Li Wei didn't dream.
When he opened his eyes, it was still dark outside. The air in the apartment was cold, but his body felt warm. Heavy. Stronger.
For a moment, he lay still and listened to his heartbeat.
Steady.
Controlled.
He closed his eyes again.
[.Martial Abyss System.]
[Host: Li Wei]
[Strength: 10.1]
[Agility: 7.8]
[Endurance: 12.7]
[Mental Resistance: 16.3]
[Daily Tasks Reset]
Endure 150 Units of Pain
— Reward: Strength +0.3 / 8,000 RMB
Complete 8KM High-Intensity Run
— Reward: Endurance +0.5 / 5,000 RMB
Win 1 Official Sparring Match Today
— Reward: Agility +0.4 / 10,000 RMB
The numbers increased.
The money increased.
The pressure increased.
Below that—
[Primary Mission — 6 Days Remaining]
Defeat a Top 150 Ranked Student
— Reward: 50,000 RMB
— Bonus: Random Ability Enhancement
Li Wei exhaled slowly.
Top 150.
His current rank was 180.
Thirty positions.
Not impossible.
But dangerous.
He got up and went to the kitchen again.
Opened the cupboard.
Instant noodles.
Rice.
He closed it.
Then opened his banking app.
Balance: 10,312.47 RMB.
He stared at it for a long time.
Ten thousand meant he could eat properly.
Recover better.
Train harder.
He grabbed his jacket and left.
The small breakfast shop near the school opened early. Steam rose from bamboo baskets.
He ordered:
Two meat buns.
Soy milk.
An egg.
The owner looked surprised.
"Big appetite today, Xiao Li?"
He nodded lightly.
"Training."
He paid without counting coins.
That felt different.
When he bit into the warm bun, something inside him tightened.
Not from hunger.
From memory.
There used to be mornings like this.
Before.
When his mother would scold him for eating too fast.
When his father would laugh and say, "Let him grow."
He swallowed.
Focus.
School.
The training hall buzzed louder than usual.
Rank 180 now drew attention.
Not respect.
But attention.
As he walked in, he noticed something else.
Wang Lei was staring at him.
Not with hostility.
With calculation.
Li Wei ignored it and began stretching.
Instructor Zhao clapped once.
"Today, we begin mid-term internal assessments. Ranking challenges are open all day."
A ripple of energy spread.
This was perfect.
He needed one official win for daily tasks.
And a push toward Top 150.
He stepped forward before doubt could form.
"I challenge Rank 168."
A murmur ran through the hall.
Aggressive.
Too aggressive?
Rank 168 — Sun Qiang — stepped out.
Broad shoulders.
Calm eyes.
Not a bully.
Just solid.
"You're climbing fast," Sun Qiang said quietly.
"I'm trying," Li Wei replied.
They bowed.
The bell rang.
Sun Qiang moved first.
Unlike others, his attacks were measured.
Heavy palm strikes.
Controlled breathing.
The first hit landed on Li Wei's shoulder.
Pain.
[.Martial Abyss System.]
[Pain Absorbed: 36 Units]
Second strike.
Ribs.
[Pain Absorbed: 41 Units]
Li Wei staggered back deliberately.
He needed 150 units anyway.
Sun Qiang pressed forward with a knee strike.
Impact.
White flash.
[Pain Absorbed: 62 Units]
His body trembled.
But his eyes grew sharper.
He saw the opening.
Flowing Crane Palm redirected the next strike.
Whirlwind Kick followed.
Clean contact.
Sun Qiang stepped back, surprised.
The crowd went silent.
Li Wei pushed forward this time.
Basic Tiger Fist.
Burst Acceleration activated unconsciously—
His speed increased slightly.
Just enough.
Sun Qiang's guard broke.
Final strike to the chest.
Sun Qiang fell back.
The bell rang.
"Winner — Li Wei."
The ranking board flickered.
Rank 168 / 250 — Li Wei.
Whispers intensified.
"He's not slowing down."
"That's three jumps in days."
"Was he really 250?"
Inside—
[.Martial Abyss System.]
[Official Sparring Victory Completed]
Reward:
— Agility +0.4
— 10,000 RMB Transferred
[Daily Pain Requirement Completed]
Reward:
— Strength +0.3
— 8,000 RMB Transferred
He didn't check his phone immediately.
He didn't need to.
But when he finally did—
Balance: 28,312.47 RMB.
Almost thirty thousand.
Real.
No trace.
No delay.
His pulse quickened.
One more official win closer to Top 150.
And fifty thousand waiting.
As students dispersed, someone grabbed his arm.
Not aggressively.
Firmly.
Wang Lei.
"You're different," Wang Lei said quietly.
Li Wei met his gaze.
"In what way?"
"You're not just improving."
A pause.
"You're changing your life."
Li Wei's expression didn't shift.
"What do you mean?"
Wang Lei glanced down briefly.
"At lunch… you paid without counting."
A small thing.
But noticed.
Li Wei felt a flicker of alertness.
He shrugged.
"Got some tutoring money."
Wang Lei studied him for a few seconds longer.
Then released his arm.
"Just don't become arrogant."
"I won't."
He meant that.
After school, Li Wei did something he hadn't done in years.
He walked into a proper sports equipment store.
Clean shelves.
Bright lighting.
He looked at new hand wraps.
Professional-grade.
Better grip.
Better protection.
He picked a pair up.
The price tag didn't make his chest tighten.
He bought them.
Then—
Protein powder.
Joint recovery medicine.
Quality training shoes.
When the total reached over 6,000 RMB, he didn't flinch.
As he stepped out of the store carrying a simple black bag, he felt… lighter.
Not because of money.
Because of control.
For the first time since he was nine—
He wasn't surviving.
He was advancing.
His phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
He answered cautiously.
Silence for two seconds.
Then a low voice.
"You've been looking into old records."
His blood ran cold.
"I don't know what you mean."
A soft chuckle.
"Curiosity can be dangerous, Li Wei."
Click.
The call ended.
He stood frozen on the sidewalk.
How?
He had used a public computer.
No login.
No account.
Inside—
[.Martial Abyss System.]
[Threat Level: Elevated]
[Suggestion: Increase Strength Growth Rate]
Someone was watching.
Not just at school.
Not just casually.
This was connected.
The accident.
The money transfer.
The uncle.
Or someone above him.
Li Wei tightened his grip on the shopping bag.
So it begins.
Tell me
Do you think that call came from his uncle… or someone higher?
And if you were Li Wei, would you stop investigating… or dig deeper?
If this chapter raised the stakes for you, drop your thoughts below. Add it to your collection so you don't miss what's coming. Powerstones and reviews push this story higher.
Next chapter… Rank 150 won't ignore him anymore.