The Last Renegade: Empire of the Sun

Yang City Sky

The sky over Yang City was a deep blue, sprinkled with sparse clouds that reflected the sunlight in golden and silver hues. Above this vibrant and bustling scene, Jin floated above the clouds, carefully observing the events unfolding below. His mind was immersed in a constant reception of data, a flood of information that increased exponentially with each passing second.

While programming, Jin had the idea of implanting a mark on all people who would use the "Divine Weave" in the future, like a kind of registration number he had in his previous life. This would increase his control over almost everything in the Empire.

Jin wanted to have almost absolute control over all techniques, information, and secrets of this world, and the 'Divine Weave' was just his first step.

Moreover, Jin programmed for a unique code to be created for each technique added to the Celestial Library. This code would be registered in the Consciousness Sea of each cultivator. If a cultivator tried to divulge the technique in any way, the Celestial Library system would be activated, immediately marking them as a [Traitor]. The golden sun mark on their forehead would be destroyed instantly, causing deep damage to the user's Consciousness Sea.

Of course, if a cultivator with a cultivation level higher than Jin's wanted to bypass this, they could only lament their bad luck for attracting such beings.

Jin also wanted to implement a form of memory manipulation, so that the technique would be instantly erased from the user's mind. However, he knew this would be extremely difficult, and that the Puppet Core might not be able to handle the amount of data and information involved.

Although he could not perform this task at the moment, he planned to implement it in the future.

He wanted no one to be able to hide anything from him. Jin's true ambition was to transcend immortality and reach a state of consciousness and omnipotence, where he could alter Heaven and Earth.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jin turned his attention back to the continuous flow of information reaching the Puppet Core. This information covered all aspects of a person's life – gender, techniques, secrets, and intentions related to the empire... All of this was essential for the creation of his next Artificial Intelligence.

And he wouldn't create an AI that rebelled against him, like in the movies from his previous life. It was impossible for him to do such a thing.

Suddenly, a strange and urgent thought interrupted his concentration. It was a desperate mind, belonging to a citizen of the Empire.

"No! This is dangerous! I, Gu Bai, cannot let this affect the fate of my Gu Clan and the Divine Wang Dynasty, it cannot have time to grow. The information must be reported quickly!"

This citizen wore a blue overcoat adorned with some jewels. His common appearance and average stature did not attract anyone's attention.

If a cultivator investigated, they would think he was just an ordinary mortal. But with the divine sense of a cultivator in the Divine Transformation focused on him, Jin could easily discern his cultivation.

Golden Core Realm.

Although Jin could erase this individual with a thought, the beings behind this spy would be alerted, and that wouldn't be good for the development of his Empire.

Attracting too much attention this early would definitely harm him in the future.

Instead, he decided to use a technique to temporarily contain the information. Even if only for a short time, it would be enough to give him time to strengthen his own power and the Empire's.

"Imprison Heaven and Earth." With an almost imperceptible whisper, a silent change occurred in the environment around Gu Bai. His body was instantly enveloped by a translucent aura that made him appear to be made of glass.

Gu Bai became completely frozen, as if time around him had stopped. No one, not even the people closest to him, noticed the anomaly. Jin, as a being superior to Gu Bai, could use his ability to create an illusion of time stopping, affecting Gu Bai's perception of the present. This illusion would last until he decided to release the subject, and the spiritual energy consumption would be enormous, but Jin was rapidly progressing in his cultivation.

Soon enough, this consumption would become negligible.

This innate technique was one of the abilities Jin possessed before being crippled by the Emperor and the Celestial Law Guardians.

"This will give me thirty or fifty years of development before they detect the anomaly." Jin thought, hoping the other realms were arrogant and ignorant enough not to notice his abnormal growth.

"The development speed must be faster, I am still not a match for these Empires and Realms that have lived for hundreds of thousands or millions of years. Their foundations are deep, and even if my cultivation surpasses theirs, they might still have a backhand to harm me..."

"Great Emperor Jin, this subordinate has completed your mission."

