The shopkeeper's eyes widened when he heard "two thousand dollars."
He turned toward the voice immediately.
A boy walked in with several guards behind him — loud, arrogant, radiating entitlement.
Chen recognized him instantly.
Shang Jintai.
Heir of the Shang Family.
A spoiled, vicious brat who treated ordinary people like insects.
A boy who destroyed lives just because he could.
In Chen's previous life, this man was one of the reasons he lost his job.
Every company rejected him because Jintai had ordered them to.
All because of one reason:
Qingmei — the girl Chen once loved — was also Jintai's secret obsession.
Feng Yuji was not the only rival. Jintai, too, had loved her.
The shopkeeper practically bent at the waist, voice trembling with fake respect.
"Young Master, your eyes are extraordinary! You've chosen a very special item!"
Chen's jaw tightened.
Just seconds ago, this man was desperate to sell him the ring. Now he was flattering someone else.
"We already made a deal," Chen said, voice cold.
The shopkeeper scoffed.
"What deal? You haven't paid yet. I can sell to whoever I want. Understand, kid?"
Jintai finally noticed who stood there.
He squinted—then burst into mocking laughter.
"Chen? What a coincidence. You and a place like this? Did you win a lottery or something?"
He stepped closer.
"If you want the ring, I can give it to you… but only on one condition."
He smirked cruelly.
"Kneel. Hold my feet and say, 'Young Master Jintai, you are my master.'"
His guards roared with laughter.
Chen stared at him for a long moment… then exhaled softly.
"Keep your ring. I don't need it."
He turned to leave.
But Jintai didn't like that.
Not one bit.
"How dare you talk to me like that, loser? Looks like you need a lesson."
He gestured.
One of his guards dashed forward to attack Chen—
But Chen spun, palm striking the guard's neck with precise force.
THUD.
The guard collapsed instantly, unconscious.
Jintai froze.
The loser he used to bully… had just dropped one of his guards in a single blow.
Chen's voice turned icy.
"Try coming after me again, and this will happen to you.
Stay away from me."
Then he walked off.
He didn't tell Jintai the truth.
The ring was important.
But it was also lethal — deadly for anyone who wasn't a Dark Cultivator.
Anyone else who wore it would have their spiritual energy drained until they died within a few years.
Behind him, Jintai glared murderously.
"Chen… you made a huge mistake today. You humiliated me in public. I'll make you pay."
But Chen was already far away, checking other stalls for anything useful.
He found a pendant next — a medium-grade artifact radiating gentle fire energy.
It warded off negative and harmful auras.
Perfect for his mother.
He bought it immediately.
Later, on his way out, he spotted an ancient technique scroll.
Something about it tugged at him.
Without thinking, he purchased it — only to discover the pages were blank.
"Great," Chen muttered. "Did I just get scammed?"
He sighed and went home.
---
At home, he gently placed the pendant around his mother's neck.
"Mom, wear this always. It will protect you."
Xiang smiled softly, cupping his cheek.
"My sweet child… why do you do so much for me? You are my lucky charm."
Chen's chest warmed at her words.
Later, in his room, he began cultivating.
Hours passed.
Qi surged.
He reached Foundation Level 8… then entered a trance-like state.
His consciousness appeared inside the library again.
The door was still sealed — but this time, he could see new techniques glowing faintly on the shelves.
He trained.
And days passed like that.
During these days, the atmosphere at college changed completely.
Chen was no longer "Loser Chen."
Students now whispered another name:
Brave Chen.
No one dared bully him.
Yuji watched him from the shadows, jealous and furious, waiting for a chance that never came.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Cult searched for the mysterious killer who slaughtered their men.
Chen's cultivation soared.
He broke through Foundation Level entirely…
And stepped into Soul Purification Realm.
He returned to the library, searching for something that could become his signature technique — something only he could wield.
Then he saw it.
A scroll pulsing with black and red energy.
The moment he touched it, the world darkened.
The name written on it:
Bound by Soul chain
As soon as he read it…
darkness swallowed his vision.
---