Mu Chen stared at Han Ji Shen in complete disbelief.
Mu Chen: “Enchanted glass? Bro, you’re driving me insane! That’s a smartphone! I was trying to call my friend!”
Han Ji Shen fell silent, clearly caught off guard.
Han Ji Shen: “A smartphone…? How can voices travel through such a small piece of glass?”
Mu Chen let out a long, exhausted sigh, as though he were explaining the obvious to a stubborn child.
Mu Chen: “This isn’t some enchanted weapon, you ancient relic. It’s a communication device. It lets us talk to anyone in the world instantly, no matter how far away they are.”
Han Ji Shen lowered his gaze slightly.
Han Ji Shen: “You have my apologies. I mistook it for a concealed weapon.”
Mu Chen folded his arms.
Mu Chen: “Well, I don’t know about concealed weapons, but if you smash my phone again, I’ll personally send you to the afterlife.”
Picking up what remained of his phone, Mu Chen immediately called Lan Hai.
The call connected after two rings.
Lan Hai: “Yeah, Mu Chen. What’s going on?”
Mu Chen let out another helpless sigh.
Mu Chen: “Bro, the guy we rescued has officially become the biggest headache of my life. He doesn’t remember who he is, and the hospital says we have to take responsibility for him until his identity can be confirmed.”
Lan Hai didn’t hesitate.
Lan Hai: “Alright. Bring him home.”
Mu Chen blinked.
Mu Chen: “That was surprisingly easy.”
Lan Hai chuckled.
Lan Hai: “He’s alone in a world he doesn’t even recognize. We can’t just abandon him.”
A faint smile appeared on Mu Chen’s face.
Mu Chen: “Fair enough. Make sure you’ve got something good cooking. I’m bringing this walking disaster home.”
After ending the call, Mu Chen looked toward Han Ji Shen.
Mu Chen: “Alright, old man. You’re coming with me.”
Han Ji Shen nodded calmly.
Han Ji Shen: “To what destination?”
Mu Chen answered without missing a beat.
Mu Chen: “Straight to my father’s wedding.”
Han Ji Shen looked genuinely puzzled.
Han Ji Shen: “Your father is getting married?”
Mu Chen pinched the bridge of his nose.
Mu Chen: “Forget it. Just come with me. Since you don’t know anyone in this city, the hospital asked me to look after you.”
Han Ji Shen gave a small nod.
Han Ji Shen: “Very well. Allow me to change into my robes.”
Mu Chen frowned.
Mu Chen: “Where are they?”
Han Ji Shen glanced down at the hospital gown covering him.
Han Ji Shen: “I presume your healers discarded them.”
Mu Chen looked him up and down before shaking his head.
Mu Chen: “Yeah… there’s no way I’m taking you out dressed like that.”
He pointed toward the hospital exit.
Mu Chen: “We’ll stop by a clothing store first. Then we’ll head home.”
Without another word, Han Ji Shen quietly followed him out of the hospital.
The moment they stepped outside, Mu Chen pressed a button on his smart key.
A sleek magnetic levitation vehicle descended gracefully from the aerial traffic lane above, hovering silently before them.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Han Ji Shen truly took in his surroundings.
His usually calm expression wavered.
People glided effortlessly through the sky on hoverboards.
Countless flying vehicles moved along invisible aerial lanes, while enormous holographic billboards illuminated the towering skyscrapers with dazzling advertisements.
Everything before him was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Mu Chen walked toward the vehicle.
Mu Chen: “Come on. Our ride’s here.”
Han Ji Shen gave a slight nod.
Han Ji Shen: “Understood.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, he leaped several meters into the air and landed gracefully on the roof of the hovering car, crossing his legs as though preparing to meditate.
Mu Chen froze.
A vein bulged across his forehead.
Mu Chen: “What the hell are you doing?!”
Han Ji Shen looked down calmly.
Han Ji Shen: “You instructed me to sit on the vehicle.”
Mu Chen nearly exploded.
