Chapter Thirty-Eight: A New World!

"As everyone knows, we humans are not a supernatural race; we are born without innate powers. Then, in the ancient dawn of time, who showed us the way? Do you dare to say that the mortal who first groped along that path was worthless?" Zhou Tian pointed at the man, his hair stirring though there was no wind, his gaze sharp as a blade!

The man's face turned deathly pale, panic clear in his eyes. At Da Luo Academy, reverence for teachers and the ancient sages was paramount—let alone those who first spread the Dao. If he dared say such a thing, Da Luo Academy would likely expel him on the spot!

In truth, Zhou Tian was twisting the argument, for while those original seekers were mortals, they possessed the potential for cultivation—the inability to cultivate came much later. Debating such matters demanded a nimble mind, and in his previous life, Zhou Tian had sparred among the so-called “keyboard philosophers,” where not only mental agility was necessary, but also swift typing. If your opponent fired off three sentences while you managed only a single word, you’d be left floundering, so Zhou Tian’s mind was well-honed for such battles.

The best way to defeat someone is to strike both mind and body, but since Zhou Tian could not overpower them physically, he could only crush their spirit...

"You dare not say it!"

"Why wouldn't you dare?"

"Because you fear losing your current status!"

"Because you fear sinking back into obscurity and scorn!"

"Not only do you lack the courage to call those people worthless, you don't even dare to threaten me!"

The man's eyes flashed, about to speak, but Zhou Tian cut him off.

"You might want to say, 'I dare! I dare!'"

"But have you considered who I am? I am the son of King Qin of the Tianqin Empire, the emperor’s own nephew! And you? You are just an ordinary student of Da Luo Academy, with no background and no influence. If something were to happen to me because of you, the Tianqin Empire would go to war for my sake!"

"But if you were to die here, would Da Luo Academy go to war with the Tianqin Empire for you?!"

"Just as now..."

Zhou Tian strode forward and slapped the man across the face.

A crisp, resounding smack echoed through the hall; everyone stared in shock.

"I’ve slapped you. Dare you strike back?"

"Do you dare?"

Zhou Tian shouted, seizing the man’s hand.

"I am just a mortal; you could crush me with a single blow. Come on, do you dare?"

The man stared blankly, clutching his stinging cheek, looking down at his own trembling hand, which Zhou Tian gripped.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted dead away.

"Now, that is what it means to be worthless. Do you understand?" Zhou Tian glanced at the remaining students and took a breath. "Do you know what a 'keyboard philosopher' is, you naive little rabbits?"

"Let’s go!"

The rest of the group wore gloomy expressions as they lifted their unconscious companion and left the hall.

Tianling gazed at Zhou Tian with her wide, sparkling eyes, full of admiration. "So impressive…"

"You’re amazing, brother!" Zhou Zui stared, dumbfounded at Zhou Tian. To talk someone into unconsciousness—remarkable!

"As you said, these people are nobodies, unable to stand up to scrutiny, with fragile hearts," Zhou Tian said coolly. "It’s clear they weren’t raised as the heirs of great powers."

"But I think you’ve made enemies today. There are a few real tough ones among them, though they didn’t come this time," Zhou Zui added. He had crossed paths with a few formidable opponents during a previous fight; it hadn’t been a one-sided rout.

"It doesn’t matter. Do you not know my capabilities by now?" Zhou Tian said, ruffling Tianling’s hair.

"True enough," Zhou Zui recalled how, with just three sentences, Zhou Tian had immobilized him for a long while.

"By the way, how long were you stuck over there?" Zhou Tian asked, still uncertain about the duration of his “Holy Word” ability.

"Brother, you don’t know? It was a full half an hour! By the time I could move, the spell formation had been gone for ages. I figured I was already late wherever I went, so I came straight to the palace!"

"Half an hour..." Zhou Tian stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Just then, as Zhou Tian was lost in thought, he noticed a few young men from the State of Qi sneaking toward the exit.

"Hey, don’t go! Stay and have something to eat!" Zhou Tian called out.

"No, no, we’re not hungry..."

"We’ll talk next time, next time..."

The group forced awkward smiles and hurried out. Was this guy the devil himself? Inviting us to dinner—what if he slaps each of us next?

With their departure, the vast palace hall was left to Zhou Tian and his companions.

Gazing at the empty chamber, Zhou Tian sighed. "Third Prince, you really didn’t do a good job entertaining our guests. What will you say when His Majesty arrives?"

Everyone was speechless.

Zhou Xunchuan forced a bitter smile. "Heir of King Qin, do you really not know what’s going on?"

"What’s to know? You people are always fussing over such trivial matters. Let’s eat! Our Tianling is hungry!" Zhou Tian led Tianling to the table, tore off a wind-cured leg of meat, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Inside the council chamber of the imperial palace—a place reserved for discussions rather than formal court sessions, more akin to a forum for exchanging ideas—those seated here all held high rank and real power, unlike the idle ministers.

At the center stood a vast oval metal table, its black surface engraved with dragon patterns. At the head sat the Emperor of Qin, upon a purple-gold dragon throne, exquisitely crafted and most imposing.

The ministers sat in two columns: King Qin, King Xiaoyao, the Imperial Preceptor, Chancellor Liu, and several other dignitaries of great authority.

Zhou Quan and Zhou Yu were also present, though as yet unqualified to sit at the main table, they could only watch quietly from the side.

At the head, the Emperor of Qin smiled faintly. The ministers gathered round, unaware of what had happened outside; within the palace, all divine senses were blocked by powerful formations—only the emperor’s could extend beyond.

Suppressing his smile, the emperor spoke, "Let Zhou Quan brief us on the newly discovered world."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhou Quan stood and began. "Some time ago, a powerful world fluctuation was detected from the Void Sea. Following the pulse, we discovered a super-sized world!"

"A super-sized world..." The Imperial Preceptor frowned, his gaze star-bright, thoughts spinning rapidly.

"What do we know of this super-sized world?" Chancellor Liu, seated at the emperor’s right, inquired.

"The barrier surrounding this world is extraordinarily strong; so far, we’ve been unable to penetrate it. The only certainty is that it is not inferior to any of the ancient Nine Provinces!"

A collective gasp swept the hall.

"Is the information reliable?" The Preceptor’s aura flared, divine light blazing from his eyes, countless formations flickering around him, his presence overwhelming the chamber.

"It has been confirmed by the Three Ancestors," Zhou Quan replied.

"Then there can be no doubt," said Chancellor Liu, the air around him warping imperceptibly. Though he showed no outward emotion, his heart was far from calm.