Chapter 139 - 1

52-55

Chapter 52

Chen Ren sat cross-legged in the room that was allocated for him. The faraway muffled noise of the crowd in the arena could be heard and felt by him due to the sheer number of people cheering even before the fight had started.

Yet, he managed to ignore all of them. Instead, he focused on his dantian. His steadied his breath, his qi flowing smoothly through his meridians. He inhaled the herbal scent from his pills and slowly deepened his focus. His injuries had already healed, therefore, he had no physical distraction, leaving him powerful. 

By now, the idea of losing to a sixth-star body forging realm cultivator would have been laughable. His strength, his techniques, his strategies—they had all carried him through countless battles. But he knew this wasn't just any opponent. 

It was Gu Tian.

The man carried surprises, much like himself. 

Chen Ren could sense it—Gu Tian walked a unique path, just like him. His fight against Li Xuan had revealed glimpses of those secrets— Earth-grade techniques, the infamous thousand poison tongue. Regardless, there was something dangerous about him, something that gnawed at his instincts.

He tried to calm his thoughts, to focus on his breathing and to remind himself of his abilities. He had faced danger before—Cang Rui had been an annoying opponent, a formidable one at that, and Chen Ren had outmanoeuvred him with wit and tactics. 

But this was different. Against Gu Tian, for the first time in a while, he wasn't sure of his victory.

The faint sound of rustling broke his focus. His eyes snapped open, and he found Yalan sitting in front of him. 

"The fight is going to start soon," she said.

"Did you find anything more about Gu Tian?"

Yalan shook her head. "No. He kept to himself since the last fight, locked in his room. My senses picked up a conversation, but I couldn't hear much from outside. He wasn't alone, though. Whoever he's talking to… it's someone important. Right now, my theory is that he belongs to a major clan and that's why, he has Earth grade techniques in his arsenal."

Chen Ren's jaw tightened. "You think he's from a major clan?"

"It's possible. There's a Gu Clan on the western side of the empire, but they don't deal in poisons. And I doubt they'd be generous enough to grant Earth-grade techniques to a wandering member. He might have gotten those techniques from elsewhere."

"Like a ruin or some legacy from a rogue cultivator?" Chen Ren suggested.

"Maybe," she admitted. "Young cultivators with inherited legacies do appear from time to time. But knowing his background won't give you much of an advantage. Focus on what you've seen. The man is cunning, and he's not above using underhanded tactics."

Chen Ren nodded at Yalan's words. "I know that. He uses poisons and Earth-grade techniques. It's unfortunate I never practiced any body fortification techniques," he said, his tone tinged with regret. 

Yalan gave him a small, encouraging purr. "Just be quick. You're light on your feet, and unlike Li Xuan, you're clever enough to keep an eye out for the poison. Use that to your advantage."

"I'll handle it," Chen Ren replied and pushed himself up from his meditative stance.

Together, they walked to the arena grounds, the echoes of the crowd's jubilant cheers growing louder with every step. The shouts and clamour swelled like a tidal wave as Chen Ren came into view, the energy of the audience washing over him. His eyes scanned the sea of faces, and he noticed something different this time—more people were cheering for him.

Was it his win against Cang Rui? His resourcefulness? Whatever the reason, he couldn't let them down now.

As he approached the stage, his gaze locked onto Gu Tian, standing at the opposite end. The man offered a simple nod, calm and unbothered, as though this was just another sparring match.

Chen Ren returned the nod and turned his focus to the official in the center of the stage. The man raised a hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down.

"Before the final match begins, we are honored to hear a few words from our esteemed city lord, Li Baolong," the official announced, his voice booming across the arena.

All eyes turned to the city lord, who rose from his elevated seat. He looked over the crowd and waved at them, calming down the cheers that came his way.

"When this tournament was announced, Cloud Mist City was shrouded in dark clouds," Li Baolong began. "Demonic cultivator attacks had left us shaken. Many advised me to cancel this event, to avoid gathering so many people in one place. But I was stubborn. I believed in the resilience of the people and cultivators of Cloud Mist City and the surrounding regions. I believed that a mere demonic cultivator would not be able to scare us into submission. And all of you—every single one of you—have proved me right."

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, echoing his sentiment.

Li Baolong raised a hand to quiet them once more. "Hundreds of young cultivators gathered here to prove their mettle. We have seen great battles, acts of courage, and strategies that rival even the most experienced warriors. And now, only two remain. Two cultivators who have surprised us all and earned their place here today."

His gaze briefly swept over Chen Ren and Gu Tian.

"Whoever wins today, know this: both of you are talented and determined. I have no doubt that you will rise through the realms and make your names known across the Empire. With that, I leave the stage to you. May the final fight of this tournament be a spectacle that we will remember for years to come."

The city lord's words hung in the air, the crowd roaring their approval once more. Chen Ren took a deep breath, his focus narrowing as he stepped onto the stage, ready for the battle that would define the tournament.

As the city lord took his seat, the official stepped forward, his voice calm but 

authoritative as he addressed the arena.

"The rules for the final round are clear, the same as before! Fatal strikes are allowed. You may cripple or kill your opponent, and any items the fallen cultivator possesses will be yours. Beyond that, the same criterias for disqualification apply: leaving the stage means defeat, surrender means defeat, and, of course, death means defeat. Now, let the final battle of this year's tournament begin!"

The gong rang, a deep, reverberating sound that seemed to shake the ground beneath Chen Ren's feet.

He barely had time to prepare when a wave of killing intent washed over him, freezing him in place for a heartbeat. It wasn't just pressure; it was suffocating. Unlike anything he'd felt before—not even in Gu Tian's fight with Li Xuan. The crowd let out a collective gasp, their cheers momentarily silenced.

Chen Ren's instincts screamed at him as he met Gu Tian's eyes. In that one second, every thought he had about his opponent changed. 

No, this wasn't some lucky cultivator who'd stumbled upon a legacy. This was someone who had killed—a lot. And now, Gu Tian looked at him with the same gaze a predator reserves for its prey. 

That moment of hesitation nearly cost him. A glint of steel flashed in the air as Gu Tian's blade descended. Chen Ren barely managed to leap aside, the sharp edge carving through the spot where he had just stood.

But there was no reprieve. Gu Tian vanished and reappeared beside him in a blur, his Earth-grade movement technique making him impossibly fast. Chen Ren reacted on instinct, activating [Lightning Frenzy], unleashing crackling arcs of electricity in every direction.

Gu Tian jumped back with an almost casual grace, weaving through the chaotic lightning as though it were no more than an inconvenience. The gap he created was gone in an instant as he closed the distance again, his blade coming down in a relentless blur.

Chen Ren gritted his teeth as he narrowed his eyes and tracked the sword's peculiar, almost hypnotic movements. It wasn't a simple attack—this was a sword technique, one designed to confuse and overwhelm. He deflected one strike, then another, each one coming closer than the last, until—

A sharp pain shot through his shoulder as the edge of Gu Tian's blade grazed him, slicing through his robe and leaving a shallow wound. Blood trickled down, but Chen Ren didn't flinch. Instead, he slammed his palm into his pouch, pulling out several fire talismans.

With a surge of qi, he activated them, channelling the power through his lightning. The air around him exploded in a wave of searing heat as flames erupted, forcing Gu Tian to stumble back.

The flames licked at Gu Tian's robe, scorching his hand, but he didn't falter. Instead, his expression darkened as he reached into his robes, pulling out three small blades. With a flick of his wrist, they shot toward Chen Ren, each one whistling through the air with deadly precision.

Chen Ren's eyes widened, his mind racing. He had no time to dodge all three.

His reflexes kicked in as the daggers shot toward him. Instead of dodging, he reached into his pouch and flung a handful of white powder into the air, chanting quickly under his breath. A translucent barrier shimmered into existence just in time to block the incoming projectiles.

One dagger, however, phased partially through the barrier. The mystical shield slowed it just enough for Chen Ren to sidestep, snatching the weapon midair. His eyes darted to its edge—dripping with a slick, dark liquid. Poison. Fuck! 

Before he could react further, Gu Tian closed the distance, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Chen Ren countered, activating [Thundering Fist] as his fist crackled with lightning, surging forward to meet the attack. His punch landed squarely on Gu Tian's chest.

But instead of the satisfying impact of flesh and bone, it felt like striking solid stone. Gu Tian didn't so much as flinch. His grin widened, teeth flashing as he licked his lips like a dog.

"You won't get past my techniques," Gu Tian taunted. "I'll kill you and take the medallion."

Chen Ren's brow furrowed. "Medallion?" he muttered, but there was no time to process the cryptic statement. Gu Tian's blade was already coming down on him.

Chen Ren darted back, only to feel the cold edge of the platform beneath his heels. Trapped—nowhere to dodge forward without meeting Gu Tian's blade or throwing himself off the stage. 

