"Dead? I was struck by lightning?" Liu Yichen jolted upright in bed, a sharp pain piercing through his skull as stars danced before his eyes. His head felt like it was about to explode, and his ears rang with phantom thunder.
He shook his head violently, trying to dispel the dizziness, but was assaulted by fragments of memories that crashed into his consciousness like a tidal wave, forcing him to clutch his temples in agony.
The memories flickered past like scenes from an old film reel—a young noble in luxurious silk robes, arrogant and wasteful, throwing gold around like water...
These were the memories of this body's original owner.
As Liu Yichen pieced together the fragments, understanding dawned. He had been reborn into a world called the Star Soul Continent, inheriting the identity of the Young Lord of Solar City.
The original Liu Yichen had been a spoiled wastrel who spent his days in idle pleasure and troublemaking.
Yet he had met his end through poison, administered by none other than his childhood sweetheart, Feng Liyue.
In his inherited memories, Feng Liyue had offered him that fatal cup with a sweet smile, while malice lurked in the depths of her eyes.
The original Liu Yichen, trusting her completely, had drained it in one gulp before collapsing.
A wave of melancholy washed over Liu Yichen as he contemplated the innocent youth's meaningless death.
His fists clenched, and his eyes flashed with an arctic chill. "Just you wait, Feng Liyue."
"Young Master, you're awake?" A clear voice interrupted his brooding.
A young woman in cyan robes entered, carrying a basin of water, her delicate features etched with concern.
She was Lin Xun'er, the original Liu Yichen's personal maid.
"Xun'er?" Liu Yichen tested his voice, finding it raw and scratchy, as though his throat had been scoured with sandpaper.
Lin Xun'er hastily set down the basin and rushed to his bedside, pressing a cool hand to his forehead. The touch brought blessed relief to his feverish skin.
"Young Master, you're finally awake! I must inform the Master and Madam."
Liu Yichen caught her hand, asking weakly, "How long... was I unconscious?"
"Three days," Lin Xun'er's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "The physician said you were severely poisoned, fortunately—"
Before she could finish, a commotion erupted outside the door.
A shrill, cutting voice pierced the air: "Well, well, if it isn't our Young Lord of Solar City? Still breathing, are we?" The words stabbed into Liu Yichen's ears like needles, making him wince.
"Third Lady Mo has arrived," Lin Xun'er whispered, anxiety threading through her voice.
Mo Wanqing, the Third Lady of House Mo.
She was betrothed to the original Liu Yichen, and now that he lay supposedly dying from poison, she had come for one purpose...
To break their engagement!
Suddenly, a warm current surged from Liu Yichen's core, flowing through his meridians to his limbs. He felt the remaining poison being rapidly purged from his system, leaving him feeling inexplicably refreshed, as though every pore was breathing in pure vitality.
Simultaneously, a cold mechanical voice resonated in his mind: "Ding! Congratulations, host! You have activated the Invincible Verbal Combat System: Mystic Spirit!"
Liu Yichen froze, his emotions a complex mixture.
A System?
What exactly was this thing?
His mind whirled with questions about this mysterious Invincible Verbal Combat System that had suddenly invaded his world.
Yet beneath his confusion lurked a spark of hope.
He had always been bullied in his past life, and now this system promised strength through verbal combat. Perhaps this was his chance to change his fate.
He feared it might be false hope, yet couldn't suppress his desperate yearning for power.
These conflicting emotions of doubt and anticipation tangled in his heart, leaving him momentarily adrift.
The mechanical voice spoke again: "This system, Mystic Spirit, exists to help its host grow stronger through verbal combat. Each successful verbal victory earns Combat Points, which can be used to increase levels and exchange for items."
"Verbal combat? Combat Points?" Liu Yichen felt like he was trying to decipher an alien language. Could this system be any more bizarre?
"Correct, host. Verbal combat refers to using words or actions to counter, provoke, or mock others. When the target experiences negative emotions, you gain Combat Points," Mystic Spirit explained. "The higher your Combat Points, the higher your level, and consequently, the greater your power."
Liu Yichen's mind raced. So he could become stronger simply by verbally sparring with others?
This system seemed tailor-made for him!
In his previous life, his timid nature had made him an easy target. The stronger students would steal his lunch, and any resistance earned him bruises.
Each time he saw those bullies approaching, his heart would clench with an invisible fist of fear and helplessness spreading through his chest.
