Jiang Chen stepped out of the ruined inn, his spear resting lazily across his shoulders, his expression unbothered despite the destruction behind him.
The wind stirred his midnight-black hair, which cascaded down his back like flowing ink. His amber-gold eyes gleamed—not just bright, but almost divine, glowing with an unnatural luster that made people uneasy. His features were perfect, too perfect—sharp yet ethereal, sculpted as if the heavens themselves had taken their time crafting him.
And in truth, they had.
Or rather—chaos had.
Jiang Chen hadn't always looked like this. He had been handsome before, but not to this degree.
It was only after the Chaos Seed merged with him that his appearance began to change. His features had sharpened, refined by the primordial energy that coursed through his body. His skin, once marked by countless battles in the wilderness, had become flawless, radiating a faint glow even in the dimmest light.
His physique, already lean and powerful, now carried an unearthly elegance—a balance of refined grace and overwhelming might. Every movement seemed effortless, yet contained an underlying destructive force waiting to be unleashed.
But what unsettled people the most was his presence.
He wasn't just attractive—he was magnetic. It was as if the world itself bent slightly around him, like space had to adjust to accommodate his existence.
And people felt it.
They couldn't ignore him.
Men felt inferior just standing near him. Women felt drawn in, even against their better judgment. Cultivators, even those stronger than him, felt a sense of unease, as if Jiang Chen was something beyond human—something that shouldn't exist.
He didn't fully understand it himself.
But if chaos was the origin of all things, then perhaps… he was its will made flesh.
The streets were silent.
Dozens of eyes stared at him.
Ironhollow City had felt the battle. The shockwaves, the explosions, the bodies flying through walls—it had drawn the attention of both cultivators and commoners alike.
"Who... who is he?"
"That's the same kid from the Moonlit Courtyard… he took on the Crimson Blade Sect's men again?!"
"I saw him crush that Foundation Establishment disciple with a single spear thrust! What kind of monstrous strength is that?"
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Jiang Chen heard every word but ignored them. Let them talk. The more his name spread, the more it would fester in the minds of his enemies.
He tilted his head slightly, glancing down the street. The remaining Crimson Blade disciples had long since scattered, probably crawling back to their sect to cry about how they had just gotten their asses handed to them.
Jiang Chen exhaled, stretching his neck.
"Tch. Boring."
He was just about to leave when a voice called out.
"You! Boy who sent the Crimson Blade Sect back!"
Jiang Chen paused mid-step.
An elderly man stood at the edge of the crowd, his robe lined with silver embroidery, a sigil of a crescent moon on his chest. His cultivation radiated stability, at least late Foundation Establishment Realm.
Jiang Chen turned slightly, his amber-gold eyes glowing faintly in the lamplight.
"That's me," he said, smirking. "What? Want to test your luck?"
The elder hesitated. His gaze flickered between Jiang Chen and the ruined inn behind him.
"…No," he admitted. "Rather, I have an offer."
Jiang Chen raised a brow.
The elder stroked his beard. "I am Elder Han of the Silvermoon Pavilion. Our faction does not meddle in conflicts like the Crimson Blade Sect. But your… performance has intrigued us."
Jiang Chen leaned against his spear, his posture relaxed but watchful. "And?"
Elder Han nodded. "The Silvermoon Pavilion prides itself on acquiring rare talents. Strength alone is not enough to survive in Ironhollow, but connections and resources… those can make all the difference."
Jiang Chen sighed, pretending to think about it. "Sounds great and all, but…" He shrugged. "Not interested."
A flicker of surprise crossed Elder Han's face. "You refuse without even hearing the terms?"
Jiang Chen grinned, flawless teeth flashing under the city lights. "I don't need a faction telling me what to do. I'd rather burn my own path."
Somewhere in the crowd, a young woman clutched her chest dramatically.
"How is someone that arrogant also so good-looking?!"
A man next to her gritted his teeth. "Damn it! I want to punch him so bad, but I also want to look like him!"
Jiang Chen didn't react. He was used to this.
Elder Han sighed. "A pity. I suspect the Crimson Blade Sect will not take their humiliation lightly. Their elders will act soon."
"Let them," Jiang Chen said, spinning his spear effortlessly. "I'll send them home in pieces too."
The crowd collectively shivered.
This guy wasn't just powerful.
He was insane.
Elder Han studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "If that's your choice, so be it. But should you change your mind, the Silvermoon Pavilion keeps its doors open… for now."
Jiang Chen gave him a mocking salute before turning away.
Jiang Chen walked through the city, ignoring the gazes that followed him. Some in admiration, some in fear.
His battle with the Crimson Blade Sect had done more than make a statement.
It had painted a target on his back.
Jiang Chen wasn't stupid. The sects, noble families, and city factions—they all played the long game. The Crimson Blade Sect had been humiliated twice now. They wouldn't let this go unanswered.
He needed to prepare.
But for what?
For the first time, he truly questioned it.
All his life, he had fought to survive. His path had been dictated by necessity, by instinct, by blood and battle.
But now?
He had power. He had an edge that defied the natural order. The Chaos Seed had chosen him, and the way it had reshaped his very being proved it.
But why?
Why had the Chaos Seed entered his body?
Why did he—a boy with no clan, no family, no past—possess something that should have belonged to an ancient sovereign?
Jiang Chen's eyes darkened.
I need answers.
He wasn't just going to fight stronger enemies and conquer sects.
He was going to find the truth.
The origins of the Chaos Seed.
The reason why the strongest factions feared him before he had even begun to rise.
The force that had made him more than human. His parents, If he had any at all.
Jiang Chen clenched his fists.
Ironhollow was just the beginning.
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