Gu Tian smirked, lunging for the kill.

Desperate, Chen Ren pulled out another talisman, its glowing edges catching Gu Tian's attention. The grin on his opponent's face widened.

"Another fire talisman?" Gu Tian scoffed, sidestepping smoothly. "Your tricks won't work—"

Before he could finish, Chen Ren burned the talisman with his lightning. "I don't only carry fire talismans," he muttered.

In an instant, a brilliant flash of blinding light engulfed the battlefield. Gu Tian cried out, staggering as he covered his eyes, momentarily disoriented.

Chen Ren, who had closed his eyes before activating the [Blinding Talisman], claimed the opportunity. He charged forward, his fist crackling with lightning again. This time, his [Thundering Fist] connected squarely with Gu Tian's jaw, sending him flying back.

Gu Tian crashed heavily onto the platform, the force of the impact sending cracks spidering across the surface. But Chen Ren didn't hold back. He surged forward and continuously punched his face. Each blow echoed across the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Gu Tian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to regain his footing. 

With a swift motion, he threw a flurry of daggers, the deadly blades gleaming as they shot toward Chen Ren. 

Seeing the attack, Chen Ren propelled himself into the air. His movements were agile as he dodged the projectiles. Yet, as he hung momentarily in the air, his body twisted mid-flight, he realized the leap had left him wide open to a counterattack.

Gu Tian retrieved his blade, lunging forward to cover the distance between them. His speed was terrifying, but just as he closed in, Chen Ren's eyes began to glow faintly.

Gu Tian froze mid-charge, his instincts flaring as he sensed an incoming attack. He muttered something 

incomprehensible under his breath, stepping back cautiously, his blade poised.

But nothing happened. 

Chen Ren smirked. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the poisoned dagger he'd caught earlier straight at Gu Tian.

"Who said glowing eyes meant an attack?!" Chen Ren quipped.

The dagger flew true, striking Gu Tian square in the chest. For a moment, Chen Ren saw victory on the horizon. Without hesitation, he launched forward, his movement technique propelling him toward his downed opponent. His fist shot out, crackling with lightning, ready to end it.

But just as his first punch landed, Gu Tian's body convulsed violently. A foul, dark liquid erupted from his mouth, spraying out in a torrent of poison. Chen Ren barely managed to twist away in time, but the poison splattered across his arm, sizzling against his skin.

He quickly jumped back, shaking his arm free of the venom. But Gu Tian wasn't finished. The man almost seemed to revel in the chaos he created. The poison kept spraying, jetting from his mouth in a continuous stream, and the stage below them began to melt, the once sturdy stone now eating away into 

nothingness. Chen Ren's eyes widened. There was nowhere to run.

Every inch of the arena was being consumed by the toxic spray. The crowd's collective gasp echoed as the platform began to crack and decay, unable to withstand the powerful venom that Gu Tian expelled with such ease.

Chen Ren looked back at his opponent, and the sight almost froze his blood. 

Despite blood dripping out from the wounds he had given him, Gu Tian's grin only widened—a bloodthirsty, maniacal smile that radiated with a terrifying, almost psychotic rage. It was the kind of grin that made Chen Ren's instincts flare with unease. Poison dripping down his mouth just added to the effect. 

Something was really wrong with this man. Really, fucking wrong.

The air grew heavier as Gu Tian, blood dripping from his wounds, lunged forward again.

His movements flickered like a shadow, impossibly fast and hard to follow. Chen Ren struggled to track him, but he didn't waver. His mind sharpened, blocking out the pain and the poison that surrounded him. 

He thought of a way out of it. There was no way to run with the poison melting the stage and it gave Gu Tian a big advantage. As his mind ran to find a way out, a plan formed.

Chen Ren quickly pulled out a handful of talismans, his fingers moving with precision as he threw them into the air. The paper strips fluttered before igniting with flashes of lightning as their power activated. Energy surged in the air, crackling like a brewing storm. Just as Gu Tian's blade swept toward him, Chen Ren acted.

He dashed forward, stepping onto the talismans, which solidified into stone under his feet. Without pause, he used the makeshift platforms to launch himself high into the air. The crowd erupted as he soared over Gu Tian, who looked up in surprise.

Chen Ren didn't waste the opening. From above, he unleashed [Lightning Frenzy], a rapid flurry of electric strikes that rained down on Gu Tian. Lightning crackled as the blows landed. And it left Gu Tian stunned and struggling to defend himself. His hands came to his face, trying to avoid the attacks, but his body convulsed with each hit. 

Before the latter could recover, Chen Ren landed in front of him, his fist crackling with raw energy. 

With one swift motion, he drove it into Gu Tian's stomach. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the platform, hurling Gu Tian through the air. 

He crashed past the edge of the arena, falling hard and motionless.

The crowd roared as Chen Ren stood at the center of the stage, breathing heavily but victorious. The poison sizzling on the platform no longer mattered. Gu Tian lay outside the ring, bloodied and defeated.

Chen Ren, though battered, stood tall, a rare sense of calm washing over him. 

It had been a difficult fight, but he had won. Yes, he had finally won. 

The arena trembled, the ground beneath them shaking as the official's voice rang out. "Gu Tian is out of bounds and disqualified. Chen Ren wins the match and the tournament! Give a loud applause for him!"

The roar of the crowd surged around him again, deafening in its intensity. The applause was overwhelming, each clap like a thunderous wave crashing against the walls of the arena. The stadium was alive with jubilant celebration, the energy of thousands of voices echoing through the air.

But for Chen Ren, it all felt distant. His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, exhausted beyond belief. The adrenaline that had carried him through the battle was beginning to wear off, leaving him with the weight of his own fatigue. His chest heaved with shallow breaths, the aftershocks of the fight still rippling through his body.

Slowly, his eyes drifted across the arena. The cheers. The people celebrating. The knowledge that he had won. His mind tried to catch up with the reality of it, and a small, disbelieving smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had done it. He had won the tournament.

But then, a faint whisper reached his ears, something cold and malicious. "No, it can't be like this. I can't lose. Not to you. Not to such trash."

Chen Ren's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze snapped downward. His eyes locked onto Gu Tian, lying in a pool of blood and poison, the remnants of their fight still hanging heavy in the air. Despite the state he was in, Gu Tian's eyes burned with a hatred so intense it felt like it could consume everything around him.

Chen Ren's blood ran cold as he watched the man, whose body should have been limp and unconscious, begin to twitch.

A low growl escaped from his throat, and before Chen Ren could react, something inside him snapped.

The man's eyes, once dark and full of malice, shifted—turning a deep crimson. An immediate wave of energy seemed to ripple out from Gu Tian's form, extremely dark and repulsie like an entire storm brewing beneath his skin. The bloodied figure stood, impossibly, his robes simmering as dark chains erupted out of it, wrapping around Chen Ren like tendrils of doom.

Dark energy emanated from Gu Tian, rolling outward in waves, coating everything with an oppressive aura. The entire arena seemed to freeze for a moment, the temperature dropping, and Chen Ren's skin prickled as though he were standing in the presence of something he shouldn't.

His eyes widened, his body instinctively tensing. "What... is this?"

Before he could make sense of it, a familiar voice cut through the air. Yalan. "Chen Ren, get back! He's a demonic—!"

Chapter 53

Life was unfair, and the heavens even more so. They always tried to shoot down anyone who dared to rise too high, as though they despised those who challenged their fate. Gu Tian had learned this bitter truth long ago, back in his childhood, when his cultivation had been destroyed—not by an enemy, but by his own cousin.

His cousin, the young master of the main branch of the Gu family, had been his equal once. Gu Tian, a rising star from one of the lower branches, had shone brightly, his talents praised by all and had rivalled him. But in one fateful moment, it was all taken away. Crippled and humiliated, he was cast aside like broken pottery, no longer useful or admired.

Instead, he was bullied. The clan sneered at him, his peers mocked him, and even his fiancée publicly broke off their engagement, leaving him in disgrace.

That was his life—broken, unfair, laughable. Until he found the ring.

The old, worn ring he had stumbled upon by chance held his salvation. Inside it dwelled the spirit of a legendary alchemist and demonic cultivator. The master within the ring had shown him that the heavens could be defied, that there were ways to claw back what fate had stolen. Gu Tian, who was mentally exhausted with everything that was ongoing with him, didn't hesitate to abandon what was called the 'righteous path'. 

And like he'd expected, things changed for him—for good. 

His master healed him, painstakingly rebuilding his shattered cultivation. In return, Gu Tian offered his loyalty, embracing the darkness that had given him a second chance. His revenge was swift and brutal. 

The cousin who had destroyed him fell to his blade, and with bloodied hands, Gu Tian severed his ties to the Gu family forever, banished but finally free. That was all that mattered, didn't it? 

