The forest fell silent after the mercenaries retreated, leaving Lin Tian, Li Yue, and the injured Zhang Wei alone. Lin Tian sat cross-legged under a large oak tree, carefully unrolling the scroll Zhang Wei had handed him. The parchment shimmered faintly with spiritual energy, its intricate runes glowing in the dim light.
Li Yue knelt nearby, tending to Zhang Wei's wounds. "Lin Tian, are you sure this is worth it? Those mercenaries won't stop until they get this back."
Lin Tian didn't look up, his gaze fixed on the scroll. "If this technique does what he claims, it's more than worth it. A chance to repair my shattered core… that's a miracle."
Zhang Wei coughed weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's no miracle… The *Broken Core Restoration Technique* is dangerous. Only those with unyielding willpower can endure its trials. Fail, and you'll destroy what remains of your core forever."
Lin Tian's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth it."
He began to read the scroll, the runes shifting and rearranging themselves as if responding to his intent. The technique described a process that bordered on insanity—drawing in chaotic energy from the environment, using it to dissolve the remnants of his damaged core, and rebuilding it from scratch. The pain alone was said to drive most cultivators to madness.
> **[New Mission: Rebuild Your Core Using the Broken Core Restoration Technique.]**
> **Objective**: Successfully complete the first stage of the technique.
> **Reward**: Reawakened Core (+10% cultivation efficiency).
> **Failure**: Permanent damage to spiritual channels.
Lin Tian closed the scroll, his expression resolute.
"I'll start tonight," he said, tucking the scroll into his robes.
Li Yue looked at him incredulously. "Are you serious? You just learned about this, and you're already going to try it? What if something goes wrong?"
"It won't," Lin Tian said simply. "I don't have the luxury of waiting. Every moment I waste is a moment my enemies grow stronger."
Zhang Wei let out a weak laugh. "You remind me of myself when I first found that scroll… Stubborn, reckless. Let's hope it works better for you than it did for me."
As night fell, Lin Tian found a secluded clearing deep in the forest. Xiao Fang sat at the edge of the clearing, keeping watch, while Li Yue reluctantly stayed nearby, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
Lin Tian sat cross-legged in the center, the scroll open before him. The air around him grew heavy as he began to chant the incantation described in the technique.
The runes on the scroll flared to life, their golden light reflecting in Lin Tian's eyes. A violent energy swirled around him, tugging at his body like a storm.
> **[Warning: Chaotic Energy Detected. Proceed with Caution.]**
"I know the risks," Lin Tian muttered. "Just guide me."
The system remained silent as Lin Tian focused. Following the scroll's instructions, he drew in the chaotic energy, directing it toward his shattered core. The pain was immediate and excruciating—a searing, all-consuming agony that felt like his very soul was being torn apart.
Lin Tian gritted his teeth, his body trembling.
"Lin Tian!" Li Yue shouted, stepping forward.
"Stay back!" he barked, his voice strained. "If you interrupt me now, it's over."
Li Yue hesitated, her fists clenched, but she obeyed.
Inside Lin Tian's body, the chaotic energy began to dissolve the fragments of his core. The sensation was unlike anything he'd ever felt—both destruction and creation happening simultaneously. He pushed through the pain, his will unyielding.
> **[Progress: 50%]**
---
### Visions of the Past
As Lin Tian's body fought to contain the energy, his mind was pulled into a vision. He stood in a vast, empty void, surrounded by flickering images of his past life.
He saw himself at the peak of his strength, commanding respect and fear from all who knew him. He saw his harem, their faces filled with adoration and trust. And then he saw the moment of his downfall—the betrayal, the ambush, and the look of satisfaction on the faces of those he had once considered allies.
"You failed once before," a voice echoed in the void. "What makes you think you'll succeed now?"
Lin Tian clenched his fists. "Because I won't make the same mistakes. I've been given a second chance, and I'll make sure no one can ever betray me again."
The voice laughed, dark and mocking. "We'll see."
---
### Rebirth
Back in the real world, the chaotic energy reached its peak. Lin Tian's body glowed with a faint golden light, his veins pulsing with power.
> **[Progress: 100%. Core Reconstruction Complete.]**
A sudden burst of energy erupted from Lin Tian's body, shaking the ground and sending a shockwave through the forest. Xiao Fang howled, and Li Yue shielded her eyes from the blinding light.
When the light faded, Lin Tian opened his eyes. They glowed briefly with golden energy before returning to normal. He exhaled slowly, a sense of clarity washing over him.
His core was whole again.
> **[Mission Complete: Rebuild Your Core Using the Broken Core Restoration Technique.]**
> **[Reward Unlocked: Reawakened Core (+10% cultivation efficiency).]**
Lin Tian stood, his movements fluid and controlled. He clenched his fist, feeling the surge of spiritual energy flowing through him.
"It worked," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Li Yue rushed to his side, her expression a mix of relief and frustration. "You're insane, Lin Tian! You could've died!"
"But I didn't," he said with a smirk. "And now, I'm stronger than ever."
Zhang Wei, leaning against a tree, gave a weak chuckle. "Looks like you're the real deal, kid. Just be careful. The mercenaries won't stop, and the guild they work for… they're not ones to take lightly."
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed. "Let them come. I'll deal with them when the time comes."
For now, though, his focus was clear: continue growing stronger, and uncover the true potential of the system that had given him a second chance.