From within the small room, Wu Tian could already sense the oppressive aura pressing in from outside. The energy fluctuations were sharp, wild, and far beyond the strength of his newly acquired body. With a slight focus, he gauged its level.
Qi Condensation…?He frowned. The opponent waiting for him stood a full major realm above. Meanwhile, he… this body was only at the Foundation Realm – early stage. The difference was immense.
The cultivation realms of this world were structured as follows:
Qi Refining → Foundation → Qi Condensation → Golden Core → Origin Spirit → Nascent Soul → Soul Formation → Enlightenment → Reborn → Transcendent
Each realm was divided into nine stages, with every three stages forming one major phase: early, mid, and peak.
In theory, it was impossible for a cultivator to fight someone one entire major realm above.But such theories did not apply to Wu Tian — former heir of the Wu family.
The tranquil night had silently become a field of danger.
Wu Tian exhaled softly and tightened his grip around the sheath at his waist. Running was not an option. Not when his enemy had appeared so openly, intent on taking his life.
With steady steps, Wu Tian opened the inn's door. Moonlight brushed across his pale, handsome face, and his white hair drifted gently in the night wind.
He descended the stairs and stepped outside, eyes fixed upon the figure waiting in the center of the stone-paved street.
So that's him, Wu Tian thought, narrowing his gaze.
The courtyard was packed; people had gathered in a wide circle to witness the duel. At the center stood a black-haired youth holding a blade in his hand.
"I didn't expect you to show yourself instead of running. In that case, your death today is guaranteed."The black-haired youth pointed his weapon at Wu Tian, laughing maniacally.
Wu Tian didn't recognize him nor understand why he was being challenged. But one thing was certain — this man had to die, as a warning to anyone who dared to provoke him.
"Who dies has yet to be decided." Wu Tian replied with a faint smile.
"Hahaha! Are you so terrified that you've gone insane? Are you unaware of the difference between our realms?"The youth laughed, delighted by what he believed to be Wu Tian's foolishness."I am at Qi Condensation — one major realm above you. You have no chance of defeating me."
"Isn't it shameful to bully someone a full realm below you? How about suppressing your cultivation to match mine?" Wu Tian suggested, attempting to tilt the situation in his favor.
The youth paused, considering it.
"You have a point. It would be disgraceful to bully someone a realm below… especially the number one trash of the younger generation."He smirked, then added,
"I won't lower my realm. But I'll allow you three attacks."
Wu Tian's lips curled. Three strikes were more than enough.
"Very well. In that case, don't blame me later."He shot forward.
With one forceful stomp, the ground beneath Wu Tian cracked and splintered. His hand flashed to his sword's hilt, drawing it from its scabbard in a single motion and slicing toward the youth's neck.
Clang—!
The blade halted abruptly, as if it had struck an invisible wall, right at the youth's throat.
"First," the youth sneered.
Wu Tian stepped back. The first strike had failed, but the second was already prepared. He retrieved a talisman from his spatial ring — an item left behind by his father before mysteriously departing. According to his memories, this talisman could wound even a Golden Core cultivator.
Without hesitation, Wu Tian activated it and sent it flying toward the youth.
A streak of lightning tore through the air with frightening speed and precision.
The youth's expression shifted instantly. Feeling danger, he hurriedly summoned a bell-shaped artifact to shield himself.
Boom!
The impact of talisman and artifact erupted in a violent wave of spiritual energy, throwing nearby spectators off their feet. Panic spread as people scrambled away from the battlefield.
"Didn't you say you'd take three of my attacks? This is only the second, and you already used your life-saving artifact." Wu Tian approached with a mocking smile.
"W-Wu Tian… ugh…"The youth vomited blood, his bell artifact shattered into several fragments. His state was far worse than his treasure.
Wu Tian stopped before him, gripping his sword tightly as qi surged into the blade.
"In your next life, try being a man who keeps his word."
With a simple, clean motion, his sword carved through the youth's neck as effortlessly as slicing through butter.
After confirming the death, Wu Tian turned toward the remaining crowd.
"This is what awaits anyone who dares challenge me! If anyone else wishes to try, I won't hesitate to send them to the afterlife! Let this fool be your example!"His voice echoed through the silent night, and the rest of the spectators scattered immediately.
Once the area was empty, Wu Tian examined the youth's spatial ring to check tonight's spoils.
Unfortunately, it contained nothing of value.
"Tch… wasting a talisman capable of harming a Golden Core cultivator only to receive a pile of junk."He muttered irritably and returned to his room.
Back in his small chamber, Wu Tian sat cross-legged on the bed. His cultivation was far too low — and after tonight, he knew more trouble would come.
He had to grow stronger. Fast.
As he removed the spirit stones from his ring, one of them shone far brighter than the rest. At the same moment, the stolen spatial ring emitted the same radiant glow — the two lights resonating with each other.
Suddenly, an old, worn piece of paper floated out of the stolen ring and landed before him.
The blinding light gradually faded. When it vanished completely, Wu Tian could finally see the paper clearly.
It wasn't merely a scrap — it was a map, marked with a red X where a treasure lay hidden. The glowing spirit stone… was likely the key to unlocking the location shown on the map.
This development stunned Wu Tian.
Was that youth supposed to be the protagonist fated to obtain this treasure after killing me?
Considering the personality of the body's original owner — foolish, arrogant, and reckless — that outcome wasn't impossible. He would have either died charging blindly into danger or been hunted down and killed later.
Another thought struck him. When he had first inspected the stolen ring, nothing had reacted. Only when the spirit stone was taken out of his own ring did the mechanism activate.
Could my ring's spiritual isolation be far superior, preventing the trigger from activating earlier?If so, the timing made sense.
Regardless of the reason, Wu Tian had already made his decision.
He would claim this treasure —and use it for himself.