Mu Chen: “You idiot! I meant inside the car, not on top of it! This isn’t a horse!”
Han Ji Shen immediately jumped back to the ground.
His expression remained completely serious.
Han Ji Shen: “Then kindly demonstrate the proper method.”
Mu Chen let out a long, defeated sigh before opening the passenger door.
Mu Chen: “Get in.”
Han Ji Shen carefully studied the door for a brief moment before stepping inside and taking a seat.
Only after confirming that nothing else could possibly go wrong did Mu Chen close the door, climb into the driver’s seat, and start the vehicle.
The mag-lev car accelerated smoothly, carrying them toward Lan Hai’s apartment.
About half an hour later, they arrived.
Mu Chen rang the doorbell.
A few moments later, the door opened.
Lan Hai looked at the two of them with curiosity.
Lan Hai: “So… what happened?”
Instead of answering, Mu Chen walked straight into the apartment and collapsed onto the sofa with a dramatic groan.
Mu Chen: “Don’t even ask. I’ve dealt with plenty of idiots in my life, but this old man is operating on a completely different level.”
Lan Hai couldn’t help smiling.
Lan Hai: “What did he do this time?”
Mu Chen pointed toward the entrance.
Mu Chen: “Call him inside first. Then I’ll tell you everything.”
Lan Hai nodded before turning toward Han Ji Shen.
Lan Hai: “Senior, please come in.”
Han Ji Shen stepped into the apartment, calmly surveying every corner of the modest home.
After a brief silence, he spoke honestly.
Han Ji Shen: “This dwelling is… rather small.”
Before Lan Hai could respond, Mu Chen answered from the sofa without even lifting his head.
Mu Chen: “Yeah, well, the palace we were planning to buy got sold yesterday.”
Lan Hai burst into laughter.
Han Ji Shen remained completely expressionless.
Han Ji Shen: “I merely stated an observation. Compared to the palaces of my homeland, this residence is considerably smaller.”
Mu Chen rolled his eyes.
Mu Chen: “Sure it is. And let me guess—you ruled the universe too?” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Han Ji Shen met his gaze without the slightest hint of humor.
Han Ji Shen: “The universe is far greater than you can comprehend.”
Lan Hai sensed the conversation was about to spiral out of control and quickly stepped in.
Lan Hai: “Alright, that’s enough. Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
Mu Chen’s eyes immediately lit up.
Mu Chen: “Now that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. I’m starving.”
The three of them gathered around the dining table.
For a while, the room was filled with nothing but the quiet sounds of eating.
Then—
Han Ji Shen’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
His gaze locked onto the emerald jade pendant hanging around Lan Hai’s neck.
A flicker of shock flashed across his face.
Before either of them could react, Han Ji Shen reached across the table and firmly grabbed the pendant.
His voice boomed like thunder.
Han Ji Shen: “Where did you obtain this jade pendant?”
Mu Chen immediately shot to his feet.
Mu Chen: “Hey! What are you doing? Let him go!”
At that instant—
A terrifying pressure erupted from Han Ji Shen’s body.
The atmosphere inside the apartment changed completely.
The temperature plummeted in an instant.
A thin layer of frost crept across the walls and windows as an overwhelming killing intent engulfed the room.
Mu Chen’s face turned pale.
His breathing became labored.
It felt as though an invisible mountain had descended upon his shoulders, crushing every ounce of strength from his body.
For the first time in his life…
He experienced true fear.
Mu Chen (thinking): This…
this isn’t human…
Just his presence alone is making it impossible to breathe…
Han Ji Shen’s piercing gaze remained fixed on Lan Hai.
Han Ji Shen: “Answer me.”
Though frightened, Lan Hai forced himself to remain calm.
Lan Hai: “S-Senior… this jade pendant belonged to my mother. Before she passed away, she entrusted it to me. It’s the ancestral heirloom of the Lan Family.”
Han Ji Shen silently stared at him for several seconds.
Then…
The terrifying pressure disappeared.
The frost melted.
The room’s temperature gradually returned to normal.