He soon started wandering the vast lands of the Kalian Empire, and with every challenge that was thrown his way, he grew. Each victory reinforced his belief that he could rise above the heavens themselves, just like his master had told him. 

When he joined a demonic sect hell bent on breaking apart the heavens to reach newfound realms, his master approved. Slowly, he had proven his worth in the sect until he had been looked upon as someone promising and had been tasked with finding the medallion that would unlock the Gate of Immortals.

His master had already intended to look for it, so the decision was made quickly. 

That quest led him to Cloud Mist City, a place brimming with danger and opportunity. Though obstacles arose, he overcame them, his confidence growing with every success.

Defeating Li Xuan, a prodigy of the Soaring Sword Sect, had been his crowning achievement so far. In that moment, standing over his fallen opponent, he had felt invincible.

The medallion also had been within his grasp with his next opponent Chen Ren being in the possession of it. The heavens trembled before him, and Gu Tian was certain of one thing: he would seize immortality and make the heavens kneel.

But just as he was one step away from claiming the medallion after supposedly killing Chen Ren, everything fell apart. Gu Tian had lost—lost to tricks and deceit, to the careful concealment of power that Chen Ren had used and a lapse of judgment. 

And as the official declared Chen Ren the victor, something inside Gu Tian snapped.

He remembered the humiliation of his youth, the day his cousin had shattered his cultivation. Back then, it hadn't been a head-on fight but a web of schemes and traps. And now, here he was again, standing on the edge of greatness, only to be dragged down by trickery. After becoming a demonic cultivator, Gu Tian had never truly lost. Yes, there were times when he had to flee, but he always called it a strategic retreat, never a defeat.

But now, with Chen Ren basking in the crowd's cheers, something dark and primal clawed its way to the surface. Gu Tian clenched his fists, his voice low and venomous. "I haven't lost yet," he whispered, just loud enough for Chen Ren to hear. 

Inside his mind, his master's voice echoed urgently. By now he knew that his master had a good idea on his personality and quirks; how far his anger could go, and what he could do when he would snap. 

"Gu Tian, calm yourself. This is not the time. There are too many cultivators here. Revealing yourself now will be disastrous. Do you hear me? Don't do anything."

Gu Tian's face twisted with fury, his eyes locked onto Chen Ren's triumphant figure. "I won't get another chance!" he hissed, saying the words out loud. "You said it yourself—there's a strong presence around him. If I wait, I'll never be able to reach him. I'll kill him now and make him suffer for this disgrace. Then we'll run."

"Gu Tian, no!" his master's voice rang in his mind, loud and clear. "This is reckless—"

But his words fell on deaf ears. Gu Tian unleashed the demonic qi sealed within him, the dark energy radiating outward in waves, big and harmful. His eyes darkened, their colour shifting to crimson. 

"I've hidden for long enough," Gu Tian growled. He raised a trembling hand. The air around him grew heavy as he whispered, "Chains of Confinement."

Dark chains burst from his body, writhing like living tendrils, their sharp edges gleaming in the air. The crowd gasped in shock, their cheers turning to cries of alarm.

A loud laughter escaped Gu Tian's lips when he saw Chen Ren. The man, caught off guard, could only watch as the chains shot toward him. He tried to call upon his lightning qi, his body crackling with energy, but the chains moved faster. They wrapped around his arms and legs, pulling him down to the ground and pinning him in place.

Gu Tian rose to his feet, his eyes cold and unrelenting. He tilted his head mockingly and grinned. 

He walked towards Chen Ren, and with every step, the air grew thicker with his demonic qi, suffocating those nearby. The crowd scrambled back in panic, some shouting in terror, others frozen in fear.

The official who had just declared the match hurriedly fled the arena, abandoning any pretence of maintaining order. 

The cultivators in the audience began to stir, their weapons drawn, but Gu Tian didn't stop. He glared at Chen Ren, his voice low and menacing. "Who the fuck do you think you're? You thought you could humiliate me? Just like that? You'll pay for this with your life."

The stage trembled under the preparations of his unleashed power as he was about to strike, uncaring of the consequences that would follow.

As the demonic qi swirled, a dark silhouette emerged above Gu Tian, growing larger and more defined. His master's ghostly form materialized—a tall, lean figure with hollow, glowing eyes that radiated a red glow. 

The ghostly figure raised a hand and a barrier of shimmering black energy formed around the entire stage. The barrier pulsated with malevolent energy, exuding an impenetrable aura. 

Gu Tian laughed again, knowing that his master was strong enough to hold back any cultivator in the arena. 

"Nowhere to escape," he said with a smirk. 

From the corner of his eyes, he saw a daring cultivator leapt forward, summoning a blazing spear of fire imbued with spiritual qi, and hurled it toward the barrier. The spear crashed into the dark shield, the collision sending shockwaves through the air, but the barrier held firm. The flames were swallowed whole, leaving no trace of their existence.

His master's deep, otherworldly voice boomed, echoing across the arena. "I can hold this for five minutes, no more. Do what you must, quickly."

Gu Tian sneered, his gaze locked onto Chen Ren. "I won't need more than a minute," he said coldly, striding toward his immobilized foe.

Chen Ren glared up at him, his body still bound by the dark chains. Gu Tian saw the fear and anxiety in his eyes, but there was something else—something that made his blood boil. It was resilience—defiance that refused to die, even in the face of certain death.

Gu Tian leaned closer, his voice dripping with malice. "Your tricks won't save you now. The medallion will be mine, and you'll die here, humiliated, with the whole city watching your execution."

Chen Ren struggled against the chains, his lightning qi flickering weakly around him. "Get me out of these," he spat. "If you want a fight, I'll give you one."

Gu Tian laughed, the sound echoing like a death knell. "A fight?" he repeated mockingly. "No, that's the way of the righteous—a path I abandoned long ago. For me, a kill is a kill. It doesn't matter how it's done." He straightened, gripping his sword tightly. "You should close your eyes. That way, you won't have to see your own body cut in half."

With those words, Gu Tian raised his sword and plunged it into Chen Ren's stomach. Blood splattered across the ground as Chen Ren screamed in pain, his body writhing against the chains.

Gu Tian smirked, savoring the moment. Pulling the sword free, he turned his attention to Chen Ren's belongings. Kneeling, he rummaged through the pouch tied to his waist and withdrew the medallion. It glimmered faintly in his hands. 

His master's voice resonated beside him. "Finally. The medallion. The way to the Gate of Immortals."

Gu Tian studied the medallion, his brow furrowing. "You're sure this is the right one? Doesn't look remarkable."

"It is," his master said confidently. "I don't lie about these things. It matches the descriptions in the old legends. Now, finish him. I'll propel you into the sky to escape."

Gu Tian scoffed as his master's words echoed in his ears. "What do you mean he's already dead?" he muttered. Turning back to Chen Ren, his eyes narrowed. 

Chen Ren lay in a pool of his own blood, the sword still embedded in his stomach, but he was still alive. His chest rose and fell, shallow breaths escaping his lips.

As Gu Tian moved to use his sword to slice his neck off to give him a final rest, something gave him pause. The defiance, the fear, the resilience he had seen earlier—all of it was gone from his eyes. What remained in Chen Ren's gaze wasn't the emptiness of death but something entirely different.

Hollow.

No. Not hollow.

It was something completely different. Inside the empty gaze, something seemed to simmer. 

It was as if the man before him had become a vessel—an empty shell brimming with something incomprehensible. 

Before he could process the thought further, Chen Ren's body convulsed, and his pupils began to change. The dark irises shimmered, a light spreading outward. In moments, they turned gold. 

Gu Tian felt his demonic qi recoil as if struck, the pressure around him shifting violently. The air grew dense, suffocating, as an unfamiliar and overwhelming presence filled the stage.

From Chen Ren's mouth, a voice unlike his own rang out—deep, resonant, and filled with a power that seemed to shake the heavens themselves.

"You dare harm my chosen, filthy demon."

***

Yalan's heart plummeted as her claws scraped against the invisible wall that separated her from the platform. Her amber eyes blazed with fury as she watched Gu Tian loom over Chen Ren's barely conscious form, his demonic qi spilling forth like a suffocating tide.

The barrier shimmered ominously, a translucent dome of dark energy that repelled every strike she unleashed. Her claws lengthened instinctively, the razor-sharp tips gleaming under the flickering flames of her tail. She snarled, slamming her burning tail against the barrier with all her strength, the impact resounding through the air.

But the barrier held firm. 

Her rage only deepened as she pressed her paw against the cold surface, feeling the pulse of powerful energy rippling through it. It didn't budge, not even a crack or a flicker of weakness.

"How is this possible?" she growled, her voice trembling with frustration. She was in the meridian expansion realm—her strikes should have been enough to destabilize any ordinary barrier.

Yet, this wasn't ordinary.

It was created for the purpose to ensure that all the cultivators in the arena would be kept out of it. This barrier wasn't something Gu Tian could have created on his own.

