The cold night wind howled through the desolate mountains, sending shivers down Wang Lin's spine. His dark eyes, now gleaming with a fierce determination, stared toward the distant peaks where the Azure Cloud Sect stood, its towering gates obscured by the remnants of the storm. Despite the pain from his injuries slowly subsiding, his body still felt heavy, as if weighed down by the memories of betrayal. But the burning fire in his chest could not be ignored.
Wang Lin clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of Sword Qi surge within his veins. It was as if the heavens themselves had granted him a new life, but it was one he had to earn. The Sword God Physique had granted him unparalleled potential, but to master it, he would need to push himself far beyond his former limits.
He wasn't sure whether to laugh or to rage. His life had been destroyed, but now he was reborn as something more. It was ironic, in a way—his greatest misfortune had led to his greatest blessing. The path ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain: revenge would be his first step.
Wang Lin set his gaze on the path that led to the sect, where once, he had stood at the top, surrounded by his closest companions. Those same companions were the ones who had now cast him aside. Senior Brother Xian, a man who had once called him a friend, had turned his back on him, leading the conspiracy that had shattered his future. Wang Lin swore, in that moment, that he would make them regret underestimating him.
But not yet. For now, he needed to heal fully and refine the mysterious powers that the Sword God System had unlocked within him.
Over the course of the next few days, Wang Lin journeyed deeper into the wilderness, avoiding major towns and using the seclusion to focus on honing his new abilities. His body had regained its vitality, and he found himself becoming more attuned to the Sword Qi that seemed to flow from the very air around him.
The mountains became his training ground. With each strike of his sword, Wang Lin felt the energy of the world coiling around him, responding to his every movement. The more he trained, the clearer it became: his body was not simply a vessel for energy; it was a conduit for the Sword God's power, a power that no one had seen in centuries.
As he struck the air with his sword, the Sword Qi rippled outward, cutting through the dense forest with ease. He stood amidst the aftermath, sweat dripping from his brow, but his eyes remained sharp and focused. The more he practiced, the more he realized that mastering his new physique would take time. The power was vast, but control was a far more difficult task.
He sat down beneath an ancient tree, closing his eyes to meditate. His thoughts drifted back to the Azure Cloud Sect—to the faces of those who had betrayed him.
"I'll make them pay," he whispered, barely a breath, as if the wind itself might carry his words away. But he meant it. Deep in his heart, something was stirring—a feeling he hadn't experienced since he was a child. Righteous fury.
His meditative state was interrupted by a rustling sound to his left. In an instant, Wang Lin was on his feet, his sword in hand, eyes scanning the area.
A figure emerged from the underbrush—a tall, well-built man with a weathered face and a rough demeanor. He was dressed in simple robes, but there was something familiar about him.
The stranger's voice broke the silence, low and gruff. "So, the rumors were true. The Azure Cloud Sect's discarded genius is alive after all."
Wang Lin's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?" he demanded, his grip tightening on the sword hilt.
The man smiled faintly, though his expression was more one of understanding than malice. "Name's Zhao Wei. I was once a wandering cultivator, but I've heard stories of your fall from grace. The Azure Cloud Sect, eh? It's a pity what they did to you."
Wang Lin said nothing, his eyes remaining locked on Zhao Wei's. There was something about the man—something that felt like… recognition?
Zhao Wei took a step forward, his gaze sharp. "You have potential, boy. But I see the path you're walking. It's dangerous, filled with blood and hatred. That's not the way to true strength."
Wang Lin's grip loosened slightly, but his expression remained steely. "Strength is power," he replied coldly. "And power is the only thing I need to get back what was taken from me."
Zhao Wei shook his head. "You think it's that simple?" He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I can help you, but you'll need to learn more than just swinging a sword. You need to understand the nature of your strength. It's a sword, yes, but it's more than that. The Sword God Physique… it's not a gift you can wield recklessly. It requires discipline, control, and above all, a clear mind."
Wang Lin hesitated. The way Zhao Wei spoke, it was almost as if he knew the inner workings of the Sword God Physique better than Wang Lin himself.
"I don't need anyone's help," Wang Lin replied stubbornly. "I'll learn to control it on my own."
Zhao Wei's gaze softened for a moment, but the faint smile remained. "Very well, young one. Just remember, power without wisdom is nothing more than a dangerous toy."
Without waiting for a response, Zhao Wei turned and disappeared back into the forest.
Wang Lin stood there, pondering the encounter. The words of the stranger lingered in his mind, and for the first time in a long while, doubt crept into his heart. Was he rushing too much in his pursuit of vengeance?
He shook his head. No. His path was clear. He would make them all regret their actions. The Azure Cloud Sect would learn that they had not killed a genius—they had awakened a beast.
But deep down, a small seed of curiosity was planted. Would power alone be enough to reach the heights he sought? Or would the Sword God require something more?
—End of Chapter 2—