Han Ji Shen slowly released the pendant.
Han Ji Shen: “I see…”
The ancient Sovereign lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
Lan Hai quietly exhaled in relief before speaking respectfully.
Lan Hai: “Senior, I’ve prepared a room for you upstairs. Please allow me to show you the way.”
Han Ji Shen nodded.
Han Ji Shen: “Very well.”
After escorting him to the guest room, Lan Hai quietly closed the door behind him.
Left alone, Han Ji Shen sat cross-legged on the bed and gazed through the window at the futuristic city stretching endlessly into the distance.
Hovering vehicles streaked across the night sky, while towering skyscrapers shimmered beneath countless holographic lights.
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
“This world is unlike any realm I have ever visited. Despite possessing no spiritual energy, its people have forged astonishing civilizations through knowledge alone.”
He slowly closed his eyes.
“Unfortunately… my cultivation has fallen to barely ten percent of its peak. If I am to destroy the Demon Commander and that accursed dragon, I must recover at least seventy percent of my strength.”
“There isn’t a moment to waste.”
Meanwhile, downstairs, Mu Chen’s phone vibrated.
A message from Xia Qinue appeared on the screen.
Xia Qinue: How’s Lan Hai doing?
Mu Chen: He’s holding up.
Little by little, he’s starting to smile again.
Xia Qinue: Mu Chen…
I think we should end this act.
Lying to him is becoming harder every day.
Mu Chen’s expression grew serious.
Mu Chen: Are you crazy?
Lan Hai needs something to hold on to right now.
Even Auntie agreed this was the right choice.
After a long pause, another message appeared.
Xia Qinue: …I understand.
I’ll come see him tomorrow.
A faint smile crossed Mu Chen’s face.
Mu Chen: Good.
See you tomorrow.
He locked his phone and leaned back against the sofa, letting out a quiet sigh.
True to her word, Xia Qinue arrived at the apartment the following afternoon and rang the doorbell.
A few moments later, Lan Hai opened the door.
The instant he saw her standing outside, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
Lan Hai: “Qinue… it’s been a while.”
Qinue returned the smile.
Xia Qinue: “It has.”
Lan Hai stepped aside.
Lan Hai: “Come in.”
She quietly entered the apartment.
Lan Hai led her into the living room before heading to the kitchen to prepare a fresh pot of tea.
A few minutes later, he returned and placed a steaming cup in front of her.
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
Finally, Lan Hai spoke.
Lan Hai: “It feels like forever since your last visit.”
Qinue lowered her eyes slightly.
Xia Qinue: “I’ve been busy. The preparations for the engagement have taken up almost all of my time.”
The moment those words reached his ears, Lan Hai’s smile froze.
A sharp pain pierced his heart, though he did everything he could to hide it.
Lan Hai: “I see… So, what brings you here today?”
Qinue hesitated before answering.
Xia Qinue: “I wanted to see how you were doing… and there’s something I need to tell you.”
Lan Hai looked at her expectantly.
Lan Hai: “What is it?”
Taking a slow breath, Qinue gathered her courage.
Xia Qinue: “The engagement ceremony has been moved up.”
Lan Hai’s expression changed instantly.
Lan Hai: “What? I thought it was scheduled for November 10th.”
Qinue nodded sadly.
Xia Qinue: “It was. But the elders changed their minds. They’ve been pressuring me to hold the ceremony sooner. Hua Tian has been pushing for the same thing.”
Lan Hai lowered his head, struggling to suppress the emotions rising inside him.
After a long silence, he finally asked,
Lan Hai: “Do you… want me to talk to Hua Tian?”
Qinue gently shook her head.
A bittersweet smile appeared on her lips.
Xia Qinue: “Lan… there are some things we simply can’t change. I’m the daughter of the Xia Family. Whether I like it or not, there are responsibilities I can’t escape.”
Lan Hai looked into her eyes.
For a brief moment, he wanted to tell her everything—that he loved her, that rejecting her had been the greatest mistake of his life, and that he wanted to stop the engagement before it was too late.
