Chen sat in front of his computer early in the morning, his expression calm but his mind burning with pressure he hadn't felt in this life yet.
He had spent the entire night thinking, calculating, fighting with himself — until finally, he made a decision.
This time, he would use the knowledge of his previous life.
This time, he would not live like a fool chasing someone else's dreams.
Power required resources, and resources required money.
Whatever world it was — modern or cultivation — money always ruled.
Whoever had money had resources. Whoever had resources had power. And Chen needed power.
His eyes scanned the computer screen, pausing on a list of early-stage investments.
A faint, cold smirk touched his lips.
In my last life… people became millionaires just by investing smartly.
People he ignored. People he envied.
Because he was too blinded by Mingmei — too obsessed with fulfilling her wishes to build anything for himself.
But not anymore.
This life would belong to him.
He checked his wallet.
Only a hundred dollars.
Barely anything in the real world. But in the right investment, it was the seed of an empire.
Without hesitation, he put all of it into Ning Corporation, a green-energy company that had been ignored in his past life — until one year later, when it exploded into the top corporate giant and made early investors unimaginably rich.
He had regretted missing that chance once.
He wouldn't regret again.
---
When Chen reached the college, he noticed a crowd rushing in one direction, voices excited and chaotic.
He stopped a student running past him.
"Where is everyone going?"
The boy blinked. "You don't know? Students from another college came today—they're challenging our school. Whoever wins gets money and pills!"
The boy ran off before Chen could respond.
Mingkai spotted him and waved wildly.
"Chen! You're here—come on! A fight's starting!"
Chen followed him to the arena. The atmosphere buzzed with raw energy and tension.
Just as they arrived, a girl from the other college smashed her opponent out of the arena with a single attack.
Chen raised a brow, surprised by her strength.
The opposing teacher laughed with mockery.
"I thought Fengyuan College would have at least a few strong students. But this? This is disappointing."
Fengyuan's teachers stiffened. They knew Nianrong College was stronger, but the insult still burned.
Suddenly Mingkai pushed Chen forward.
"This is our strongest student! A-Chen! He'll crush your students!"
Chen nearly stumbled.
The students erupted into loud cheers — they had seen him defeat Feng Yuji, and their expectations shot sky-high.
With the crowd roaring, Chen stepped into the arena.
A faint excitement stirred in him.
He wanted to know how strong he had truly become after reaching the foundation's third level.
The opposing teacher eyed him with amusement.
"I don't recognize this boy. I expected Feng Yuji. No matter — my student will remove him easily."
A large, overweight student entered the arena. His name, Chen remembered, was Shilang.
Shilang grinned mockingly.
"So you're the loser Chen? The one your college is famous for? If you're scared, just surrender. I won't beat you too much."
Chen smirked, voice calm and cutting.
"Careful. I might do exactly to you what you plan to do to me."
Shilang's smile dropped.
"Oh? Then I'll enjoy crushing you!"
Fire burst across Shilang's hands.
In the next second, he shot forward with shocking speed, circling Chen, waiting for an opening.
But Chen saw everything.
After his breakthrough, his senses were sharper than steel — every motion, every intention Shilang had was exposed to him.
Thinking Chen was confused, Shilang attacked from behind.
But Chen turned instantly, grabbed Shilang's throat mid-charge, and slammed him into the ground so hard that the arena floor cracked.
Shilang passed out instantly.
Silence swallowed the arena.
The students stared, mouths open.
The teachers froze.
No one understood how Chen moved — or when he moved.
One by one, more challengers came.
And one by one, Chen ended them with a single punch.
No wasted strength.
No hesitation.
Only dominance.
Finally, a girl stepped into the arena.
Calm. Quiet. No fear in her posture.
Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
She was different. The rest were trembling before they fought him, but she…
She was steady.
Before he could analyze further, a voice echoed from the far stands — someone observing quietly, hidden in the shadows.
"Well, well… interesting. After so many years, Fengyuan College finally produced a student capable of completing the mission."
The man's tone was amused, unreadable… dangerous