Morning broke over StarFord University's dormitory, casting a warm glow through the window. The golden light illuminated the quiet room, where Feng Yun lay motionless on the bed.
Then—
A searing pain shot through his skull, so intense that his entire body convulsed. His fingers clenched the sheets as he gasped for breath. It felt as if his mind was being split apart.
"Argh... Damn it!" He gritted his teeth, pressing his fingers against his temples.
The pain slowly subsided, leaving him breathless and drenched in sweat. As his heart rate steadied, his sharp eyes darted around the unfamiliar room.
"Where am I?"
His gaze fell on his hands, and his breath hitched. Gone were the calloused fingers and battle-hardened skin he had known for over a century. Instead, his hands were smooth, flawless, almost too perfect.
Feng Yun stiffened, his instincts warning him of something unnatural. He leaped from the bed and hurried to the mirror hanging on the door.
What he saw made him freeze.
A stranger stared back at him—yet it was his reflection.
The man in the mirror had raven-black hair, piercing eyes, and a strong jawline. His skin had a jade-like radiance, as if crafted by the heavens themselves. The body was lean yet athletic, radiating an aura of hidden strength.
Feng Yun's fingers brushed against his cheek.
"This... is my new body?"
He knew the Heaven-Defying Reincarnation Technique was a legend, an impossible miracle. Yet here he was, proof that it was real. And that voice from before... The deal I made.
A dark chuckle escaped his lips. "If I looked like this in my past life, my clan wouldn't have been wiped out… They would have fought over me instead."
Before he could dwell on the thought, a bright screen flickered into existence before him, casting a soft glow across the dim room.
[Ding...]
[Welcome to 'The Path to Godhood.']
[To participate, touch {Yes/No}.]
[Warning: Selecting 'No' = Instant Death.]
[Trial begins in 10 seconds.]
Feng Yun's expression darkened.
"Instant death for rejecting? What kind of twisted game is this?"
But even as the thought passed, his lips curled into a cold smirk.
"Not that it matters—I came here to play."
His finger hovered over the 'Yes' button. Then—
The countdown began.
[5...]
The air grew heavy, an ominous presence filling the room.
[4...]
A faint vibration rumbled beneath his feet.
[3...]
Feng Yun narrowed his eyes. Something was coming.
[2...]
The very walls trembled.
[1...]
Then—
BOOOOM!!!
A massive earthquake struck.
The entire world seemed to shake, buildings crumbling under the force. Students screamed outside, panic gripping the city.
Through the window, Feng Yun saw devastation unfold. Fires erupted. Roads cracked open. The very sky itself seemed to shudder.
"Tsk... Looks like this game isn't playing around."
His dormitory groaned under the pressure, the walls cracking. A bookshelf collapsed beside him, narrowly missing his leg. He gritted his teeth, steadying himself as the tremors slowly ceased.
Silence.
Then—
"KEKKEKEKE!"
A shrill, eerie laugh echoed outside.
Feng Yun's sharp gaze snapped to the window.
A portal had torn open in the sky, dark energy swirling like a vortex. From its depths, green, midget-like creatures crawled out, their bodies hunched, their yellow eyes gleaming with malice.
Each one clutched rusted daggers, their small bodies brimming with feral aggression.
A familiar mechanical voice rang in his mind.
[Ding...]
[Information: Green Goblins – Level 1 (Body Tempering Stage 1)]
[Warning: Avoid fighting them in groups. Isolate and eliminate.]
Feng Yun's lips curled into a smirk.
"So, these are my first prey?"
His eyes flashed with anticipation.
His mind raced, scanning the room for weapons.
His gaze locked onto a baseball bat leaning against the wall. He grabbed it, testing its weight in his hands.
"Heh… this will do."
Then, an idea struck.
His eyes flickered toward the study table, where two silver forks lay untouched. He grabbed them, slipping them into his pocket.
Outside his door, the goblins' laughter grew louder. They were near.
Feng Yun inhaled slowly, his grip tightening on the bat.
Instead of hiding, he moved toward the door, standing right beside it.
Then—
He swung his bat hard against the hanging mirror, shattering it into pieces.
CLINK! CLINK!
The sudden noise immediately attracted the goblins. Their laughter turned into excited shrieks as they scurried toward his room.
Feng Yun remained perfectly still, his heart calm, eyes cold.
The trap was set.
The door creaked open, and two goblins stood in the doorway, their daggers raised.
Yet, instead of charging, they stood still, pointing their weapons at him mockingly.
They were taunting him.
A cruel smirk formed on Feng Yun's lips.
"You little shits think you can play games with me?"
In one swift motion, he threw the forks.
SCHLICK!
One stabbed directly into a goblin's eye. The creature let out a bloodcurdling shriek, thrashing wildly as dark blood gushed down its face.
The second goblin's eyes widened in shock—only for Feng Yun to vanish using Devil Pace.
Before the creature could react—
CRACK!
The bat crashed against its skull, splitting it open like a watermelon.
Blood and brain matter splattered against the wall.
The first goblin, still clutching its ruined eye, tried to flee through the window.
But Feng Yun was faster.
He appeared behind it, bat raised—
BANG!
The goblin's skull caved in, its body slumping lifelessly.
As their corpses twitched on the floor, the system screen reappeared.
[Ding...]
[+10 points for killing a goblin.]
[+10 points for killing a goblin.]
[Souls: 2/20 (Required for Level 2 – Body Tempering Stage 2)]
[Items obtained: Poison Dagger (Lv.1) x2]
Feng Yun's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"So, I can earn points and absorb souls. Interesting..."
His grip tightened around the newly acquired daggers, their edges coated with a faint green toxin.
Then—
A voice suddenly called out from behind him.
"Leon! Leon! Stop ignoring me!"
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Feng Yun turned around slowly, his cold gaze meeting that of a blond, average-looking guy.
The man smiled awkwardly. "Hey, man, why are you acting like you don't know me?"
Feng Yun remained silent, his mind processing rapidly.
"Leon? Who the hell is Leon?"
He had no memories of this body's past life. No history. No attachments. Nothing.
His expression darkened.
"Tch... Looks like I need to play along until I figure things out."