Yalan's sharp eyes scanned the stage, her breath catching as she saw the faint silhouette forming above Gu Tian.

A ghostly figure hovered in the air, its shape wavering as if struggling to maintain its presence in the physical realm. Despite its ethereal weakness, its aura was unmistakable—formidable, ancient, and suffused with the terrifying power of a nascent soul realm cultivator.

Her claws retracted slightly as shock momentarily overtook her rage. A nascent soul specter? she thought, her mind racing.

Nascent soul cultivators had vanished from the mortal world centuries ago, their power so immense that the heavens themselves seemed to conspire against their existence. 

Yet here one stood, or at least its lingering shadow, bolstering Gu Tian with its unholy strength.

How could Gu Tian have aligned himself with such an entity?

There was no time to dwell on the answer. Every second wasted was another second Chen Ren lay bleeding on the stage, bound and vulnerable. Yalan's gaze snapped back to him, her chest tightening as she saw the blood pooling around his body. 

"Chen Ren… hold on," she whispered, her fury reigniting.

Flames surged down her tail as she struck the barrier again, the inferno roaring with her resolve. She didn't care if her strikes didn't break through. She didn't care if her attacks left her drained.

All she cared about was finding a way to save him, no matter what it cost.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, each pulse driving home a dreadful reality: she was watching it happen again.

The sight of his pale face, blood spilling freely from his wounds, tore through her resolve. Memories flashed unbidden of the previous Chen Ren that she had failed to protect. She clenched her fists, her claws digging into her paws as guilt and despair warred within her. Was she truly this week?

Her hair bristled as her eyes burned with fury. She had always thought herself strong. Yet here she was, standing powerless while the one she swore to defend teetered on the edge of death.

Her head snapped to the side as a familiar presence approached. Qing He appeared, her usually serene face etched with a fury that matched Yalan's own. The elder's squinted eyes fixated on the barrier, and the faint wrinkles on her face seemed deeper under the strain of her anger.

"This is no ordinary construct," Qing He muttered, her voice heavy with frustration.

Yalan let out a howl. "We need to combine forces. Together, we might be able to crack it enough to get through."

"We should." 

Qing He didn't hesitate, already preparing to channel her qi. Yalan mirrored her, flames rippling along her tail and claws as the two pooled their strength.

But just as they moved to strike, Yalan froze, her sharp instincts picking up something in the air—something emanating from Chen Ren himself.

Her gaze whipped back to him, and her amber eyes widened.

Golden light began to seep from his eyes, an otherworldly glow that seemed to pierce the demonic qi surrounding him. The light grew stronger, radiating from his battered form with an intensity that made the platform tremble.

Then she felt it.

Her breath caught, and her flames wavered as a sensation long buried resurfaced—a power she hadn't sensed in years.

Heavenly qi.

Pure, untainted, and overwhelming, it rolled off Chen Ren in waves, clashing with the oppressive darkness of Gu Tian's demonic energy. Yalan's heart pounded as she stared at him, her disbelief mingling with a glimmer of hope.

"Heavenly qi," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Qing He paused as well, her attack forgotten as she turned to Yalan. "What did you say?"

Yalan didn't answer. Her eyes remained fixed on Chen Ren, her lips parting in astonishment as the golden light grew brighter, illuminating the stage.

Perhaps… all was not lost.

***

Chen Ren's consciousness drifted like a leaf caught in a murky current. His thoughts were sluggish, fragmented, and disjointed.

The last thing he could recall was the crushing weight of Gu Tian's chains binding his limbs, his body sapped of strength. He'd stared up at the demonic cultivator, his heart pounding with defiance and despair, just before the cold bite of a blade plunged into his gut. Pain had exploded through him, and he threw up a lot of blood. It had been bitter, and painful. But then endless darkness had took over him. 

Now he stood in a void.

No ground beneath his feet, no walls or sky to confine him. Just an infinite expanse dotted with light, stars twinkling faintly above and around him.

He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers sluggishly. There were no wounds, no blood soaking through his robes, but the memory of the pain still lingered, sharp and biting.

I'm back in my star space. But why?

The question echoed hollowly in his mind. A bitter taste rose in his throat as fragments of his failure swirled together. He had doubted Gu Tian's façade of mediocrity, and suspected the man's techniques weren't as simple as they seemed. Yet he'd done nothing, ignored the signs, and now here he was—caught between life and death, alone in the star space. 

Is this where cultivators come before they die, their star space? 

The thought sent a chill down his spine, but there was no one to answer him. He tilted his head upward, scanning the stars above.

It was different.

His star space had always been sparse, a cold expanse with only four stars burning dimly in the void. But now… now the sky was alive, teeming with countless lights. The stars blazed fiercely, their glow raining down over him and filling the void with a warmth he hadn't felt in what seemed like ages.

A rumble broke through the stillness.

Chen Ren's heart jumped as the ground—or whatever it was he stood on—shuddered beneath him. The stars seemed to tremble as something massive shifted in the space above. He turned, his body moving sluggishly as though underwater, and froze.

A presence loomed above him.

It was vast, shadowy, and incomprehensibly large. As the rumble grew louder, the shape resolved into something unmistakable. Scales, luminous and shimmering like liquid golden, caught the light of the stars as the creature descended. Its form coiled endlessly, a serpent wreathed in celestial radiance.

The dragon.

The stars seemed to bow to its presence, their light dimming as the dragon's maw opened. The stars themselves formed the dragon's fangs, sharp and radiant, and its voice rolled through the space, vibrating through his chest.

The beast's eyes, glowing like molten gold, bore into him with an intensity that made his legs tremble.

"Chen Ren… I choose you, yet you stumble so quickly toward death."

Chen Ren swallowed hard, unable to muster a reply, his gaze fixed on the creature's immense, gleaming fangs. A tornado of questions swirled in his mind and he resisted the urge to prostate himself in front of the entity. 

But rather than ask about what was going on, he answered the dragon's question. 

"I didn't expect Gu Tian to be a demonic cultivator. Even then… those chains—" He looked down at his hands, flexing them uselessly. "I couldn't break through them."

The dragon's eyes narrowed, and a sharp exhale escaped its nostrils, like the sigh of a storm. "There's no excuse for weakness. This is the way of the world. Strength determines survival, and you are far too close to death. My slumber has lasted long enough—I cannot let it be."

The words struck like a hammer, but Chen Ren barely had time to absorb them. His thoughts churned in frustration and confusion. His fists clenched, trembling. "I know…" he muttered, his voice barely audible. Then louder, more resolute: "But how can I defeat Gu Tian? With his chains and that ghost at his back—it's too strong."

The dragon tilted its head, a faint glow rippling across its scales. "I know it is. Hence, we are taking over. Your fight is no longer yours alone."

Chen Ren's breath hitched in his throat. "What… what does that mean?"

The dragon didn't answer. Instead, its form began to shift, its body unraveling into streaks of radiant light. Chen Ren's eyes widened as the dragon unfurled from the heavens, descending upon him with a terrible grace.

The stars in his space flickered and dimmed, their light snuffed out one by one. Cracks formed in the void beneath him, jagged lines racing outward with every rumble of the dragon's approach.

"No—" Chen Ren stumbled back, his voice caught in his throat. The dragon surged forward, its golden eyes blazing brighter as it filled his vision.

The last thing he saw was the beast's maw opening wide, its fangs shimmering like starfire as it swallowed him whole.

The void shattered.

Chen Ren gasped, his eyes snapping open.

The platform stretched beneath him, Gu Tian standing below with a sneer that faltered as he looked up. Chains still bound Chen Ren's arms, but they felt lighter now, their weight insignificant compared to the power coursing through him.

It was unlike anything he'd felt before—consuming and powerful. Extremely powerful. Heat rushed through his veins, igniting every nerve as golden light spilled from his eyes.

A low rumble escaped his throat, growing louder until it built into a deafening roar that echoed through the arena.

The sound wasn't his alone.

From within the roar, Chen Ren felt it—something bursting free. His qi surged outward, enveloping the platform in waves of radiant energy. Gu Tian's eyes widened, and he stumbled back, shielding himself from the force.

Above them, the sky tore apart.

A golden dragon emerged, its massive form coiling and twisting as it rose into the heavens. It roared again, a sound that shook the very ground and sent waves of fear through the onlookers.

Chen Ren looked up, his body trembling from the sheer intensity of the power. It felt alien and unstoppable, yet somehow… It was him.

Or was it?

As he tried to grasp it, the dragon turned its gaze downward, its golden eyes locking onto Gu Tian, whose expression had turned to one of terror.

Chen Ren felt his lips curve into a faint smile, though he wasn't entirely sure it was his own. The golden light in his eyes flared, and the platform trembled as his qi surged again.

