A crisp autumn breeze blew through the streets of Silvercrest City, rustling the worn-out clothes of a frail-looking boy as he trudged along a deserted alley. His name was Jian Xu, the laughingstock of Azure Sky Academy, known as the weakest martial artist to ever set foot on its sacred training grounds.
His body ached with fresh bruises, remnants of yet another humiliating beating from the academy's elite disciples. His tormentors had long grown bored of insulting him with words; now, their fists spoke for them. Today was no different.
"Trash like you doesn't belong here."
"Why don't you just quit? Save yourself the pain."
Jian gritted his teeth as he recalled their mocking voices. But he couldn't quit. Not when this was his only path to survival.
Born into the lowest rung of society, Jian had no powerful family to back him, no prestigious bloodline to grant him innate strength. He was nothing but an orphan, scraping by in a world where strength ruled all. The Azure Sky Academy was his only chance to change his fate, yet he was nothing more than a punching bag for those born with privilege.
The bitter taste of failure gnawed at him as he collapsed beside a crumbling stone wall. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he whispered to himself. "There has to be a way…"
As if answering his silent plea, a sudden jolt of pain shot through his skull. A blinding light erupted within his mind, forcing him to clutch his head as a voice echoed from the depths of his consciousness.
[God-Tier System Activating…]
Jian's eyes widened in shock. A system?
He had heard of legendary figures who possessed mysterious systems that granted them unparalleled abilities. Those chosen by such systems ascended to the ranks of gods, shaping the world with their overwhelming power.
[User detected: Jian Xu. Weakness level: Extreme.]
[Initiating First Awakening…]
A surge of energy coursed through his body, burning away his fatigue. He gasped, feeling strength flood into his limbs, as though something deep within him had awakened from an eternal slumber.
[Congratulations! You have unlocked the God-Tier System.]
[New Skill Acquired: Heavenly Combat Insight – Allows instant comprehension of martial techniques.]
Jian's breath hitched. Instant comprehension?
He turned his gaze toward the broken wooden dummy nearby, one of the many training tools he had failed to master. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, raising his fist.
A memory flashed through his mind—the correct posture, the precise angle, the flow of energy within his body. Before he even realized it, his punch connected with a deafening crack, splintering the wooden dummy into pieces.
Jian stared at his hand in stunned silence. The impossible had just become real.
For the first time in his life, hope burned in his chest. He had been weak, helpless, ridiculed—but not anymore.
This was just the beginning.
The rise of the strongest had begun.