Douluo:Heaven’s Rejected Monarch

The fading light of the evening cast long shadows across the Fang estate as Fang Yuan stepped into his room. The weight of his awakening still settled heavily on his mind. His body had changed, his mind had changed, and now, nothing would ever be the same.

Na'er sat by the window, her silver hair reflecting the last rays of the sun. She turned when he entered, her violet eyes flickering with quiet curiosity.

"You look different," she said softly.

Fang Yuan smirked as he walked past her, sitting at the table. "Do I?"

Na'er tilted her head slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Something feels… strange about you. Not just the way you look, but the way you feel."

Fang Yuan tapped his fingers against the table, thinking for a moment before answering. "Good. That means I am becoming stronger."

Na'er studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Did it go well?"

Lifting his right hand slightly, Fang Yuan let a small ripple of dark energy flicker around his fingertips. The aura of the Heavenly Demonic Blade still lingered within him. It wasn't something that could be erased so easily. He let the energy fade before glancing at her. "Better than expected."

Na'er's gaze followed the remnants of energy before looking back at him. She gave a small, satisfied nod. "Then I'm glad."

Before Fang Yuan could respond, a knock echoed at the door.

A servant stood outside, bowing slightly. "Young Master, Lord Grandfather has summoned you."

Without hesitation, Fang Yuan rose and left.

Fang Jinhai's study smelled of old parchment and incense. Ancient scrolls, faded tomes, and relics of a forgotten past lay carefully placed on wooden shelves. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows over the symbols carved into the walls, remnants of a history long erased.

Jinhai sat across from Fang Yuan, tapping his cane lightly against the floor. His gaze was calm but piercing.

"There is much you must know," Jinhai began, his voice steady. "Our Fang family is not like other noble families. We are the last remnants of something far greater."

Fang Yuan remained silent, listening.

Jinhai continued, his voice taking on a darker tone. "Twenty thousand years ago, before the current era of Soul Masters, there existed a force that ruled the world from the shadows. A sect built on power, fear, and absolute dominance. The Heavenly Demonic Sect."

Fang Yuan's fingers curled slightly at the name.

"The sect was founded by the first wielder of the Heavenly Demonic Blade, a man whose name has been erased from history. His blade was unmatched, his will unshakable. He did not serve the heavens. He did not bow to gods. He sought only one thing—absolute supremacy."

Jinhai's voice lowered, his eyes darkening. "The sect flourished, its members few but each one powerful beyond measure. But as all things do, it crumbled."

Fang Yuan's voice was calm but curious. "How?"

"The gods themselves turned against it," Jinhai said, his fingers tapping against the old wooden desk. "Some say the sect had reached too far, tried to challenge forces beyond mortal understanding. Others say that its leader—our ancestor—had become too powerful, too uncontrollable. In the end, they were wiped out. The sect's treasures, its inheritance, were scattered across the world."

Fang Yuan exhaled slowly. "And our family?"

"We are the last remnants," Jinhai said. "Our bloodline was nearly wiped out. But through careful planning, generation after generation, our family has worked to restore what was lost. And you, Fang Yuan, are the culmination of that effort."

Fang Yuan remained quiet, absorbing everything.

Jinhai leaned forward slightly. "The Heavenly Demonic Blade is proof that our bloodline has not faded. But your second Martial Soul…" He paused, his fingers tightening on his cane. "That is something else entirely."

Fang Yuan's golden eye flickered faintly.

Jinhai's voice lowered. "Do not reveal that eye to the world. Not yet. Not until we understand what it is."

Fang Yuan smirked slightly. "Afraid?"

Jinhai chuckled. "I fear nothing. But power that cannot be controlled is power that invites destruction. Until you master it, let it remain in the shadows."

Fang Yuan nodded. He already planned to focus on the blade first. The eye… was too unstable. Too unpredictable.

Jinhai leaned back, his gaze turning thoughtful. "The inheritance of the Heavenly Demonic Sect was not just the blade. There are seven soul bones tied to its true power, each representing a part of the body. They were lost when the sect was destroyed."

Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where are they?"

Jinhai exhaled. "Scattered. Some were taken by other clans, others sealed away in forgotten lands. You will need to prove your worth to claim them."

He reached to his side and took out a black scroll, its old crimson seal still intact. He slid it across the table.

"This is your first step," he said. "The Heavenly Demonic Blade Manual, a sword technique crafted by our ancestor, uniquely designed for the blade. Alongside it is a Soul Accumulation Technique, which will allow you to refine your soul energy efficiently."

Fang Yuan took the scroll, feeling the ancient texture beneath his fingers.

Jinhai's gaze was firm. "Study it well. Begin training immediately. Tomorrow, you will go to the Spirit Pagoda to obtain your first Soul Spirit."

Fang Yuan stood, the weight of everything settling in his chest. Without another word, he left the study.

Back in his room, Fang Yuan unrolled the scroll, his fingers tracing the ancient symbols. Na'er glanced over from the bed, her violet eyes curious.

"What is that?" she asked.

"A manual," Fang Yuan answered.

"For what?"

He smirked slightly. "For becoming stronger."

She nodded, shifting slightly before closing her eyes.

Fang Yuan let his gaze linger on the text for a moment longer before he began reading.

Tomorrow, he would step into the Spirit Pagoda.

And his journey would truly begin.