"Ding! Claim successful. Physique implantation beginning. There will be slight pain. Host, please endure."
The moment the system's voice faded, Xiao Zhitian's body trembled violently.
A terrifying current surged through his meridians like raging thunder dragons, tearing through flesh and bone. His teeth clenched tightly as his muscles spasmed uncontrollably. The air around him faintly crackled with electric sparks, and a scorched smell began to spread throughout the room.
Black impurities continuously seeped from his pores, dripping down his skin like thick tar.
Yet from beginning to end, Xiao Zhitian did not utter a single scream.
Pain was nothing.
Power was everything.
Half an hour later, the violent sensation finally subsided.
Xiao Zhitian sat still for a long moment, breathing slowly. His entire body was now coated in foul-smelling black grime. Without hesitation, he rose and entered the bathtub. He changed the water five or six times before the impurities were fully washed away.
When he finally emerged, his reflection in the mirror left even himself momentarily stunned.
His physique had transformed completely.
His once-average frame was now perfectly proportioned. His muscles were not bulky but lean, refined, and filled with explosive power. Every line of his body looked as though it had been carved by heaven itself. His facial features had become sharper, more resolute, carrying an almost noble aura.
Peerless young master was no exaggeration.
He clenched his fist lightly.
Crack.
The air itself seemed to compress slightly.
"So this is the Five Elemental Thunder God Body…" Xiao Zhitian murmured. "My body feels lighter… stronger… and there's a violent power inside me that feels capable of destroying everything."
At the same time, something deeper stirred.
A second presence.
Cold. Vast. Ancient.
It felt as though moonlight itself flowed within his soul.
"Ding! Physique implantation successful. Moonstar Prison Surpassing Soul Body awakened. Soul affinity increased dramatically. Host can now begin cultivating soul techniques."
Before Xiao Zhitian could fully process it—
"Ding! Now transmitting cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques. Transmission successful."
Knowledge flooded his mind.
The Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art.Moonstar Soul Refining Technique.Thunderstorm, Thunder Bird, Thunder Lion.
They felt as familiar as breathing.
He immediately entered cultivation.
Cultivation Begins
The Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art contained seven major realms, yet his current level only allowed him to cultivate the first:
Extreme Wood Lightning.
As he circulated the technique, green lightning slowly formed above his Qi cyclone. It flickered like living energy, faint but filled with vitality.
Thanks to his new physique, the conversion was absurdly fast.
One hour later, Xiao Zhitian opened his eyes.
A faint arc of green lightning flashed within them.
His aura surged.
Two-star Dou Zhe.
"Advancing one star just from converting techniques…" Xiao Zhitian muttered. "Earth-tier low-grade for now, but its potential is terrifying."
He gazed inward at the thin green lightning strand above his Qi cyclone.
"Nine wisps required to form Extreme Wood Lightning… once completed, the technique will evolve again."
Then, a second sensation emerged.
This time, not lightning.
Moonlight.
When he circulated the Moonstar Soul Refining Technique, his soul sea shimmered faintly. A pale silver chain appeared briefly, then vanished.
A voice echoed in his mind:
The soul body feeds on moonlight and starlight.Chains of prison bind not the body… but the soul.
Xiao Zhitian's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that was its true terror.
This wasn't just combat power.
This was dominion over souls.
Second Check-in
"System, check in."
"Ding! Check-in successful. Location: Host's courtyard. Reward: 100,000 gold coins."
"…That's it?"
He checked the system space.
Two jade cards floated silently.
A black card — full (5,000 gold).A blue card — unlimited storage (95,000 gold).
"…Fine. Still useful."
The Next Morning
The following morning, after another night of cultivation, Xiao Zhitian slowly opened his eyes.
"Only one wisp of lightning condensed overnight… but the Dou Qi speed is much faster than before."
Suddenly—
"Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master," an old voice sounded outside. "The Patriarch requests your presence in the main hall. There are distinguished guests."
Xiao Zhitian paused.
Cloud Mist Sect.
Nalan Yanran.
The engagement annulment.
The plot had arrived.
He changed into a blue-and-white robe and stepped outside, finding Xiao Yan already waiting with Butler Mo.
"Let's go," Xiao Zhitian said calmly.
Reception Hall
The hall was already full.
Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat at the head.Below them sat three strangers: two men and a young woman.
Xiao Zhitian entered calmly and sat beside Xun'er. Xiao Yan followed.
The girl was beautiful.
Exceptional.
But—
Three-star Dou Zhe.
Xiao Zhitian could tell instantly.
"A three-star Dou Zhe…" he thought.
Suddenly—
A sharp pain at his waist.
Xun'er smiled sweetly while pinching him."Xiao Zhitian gege… is she pretty?"
"Not as pretty as you," he replied honestly, gently pushing her hand away.
She seemed satisfied.
Inside, Xiao Zhitian activated another check-in.
"System, check in."
"Ding! Location: Xiao Family Reception Hall. Check-in successful. Reward: Two-star realm advancement, Tier 5 pill: Youth Preservation Pill ×4."
In silence, his realm surged.
Four-star Dou Zhe.
Completely concealed.
The pills appeared within system space.
The Engagement Scene
The old man from the Cloud Mist Sect finally stood.
And just like the original fate…
"I was ordered by the Sect Master to annul the engagement…"
Xiao Zhan's teacup shattered.
Anger surged.
The humiliation of the Xiao Clan was laid bare.
Xiao Yan stood.
Step by step, he walked forward.
His voice steady.
"Nalan Yanran… You look down on me, yes. But how can you be certain I will never rise again?"
The hall fell silent.
He raised his head, eyes burning.
"Give me three years."
"In three years, I will go to the Cloud Mist Sect myself."
"If I lose, I will personally return the marriage contract."
"But if I win…"
He paused.
"…then you will regret ever looking down on me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Nalan Yanran's expression finally changed.
This was no longer a joke.
This was a vow.
A fate.
Xiao Zhitian's Inner Thought
Watching it all unfold, Xiao Zhitian leaned back slightly, calm as ever.
The plot was moving.
But now…
There was something new.
Something unknown.
Because this world now contained him.
And behind his calm gaze—
Faint silver light shimmered.
Invisible chains briefly formed within his soul.
Waiting.
Watching.
One day, when the stars aligned…
Even gods would not escape his prison.