They called him a beast. Then a god. Then they buried him.

Now, after ten thousand years… he wakes.

For countless ages, legends spoke of a creature too monstrous to be called man — and too human to be called beast.

Qing Yun was the first of his kind. Not born of bloodlines. Not blessed by gods. Just a beast who clawed his way up the martial path by fang, claw, and will.

While the second generation of humanity ascended to godhood, Qing Yun refused. The gods feared what he might become. So they united — eleven in total — and sealed him at the height of his power.

But a wild beast does not remain caged forever.

 Mountains – Forgotten Cave

The mountains trembled.

Lightning crackled in the sky — though no clouds stirred. Deep within a crumbling cavern lost to time...

A figure emerged.

An old man. Barefoot. Silver-haired. Muscles like coiled stone. Eyes glowing with power that had not tasted the world in an age.

Qing Yun muttered, stretching his arms.

Qing Yun:
“Hoooo… how long has it been since those bastards sealed me?”

He stepped out onto the cliff edge. Below him, the world sprawled out — new lands, new cities, new empires.

He inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and—

Qi Sense.

A pulse of invisible energy burst from his body, sweeping over mountains, rivers, and distant plains.

Qing Yun (calmly):
“Life signs… a village nearby. Good. I need information.”

And with a single step, he vanished.

 Moments Later – Rural Tavern

The tavern door creaked open.

A ragged man entered — barefoot, robes torn from centuries of wear. Dirt-stained, silent, unreadable.

Bar Manager (mocking):
“Welcome, si— oh wait. Look what the wind dragged in.”

(pauses)

“Hey! Beggar! This ain’t a soup kitchen. Get lost.”

Qing Yun said nothing.

Manager (stepping forward):
“You deaf, old man?”

He reached out to shove him—
—but froze the moment their eyes met.

His heart stuttered.

That gaze wasn’t human. It was death — coiled, ancient, amused. The look of something that had once slaughtered dragons, then buried their bones just to make a seat.

Manager (thinking):
“W-What the hell…? That stare… he’s not just strong. He’s… he’s old. Like... old in a way that breaks time.”

His knees buckled.

Manager (backing away):
“D-Don’t come closer—!”

But it was already too late.

Qing Yun lifted two fingers and pressed them to the man’s forehead.

Qing Yun (quietly):
“Soul-Capturing Memory Phantom.”

Streams of glowing essence flowed from the man’s skull into Qing Yun’s eyes.

The bar manager collapsed.

A young waiter stumbled out from the back, saw the body—
—but the stranger was gone.

 Outside – Rooftops

Qing Yun strolled along a thatched rooftop, moonlight touching his shoulders.

Qing Yun (muttering):
“Not just a bar manager. A Night Seller informant. What luck.”

He paused, scanning the distant horizon.

Qing Yun:
“So this is the Golden Era… Year 2011.”

“An age of martial supremacy. The gods haven’t returned — but new titans have taken their place.”

Qing Yun (grinning coldly):
“The Eleven Supreme Heavens. Each ruling over their own sect, drunk on lineage and legacy.”

He vanished into the breeze, voice fading behind him.

Qing Yun:
“Let’s see how long their heavens last…
when the beast they buried comes knocking.”

[TO BE CONTINUED]

 Author’s Note:

 If you’re here for an OP antihero who doesn’t kneel — you’re in the right place.

• Chapter 3: His first kill.
• Chapter 4: “I’ll just kill everyone here.”

This isn’t a slow rise to power. Qing Yun already has it.
Now? He’s just bored — and the world is about to pay for it.

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