Absolutely! I'll keep el
Lin Feng wiped sweat and rain from his brow, muscles still burning from his relentless training. His fists shook as they clenched, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. His body felt raw—every fiber of his being aching from overuse—but there was something else. Something deeper than the physical pain. A fire.
It was that fire that kept him moving. That fire that fueled his desire for revenge, for justice, for a return to his former strength.
He stepped forward again, practicing the same series of punches and blocks, each movement flowing with the rhythm of his breath. With every strike, he could feel his body coming alive, reacting more instinctively. The system's cold, calculated voice rang in his ears, offering gentle feedback like a stern mentor.
> System Feedback: Host's power is increasing. Martial knowledge gaining proficiency. Body condition steadily improving. Keep training.
Lin Feng didn't need to be told twice. There was no time for hesitation, no room for weakness. He couldn't afford to stop. Not when Chen Rui and Xiao Yan were out there, laughing at him, destroying everything he had worked for.
He needed strength. Real strength. Not just the shallow power of a momentary surge. He needed to become someone who could crush anyone in his path.
Flashbacks – The Five-Year Bond
The sound of his punches, hard and sharp, drowned out the distant memory that began to surface.
Five years.
He remembered the first time they met. Xiao Yan had been so shy, so hesitant. Her nervous laughter, her innocent gaze—she had seemed so fragile, like someone who needed protection, someone to cherish. He had been her rock. He remembered how they walked around the city, talking about everything and nothing, their hands brushing occasionally, their hearts slowly intertwining. He thought of their quiet dinners, the long phone calls at night, the promises they made to each other.
And then there were the arguments. The disagreements. But they were small. Insignificant. Temporary. He had believed they would get over them like any couple would. But now…
The words she had said to him as she walked away, her face twisted in cold apathy, haunted him.
"You were never a man in my eyes."
"I needed more. And Rui gave it to me."
Her words still stung, like a knife twisting in his chest. He had been too weak in her eyes. He had been too polite, too controlled, never taking what he wanted. And she had chosen Rui—his best friend—someone who had always mocked him, someone who had always been jealous of his relationship with Xiao Yan.
The betrayal had cut deeper than any physical wound ever could.
But now… now, that pain was transforming. The fire burning inside him was different. It wasn't just grief anymore. It was rage. It was determination.
The system's voice continued to speak in the back of his mind, each word weighing heavily on his thoughts.
> System Note: Host is emotionally compromised. Analyzing anger response. Emotional state triggering significant increases in physical output.
Lin Feng gritted his teeth, his hands balled into fists, knuckles cracking from the force. This—this was the strength he needed. Every punch, every kick, every movement was fueled by his own frustration, his desire to rise above the humiliation, to show everyone that he was not weak.
He continued to train, pushing his body beyond what he thought it was capable of. His punches became faster, sharper, more precise. He started incorporating defensive moves, learning to block and counterattack. Every time his limbs began to ache, every time his body screamed for rest, he ignored it. The system's voice urged him to keep going.
> System Feedback: Host's training has entered advanced phase. Full body integration occurring. Increased proficiency in all basic martial arts forms.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened, his body humming with newfound power. The pain no longer felt like a hindrance. It was part of the process. Growth. With every drop of sweat, with every bruise, he was getting closer to the strength he so desperately needed.
As the rain faded and the city slowly came back to life, Lin Feng's mind shifted gears. The focus, the drive to become stronger, was no longer just a personal mission. It had become a war. A war for everything he had lost. A war to take back his dignity, his power, and his rightful place.
Chen Rui. Xiao Yan. They were not just enemies now—they were obstacles. Obstacles that he would crush.
Lin Feng's thoughts turned to strategy. Observation. Patience. Precision.
He couldn't just rush into things like an angry animal. No. This needed to be calculated, like a chess game. Each move had to be deliberate. He had to watch. Study. Learn.
His mind flickered back to the betrayal. The car. The smug looks on their faces. The feeling of helplessness that had overwhelmed him. That moment had been his lowest. But not anymore. Now, it was a starting point. Every moment of weakness would be erased by his actions. He would become the man they could never manipulate again.
Lin Feng had already started formulating his first move. The city was vast, full of information, full of connections. He had been too naïve before, too trusting of everyone around him. Now, he would use everything to his advantage. He would start small, gathering information, slowly making his moves until, one by one, his enemies would fall.
> Task Update: Recommended tactical operation. Use environment to gain intelligence. Avoid direct confrontation at present. Seek out valuable allies.
The system's voice resonated in his mind, like the calm whisper of a general in the middle of a battlefield.
> System Suggestion: Prepare Host for external conflicts. Anticipate first challenge. No direct confrontations until Host's combat capabilities are optimized.
Lin Feng's lips curled into a small smile. "Challenge?" he muttered, feeling a strange sense of calm. He wasn't a weakling anymore. He wasn't the boy who had been toyed with for five years.
He was going to destroy everything that stood in his way.
By late afternoon, Lin Feng decided it was time to test himself. The world had resumed its normal pace: honking horns, people rushing to and from work, the constant hum of life. But Lin Feng was not the same man he had been just 24 hours ago. He had a purpose. He had a goal.
He walked down the street, his eyes scanning the crowds. His focus was sharp. His senses heightened. Every face, every movement, every slight shift in the environment was observed and analyzed. This was his new world—a world he would conquer.
He walked through a narrow alley, a shortcut he had used many times before, but today, something was different. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he sensed a presence. He had learned to be more aware of his surroundings during his training. He turned the corner, his instincts kicking in.
There were four of them—young men, wearing cheap clothes and sneering like they owned the alley. They were street thugs, the type who thought they could intimidate anyone with a few crude words and a display of power.
One of them stepped forward, blocking Lin Feng's path. His hands were shoved in his pockets, a cocky smile on his face. "Hey, buddy, this is our turf. You don't belong here."
Lin Feng didn't even blink. He had no time for threats.
He took a step forward, his body moving before his mind even processed it. The first thug swung a fist at him, slow and telegraphed. Lin Feng easily sidestepped, his body flowing around the attack like water. He grabbed the thug's arm and twisted it, forcing him to the ground with a precise and fluid movement.
The other three hesitated, staring in disbelief. But they didn't retreat. No. They rushed at him together, like a pack of wild dogs. Lin Feng smiled.
The first one lunged at him with a metal pipe. Lin Feng ducked under the swing, grabbed the thug's wrist, and with a sharp twist, disarmed him, sending the pipe clattering to the ground. The thug backed away, clutching his now-crippled wrist.
Two down.
Lin Feng turned to the remaining two. Their faces were pale now, no longer full of bravado. But it was too late. Lin Feng had already calculated their next move.
The second thug threw a punch, wild and uncoordinated. Lin Feng dodged with ease, his body moving on instinct. With one swift motion, he took the thug's arm, threw him against the alley wall, and slammed his knee into his chest.
Three down.
The last thug, now shaking, turned to run, but Lin Feng was faster. He grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him against the wall, lifting him off the ground.
In presence of absolute power the lesser powerful is nothing but a pawn that can be crushed anytime.
> System Alert: Host shows advanced combat capability. Proficiency in unarmed combat confirmed. Power level increasing.