Chapter 54

City Lord Li Baolong's breath hitched in his throat as he looked at the sight before him in pure horror. He knew that the chaos below was something that wouldn't leave his mind anytime soon. The arena stands rumbled with the weight of countless footsteps, the crowd scrambling to escape the nightmare before them. The once-exuberant tournament, a celebration of youthful talent and strength, had devolved into sheer pandemonium.

And it had all happened too quickly, he didn't even get time to blink twice when Gu Tian turned into a… demonic being. 

His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as he tried to steady his nerves. The whole event had been a series of shocks, but none struck as deeply as this. Even his son, Li Xuan, losing had been a hard truth to face—one that bruised his pride as a father and City Lord. Yet now, knowing the identity of the man who had bested Li Xuan, he felt a strange relief. One he was guilty of.

Chen Ren's skill had proven formidable, even praiseworthy. But that same young cultivator now hung in chains, bloodied and helpless, his life ebbing away under the demon Gu Tian's blade. Blood gushed out from the gaping wound in Chen Ren's stomach, pooling all around him. The sight churned Li Baolong's stomach, his heart sinking further with every droplet lost. 

To make things worse, he couldn't do anything. 

The barrier encasing the platform was thick, its translucent surface unmoved. All the powerful cultivators that were around the premise started attacking, attempting to break the surface with their best techniques but failed miserably. The barrier stood as a cruel mockery to their attempts, separating them from saving Chen Ren, leaving the latter to a grim fate. 

Li Baolong turned abruptly to the sect elder standing beside him, the man's imposing aura as steadfast as ever despite the chaos and the anxiety in the air. "Elder Yan Xiu," he began, his voice tight, almost desperate. "We need to break that barrier. A promising cultivator like Chen Ren cannot die at the hands of a demon. It would be a disgrace to us all."

Elder Yan Xiu stroked his long, silvery beard, his sharp eyes narrowing as he regarded the shimmering barrier. His calm demeanour betrayed nothing of the tension in the air. "Lord Li Baolong, it's not that simple. None of us here—none, I tell you—have the strength to shatter that barrier."

Li Baolong frowned. "You can't mean that."

The elder gestured toward the cultivators scattered across the stands, all of them hurling their mightiest attacks at the barrier. Fire, lightning, and blades of qi crashed against it in vain, leaving not so much as a crack. "Look around you," Elder Yan Xiu said. "The strongest among us have tried and failed. That demon… somehow, he has created a barrier beyond even the reach of meridian expansion cultivators. Perhaps only a core formation cultivator could break through, but we have none here."

Li Baolong's jaw tightened. "So, we're to stand by and watch him die?"

Elder Yan Xiu sighed, his eyes flickering with a rare glint of regret. "I cannot save him. But the barrier won't last forever. When it falls, I will ensure that Gu Tian pays for his crimes with his life."

Li Baolong turned back to the platform, his heart heavy as he watched the futile attempts to breach the barrier. Every strike against it sent faint ripples across its surface, but not a single fracture appeared. His gaze shifted to Chen Ren, his pale face, the blood-soaked chains holding him aloft, and the smirk plastered on Gu Tian's face as he revelled in his victory.

The implications of it all rang like alarm bells in Li Baolong's mind. A demonic cultivator infiltrating the tournament, killing its winner, and wreaking havoc—there would be no hiding this disaster. The news would spread like wildfire, reaching even the imperial court. Punishment was inevitable, and the city's reputation would be in shambles.

Li Baolong's hands trembled, as his mind chanted one word. Failure.

As his eyes moved once more to the place where Gu Tian's blade had plunged into Chen Ren, he could only hope—desperately—that some miracle would intervene before it was too late.

Li Baolong's focus remained fixed on Chen Ren, his mind a whirlwind of regret and self-recrimination. The young cultivator had proved him wrong in the most astonishing of ways, rising above his initial doubts and showing a brilliance few could match. Yet now, chained and bleeding, his life hung by a thread—a thread that frayed with every drop of blood spilling onto the platform.

This was his fault.

The city guards had failed to vet participants thoroughly, and that failure now rested squarely on his shoulders. Chen Ren's life—no, his death—would be an indelible stain on Li Baolong's record.

As these thoughts gnawed at him, a ripple of qi brushed against his senses. It wasn't just any qi—it was primordial, pure, and made him lose track of what he was thinking. He glanced toward Elder Yan Xiu, whose usually composed expression had shifted to one of shock. He hadn't been the only one to sense it. 

"What's going on?" Li Baolong muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before an answer could form, the world itself seemed to respond.

The skies darkened with unnatural speed as clouds coiled above the arena, their swirling mass deepening to a foreboding shade of black. A low rumble rolled across the sky, growing louder with each passing second until it sounded like the roar of an impending storm. Lightning forked through the clouds, illuminating the ominous scene in brief, blinding flashes.

More ripples of qi radiated outward, stronger and more concentrated. Li Baolong's gaze snapped to Chen Ren, his instincts screaming that the source of this power was none other than the young cultivator.

"What… is this?" he muttered again, his voice trembling now.

Suddenly, a roar tore through the chaos—a sound so primal and overwhelming it seemed to shake the very air. The platform trembled, cracks spider webbing across its surface as the ground beneath it groaned in protest. Gu Tian, who had stood confidently over his chained prey moments ago, staggered back, his expression betraying the first flicker of unease.

Then, it happened.

A golden light erupted from Chen Ren, flooding the arena so intense that many shielded their eyes. Within the brilliance, something formed, rising higher and higher into the sky.

Li Baolong's breath caught as the shape solidified—a colossal golden dragon, its scales shimmering like polished gold and its eyes burning with ancient wisdom and fury. Lightning danced along its sinuous body, the flashes framing its silhouette against the roiling clouds. The sheer majesty of the beast stole every ounce of air from Li Baolong's lungs.

The dragon roared again, and this time the sound carried an unearthly power, shaking the very heavens. The darkened clouds parted in deference to the creature, exposing a brilliant shaft of sunlight that bathed the dragon in a divine glow.

Hovering above the platform, the dragon lowered its gaze to Chen Ren, its massive form exuding both ferocity and reverence. The demonic cultivator Gu Tian stumbled further back, his smug confidence 

evaporating like morning dew under the sun.

Li Baolong's hands trembled as he took in the sight. His lips moved on their own, forming the words he scarcely believed. "A cultivator… blessed by the golden dragon himself. I… I can't believe it."

***

The surge of power was overwhelming.

Chen Ren's entire body felt like it was being pushed to the edge, stretched so thin it might tear apart. It was as if liquid lightning poured through his veins, crackling with power, threatening to rip him open. Each pulse of energy surged like a tidal wave, filling him up until he thought he might explode into nothingness.

Above him, the sky growled with thunder, lightning dancing across the dark clouds like veins of the heavens themselves. Chen Ren raised his head, his breath catching in his throat. 

The golden dragon, no longer just flashes in his vision, was there in all its glory. Its enormous form coiled through the stormy skies, its scales glowing with an unearthly brilliance. The air around it shimmered with its power, and even the heavens seemed to tremble in its presence. 

Squinting, Chen Ren tried to focus, but the dragon's sheer size and majesty left him in awe. It wasn't just a creature—it was a force of nature. 

Chen Ren glanced down at himself and froze. The blade that had impaled him was sliding out, its edges slick with blood. He gasped softly, but no pain followed.

Instead, he watched as the wound in his stomach began to heal, the torn flesh pulling together, glowing with the same golden light as the dragon above. The pain that had threatened to consume him moments before was gone, replaced by a surging power roaring inside him like a raging storm. His qi wasn't his own anymore—this was something far greater, far wilder—and it sent a shiver through him.

His golden eyes snapped toward Gu Tian. The man who had once stood so confidently now looked frozen in place. His arrogant sneer had vanished, replaced by wide eyes darting between Chen Ren and the dragon above. For the first time, fear crept into Gu Tian's face, making him seem smaller, weaker.

"What... what are you?" Gu Tian stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Chen Ren's lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile. "I don't know," he said softly. "But I know one thing—you're going to die."

The chains binding Chen Ren glowed with golden cracks, light spilling out like molten gold. A loud crack echoed as the chains shattered, the fragments disintegrating into sparks. Free at last, Chen Ren stepped forward. Each movement hummed with energy, sparks flickering around him. He wasn't just wielding lightning anymore—he was lightning, his body alive with raw power.

Gu Tian's face paled, and he took a step back. Then another. Panic filled his eyes as he turned and ran, desperate to escape. But Chen Ren was faster.

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance in an instant, his body a blur. His fist slammed into Gu Tian's stomach with the force of a boulder, the impact echoing through the arena. Gu Tian's body flew like a ragdoll, crashing into the barrier with a deafening thud before crumpling to the ground, limp and broken.

