After leaving Qingzhou, Ye Xuan arrived in the Five-Dimensional Universe.
At this time, the Five-Dimensional Universe was thriving. Not only that, it was also unified under a single banner.
The Five-Dimensional Alliance!
This was a faction Ye Xuan had founded long ago. Though he’d been absent, it had grown into the most powerful force in the Five-Dimensional Universe.
Now, the key figures running the Five-Dimensional Alliance were Guan Yin, Ye Zhiming, and the High Priestess Amu—loyal followers who’d stood by Ye Xuan from the start.
The Five-Dimensional Hall.
In front of the grand hall stood two statues: one of Mu Niannian, the Heavenly Dao of the Five-Dimensional Universe, and the other of Ye Xuan.
Back then, without Mu Niannian and Ye Xuan, the Five-Dimensional Universe would have ceased to exist.
Ye Xuan wasn’t just the Alliance Leader now—he was the Guardian Deity of the Five-Dimensional Universe.
…
Five-Dimensional City.
Today, Five-Dimensional City was the largest and most prosperous hub in the Five-Dimensional Universe. After Ye Xuan’s departure, under the leadership of Amu, Guan Yin, and others, the city had expanded dozens of times over.
Within its walls gathered forces from every corner of the Five-Dimensional Universe.
One day, a man stepped into Five-Dimensional City.
That man was Ye Xuan!
He didn’t go straight to Guan Yin or the others. He wanted to first see what the Five-Dimensional Universe had become.
He’d never forgotten this place. He’d promised his sister Nian that as long as he lived, he’d protect the Five-Dimensional Universe.
Entering the city, a sense of vastness washed over him.
Compared to the past, Five-Dimensional City was *far* grander. The main street alone stretched a full hundred zhang wide!
It bustled with traffic—carts and pedestrians weaving through, a lively hum in the air.
On either side of the street stood shops, their clerks hawking wares with gusto.
Ye Xuan smiled.
Here, he could feel the pulse of human life. In places like the Dao Realm, that sensation was absent—everyone there chased the Great Dao and immortality.
That world was all about cultivation, plunder, or being plundered.
But in the Five-Dimensional Universe, most people sought simply to live.
And honestly, that was pretty good!
Snapping out of his thoughts, Ye Xuan pressed on.
Soon, though, he grew bored. He’d been waiting—waiting for someone to recognize him. Yet along the way, not a single soul did!
There was a statue of him right outside the city!
How could no one know him?
Plus, the city’s order was impeccable. He hadn’t encountered a single troublemaker!
Damn it!
No villains—how was he supposed to show off?
A hero saving a damsel would’ve been nice!
After a stretch of walking with no recognition or drama, Ye Xuan lost interest. Just as he decided to seek out Guan Yin and Ye Zhiming, a commotion erupted in the distance. His eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
He reached a large shop—the biggest around, easily able to hold a hundred people.
A crowd had gathered outside.
Inside, ancient artifacts lined the shelves. A young man and a woman faced off.
The man wore an ornate robe, fanning himself with a folding fan—clearly no ordinary figure. The woman, in a simple white skirt, had a refined look and a hint of pride.
The man’s face darkened. “Wu Ling’er, I saw this item first.”
Wu Ling’er replied coolly, “Does seeing it make it yours? You saw it first, but I paid first!”
The man’s expression turned icy. “Wu Ling’er, don’t think being from the Wu Clan gives you free rein to act like this!”
Wu Ling’er said calmly, “Guan Jing, others might fear your Yinling Clan, but my Wu Clan doesn’t.”
The shop owner stood by, torn. He couldn’t afford to offend either of them!
Suddenly, Guan Jing declared, “Wu Ling’er, I’m telling you—this item is mine!”
Wu Ling’er smirked. “With what? You think being kin to Guan Yin scares my Wu Clan?”
Guan Jing replied evenly, “And your arrogance—doesn’t it come from being kin to the Wu Clan’s High Priestess?”
Hearing this, Ye Xuan’s brow furrowed.
The Five-Dimensional Universe might look prosperous and peaceful, but beneath the surface, issues simmered.
The Five-Dimensional Alliance wasn’t just humans—it housed many races, and conflicts, big and small, were inevitable.
Wu Ling’er turned to the shop owner. “Who’re you selling to?”
