---
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the blessing of the system: Come on ＼(^ω^＼)]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the blessing of the system: Come on ┐(ﾟдﾟ┐)]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the blessing of the system: Come on ┗(＾0＾)┓]
...
ಠ_ಠ What is this nonsense?!
"System, is this your doing?!" Yang Shung shouted.
[Host, it's a blessing.]
"Blessing my foot! What kind of blessing is this?! Give me something useful!"
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Spiritual Liquid.]
Yang Shung's face lit up. "Finally, something good!"
[Host... it was guaranteed.]
"Shut up! Let me enjoy this moment!" Yang Shung dismissed the system and closed the panel.
At that moment, Yang Shung felt all eyes on him. His extraordinary talent had drawn the attention of everyone around.
"Why are they staring at me like zombies?" he muttered. "Better leave before they get ideas and decide to kill me."
Suddenly, he bolted away at lightning speed.
---
Yang Shung was skipping down the street, humming happily.
A hand tapped his shoulder.
Yang Shung turned to see his friend, Li Mu.
"Hey, Li Mu! (´▽｀)ﾉ"
"Don't 'hey' me!" Li Mu scowled and stepped back, keeping a safe distance.
Before Yang Shung could react, Li Mu lunged forward, locking him in a headlock.
"You think you're so amazing with your SSS-level talent?!" Li Mu growled.
"Oh, it's just natural genius~," Yang Shung replied smugly.
[Negative emotion value from Li Mu +666]
Li Mu released Yang Shung and patted himself down. "How about a spar? Test your new ability."
"Jealous, huh?" Yang Shung teased.
"Jealous or not, let's go!"
---
The school's fighting field bustled with energy. Yang Shung stood in the ring, facing Li Mu.
"You sure about this? I just awakened my power," Yang Shung said, smirking.
Li Mu clenched his fists. "Come on, I won't hold back."
The battle began. Li Mu charged forward with explosive strength, landing the first hit. Yang Shung stumbled but quickly regained his footing.
From the shadows at Yang Shung's feet, black tendrils emerged, snaking toward Li Mu.
"What the—!" Li Mu leaped away, narrowly dodging.
Yang Shung grinned, controlling the tendrils with ease. They twisted and lashed out, forcing Li Mu on the defensive.
Realizing he couldn't keep dodging, Li Mu roared and charged straight at Yang Shung. But when his fist connected, it felt like punching solid rock.
Yang Shung's counterattack came swiftly. The tendrils wrapped around Li Mu, lifting him off the ground.
"Alright, alright! I give up!" Li Mu shouted.
---
Li Mu returned home, his body bruised and his pride shattered.
"Li Mu, what happened to you?!" his mother exclaimed.
"Mom," he sighed. "The talent gap between people is too big."
"What are you talking about?"
Li Mu recounted the fight, describing how Yang Shung's abilities overwhelmed him.
His younger brother, Li Qin, burst into laughter. "You fought someone with SSS-level talent? What were you thinking?!"
"Quiet!" their mother scolded.
"It's fine," Li Mu muttered. "I need to get stronger."
He retreated to his room, lying on the bed as he replayed the battle in his mind.
---
Yang Shung's abilities weren't just powerful—they were overwhelming. The black tendrils could attack, defend, and immobilize.
Li Mu clenched his fists. "I underestimated SSS-level abilities. But I won't stop here."
He thought of his goal: East Region War Zone University, the top institution known for producing the strongest fighters.
To get there, he'd need to survive countless battles and monster invasions.
Memories of a past beast tide resurfaced. The chaos, the blood, the terror—Li Mu clenched his teeth. He vowed never to feel that powerless again.
"I'll get stronger," he whispered, sitting up and beginning his training.
---