Jin's consciousness was stirred upon hearing General Xu's voice, who was kneeling at the center of the hall. The room, richly decorated with tapestries and ornaments reflecting the opulence of the Empire, was silent except for the soft echo of General Xu's words.

Jin, who had been deep in contemplation, dispersed into the air and returned to the throne in the palace. Jin's imposing figure was surrounded by a mystical aura, his eyes glowing with an intensity that seemed to penetrate the depths of General Xu's thoughts. The walls of the hall were covered with inscriptions of ancient runes, and the environment exuded a sense of power and absolute control. The polished marble floor reflected the soft light emanating from golden lamps, creating an ethereal glow.

While Jin remained silent, General Xu couldn't help but observe his figure with a mix of respect and admiration. He saw Jin not only as the leader of a great empire but as an almost divine entity possessing mysterious methods and extraordinary abilities.

The way Jin had elevated the production and quality of life for all the citizens of the Empire in such a short time was something worthy of reverence. General Xu, no matter how experienced he was, felt a chill when thinking of the enigmatic techniques Jin had implanted, which he had only glimpsed in part.

He didn't know he was being constantly influenced by the methods Jin had implanted in him. Otherwise, the previous General Xu would not have had such thoughts in such a short period of time.

Jin casually waved his hand, a gesture that seemed simple but carried the depth of his command.

"According to the data gathered, about ten percent of the confidential information of the Divine Wang Dynasty is in this Jade Talisman."

General Xu handed over a small jade talisman, which floated gently toward Jin. The talisman was adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to glow with a subtle green light, emitting a soft glow that illuminated the surrounding area.

Jin extended his hand, and the talisman hovered gently until it rested in his palms. As soon as Jin's Divine Sense touched the talisman, a flood of information began to pour into his mind.

It was a nearly physical sensation, as if a constant stream of data and memories were passing through his brain.

"Excellent, now go and monitor the progress of the creation of the Ninth Order." Jin ordered in a tone that held a touch of approval. He watched as General Xu stood up and withdrew.

"Divine Wang Dynasty, Wang Family..." Jin murmured almost inaudibly, his mind working at full speed. Plans and more plans were being devised to try to destroy or destabilize this ancient kingdom, which had existed for more than ten thousand years.

According to the information the talisman had provided him, this dynasty was founded around ten thousand years ago by Wang Xuan, better known as 'Old Wang.'

Old Wang was a cultivator in the sixth stage of Divine Transformation. It was said that he was a great merchant from the Sacred Spring Empire but displeased a high-ranking figure in the Empire. As a result, he was exiled to the Lands of Mortal-Immortal Desolation.

His fate seemed sealed; his cultivation realm became unknown after many years. However, rumors suggested that he was about to reach the Taoist Void Realm.

"He probably must have reached the ninth stage; his strength must be hundreds of times stronger than mine." Jin wasn't alarmed by the fact that Old Wang was seven stages ahead of him and over ten thousand years old, as a cultivator in the Divine Transformation could normally live up to one hundred thousand years. And for him to act, unless something arises that can greatly harm the foundation of his empire and family, he wouldn't do anything and would leave all the administration to his descendants.

Even so, he knew he should be cautious with this terrifying figure.

Sigh

Jin sighed deeply. His progress in cultivation could be considered that of a genius, as he had entered the Divine Transformation Realm ten years ago.

Moreover, he felt that the third stage was not far off, and surely his terrifying progress could leave others desperate and feeling wronged by the heavens.

But still, Jin considered this progress extremely slow for executing his future plans.

He estimated he would reach the Taoist Void Realm in two thousand years, a prediction he considered realistic despite the growing difficulty in cultivating due to the lack of Spiritual Energy in the Mortal-Immortal Desolation Lands.

These Spiritual Veins he had were useless to him.

[Cultivation Realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Zifu Disciple, Golden Core, Nascent Soul]

[Intermediate Cultivation Realm: Divine Transformation, Taoist Void...(Other realms will be introduced in the future.)]

Stages: 9 stages in each realm.