The sky in June was an unforgiving blue, baking the earth beneath with an intense heat.
On the training grounds of Celestial Peak Sect, Ethan Cloud, a prodigious Outer Disciple, had just finished practicing the Wind God Spear Technique. With a flick of his wrist, he retracted his spear, earning a chorus of fawning cheers.
"Brilliant!"
"Wow, Ethan Cloud, you're amazing! Just three months into practicing the Wind God Spear Technique, and you've already achieved proficiency. Truly, you are the number one talent in B-Division!"
"You're so modest! With Ethan Cloud's prowess, becoming an Inner Disciple next month is a foregone conclusion. Once inside, he'll rise like a phoenix and maybe even master the Wind God Spear Technique to perfection!"
Gathered around were fellow Outer Disciples, each hoping Ethan would notice them, desperate to cling to his rising star.
Ethan Cloud's chest puffed out with pride, a superiority that bordered on disdain. He scanned the crowd, his eyes filled with contempt. " Mere mortals! Do you dare expect me to remember your faces?"
His gaze fell upon Maya Ink, a delicate yet icy-faced female disciple. Ethan's eyes lit up with desire.
Maya Ink had joined Celestial Peak Sect only a month ago but had already demonstrated remarkable talent, not the best, but still exceptional. Both she and Ethan were recognized as outliers among the Outer Disciples, destined for greatness within the Inner Circle.
"Sister Maya, do you face any difficulties in your training?" Ethan Cloud approached her, his voice as smooth as silk.
Maya Ink glanced at him coolly, her brows furrowing. "No. Nor will I ever need your help," she replied, then walked away.
Bitch! Ethan cursed under his breath, his face darkening.
Suddenly, from the crowd, a young man stepped forward. He let out a burst of mocking laughter as he gazed at Ethan's rejected form.
"Haha, what a fool you've become! She doesn't even give you the time of day! Thinking you can win a goddess's heart with a bit of talent? Look at your face, covered in freckles like a seven-spotted ladybug. Are you still in puberty, or did you just masturbate too much?"
Shock rippled through the training grounds. Even Maya Ink stood frozen, staring at the young man in disbelief.
Dare he insult Ethan Cloud? Call him freckle-faced and compare him to a ladybug? Has this guy lost his mind?
"You brat, you're asking for it!" Ethan roared, fury boiling within him. In his years at the sect, his cultivation had skyrocketed, and his status soared. With his family's backing, no one had ever dared speak to him like this.
Fine, the goddess ignores me. But you? A nobody? How dare you mock me?
Ethan's figure blurred, a gust of wind rising around him. Though Celestial Peak Sect forbade fratricide, sparring was allowed. He didn't draw his spear, but his right hand turned iron-gray, glowing faintly, seeming to enlarge.
"Oh no, it's Wind Spirit Palm!"
"That's a minor masterpiece among lower-grade martial arts. When perfected, it can rival common mid-grade techniques!"
"Who is this guy? He's asking for a beating!"
"Who knows? Maybe he's gone mad from too much meditation?"
"Hehe, this will be entertaining!"
The Outer Disciples watched eagerly, anticipating the showdown. As expected, Ethan, with his Tempering Body at the third stage, had few peers among the Outer Disciples. His opponent, a first-stage nobody named Liam, got a brutal beating.
Yet Liam kept taunting.
"I'll keep insulting you even if you hit me! You're garbage..."
Ethan exploded, his attacks becoming even more vicious.
Liam, in reality, harbored a profound secret. He wasn't from this world. He was a traveler from a place called Celestial Source, aboard a vessel meant for interworld travel. After initial confusion and fear, Liam, once an orphan and street tough, found excitement in his new reality.
He was now in the Realm of Divine Martial Arts, specifically on the Solar Celestial Continent, within the Celestial Peak Sect.
Liam had his own advantage as a traveler—a golden finger, if you will. The night before, a glowing orb awakened in his mind, introducing itself as the "System of the Master of All Realms."
"Congratulations, host! You have activated the System of the Master of All Realms. The system will aid you in becoming the Master of All Realms, leading you to dominance. Follow the system's guidance, and march forward!"
Wow, the Master of All Realms? Liam loved it. He explored further but was disappointed.
"You only have one function? Refinement? Refine what? No starter pack?"
"The system reminds the host that its refinement is unparalleled. Nothing is beyond its refinement capabilities."
Oh, really?
Liam glanced at his crotch, pondering deeply. After some inspection, he understood the system's main function—refinement. Whether it's your body, techniques, or weapons, all could be refined, powered by Refinement Points.
Refinement Points are gained through "showing off," creating emotions like awe or anger. The system feeds on these energies. Provoking anger works too.
Thus, Liam saw his chance when Ethan Cloud got rejected.
Ethan Cloud, the Outer Disciple prodigy, at the third stage of Tempering Body, with a volatile temper—Liam chose him as his target, prepared for a beating.
Liam wasn't afraid of pain. Was he here to stagnate? To abandon his cultivation and techniques? To forgo his dreams of greatness? The original body's owner was a pathetic weakling. It was Liam's chance to shine.
"Owww... Ahhhh!" Liam's screams were genuine, not fake. The crowd chuckled, enjoying the spectacle. Maya Ink frowned and ignored them, returning to her training.
Punch after punch, Ethan Cloud found release in his assault, the frustration from Maya Ink's rejection dissolving with each hit. He didn't notice the fierce determination in Liam's squinted eyes.
Liam knew Ethan's dark secrets from his predecessor's memories. Ethan had abused his power and background, victimizing weaker female disciples, though he had managed to suppress the scandals.
Liam wiped the blood from his face, flashing Ethan a mocking grin. "Are you hungry? Your punches are weaker than a kitten's. Maybe you're spending too much energy on women?"
Ethan's eyes widened.
How dare Liam insult him after such a beating?
His anger surged to its peak. In Liam's mind, the system's voice echoed. "Your words have generated immense anger, successfully converting to ten Refinement Points! Choose your refinement target!"
Liam's eyes gleamed with malice. "Refine my cultivation!"
"Note, refining cultivation is costly. Your current cultivation is at the first stage of Tempering Body. Reaching the second stage requires one Refinement Point, the third five points..."
"Skip it. The third stage is enough!"
"As you wish! Refining... Refinement failed. Cultivation has dropped..."
Liam spat out a mouthful of blood. "You're kidding me?"
"Refining... Refinement successful... Refining again..."
"Congratulations! Your cultivation has reached the peak of the third stage of Tempering Body!"
Finally!
Liam lay on the ground as Ethan's kicks continued to rain down. Enraged, Ethan spared no mercy, intent on teaching Liam a lesson.
Suddenly, Liam's body trembled. Faint, unnoticed whispers filled the air, escalating into a roar. Like lightning, Liam's hand shot out, grasping Ethan's ankle.
Liam propped himself up on one arm, clutching Ethan's ankle, revealing a grim smile.
"Are you done, idiot? It's my turn now..."