"A waste is still a waste, even with sudden power. Daring to offend Ethan—pure suicide. If he steps out of the library, Ethan will kill him."
"Ha! I thought he'd fight Ethan. Turns out he's still a coward."
"Brother, dare to bet how long this waste Rowan will last?" a Miles youth proposed a wager on the spot.
"He won't survive today unless he hides in the library forever."
The crowd buzzed with disdain, mocking Rowan. Though he'd defeated Ian, to them, he remained a waste.
Inside, Rowan smirked coldly, his face a mask of calm as he faced Ethan.
"Ethan, the Miles family's top genius. Acquired ninth level, perhaps even Innate?" Rowan spoke up.
Ethan glared, his killing intent surging—he'd marked Rowan for death.
"I, Rowan, may be a waste, but I'm no soft target! I remember every bully. Ian? I just collected some interest. He should be grateful I didn't kill him for how he treated me!"
"And you, the so-called first genius? You're nothing special. Spare me the murderous glare—I know you want me dead. But I'm only Acquired fifth level, while you're at ninth peak, maybe Innate."
"So what if you're Innate? Give me three months, and I'll defeat you fair and square!"
"Arrogant!"
Ethan's eyes blazed, his urge to crush Rowan nearly overwhelming.
"Did I hear that right? This waste Rowan claims he'll beat Ethan in three months?" The crowd gasped, then erupted in laughter.
Rowan's reputation as a waste was Miles family lore. Such a boast sounded like a fairy tale—how could they resist jeering?
But they didn't know this Rowan was no longer the old waste.
"I'll give you a chance to kill me honorably. Three months from today, I'll challenge you on the arena—deathmatch! Refuse, or strike me down now."
"I'm no match for you now, but in three months, I'll trample your title as first genius!"
For once, Ethan calmed, though his eyes still burned with murder. "Fine! Three months from today, you die!"
Without another word, he scooped up Ian and vanished.
Ethan had accepted Rowan's challenge! A three-month arena deathmatch! The news spread like wildfire, shocking the Miles family.
Over the years, many had challenged Ethan, all failing. But Rowan, a waste, daring to face him?
"Is he seeking death?"
"Just a waste chasing fame, craving family attention by challenging Ethan. Who does he think he is?"
"Rowan? That untrainable waste challenging Ethan? Ethan'll flatten him with one punch."
"Watch this waste die," they sneered. No one backed Rowan—Ethan's Acquired ninth-level peak, possibly Innate, made him untouchable.
Rowan ignored the chatter. What did those shortsighted fools know of his plans?
Crippling Ian and challenging Ethan were steps in his rise. Since mastering the Chaotic Heavenly Body Record, his confidence had soared.
Three months seemed short, but he was certain he'd surpass Ethan.
In the library, Rowan sifted through techniques. Though the Codex scorned these secular skills, they were too advanced for his current level.
Power needed technique to shine—a good one could amplify strength beyond measure.
The library held many top-tier methods, but Rowan chose two: Tiger Roar Sovereign Fist and Flying Cloud Four Steps.
Since cultivating, his memory had sharpened to near-photographic precision. In less than half a day, he memorized both and returned to the Stables Yard.
Back in his room, he locked the door and entered the Star Codex's world.
Though confident of reaching Acquired ninth level in three months, he wouldn't slack.
Tiger Roar Sovereign Fist had four moves: First Roar Shocks, Second Roar Flips Seas, Third Roar Cleaves, Final Roar Shatters the Sky.
A premier Miles technique, open to all heirs but forbidden to leak. Standing on the ground, Rowan closed his eyes, recalled the mantra, then struck.
Boom!
With sixty dragons' force, his punch unleashed a savage blast, hinting at mountain-shattering might. A faint tiger phantom flickered in the energy.
First Roar Shocks, Second Roar Flips Seas… Final Roar Shatters the Sky!
Legend said its peak could destroy the heavens—exaggeration, perhaps, but stone-breaking was child's play.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Pushing his power to the limit, each punch cracked the air with sonic booms. Tiger roars echoed faintly in the wind.
After one session, Rowan mastered all four moves. With his current strength, only the first worked fully; the rest lacked force.
"Even just the first move boosts my power by half," he mused, delighted, then shifted to Flying Cloud Four Steps.
This had four levels: Low Step to Blue Clouds, Two Steps Across the Sky, Three Steps Wane, Four Steps Divine Roam. A movement technique, not combat skill, it emphasized finesse.
Lacking experience, even with his talent, Rowan struggled. By midday, he'd barely mastered the first level.
Meanwhile, the Miles family buzzed with talk of Rowan. His challenge to Ethan even roused the elders.
Who was Rowan? The elders barely recalled him. Only Ethan's involvement prompted a check on his file.
Learning his story, they scoffed. "Just a waste seeking fame and family notice—typical."
Such stunts were daily in the Miles house.
"Brother, why not kill that waste now?" In a private courtyard, a furious voice rang out, thick with venom.
Inside, Ian glared at his brother Ethan. If anyone saw, they'd gape—Ian's once-ruined arm was flawless, healed without a scar.
An immortal pill! Only cultivation realm elixirs could restore such damage.
If Rowan were here, he'd be stunned. The Miles had few such pills—where had Ian gotten them?
Ethan sat calmly, eyes glinting with murder. "Three months, then I'll kill him openly."
"Three months is too long—I want him dead now!" Ian seethed.
"Don't be rash, Ian! We've only one pill left. Another injury, and you're truly crippled," Ethan snapped.
Ian sneered, "What's there to fear? Mother has more. We'll ask for extras when she returns."
Unfazed, Ian revealed their mother was from a cultivation sect, explaining their access.
"After the cultivation summit, I'll join the sect. Leaving you here worries me," Ethan said, his killing intent sharpening.
The summit neared. Before leaving, he'd eliminate anyone who dared harm Ian—starting with Rowan!