Slowly, Chen Ren walked toward him, his footsteps calm and deliberate. Gu Tian groaned, trying to push himself up, but his body wouldn't respond. He looked up at Chen Ren, his eyes filled with desperation and fear.

"You can't do anything," Chen Ren said, his voice cold and steady. "You've already lost. You're already dead."

Gu Tian opened his mouth to speak, but before a single word could escape, a new voice filled the arena. It was deep and guttural, vibrating with fury and hatred, the kind of sound that made the air itself feel heavy. The arena seemed to darken, the oppressive energy thickening around them.

"No! You can't hurt my disciple!"

The arena grew even darker, as if all the light was being pulled away. Chen Ren could feel something terrible before he saw it. The demon that had been floating behind Gu Tian began to change. Thick black smoke oozed from its body, and its shape became more monstrous. Its face twisted unnaturally, sharp horns grew from its head, and its eyes burned a fiery red. Its hands turned into claws, crackling with dark flames and surrounded by black energy.

The demon roared, a deep and terrifying sound, and threw itself at Chen Ren. Dark flames followed it like a shadowy trail, and the air around it seemed to grow heavy and foul, like it was alive and full of hatred. Just as the flames were about to reach Chen Ren, the golden dragon sprang to life.

With a roar that shook the ground, the dragon shot down like lightning, glowing brighter than the sun. Its golden energy smashed into the dark flames, sending sparks flying in all directions. Light and darkness collided in a loud explosion, shaking the arena. The demon staggered back, its eyes wide with shock.

The dragon's voice filled the air, echoing across the battlefield. "You used to have strength," it said, its golden eyes locked on the demon. "But now, you are nothing. Just a broken piece of evil clinging to life. You can't even touch my power."

Golden lightning surged forward from the dragon, swallowing the dark flames completely. The smell of burning filled the air as the black fire died out. The demon let out a scream, its ghostly form shaking under the dragon's overwhelming power.

Desperate, the demon turned and darted toward Gu Tian.

Gu Tian screamed, his voice full of panic. 

"What are you doing, Master?"

The demon's cold voice answered, trembling with desperation. "I will take your body. It's the only way for me to survive."

Gu Tian's face twisted in horror as the demon's smoky form rushed into his chest. He gasped, his body stiffening as if it was fighting the demon off. Then he collapsed, shaking violently on the ground. His body twitched and cracked, his bones shifting unnaturally. Black smoke poured from his skin, wrapping around him like a living shadow.

With a sharp, painful crack, horns erupted from Gu Tian's head, twisting upward like those of a beast. His skin darkened, splitting apart, and glowing red light seeped from the cracks like molten lava. His fingers clawed at the ground as razor-sharp talons replaced his nails. His body shuddered violently, sending waves of dark energy rippling outward, scorching and cracking the ground beneath him.

A guttural roar tore from his throat—loud, raw, and filled with a mix of agony and fury. The sound was inhuman, a terrifying blend of the man he had been and the monster he had become. When the transformation ended, Gu Tian's eyes snapped open, glowing an intense red. Hatred and a consuming thirst for destruction burned within them. He was no longer human or a demon. He was something much worse. 

With newfound strength, Gu Tian turned toward the barrier surrounding the arena. With a deafening cry, he unleashed a surge of power, shattering the barrier into fragments that dissolved into the air. Without hesitation, he prepared to flee.

But Chen Ren was already in motion.

Fury ignited within Chen Ren, his golden eyes blazing like fire as he roared, "You won't escape—not while I'm here!"

He raised his hand toward the stormy heavens, and the dragon above roared in harmony with him. The storm responded to his call, bolts of lightning crashing down to form an electrified cage around Gu Tian. The demonic cultivator flinched, his escape route blocked.

This barrier was similar to the one Li Xuan had used before, but now it was stronger, infused with the full might of his qi and the dragon's energy.

"Impossible!" Gu Tian snarled, his voice filled with rage and disbelief as Chen Ren closed in.

Chen Ren's body crackled with lightning, and he surged forward like a streak of light. Gu Tian lunged, desperate to counterattack, but Chen Ren was faster. His palm struck Gu Tian's chest with the force of a thunderbolt, breaking through every defense the demonic cultivator could muster.

Gu Tian staggered, gasping as terror filled his glowing red eyes. "No! Please, forgive me! I... I don't want to die! I don't want to lose my chance at life!"

Chen Ren glared down at him, his golden gaze unwavering. "You would have killed me—twice. You've murdered countless others, showing no mercy to anyone. Tell me, why should I show mercy to you? Tell me!"

Gu Tian stammered, but his words were cut short as Chen Ren channeled a final surge of power into his palm, driving it deeper into Gu Tian's chest. The impact shattered Gu Tian's dantian, sending a wave of demonic qi spiraling into the air before dissipating entirely. Blood erupted from Gu Tian's wounds, and his body convulsed violently.

A cry of agony echoed through the air, the last sound Gu Tian made before his lifeless form crumpled to the ground. His eyes, now dim, wept blood as his body lay still.

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the arena. But Chen Ren's instincts screamed at him that it wasn't over. His golden eyes scanned Gu Tian's broken body until they landed on the faint glint of a ring on his finger.

Chen Ren noticed movement as dark mist began to seep from the ring on Gu Tian's finger. The mist twisted and grew, forming into the shape of the ghostly specter that had been controlling him. The figure thrashed in the air, letting out a terrible scream as it broke free from Gu Tian's body.

The specter flailed wildly, its shadowy arms reaching out in all directions as it tried to escape. It surged upward, desperate to flee the arena and save itself.

But before it could get far, Chen Ren felt something shift above him. The golden dragon, still floating in the stormy sky, moved. Its massive form glowed with lightning, and its glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing specter.

The dragon opened its huge mouth, lightning crackling around its jaws as it dove toward the ghost.

"No! You can't!" the specter screamed, its voice filled with fear and panic. It lashed out with dark tendrils, clawing at the air in a desperate attempt to escape.

The dragon roared, the sound like rolling thunder, and with one swift motion, it devoured the spirit. The specter disappeared completely, leaving nothing behind but a ripple of golden sparks.

The dragon lifted its head, its glowing eyes turning to Chen Ren. He stood frozen, watching in awe and confusion.

"It's finally over," Chen Ren thought, still catching his breath. He looked up at the dragon's massive form, but all he could focus on were its glowing, golden eyes.

Gathering his courage, he asked, "Thank you… but who are you? And why are you inside my star space?"

The dragon's gaze remained calm. Even though the chaos had started to dissipate around him, the dragon was… unnaturally calm. "You are not ready to know. You are still too weak to handle my full presence outside your star space. When the time is right, all will be revealed."

As it spoke, the dragon's body began to break apart, turning into shimmering particles of golden light. The glowing fragments rose into the stormy sky before gently descending back toward Chen Ren. The light sank into him, and the faint golden glow around his body grew stronger for a moment before fading.

As the last of the golden light merged with Chen Ren, it flowed through him one final time, filling him with a warm, powerful energy. The golden glow shimmered across his body, lighting up every cut and bruise, making it look like they were healing for a moment. 

Slowly, the light began to fade, breaking into tiny streams that drifted away like sparks before disappearing into the air.

The bright aura around him shrank until it was just a faint glow, then sank deep into his core, leaving his body empty and weak. Without the dragon's energy, his body shook, and his legs buckled. He fell to his knees, crushed by exhaustion that felt like a giant weight pressing down on him.

Above him, the stormy sky began to clear. 

The dark clouds parted, revealing a calm blue sky. The golden light that had filled the arena was gone, leaving only silence for a moment. 

Then, the crowd's shouts grew louder, cutting through the fog in Chen Ren's mind.

He turned toward the noise, but his vision was blurry, and the people in the crowd looked like shadows. His body swayed, and the edges of his sight turned dark. Before he could stop himself, the darkness closed in completely.

Chen Ren collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, and the arena, which had been so loud moments before, went quiet once again.

Chapter 55

Chen Ren dreamt of home.

Not the chaos of Cloud Mist City, not the noise of markets or the sharp clash of blades, but home. The small apartment with peeling wallpaper, the aroma of instant noodles in the air, and the old, secondhand couch where he spent countless hours.

He wasn't dreaming of the grind this time—the endless string of part-time jobs he juggled to keep the lights on and the rent paid, nor the late nights studying as a struggling business management student. No, this dream wasn't about the struggle. It was about the moments in between.

Chen Ren saw himself sitting on that lumpy couch, a box of cheap pizza on his lap, the TV flickering with a cricket match. He could almost taste the greasy cheese and hear the roar of the crowd as someone hit a six.

Then the scene shifted. He was standing at the counter of one of his part-time jobs, leaning casually as he chatted with the girl from the next shift. He could hear his own awkward laughter as he tried to work up the courage to ask her out. Her laugh echoed faintly, soft and teasing, before fading into the next memory.

