Chapter 2: Awakening the Beast Within
The forest was alive in ways Leon had only begun to understand. The trees whispered, the streams babbled with qi, and shadows danced with the potential for death. Yet to him, Lin Tian, the danger was nothing more than background music—faint, predictable, and almost amusing.
He stretched his limbs, feeling the residual power from his first Sign-In surge through every fiber of his being. Muscles contracted with ease, nerves hummed with preternatural alertness, and his aura pulsed outward like a quiet storm. Any creature with even the slightest ambition to challenge him would find itself crushed without realizing the battle had begun.
> [System Message]
> New Technique Available: Thunder Kick
> Recommended for solo combat scenarios.
Leon flexed his foot experimentally. With a single strike against a fallen tree trunk, it splintered into pieces as if made of paper. He laughed softly. "Not bad. Definitely not bad." The power in his veins sang of potential, of realms beyond imagining, of challenges that would only come later—if at all.
A distant roar shattered the serene silence. Unlike the small beasts of before, this sound carried intent. Intelligence. Malice. The unmistakable signature of a high-level predator. Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So you want to play?" he muttered under his breath.
The trees parted as a massive creature emerged from the undergrowth—dark scales, horns curved like scimitars, eyes burning with predatory focus. Its aura was potent, terrifying, yet beneath Lin Tian's gaze, it faltered. He could feel the calculations of its mind, the desire to dominate him—and the realization that it was grossly outmatched.
He tapped his wrist lightly.
> [Daily Sign-In Available]
A soft glow surrounded him as he pressed the invisible button, the world around him responding instantly. Power surged in waves, reshaping muscles, sharpening reflexes, and aligning his aura into a perfect, lethal harmony.
> [Sign-In Successful]
> Reward: Celestial Spirit Core ×1
> Martial Foundation Increased: Exponentially
> New Passive Skill Unlocked: Overwhelming Presence
The creature lunged, claws slashing, fangs gleaming. Time slowed for a heartbeat as Lin Tian moved. With a single pivot and a sweeping arc of his leg, he unleashed the Thunder Kick. The sound of impact was like a clap of thunder; the creature was sent flying into a massive tree, which cracked and fell under its weight. Dust and debris rained down, yet Lin Tian remained untouched, untouched by a single scratch.
He landed gracefully on the ground, aura rippling outward, the forest itself bowing subtly to his presence. "Pathetic," he muttered. Even the most feral beasts here were trivial. Every system notification, every reward, every absorbed fragment of qi reaffirmed it: he was untouchable.
Hours passed as he explored the ruined sect grounds in the heart of the forest. Ancient statues loomed like silent guardians, their features worn by time, yet faint traces of dormant spiritual energy lingered. Lin Tian absorbed it effortlessly, using his Sign-In-enhanced perception to trace hidden energy veins beneath the earth, gathering fragments that would take ordinary cultivators decades to comprehend.
> [System Message]
> Spirit Core Absorbed: +∞
> New Technique Unlocked: Gale Palm Mastery
He smiled, flexing his fingers as he practiced the technique. The wind seemed alive, bending to his command, carrying power that could fell forests, crush mountains, or annihilate armies. And yet, it was only the beginning. Twenty cultivation realms lay before him, each one a monument to the growth of power that he would reach in record time.
The forest rustled again. This time, not with beasts—but with movement from deeper within the shadows. Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, aura flaring subtly. "I wonder… who else is awake in this world?" The thought was fleeting. He didn't care. For now, he had the forest, the beasts, the ruins—and all of it was already under his command.
As night fell, the moonlight spilled across the broken stones and wild foliage. Lin Tian sat atop a hill, legs crossed, breathing steadily. The forest hummed beneath him, aware of his presence. Every predator, every lurking spirit, every potential cultivator in the vicinity would think twice before daring to challenge him. He was alone, untouchable, and growing stronger by the day.
> [Hint: Early solitude is optimal for maximum growth. Allies may complicate progression.]
He smirked. "Good. Let them wait. The world will learn my name in time."
Above, the stars glittered like a sea of possibilities. Lin Tian, reborn in this realm of martial might, smiled quietly to himself. The path to absolute strength was laid before him, and he would walk it alone—untouchable, unchallenged, unstoppable.