But in the end…
He swallowed every word.
All he could manage was a lonely smile.
Lan Hai: “I understand… I’ll be there.”
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Han Ji Shen slowly descended into the living room.
The instant his eyes fell upon Xia Qinue, a faint flicker of surprise crossed his ancient face.
He turned toward Lan Hai and asked calmly,
Han Ji Shen: “Young man… who is this young lady?”
Lan Hai: “Senior, she’s my friend… Xia Qinue.”
Han Ji Shen’s gaze shifted from Lan Hai to Qinue and back again.
A faint, knowing smile appeared on his lips.
Han Ji Shen: “Friend?”
With centuries of experience behind him, he needed only a single glance to understand the truth.
Neither of them had confessed their feelings.Yet everything was already written in their eyes.
They loved each other deeply.They were simply too afraid to say it aloud.
Before anyone could say another word, the front door suddenly opened.
Mu Chen walked inside, casually tossing his keys onto the table.
Mu Chen: “Oh? Qinue, when did you get here?”
Lan Hai looked at him with a straight face.
Lan Hai: “About eighteen years ago.”
Mu Chen blinked.
Mu Chen: “What?”
Lan Hai couldn’t resist.
Lan Hai: “Well, if you’re asking when she entered the apartment, you probably should’ve phrased the question better.”
Mu Chen stared at him for a second before shaking his head.
Mu Chen: “Would you look at that? The mute finally learned how to talk.”
Lan Hai folded his arms with a smug grin.
Lan Hai: “Unlike you, I only speak when I have something intelligent to say.”
Mu Chen pointed at him dramatically.
Mu Chen: “Keep talking. One day, that mouth of yours is going to get you beaten.”
Watching the two argue, Han Ji Shen let out a deep, hearty laugh.
It had been a very long time since he had witnessed such carefree companionship.
Mu Chen immediately turned toward him.
Mu Chen: “And what are you laughing at, old man?”
Han Ji Shen answered calmly.
Han Ji Shen: “I merely descended after overhearing the conversation between two young men.”
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes.
Mu Chen: “So… you’ve been eavesdropping?”
Han Ji Shen remained perfectly composed.
Han Ji Shen: “If that is how your generation chooses to describe it.”
Mu Chen let out an exaggerated sigh.
Mu Chen: “You know what? I really need to have a serious conversation with your parents.”
Han Ji Shen raised an eyebrow.
Han Ji Shen: “Unfortunately, they departed this world many centuries ago.”
Mu Chen paused.
Then Han Ji Shen continued with complete seriousness.
Han Ji Shen: “Perhaps I should speak with your father instead. I wish to understand what sequence of unfortunate events led to your birth.”
For a moment…
The room fell completely silent.
Then—
Lan Hai burst into laughter.
Qinue covered her mouth, unable to suppress her giggles.
Even Mu Chen stood there speechless before pointing accusingly at Han Ji Shen.
Mu Chen: “You… old geezer!”
A rare smile appeared on Han Ji Shen’s face.
For the first time since arriving in this unfamiliar world, he found himself genuinely enjoying the company of ordinary people.
Once the laughter finally died down, Mu Chen clapped his hands together.
Mu Chen: “Alright, enough fooling around. Lan Hai, Qinue, both of you are coming with me tonight.”
Lan Hai looked at him curiously.
Lan Hai: “Where?”
A mischievous grin spread across Mu Chen’s face.
Mu Chen: “The Grand Capital Auction House. A massive shipment of rare artifacts just arrived this afternoon.”
Han Ji Shen’s eyes narrowed with interest.
Han Ji Shen: “An Auction House… even this technological world possesses such a place?”
Mu Chen smirked.
Mu Chen: “Of course it does.”
He threw on his jacket and looked at the group.
Mu Chen: “Come on. Let’s see if tonight has something interesting waiting for us.”
None of them realized…
That this ordinary trip to the Auction House would become the first step toward a destiny capable of shaking both the mortal world and the heavens themselves.