He was back outside his apartment building, crouched on the cold concrete, feeding the stray cats that gathered around him like tiny, furry shadows. One cat—a scruffy tabby with a half-missing ear—pushed closer. He reached out, scratching its head, feeling the soft fur beneath his fingers. He chuckled, a giddy warmth bubbling up inside him.

But something was off.

As Chen Ren scratched the cat, a strange unease crept in. A nagging feeling that something was missing, something important. He wanted to stay in this world, to savour these small joys, but the sensation tugged at him like an unanswered question.

The cat purred beneath his touch, and the streets around him began to shimmer unnaturally. The cars, the lights, the faint chatter of distant pedestrians—they all felt... distant, like echoes from another life.

Chen Ren looked up, and in the sky, he saw something streaking toward him. At first, it seemed like a shooting star, a bright light cutting across the dark canvas of the night. But as he squinted, focusing on the light, his breath caught.

It wasn't a star.

The figure grew larger, its shape clearer with each passing second. Wings stretched wide, scales shimmering like molten gold, and glowing eyes piercing through the haze of the dream. It was a dragon, descending from the heavens.

Chen Ren stared, his heart racing as the world around him began to crumble. The buildings disintegrated, the ground beneath him cracked and fell away, replaced by a void of endless light.

As the dragon loomed closer, its immense presence pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe. It didn't roar, didn't move with fury. Instead, it gazed at him with calm, commanding eyes.

"You have slept a lot, Chosen One," the dragon said.

The words struck Chen Ren like a hammer. In an instant, memories flooded back—the bustling streets of Cloud Mist City, the taste of noodles he sold to its people, Yalan's purr and attitude, the thunderous applause of the tournament, and the fight against Gu Tian. 

The weight of his life came crashing down, vivid and undeniable.

Chen Ren's knees buckled under the realisation. The world around him broke further, the dream crumbling into nothingness. He looked back down at the tabby cat, his last anchor to this fleeting dream, but it was gone.

All that remained was the dragon and the endless void.

A sudden pull, like an invisible thread yanking him back, jolted Chen Ren awake. His eyes snapped open, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as he adjusted to the dim light around him. Blinking a few times, he looked up, and a familiar sight greeted him—a wooden ceiling with faint cracks that he had come to know well.

The Tang Clan. My room.

The same place where he had woken up every morning since arriving in this strange, Xianxia world. His heart settled as he took slow, calming breaths, grounding himself in reality. But his hand instinctively moved to his chest, to the spot where Gu Tian's blade had pierced him. His fingers traced the area, expecting pain, a scar, something.

There was nothing.

The skin was smooth, unblemished, and warm to the touch. He was whole, alive, and no longer on the brink of death. Relief flooded him, but it was quickly followed by confusion. 

How am I healed?

Before he could dwell on it further, a soft presence stirred beside him. Turning his head, Chen Ren's gaze fell on Yalan, curled up on his bed. Her tiny frame looked peaceful, her paws peeking out from under the blanket she had wrapped herself in. 

A small smile tugged at his lips. She looked adorable like this, vulnerable in a way that belied her sharp tongue. Almost on instinct, he reached out to pat her head.

But just as his hand was about to make contact, her eyes flicked open.

"It looks like you've finally woken up," Yalan said, her voice calm but sharp as her amber eyes locked onto him.

Chen Ren froze, his hand hovering in mid-air, his smile awkward. "Uh, yeah. I guess I have," he replied, lowering his arm. "It feels like I've been out for a long time. What… what happened after I passed out?"

Yalan stretched lazily, her tail flicking to the side. "After you lost consciousness—"

Before she could finish, the door to his room opened with a faint crack and Lihua, the maid, stepped in. As soon as his eyes matched with her, shock plastered on her face. 

"Young Master Chen Ren is awake!" She shouted, her voice ringing out like a bell. 

"Wait, no! Don't—" Chen Ren tried to stop her, but the damage was already done.

Within moments, the room was packed with people. Tang Xiulan was the first to arrive, her usual composed expression softened with concern. Yuqiu followed close behind, barely managing to hide the relief in her eyes. Even Qing He shuffled in, her sharp gaze scanning him from head to toe. The children who helped around his stall also peeked in through the doorway, their wide eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

"Everyone…" Chen Ren started, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of visitors.

Before he could get a word in, Senior Qing He stepped forward, her wrinkled hands reaching for his arm. Her touch was firm yet gentle as she closed her eyes, a faint ripple of qi passing through him.

After a moment, she opened her eyes and gave a small nod. "You should thank the heavens," she said. "You've come out of your ordeal with that demonic cultivator stronger than before. Truly, you have the resilience of a cockroach."

Chen Ren blinked at her, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to respond. Finally, he let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "I just woke up, and you're already calling me a cockroach?"

"I'm praising you, kid," Qing He said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms.

Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the pillows. "You need to work on your delivery, Senior Qing He."

Her eyes narrowed, but there was a faint hint of a smile on her lips. "And you need to work on staying out of trouble. But I suppose that's too much to ask."

The room erupted into laughter, the tension breaking as Chen Ren shook his head, a smile finally spreading across his face. Despite everything, he was alive. And in this moment, surrounded by friends and allies, he couldn't help but feel grateful.

Chen Ren shook his head with a wry smile and turned his attention to the others. 

"Alright," he said, his voice still a bit hoarse. 

"What exactly happened after I was out?"

Tang Yuqiu stepped forward and gave him worried eyes. "You collapsed. And after that, the city guards took over to bring the situation under control. They moved you to the chambers of the City Lord's personal healer. At the same time, they burned the body of the demonic cultivator and raided the inn where he had been staying. Everything in his possession was destroyed as a precaution."

Chen Ren nodded, listening intently as Yuqiu continued.

"It wasn't a quiet matter," she added. "It was a public event. The whole city is in an uproar. Rumours are flying everywhere—some say you died valiantly while fighting the demonic cultivator, while others are hell-bent on the fact that you've been permanently crippled."

Chen Ren blinked, his lips twitching. 

"Crippled? Really?"

"That's not even the most outrageous one," 

Tang Xiulan interjected, stepping forward.

"Oh? What's the top rumour, then?"

"They're calling you Dragonheart," Xiulan said from the side. "Everyone in the city saw the golden dragon in the sky. People are saying you've been blessed by the fabled dragons themselves. That's why they've given you the title."

"Dragonheart, huh?" Chen Ren repeated, leaning back into the pillows. The name rolled off his tongue, and for a moment, he considered it. "Well," he said with a shrug, "it's a little early for me to have a title, but I'm not complaining. Dragonheart sounds just the right amount of edgy."

The room chuckled lightly, though Chen Ren's thoughts turned inward. He couldn't help but reflect on the dragon that had appeared in his dream. Blessed by dragons? He shook his head. No, that wasn't it. Even he had no clue what the dragon's presence meant, let alone why it had appeared.

His musings were interrupted by Senior Qing He's sharp voice. "So, tell us, boy—are you blessed by dragons?"

Chen Ren glanced at her. "No," he replied truthfully. "Even I know nothing about the dragon that appeared." He paused, his gaze dropping to his hands. 

The dragon called me a chosen one. Is it some world saving nonsense? He groaned internally. I hope not. That's way above my pay grade.

Fortunately, no one pressed him further about the dragon. Sensing the shift in the conversation, Chen Ren straightened. "You've talked about all this like a lot of time has passed. How long was I out?"

Tang Xiulan exchanged a glance with Yuqiu before answering. "A week."

Chen Ren's eyes widened slightly. "A week? That's… a lot of time!"

Qing He clicked her tongue, shaking her head. "You should be glad it was only a week, boy. With all the heavenly qi that filled your body, it's a miracle you didn't break apart. A week of rest is nothing. And it wasn't wasted—you've made another breakthrough."

Chen Ren blinked, caught off guard. "Breakthrough?"

"Yes," Qing He confirmed, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "Check it yourself."

Chen Ren frowned, closing his eyes as he focused inward. He quickly sat cross-legged on the bed as he moved his qi through his dantian.

He could feel it—his core had changed. He hadn't realised it before but the energy also flowed smoother, and stronger, almost as if the air itself had become a reservoir of power he could tap into. When he opened his eyes, his senses expanded beyond what he had ever known. Qi wasn't just a subtle force anymore; it was tangible, a current in the air, swirling and flowing with life.

"I broke through," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "Qi refinement realm."

Qing He nodded approvingly. "Yes, but don't get ahead of yourself, boy. You still need rest, and I'll not have you running off to test your newfound strength like some brash fool."

"I wasn't planning to." Chen Ren chuckled at that thought. He didn't feel like testing his strength right away, not after the fight he'd had. 

"Good," she said, though her tone suggested she didn't believe him for a second.

Before Chen Ren could respond, Tang Yuqiu spoke up. "You'll have to wait until you're summoned anyway."