Guan Jing’s eyes followed.
The owner gave a bitter smile—both were untouchable!
Then Ye Xuan stepped forward. He glanced at Guan Jing and Wu Ling’er, then asked the owner, “Who saw this item first?”
The owner hesitated, then said, “Both did!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “There’s got to be a first and a second, right?”
The owner eyed Ye Xuan, sighed softly, and muttered, “Young sir, best not get involved.”
Ye Xuan was about to speak when Wu Ling’er snapped, “Who are you?”
He turned to her, smiling. “From your talk, it sounds like Guan Jing saw it first, right?”
Wu Ling’er glared. “He saw it first, but I paid first!”
Ye Xuan glanced at the contested item—a black iron shard. He picked it up, inspecting it. To him, it was trash, but in the Five-Dimensional Universe, it was decent.
After a moment, he opened his palm, and two swords appeared. With a thought, they floated to Guan Jing and Wu Ling’er. “No need to fight over this shard. I’ll give you each a sword—better quality than this thing. How’s that?”
The owner studied Ye Xuan, frowning. Why did he look familiar?
Guan Jing eyed the sword, hesitated, then said, “Brother, I’ll pass on the sword—and the shard.”
Clearly, he sensed Ye Xuan wasn’t ordinary.
Ye Xuan smiled. “No worries, it’s a gift. Take it.”
Guan Jing paused, then said, “Thanks, then!” and took the sword.
Ye Xuan turned to Wu Ling’er. She sneered, “Why should I care about your opinion? Who do you think you are?”
Ye Xuan’s brow creased.
Wu Ling’er swatted his sword away, then swept the shard aside. She strode up to him, staring him down. “You’re frowning? What, upset?”
Ye Xuan laughed. “I see it now—you’re picking a fight on purpose!”
Wu Ling’er grinned. “Yeah, I am. What—you gonna hit me?”
Ye Xuan raised his hand and slapped her.
*Smack!*
Before anyone could react, Wu Ling’er flew onto the street.
The crowd froze.
He hit her?
She was from the Wu Clan!
And who were they? The High Priestess Amu, their leader, was a powerhouse elder in the Five-Dimensional Alliance!
Guan Jing glanced at Ye Xuan, curiosity and caution flickering in his eyes.
The owner stammered, “Young sir… she’s Wu Clan!”
Ye Xuan said calmly, “So what?”
The owner forced a smile. “Sir, you know the Wu Clan’s High Priestess Amu?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Of course.”
The owner hesitated, then added, “She’s an elder in the Five-Dimensional Alliance—her influence is sky-high. You…”
He trailed off, then continued, “Most importantly, our Guardian Deity, Alliance Leader Ye, is her Wu attendant!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Wu Ling’er suddenly snarled, venom dripping, “You dared hit me!”
Ye Xuan turned to her, about to speak, when hoofbeats thundered from afar. The crowd parted as fifty black-armored Wu Clan cavalry charged in.
The owner trembled. “Sir, that’s the Wu Clan cavalry…”
The riders halted before the shop. Their leader, a young man, saw the red handprint on Wu Ling’er’s face and roared, “Who did this?!”
A beastly bellow!
Wu Ling’er stood, pointing at Ye Xuan. “Brother, this human—this lowly human!”
*Lowly human?*
Ye Xuan’s brow twitched.
The Wu youth glared at him. “You?”
Ye Xuan nodded lightly. “Yes.”
A flash of killing intent crossed the youth’s eyes. “Who gave you the guts?”
He lunged, fist swinging at Ye Xuan.
But it missed.
Ye Xuan had somehow slipped several zhang away.
Guan Jing’s eyes widened in shock.
This Wu youth was at the Origin Realm!
Missing his punch, the youth blinked, then squinted at Ye Xuan. “Who are you?”
Ye Xuan opened his mouth to reply, but the youth snarled, “I don’t care who you are—touch my Wu Clan, and we’ll wipe out your whole family!”
He charged again, fist faster, stronger.
Mid-swing, a hand slapped his cheek.
*Smack!*
A crisp sound rang out as he sailed through the air.
The crowd gaped.
Ye Xuan eyed the youth, about to speak, when he roared, “Kill him! Kill him now!”
The Wu cavalry spurred forward, charging Ye Xuan.
His gaze turned icy.