He wanted to cry out for help, but the cold stares of bystanders told him no one would come to his aid.
When bullies deliberately destroyed his handcraft projects, it felt like a hammer blow to his heart—days of careful work demolished in moments.
He had reported it to teachers, clinging to a thread of hope, but their skeptical glances were like ice water, extinguishing the tiny flame of hope in his heart.
He could only endure their mockery silently, each taunt like a knife stabbing into his heart, feeling trapped in an endless abyss without a glimmer of light.
But now, with the Mystic Spirit system, he would repay every slight he had ever suffered.
"System, how many Combat Points do I have now?" Liu Yichen asked eagerly.
"Host currently has 0 Combat Points, Level 1."
"Zero?" Liu Yichen felt disappointed. "How do I earn points?"
"Simple, host just needs to..." Mystic Spirit paused, as if hesitating, "just needs to engage in verbal combat freely."
A wicked smile curved Liu Yichen's lips. Freely engage in verbal combat?
Liu Yichen began contemplating the boundaries of this verbal combat system.
He wondered if the system would award points for any successful verbal sparring, regardless of the target's status. Would it work against someone as powerful as the Female Emperor, who held absolute authority?
Or were there limitations—perhaps only certain groups of people or specific situations would trigger the point system?
And what about the intensity of the verbal combat? Would a slight annoyance suffice, or did he need to completely demolish his opponent's arguments?
He worried that hidden restrictions might hamper his plans for revenge and power advancement.
Nevertheless, this appeared to be his only chance for redemption. He would have to follow the system's guidance and discover its limitations through experience.
Hearing that Mo Wanqing had come to break their engagement, Liu Yichen felt no panic. Instead, his lips curved into a subtle smile.
Several cutting remarks already formed in his mind as he imagined Mo Wanqing's face flushing red with embarrassment and confusion.
'Want to break our engagement? That depends on whether I, Liu Yichen, agree to it. Third Lady Mo, don't assume I'm still the same pushover you can manipulate at will.'
His eyes gleamed with excitement at the thought.
He could almost see himself standing at the pinnacle, looking down upon the world. The very idea made his blood surge with anticipation.
His lips stretched into a slightly wicked grin. All those who had bullied him would pay the price!
Those who had sneered at him would kneel and beg for mercy!
His gaze turned glacial at the thought.
Feng Liyue, that venomous woman, had dared to poison him!
He would never forgive her!
Three years ago, she had poisoned him. Three years hence, he would personally drag her from her pedestal and let her taste the bitterness of being trampled underfoot.
He would make her understand that the price of poisoning him would be to face his endless fury!
Feng Liyue would become the first stepping stone on his path to supremacy!
He silently vowed that in three years, he would not only verbally destroy Feng Liyue but also topple the high-and-mighty Female Emperor herself, showing her that Liu Yichen was no longer a soft target to be squeezed at will!
This burning determination scorched his soul, his gaze growing ever more resolute.
He felt transformed, reborn. The weak Liu Yichen of the past was dead. The one who stood by the bed now was a new Liu Yichen, brimming with power and ambition!
He surveyed the ancient-styled chamber with distaste. He needed a place to release the tremendous power building within him, eager to test the might of the Mystic Spirit system through verbal combat.
Just then, the door creaked open as Lin Xun'er hurried in, her panic a stark contrast to the excitement burning in Liu Yichen's eyes.
Her steps were hurried, her breathing rapid, as though fleeing some terrible beast.
"Young Master, terrible news! House Mo... House Mo has sent people, they say... they say..." Lin Xun'er stammered, her clear eyes brimming with anxiety and concern.
"House Mo? What about them?" Liu Yichen raised an eyebrow, already guessing what was coming.
"Third Lady Mo... she... she's here to break the engagement!" Lin Xun'er finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper, fearing Liu Yichen's reaction.
To Lin Xun'er's surprise, Liu Yichen didn't anger. Instead, his lips curved into a playful smile, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Break the engagement? Perfect timing!" He rejoiced inwardly—he'd been wondering who would be his first verbal combat target!
This engagement-breaking business was like Combat Points delivered to his doorstep!
An irrepressible excitement surged through him as he envisioned his upcoming verbal battles and the steady stream of Combat Points they would bring.
His blood boiled, his soul burned, as he eagerly anticipated this challenge!
"Mo Wanqing, is it? Let's see how you plan to break this engagement!" Liu Yichen's eyes gleamed with anticipation, ready for his first battle in this new world.