Instead of returning directly to the Azure Flame Empire, Li Tian chose a different route.
His next destination was the Blaze Continent.
The Blaze Continent was known for two things.
The first was its guardian—the legendary Red Blaze Dragon.
The second was its ruler—Dongfang Jun.
Dongfang Jun was an unusual emperor.
In terms of raw power, he was considered average compared to other rulers. However, his intelligence, personality, and diplomatic approach made him widely respected.
He preferred alliances over conflict.
Trade over war.
Another rumor about him spread across continents—his appearance.
It was said that even the most beautiful women felt inferior standing beside him.
But more important than his looks was his nature.
He was kind.
And because of that, the people of the Blaze Continent trusted him without question.
---
When Li Tian entered the Blaze Continent, the difference was immediately noticeable.
The cities were clean.
The streets were well-organized.
Markets were lively but disciplined.
The continent was especially famous as a major hub for silk and cotton trade.
As Li Tian walked through one of the central markets, his attention was drawn to a disturbance.
A group of soldiers was harassing a young boy.
The child looked no older than ten.
He was thin, poorly dressed, and clearly terrified.
Li Tian did not react immediately.
Beside him, the Shadow Veil quietly gathered information.
"These are royal guards," one of them reported in a low voice.
"They belong to the younger brother of Emperor Jun."
Li Tian's eyes shifted slightly.
The younger brother of Dongfang Jun—
Dongfang Ming.
Unlike Jun, Ming was known for completely different traits.
Greedy.
Arrogant.
A heavy drinker.
And notoriously immoral.
While Dongfang Jun excelled in governance, cultivation, and diplomacy, his younger brother was considered a disgrace.
The contrast between them was extreme.
Because of authority granted by the former emperor, Dongfang Jun could not directly interfere with Ming's personal forces.
That made the situation worse.
The guards serving Ming behaved exactly like him.
Cruel and abusive.
---
Li Tian initially decided to ignore the situation.
It was not his territory.
Not his concern.
But then—
One of the guards punched the boy hard.
The child fell to the ground, crying in pain.
Another guard laughed and said,
"You're garbage."
"You were born poor, so this is your fate."
"Even your parents died because they were worthless."
Li Tian stopped walking.
For a brief moment, his expression changed.
A memory surfaced.
A distant one.
Back when he was still on Earth.
Middle school.
Being bullied for being poor.
Weak.
Unlucky.
He remembered the same words.
"You deserve this life."
"Garbage."
The boy in front of him…
…was no different from what he used to be.
The same helplessness.
The same humiliation.
Li Tian's gaze turned cold.
"Handle it," he said quietly.
The Shadow Veil moved instantly.
No sound.
No visible movement.
Within seconds—
Three guards collapsed silently, losing consciousness before they even realized what had happened.
The market continued as usual.
No one noticed anything unusual.
Li Tian did not look back.
He simply walked away.
---
After wandering through the market, Li Tian eventually arrived at a well-known location.
A riverside garden famous across the continent.
A long river flowed quietly through the area, surrounded by blooming red flowers.
This place was known for both its beauty and its history.
The Dragon Tear Flower Garden.
The flowers here were called Dragon Tear Flowers—rare plants found only in the Blaze Continent.
Their deep red color made the entire area look like it was glowing under sunlight.
However, despite its peaceful appearance, the place was known to have a violent past.
As Li Tian stepped closer to the garden, something unusual happened.
A faint qi pressure spread from the flowers.
The stealth techniques of the Shadow Veil began to weaken.
Li Tian immediately understood.
"This place interferes with concealment."
He turned slightly.
"Wait outside."
The Shadow Veil obeyed without question and stopped at the entrance.
Li Tian walked into the garden alone.
The environment inside was calm.
Too calm.
As he moved further in, a group of guards suddenly stepped in front of him.
They blocked his path.
"No entry."
Li Tian looked at them calmly.
"There's no one inside."
One of the guards replied bluntly,
"Leave."
"This place is reserved today."
"For Young Master Ming."
Li Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
So the peaceful garden…
…was about to become something else entirely.
And he had just walked into it.