Time continued to pass since Qin Chen ventured into the depths of the cave. Outside, the morning sky had brightened, with the sunlight warming the world.
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard of the Mount Hua sect, young disciples were training diligently under the strict supervision of their teachers.
Mount Hua Sect, one of the few sects standing for over 5,000 years, had a long history and vast, strategically located territory. Its unshakable reputation made it the most sought-after place for talented young generations.
Currently, the sect housed more than 10,000 disciples within its well-structured hierarchy. Like most major sects, its disciples were divided into three levels: outer disciples, inner disciples, and core disciples. Each level came with different benefits, and the disciples worked tirelessly to ascend to higher ranks.
Most of them, naturally, were outer disciples, with cultivation bases ranging from low to mid-level.
In this world, cultivation was divided into seven realms: Body Tempering, Qi Foundation, Flowing Qi, Nascent Soul, Martial King, Martial Emperor, and Martial Sovereign, with each realm consisting of 10 levels.
At this moment, in one corner of the inner disciples' courtyard, right in front of the technique library...
Slap!
A loud slap shattered the morning's calm. A beautiful girl around 18 years old, with long, shiny black hair, stood angrily. Her elegant attire radiated luxury. Her fair porcelain-like skin, flawless figure, and perfectly proportioned curves exuded unmatched charm. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with sharpness, accentuating her captivating beauty, while her red lips trembled with overflowing emotion.
In front of her stood a young man of the same age, Lin Feng, clutching his reddened cheek.
Ling Yelan, the young woman, spoke in a voice filled with fury, tears streaming down her smooth cheeks. "You said you wouldn't harm Qin Chen, but what have you done? You killed him!" Her voice wavered between sorrow and anger.
However, Lin Feng showed not a shred of regret. Instead, a sinister smile spread across his handsome face. "You can be as mad as you want, Yelan, but it won't change anything. Qin Chen is dead, and now nothing stands in our way," he said arrogantly, smirking.
Ling Yelan shook her head, her slender body trembling with emotion. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hold back the immense heartbreak from her loss. Without saying another word, she turned and walked away.
Lin Feng watched her retreating back, but his eyes lingered on her perfectly curved figure, gleaming with lust. Normally, he wouldn't tolerate anyone being harsh to him, but Ling Yelan was an exception.
"Very soon, you'll be mine, Yelan," Lin Feng muttered, licking his lips.
---
Deep within the dark cave, Qin Chen slowly opened his eyes. His breathing remained steady despite the silence around him being shrouded in an aura of destruction. He sat calmly, feeling the energy coursing through his body, more alive than ever.
His gaze swept across the area. Massive stone pillars had collapsed, the cave walls were riddled with large cracks, and the previously flat floor was now filled with deep indentations. All of this—this massive destruction—was the result of something he had not even consciously done: the effects of absorbing that scroll.
Qin Chen stared at his arms, noticing the new clothing now draped over him. Deep red mixed with black, adorned with dragon motifs that seemed almost alive. The attire symbolized majesty and power, like that of a true sovereign.
A wide grin stretched across his face, reflecting indescribable satisfaction. Suddenly, his loud laughter echoed throughout the cave.
"Ha ha ha ha! So this is what it feels like to be a protagonist? Even in a place like this, who would've thought I'd find such an incredible treasure!" he exclaimed loudly, full of triumph.
He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the newfound power coursing through him. What he got from the mysterious scroll was a cultivation technique called The Dragon King's Ascension. It granted him the strength of a dragon, the potential of a dragon, and even the grandeur of a dragon.
In this world, dragons were rare entities symbolizing power, domination, and immortality. Obtaining a technique like this was a fortune beyond imagination.
Recalling the pain he had just endured, Qin Chen only smiled wider. In his mind, the process had given him profound insights into how this technique worked—a legacy enabling humans to possess the potential of dragons.
He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the flow of energy coursing through his body. "This technique has even repaired my damaged meridians. I can't wait to see the look on that bastard's face when he realizes I'm still alive," he muttered, accompanied by a grin of pure satisfaction.
That name was still fresh in his memory—Lin Feng. The man who had set him up a week ago. That name was now etched clearly on the list of people he would undoubtedly kill in the future.
However, Qin Chen knew he had to be patient. Lin Feng was no ordinary person; he came from a prestigious family with power that was currently far beyond his reach.
Even though he now possessed the Dragon King's Ascension technique, Qin Chen was well aware that the road ahead was still long. His current cultivation base was far too low—merely at the third level of the Body Tempering realm. To exact his revenge, he would have to work even harder.
Qin Chen slowly stood, clenching his fists with confidence. His body felt extraordinary. Light as a feather yet as strong as steel, every movement brimmed with vitality. Although it hadn't directly enhanced his cultivation base, his body had now evolved.
---
Qin Chen walked through the dense forest, his steps light despite the morning ground's lingering chill beneath his feet. The surroundings were filled with towering trees, their branches intertwining to form a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight. The fresh air and the earthy scent of damp soil created a serene atmosphere, though there was no visible path to guide his steps.
As the trees began to thin and more sunlight streamed down to the ground, Qin Chen knew he was nearing the forest's edge. Almost an hour passed before he finally emerged from the thick woods, his view now open to a city nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain, right along the path leading to the Mount Hua sect's gates.
Tianlang City.
A vibrant city that served as a hub for travelers and sect disciples. Its sturdy wooden buildings with elegantly curved red-tiled roofs were adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, reflecting the grandeur of this cultivation world's culture. The city's streets were paved with neatly arranged stone, forming geometric patterns that showcased the place's prosperity and long history.
On either side of the streets, rows of stalls and shops lined up, each brimming with goods that caught the eye. Merchants hawked all sorts of items, from rare herbs and healing pills to simple glowing magical weapons. The air was filled with the aroma of spices and roasted meat, mingling with the shouts of vendors offering the best prices.
Amid the bustling crowd, sect disciples in their distinctive attire—long white robes adorned with the Mount Hua emblem—walked gracefully, swords strapped to their backs. Some travelers in tattered clothing roamed cautiously, while craftsmen busily engraved magical formations onto weapons and tools.
In the distance, Qin Chen spotted a towering bell tower standing proudly in the city center, surrounded by a square bustling with visitors. It was the information hub, where missions for cultivators were frequently announced, and disciples often gathered to exchange news or gossip.
Qin Chen paused for a moment, observing this lively scene with a calm yet wary gaze. "This city... is quite alive," he murmured as he stepped deeper into the bustling crowd. Behind his relaxed expression, his mind was already spinning plans. Tianlang was an ideal place to gather resources before moving further.
He already had a plan, and now, his eyes focused on a grand building in the distance, with a plaque reading: Tianlang Alchemy Center.
A faint smirk appeared on his face as he walked toward it.