Chen Ren tilted his head. "Summoned? For what?"

"The award ceremony. Due to the attack and your… unconscious state, it was delayed. The other participants received their rewards three days after the incident. But the City Lord wanted to personally meet you and reward you for defeating the demonic cultivator."

Chen Ren frowned slightly. "Personally?"

Tang Yuqiu nodded. "You'll get the summons any day now. And before you meet him, you'll need to prepare."

"Prepare what?" Chen Ren asked, confused.

"An outfit," Yuqiu replied with a smirk. "You can't meet the City Lord looking like an ordinary cultivator, can you?"

Chen Ren glanced down at his plain robes. "What's wrong with this?"

Xiulan almost rolled her eyes. "Everything, young master. You'll need something formal. Something that makes you look like the hero they're calling Dragonheart."

Chen Ren sighed. "I didn't ask for that name, you know."

"Doesn't matter," Tang Xiulan said. "You've got it now, and you'll have to live up to it."

***

Chen Ren remained on the bed for three more days under Qing He's strict supervision. Her sharp gaze left no room for argument, ensuring that he fully recovered before she finally allowed him to move freely. By the end of the third day, when she was convinced his condition had stabilised, a formal summons from the City Lord arrived.

Without delay, Chen Ren prepared himself, donning the new outfit tailored for him. No one accompanied him to the City Lord's estate, uncertain about the nature of the meeting. Even Yalen refused, citing the reason that she would be patrolling around the city, making sure that no other demonic cultivator had made their way in. 

The carriage ride through the city was an experience in itself. His recent achievements were still being talked about, raising his stakes in the city significantly. 

Even from inside, he could hear whispers of "Dragonheart" and snippets of stories about his supposed feats. The tales had grown with each retelling, painting him as a heroic figure blessed by the dragons.

Chen Ren shook his head, amused yet resigned to the title he hadn't asked for.

When they arrived at the City Lord's estate, the grandeur of the place did little to faze him. 

What caught his attention, however, were the expressions of the guards and maids 

stationed outside. Their eyes literally sparkled with admiration, and some even seemed starstruck, as though they were in the presence of a legend.

He was instructed to wait downstairs until a guard came to escort him. The short wait was filled with curious glances from the staff, some discreet and others outright gawking. Chen Ren ignored most of them, focusing instead on keeping his composure.

Then, he heard footsteps approaching him.

When he turned, he froze momentarily, recognising the man—the same guard captain who had interrogated him. Cai Tao, he remembered the latter's name correctly. The man's facial expressions were entirely different this time. He wore a genuine smile and, to Chen Ren's surprise, bowed before addressing him.

"Young Master Chen Ren," Cai Tao began, his voice respectful yet tinged with hesitation. "I wanted to apologise for suspecting you as a demonic cultivator and for interrogating you. It was a grievous mistake on my part and the guards. I hope you can accept my apology and my gratitude for ridding the city of Gu Tian."

Chen Ren took his words with a bit of surprise. He hadn't expected anything like that even with his newfound glory. Still, he was in no mood to accept it.

"Okay, but I don't think an apology will cut it. You were ready to send me to my death in the Purity Chamber. Don't act like you don't know what that means."

The guard captain flinched slightly, his smile faltering. He looked down for a moment before replying, "You're right. That's not something an apology can fix. I understand your anger. I was following orders from my superiors, but I didn't join the guards to force innocents to their deaths. If it's any consolation, I deeply regret my actions."

Chen Ren studied the man, his gaze searching for signs of deceit. Unable to tell if the regret was genuine or simply a show, he finally nodded. "Fine. I won't hold it against you. That's the only thing I can say right now."

Cai Tao bowed again, his voice steady this time. "That's more than enough." The tension eased slightly as the captain straightened up. "Now, if you'll follow me," he said, gesturing toward the stairs.

Chen Ren nodded and followed the captain deeper into the City Lord's estate silently.

He decided not to press the issue with the guard captain. It wasn't worth burning bridges, not when he still had plans in Cloud Mist City. Maintaining a good relationship with the guards would be far more beneficial. 

After today, he was certain they'd owe him a debt for taking down the demonic cultivator—a debt he could call on if needed.

With that thought in mind, he followed the guard captain through the winding halls of the City Lord's estate. 

Eventually, they stopped before a pair of ornate doors flanked by two guards.

"This is it," the guard captain said, nodding toward the doors. "Please go inside. The City Lord is waiting."

The guards pushed the doors open, revealing a grand chamber lit by a massive chandelier. 

As Chen Ren stepped inside, his gaze immediately landed on City Lord Li Baolong.

He sat on a chair, wearing long white robes with rings donning his fingers. His eyes briefly landed on them before noticing that the City Lord wasn't alone. 

Beside him sat an old man with a long, flowing, silver-coloured beard that cascaded down his chest. His wise eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence that seemed to see through everything. He wore simple but elegant robes that bore the emblem of the Soaring Sword Sect.

Chen Ren recognised him immediately, Yan Xiu—an elder of the sect who had overseen parts of the tournament. Though they hadn't interacted directly, Chen Ren had seen him back then. 

Suppressing any sign of unease, Chen Ren followed the etiquette Yuqiu had drilled into him and bowed deeply.

"Raise your head," City Lord Li Baolong said. 

"There's no need for formalities today."

Chen Ren straightened, meeting the City Lord's gaze.

"I would like to thank you," he continued, "for the great service you have done to this city by ridding us of that filthy demonic cultivator. To be honest, when the first rounds of the tournament began, and I saw how you moved through without engaging in direct combat, I thought you were nothing more than a schemer. A hack who relied on tricks rather than skill."

Chen Ren kept his face neutral, though the bluntness of the statement almost made him twitch.

"But," he added with a small smile, "as the tournament progressed—through the semifinals, the finals, and, of course, your battle with that vile cultivator—you proved me wrong. You showed not only your strength but also your righteousness. You are deserving of the title the people have given you: Dragonheart."

Hearing the title again, Chen Ren resisted the urge to grimace. It seemed there was no escaping it now.

Before he could respond, the City Lord Li Baolong continued, "For your deeds, I have decided to double the amount of spirit stones you were to receive as the winner of the tournament. Consider it a token of this city's gratitude."

Chen Ren blinked, momentarily caught off guard. That was no small reward, especially when spirit stones were a vital resource for cultivation.

"Thank you, City Lord," Chen Ren said, bowing slightly. He chose his words carefully. "I only did what any cultivator should when faced with such evil."

The City Lord's smile widened. "Humble as well. Good. That will serve you well in the future."

The elder beside him nodded slightly, his wise eyes fixed on Chen Ren as though evaluating him. He couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting was about more than just gratitude.

Chen Ren smiled and bowed politely at the words, but before he could say anything, the City Lord added, "Not only that. Sect Elder Yan Xiu also has a reward for you."

Chen Ren turned to the elder, unable to keep his gaze away.

The old man chuckled warmly, the sound deep and rich like an ancient bell. "I won't offer you flowery praise like Baolong," he said. "I have a feeling you're the sort who already knows your capabilities and takes pride in your accomplishments."

The elder's gaze sharpened slightly, as though testing Chen Ren with his next words. "You know, one of the rewards for winning the tournament is being granted core disciple status in the Soaring Sword Sect. But I would take it a step further. I am Yan Xiu, the Vice Sect Leader of the Soaring Sword Sect, and I offer you the opportunity to become my personal disciple. I will ensure that you are not only an exceptional cultivator but that you will receive every priority and resource the sect can offer."

Chen Ren blinked, taken aback. He had no idea this man was the Vice Sect Leader. His thoughts raced. This was an incredible offer—one most cultivators would dream of. Core disciple status was prestigious on its own, but being taken under the wing of a the man just below the sect leader? That was on an entirely different level.

The Chen Ren who had first transmigrated to this world would have accepted immediately. Even the previous Chen Ren, desperate to find his footing, would have jumped at the chance.

But now?

He had come to trust his instincts and his chosen path. While the offer was tempting, Chen Ren knew it would tie him to the sect's rules and politics, constraints he wasn't prepared to accept.

Making his decision, Chen Ren bowed deeply to the sect elder. "I am deeply honored by your offer, Vice Sect Leader Yan Xiu, but I must decline. I have no intention of joining a sect at this time."

The City Lord's eyebrows shot up, his expression one of surprise. "Are you certain? This is a rare opportunity!"

Yan Xiu, however, didn't look surprised. If anything, he seemed amused. "Very well," he said with a nod. "So be it. I had a feeling you might refuse."

Chen Ren straightened, watching as the man's smile grew.

"But," the elder continued, "a debt is still a debt, and I cannot let your contribution to the city and the sect go unrewarded. How about this: aside from the rewards for winning the tournament, I will allow you to select one item of your choice from the inner sect treasury. Do you accept that?"