for dead in the forest.

"Congratulations, senior brother, on your nomination for a seat among the Celestials!" one of the younger students exclaimed, his voice brimming with admiration.

The tall youth waved a hand dismissively, though his smirk betrayed his pride. "Keep your voice down. Nothing is finalized yet. This is just between us."

As the group laughed and toasted again, one of them glanced out the window. His gaze scanned the street idly, until it landed on the boy. His smile froze, his drink halfway to his lips, as his face drained of color.

"Senior brother," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Look. Outside."

The others turned their heads, following his line of sight. The laughter died, replaced by an oppressive silence.

Their faces paled as they locked eyes with the figure outside. The blood-stained robe, the fixed stare, it was unmistakable.

"He's supposed to be dead,"

the tall youth muttered, his voice shaking.

"What do we do?"

another asked, panic creeping into his tone.

"If he tells the elders-"

"Shut up!" the tall youth snapped, though his own fear was evident.

The boy stepped forward, his pace slow. The crowd parted instinctively, as if his presence commanded the space around him.

He crossed the threshold of the restaurant, his gaze never leaving the table of students.

The atmosphere shifted as he entered, the hum of conversation fading into uneasy murmurs. All eyes turned to him, the tension thick enough to cut.

"So," the boy said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Having a celebration, are we?"

The tall youth rose from his seat, forcing a strained smile onto his face. "You're alive? Junior Brother, we thought you were...dead"

The boy tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a cold smile. "How considerate of you to care. But we both know the truth, don't we?"

The tall youth's smile faltered, his eyes darting to his companions, who now shifted uncomfortably in their seats. "W-What truth?"

"That you left me for dead," the boy said flatly. "Now the question is: how should we settle this debt?"

"You've got some nerve, coming here and making accusations! You're just an outer student Know your place!" He gestured sharply others "Deal with him!"

They hesitated but ultimately obeyed, rising from their seats and summoning their spiritual energy. Their auras flared, filling the room with heat and tension.

The first youth lunged, aiming a punch infused with spiritual power. The boy sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing the attacker's wrist and twisting it.

With a sharp crack, he slammed the youth into the table, reducing it to splinters.

The second attacker rushed forward, only to be met with a devastating punch to the chest.

The impact sent him flying into a nearby wall, where he crumpled, groaning in pain. The remaining decided to attack him as the same time, but it was useless, as they too were sent flying.

"Enough!" the tall youth roared, stepping forward. His aura surged, far stronger than the others, marking him as an inner sector student. Spiritual energy crackled around his fists as he charged, aiming a blazing strike at the boy.

The boy didn't flinch.

At the last moment, he pivoted, narrowly dodging the strike, and countered with a devastating blow to the senior's abdomen.

The impact sent him hurtling across the room, where he collided with the wall and slumped to the floor, coughing up blood.

"Impossible," he gasped, his voice weak and trembling. "You... How did you...?"

They all knew that he was only a weakling just a while ago, but now he alone suppressed them.

The remaining students, paralyzed with fear, scrambled to flee, but the boy was faster.

In a blur of motion, he struck each one down, shattering their spiritual cores with precise, merciless blows.

Their cries of anguish echoed through the silent restaurant as patrons watched in stunned disbelief.