Chapter 118: The Self-Recommended Tian Dao [Monthly Ticket Bonus]

Ping!

"Boring."

Ping!

"Still boring."

As Tian Dao’s growing impatience echoed through the air, Xian Nv Zuo’s heart sank deeper with each passing second.

For she, whose invisible sonic waves could shatter steel with ease, now couldn’t even make him flinch—let alone frown.

Despair. For the first time, Xian Nv Zuo truly understood what that word meant.

Noticing the flicker of retreat in her eyes, Tian Dao knew it was time to act—time to end this tedious little game.

"Let you attack for long enough. Now it’s my turn."

Hearing those words, Xian Nv Zuo’s instincts screamed danger.

But before she could react, Tian Dao suddenly sheathed his blade, then raised it straight up—placing the blade directly in front of his pair of pale azure eyes.

"Fall, stars."

As Tian Dao whispered the name of his technique, Shattering Star exploded into fragments.

Thousands of shimmering, faint-blue light-laden blades rained down around Xian Nv Zuo, swirling in the storm-laden night like a living constellation.

In the wind’s gentle pull, the scattered blades wove together—forming an ethereal, ever-shifting sea of stars.

For a fleeting moment, Xian Nv Zuo thought she saw her own name—Xian Nv Zuo—etched within the glowing tapestry.

But beauty, as always, was perilous.

In that brief moment of awe, the starfield contracted.

Dozens of blades, like falling stars, instantly engulfed her.

One scream after another tore from the heart of the storm.

Moments later, as the blades retracted, returning to Tian Dao’s hand and reassembling into the intact Shattering Star, Xian Nv Zuo lay broken—lifeless, bleeding, a ragdoll tossed into a pool of crimson.

Tian Dao, no longer mocking, spoke with genuine admiration.

"Not bad. You’re still alive."

"Surviving my strike? You should be proud."

With that, he didn’t bother finishing her off. Instead, he simply slid Shattering Star back into the void of the Subspace.

Then, he looked down at Dannika—still clinging to his pant leg, eyes wide with awe, shining like stars.

Clearly, she’d been utterly captivated by his dazzling Falling Stars.

Tian Dao grinned.

"Want to learn that, Dannika?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She nodded frantically—so much so it was as if she’d written “Teach me!” across her face.

"Ah… but suddenly, I don’t feel like teaching anymore. What should I do~?"

"Huh?!"

Dannika’s face fell instantly—her expression visibly deflating with disappointment.

Tian Dao burst into laughter.

Then, he ruffled her hair.

"Relax. Maybe I’ll change my mind tomorrow."

Her eyes lit up again—hope blooming once more.

But of course, Tian Dao wasn’t the kind of guy to keep promises.

"Wait… actually, I might not change my mind tomorrow. Maybe it’ll be the day after."

Dannika: ...

"HAHA! Kidding! I’ll teach you right after—no delay!"

"Really?"

"Of course I’m kidding. You actually believed that?"

...

In the art of being utterly irredeemable, Haki Tian had perfected the craft—playing with children’s trust like a game.

And he wasn’t the least bit ashamed.

If anything, he reveled in it.

And the more he leaned into his cruelty, the more he thrived.

Which, as countless Dimensional Audiences would say, was exactly why he was the greatest danger—when there was no danger at all.

Because no one could predict what wild, genius-level nonsense Haki Tian would cook up in a perfectly safe situation.

For him, chaos wasn’t just fun—it was breathing.

He didn’t even glance at Dannika, who was now glaring at him like she wanted to bite her own hand off in frustration.

With one hand, he hoisted her up. With the other, he grabbed the unconscious Xian Nv Zuo.

Then, he turned and walked toward the exit of the abandoned factory.

He’d kept Xian Nv Zuo alive for a reason—she was his golden ticket into the Hidden Star Society.

As for the distant figure, lost in confusion and self-doubt—Tian Dao didn’t bother with him yet.

After all, Season 2 had just begun. Plenty of time for introductions.

Besides, judging by the clock, Chen Xing should be arriving in Steam Capital any moment now.

Curious… after six years, how far had that boy come?

Would he bring a spark to this quiet life?

---

[Deep Night, Steam Capital, Upper City, Cloudtop City]

[A secret, luxurious villa]

"Tian Xie, the higher-ups are warning us to be cautious. They say the Yan Dao from the Sunflame Clan has traced us here."

"The Sunflame Clan’s Yan Dao, huh? That guy’s nose is sharper than a knife."

"Where’s Xian Nv Zuo? I sent her to retrieve something—why hasn’t she returned?"

"No idea. Maybe she got distracted by something interesting along the way."

Just as they spoke, the villa’s front door exploded inward.

Thud!

Tian Xie and Chang She both turned sharply.

There, sprawled on the floor like a ruined doll, was Xian Nv Zuo—drenched in blood.

And standing just outside the shattered door, leaning casually against the frame, was a silver-haired man in sunglasses.

Beside him, clutching his pants leg, was a small girl—her face tense, eyes wide with nervous anticipation.

And yet… neither of them had sensed a thing until the door broke.

The realization hit them hard.

The expressions on Tian Xie and Chang She’s faces darkened instantly.

Tian Dao lowered his sunglasses slightly.

His signature azure eyes gleamed beneath.

"Relax, gentlemen. No hostility here."

"I just heard about your organization—sounds impressive. So I came here on my own."

"Could you kindly act as my introducer? Help me present myself to your superiors?"

"Of course, if you’d rather not… that’s fine too."

He nudged Xian Nv Zuo’s unconscious body with his foot, smiling.

"Though, in that case, I might have to… apply a little pressure."

"Because, well… you don’t really have a choice."

"After all, those who refuse me… don’t end well."

With that, Tian Dao patted Dannika’s head—signaling her cue.

The little girl, finally catching on, straightened up and chirped in a high-pitched, proud tone:

"Exactly! Anyone who says no to Tian Dao-san? They always end up really, really bad!"

"So hurry up—let us join you!"

Tian Xie and Chang She: ...

They stared at the pair—the mismatched duo—stunned, furious, and utterly amused.

What kind of idiots are these?

Did they really think the Hidden Star Society was some roadside club you could stroll into whenever you felt like it?

But despite their outrage, they didn’t lower their guard.

Not after seeing Xian Nv Zuo’s fate.

And now, as the two men slowly drew their weapons, Tian Dao’s smile grew—warm, polite, and utterly chilling.

Because he knew one thing for sure.

If you didn’t break them with strength, you’d never get their obedience.

In the world of Stellar Beast, the strong were meant to crush the weak—without mercy.

And Tian Dao Siming? He was the strongest kind of predator.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end