As the dust settled on what was once known as the headquarters of the Serpent Fang Sect, a minor sect that once ruled the region, Kael Varian, the monster in human flesh, stood quietly, allowing the weight of his accomplishment to sink in. In his past life, he had fought many battles and schemed downfalls, but not like this. The ease with which he dismantled the Serpent Fang Sect, the way he efficiently and categorically destroyed the sect using methods ranging from psychological warfare to straight-up dominance through power and brute strength, humbled him. At the same time, it granted him a feeling of unwavering confidence.
You have to remember, it hadn't even been a month since he was reincarnated into this world, and yet he had already accomplished what some geniuses might never be able to. Even if they could, it would take a Herculean effort, and even then, they would require help. Yet Kael had done it alone, with nothing but his wits and his own power. Kael looked within, marveling at the potential of the talents bestowed upon him by the supreme being that brought him here in the first place. It made him wonder if there was another motive for bringing him here. Why would a being that powerful go out of his way to give a stranger he had no ties with such an opportunity? Entertainment? That sounded ludicrous. A being that powerful would never be that simple. Even if entertainment was a factor, there should be a far more important reason why he was chosen because he didn't think his past self was anything special. There were many like him across existence, so why him? Regardless, he was only a mortal with Qi Condensation cultivation. There was nothing he could do even if there was an ulterior motive. Kael decided he would dance to the tune of that being, but there would come a time when...
The sound of rustling among the rubble pulled Kael from his thoughts. An inner disciple had managed to survive the explosion, though he was fatally wounded. Kael turned his attention towards the direction of the noise and immediately spotted the disciple. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Someone had survived?
Kael began to move towards the disciple, who, upon noticing Kael's approach, began to shiver. But then, his extremely strong will caused him to stop himself from shivering. He looked Kael straight in the eye as Kael slowly approached.
"Are you going to kill me?" he asked.
Kael squatted next to him, holding his chin as if in deep thought. "Maybe, but first, tell me how you survived."
"And what would that change?"
"Well, for starters, it will sate my curiosity. Secondly, it will help me decide whether to kill you or not."
The disciple stared at Kael for a while, then started narrating. "On one of the missions I took from our mission hall, I stumbled upon the cave of a wandering expert. There, I found a protective talisman that could protect its bearer but could only be used once. I always keep it on my person, so when Elder Zhao Qian was about to explode, I activated the talisman, and that is what saved my life."
"You are one lucky son of a bitch, aren't you? Well, I guess luck can be counted as a capability. Next question: where is your sect's treasury? You see, the storage ring I took from Luo Qiyan is beginning to dry up."
The disciple stared at Kael's calm face for what seemed like an eternity before finally pointing in a direction. Kael smiled and nodded before getting up and moving in that direction. After moving only a few steps, Kael stopped. Without turning, he asked, "What's your name?"
The disciple replied, "Zhang Changsheng."
Kael nodded and continued walking. The disciple suddenly asked, "Are you not afraid I will come and seek you in the future for revenge?"
Kael grinned a feral grin, one that reached his ears, and said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The disciple stared at Kael for a while, saying nothing. He lay down, staring at the skies, his eyes deep, his resolve firm.
Kael, meanwhile, paid no attention to this as he headed for the treasury.
The doors of the treasury were huge, about ten zhang. The image of a serpent devouring the heavens was drawn on the gate. He slowly approached the gate, placing his hands on the two gates. He exerted some force, but the gates refused to budge. Kael smiled. He exerted even more force, yet there was no change. Kael's mouth extended into a grin. He took three steps back, dropped into a punching stance, drew his hand back, inhaled slowly, focused the full range of his physical prowess into his dominant hand, and then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
He smashed at the door. The fist wind from the punch was brutal. It smashed the surrounding trees into ashes. Kael's hand smashed into the door with a vengeance. The gates wobbled, and cracks spread out like a spider web, but just when the door was about to be crushed, runes lit up, stopping the cracks from spreading and simultaneously healing them. In less than a breath, the cracks disappeared, and the gates were as good as new. Kael's grin widened. He stepped further back, took his punching stance again, and focused his eyes on the runes. He began to notice a pattern in the way the runes moved, shifting positions along the gate. He noticed the flaws due to his insane comprehension. He then mobilized his Qi, waited for the perfect moment, and then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!
The gate was smashed into oblivion.
Kael calmly walked into the treasury a smile tugged at corner of his lips.