Night settled over the city.
Chen stood inside the Dark Divinity Library, suspended in his Void State. In his hands lay several techniques—skills he would need for the competition tomorrow. Heavy techniques alone wouldn't save him; he needed swift and flexible ones too.
Hours passed.
He practiced until his body trembled and his breath grew uneven. By the time he stepped out of the Void State, exhaustion clung to him—but he had reached Soul Perfection Level 4.
As he left the room, he saw his mother reading on the sofa.
Chen walked over and sat beside her.
"Mom, what are you doing?" he asked softly.
Xiang looked up at him with a warm smile.
"Nothing, dear… just looking at your childhood pictures. You were so cute—so innocent."
Chen pretended to sulk.
"So now I'm not cute anymore?"
Xiang burst into laughter. Seeing her smile filled Chen's chest with a strange, quiet warmth. He pulled her into his arms and whispered,
"Mom… always smile like this. You look beautiful."
Xiang gently touched his cheek.
"It feels so good to have you sitting with me like this. Back then, when you locked yourself in your room all day, I used to feel so lonely."
Chen froze.
He remembered those days—coming home bruised from school, hiding inside his room so she wouldn't see his wounds.
He had never realized she felt lonely because of him.
He held her tighter.
"Mom… I won't ever let you feel lonely again. I'll always stay by your side."
But then something struck him.
"Mom… that idol. When did you bring it here? You never liked idols."
Xiang blinked, confused.
"I didn't bring it. It arrived as a parcel at our door. There was no sender name—just the words 'Ye Family'. I didn't want to throw it away, so I kept it."
Chen's expression hardened instantly.
The Ye Family? Are they targeting my mother now?
A terrifying possibility flashed in his mind.
In my past life… Mother died because of poison. Was that… also their doing?
Rage simmered beneath his skin.
He gently stroked her head.
"Mom, we have nothing to do with them anymore. Don't keep anything they send. Ever. Understand?"
Xiang nodded quietly.
After dinner, both went to sleep.
---
The Next Day
Rainy Mountain buzzed with crowds. Students were forming teams, planning strategies, and eyeing potential rivals. The excitement was thick in the air.
Three judges arrived soon after, and the pressure radiating from them was enough to make many students stiffen in discomfort.
Chen eyed them calmly.
They're far stronger than me. Head‑on, I wouldn't stand a chance.
One of the judges stepped forward.
"The rules are simple. You will stay inside the mountain for one full day and hunt beasts. Each of you will wear a watch—it will track your kills and calculate points based on the power level of the beasts. Whoever earns the highest score wins."
He paused.
"There is a risk of death. Anyone who wants to withdraw may do so now."
No one moved.
The judge continued,
"And remember—this is not a war. You are forbidden from killing other participants."
Watches were distributed. The moment Chen glanced at his, the competition bell rang.
The gates opened.
Hundreds surged into the mountain.
As soon as they entered, an energy shield sealed the area completely. Outside, screens lit up with each participant's name and kill count.
What no one noticed was that a group of unknown individuals had slipped inside quietly.
---
Chen materialized in a different zone from the rest.
Rain poured endlessly.
The forest floor was nothing but mud and thick roots. Animal cries echoed from every direction.
Chen wrapped himself in dark qi, allowing the rain to slide off him without touching his skin, and began moving forward.
He had to find resources—anything that could strengthen him.
A boar‑like beast charged at him from the shadows.
Without wasting time, Chen drew the daggers he had taken from the assassins he killed earlier and sliced the beast cleanly in half.
He kept moving.
Small beasts attacked him repeatedly, but they fell instantly. Along the way, he gathered a few herbs he recognized—rare ones that might be useful later.
Then a roar thundered through the forest.
A powerful beast.
Chen immediately sprinted toward the sound.
But he didn't know…
Someone had already been watching him for a very long time.
---