A thunderclap so loud it tore across the old river of time.
Cold sweat drenched his scant clothing as Zhen Lu sprang up, his chest heaving frantically. Above him lay a low wooden roof, its fissures exposing the ink-black night sky.
The woodshed behind the Lu family compound, then?
Zhen looked at his hands in disbelief—young, soft palms belonging to a teen, not the eternal monarch he once was.
I have... been reborn?
Like a tidal wave, memories inundated his awareness. In his past incarnation, the strongest being across the Nine Heavens had been the Chaos Immortal Emperor. One sword stroke could split the sky; with his bare hands he had built galaxies. But, at the time he was ready to break through to the Ultimate Dao, the seven heavenly kingdoms turned against him, creating an incredible trap that destroyed his foundation and killed his spirit.
Qingcloud Ye... you hypocrite! Zhen's fist was gripped so tightly that blood began to run from his fingertips. His erstwhile foe, the Lord of the Destiny Realm, with his always kind grin, suddenly appeared absolutely repugnant.
In this existence, I'll rip you apart. Death will not come, though; you'll ask for it!
Zhen meticulously evaluated his present physical state after soothing his agitated feelings. Ridiculous! Stuck at the most fundamental degree of Physical Cultivation, this body has not even attained the Sea of Essence domain. His spiritual roots were almost nonexistent, his meridians withering; little surprise the Lu family dubbed him the most useless genius in a century!
Reborn as a hated weakling, the great Chaos Emperor. He couldn't say whether this was a joke from heaven or a plan from fate.
I will do my best, then. What difference does it make even as a 'worthless talent'? Born from absolute chaos in my past life, I ascended to the summit bit by step. No one can block my will!
Zhen got up and opened the rough wooden door. His face was stroked by the night breeze. Before him was the familiar back mountain landscape with running streams and shining skies. The Lu family's monthly contest was tomorrow, the ideal time for his startling first appearance.
A sharp alert popped into his head as he considered his future intentions:
"Ding!" System activated... Chaos Dao Body found.
Chaos Rebirth System activated successfully!
Zhen Lu, the host
Current Level: Physical Realm One (Defective Talent)
Talent: Chaos Constitution (Sealed Condition)
System Features: Detects host's potential, helps in nurturing breakthroughs; Gives tasks, awards following fulfillment
Zhen's heart raced. Though strong in his former life, he now confronted beginning over. The system would assist him to advance more quickly.
Current Task: Beat Hao Lu, a Lu family genius, in the family competition
Reward: Chaos Body Refinement Technique
Time Limit: 24 hours
Hao Lu? Zhen grinned icily. Already at the sixth level of the Sea of Essence realm, Hao was the most brilliant talent of the Lu family. Known as a once-in-a-millennium genius, he had piqued the interest of the Celestial Sword Sect and was on the verge becoming their inner disciple.
For a common weakling, this work would be unattainable. But for Zhen, it was unimportant.
The Chaos Body Refinement Method... Zhen's gaze sparkled. Created in his former existence, this ultimate technique could send chaos energy into the physical body, hence honing its potential. Getting this method back now would be a godsend.
Night became darker, however lights in the Lu family estate still burned. The family elders were making last-minute preparations for tomorrow's contest, which would allow normal family members to obtain wealth and status.
Rather than going back to the woodshed, Zhen sat cross-legged on a level rock on the rear mountain performing breathing exercises from his former life. Though his meridians were withered now, the marks of his prior cultivation were strongly ingrained in his soul, so making exercise somewhat simple.
Zhen was startled to see that his purportedly "worthless" physique really held an exceptionally pure strand of chaotic energy when his awareness descended into his body. Some strong restriction sealed it, hence normal operation was prevented.
Zhen understood, "No wonder I'm deemed worthless; the chaos energy is too strong for normal spiritual energy to be absorbed." This is encouraging. My growth rate will significantly exceed others after I break the seal.
But for now, he lacked the power to breach the seal and could only move slowly forward.
Zhen completed his cultivation deep into the night. Though he had merely trained fundamental breathing techniques, he obviously felt his body growing and the sealed chaotic energy displayed slight variations.
Zhen Lu, you squander, not sleeping well in the middle of the night—what are you trying to be deep about?
His thoughts were disturbed by a gruff voice. Turning, he spotted Hai Lu, the grandson of the Lu family's Third Elder—an average disciple at the second level of the Sea of Essence realm who often harassed him because of his affluent origins.
Behind Hai stood a number of sycophants all scornfully watching Zhen.
The family contest is tomorrow. You, a worthless nobody, really intend to take part? Do you ever become sick of life? I heard Senior Brother Hao has already said he'll teach you, the family's shame, a fine lesson!
Zhen stayed cool even though his eyes flared with contempt at these fools. How could such bugs annoy him given the attitude shaped by millions of years of supremacy in his former life?
Zhen said one word, his tone flat, "Leave." Still, it made Hai and his supporters shiver.
You... you have the audacity to talk to me like that? Hai was first shocked, then enraged. You really have no idea where you belong! Senior Brother Hao will shatter your legs and turn you a total cripple tomorrow.
Hai then went with his supporters, spitting angrily. Though he was bold, something about Zhen today gave him an inexplicable sensation that made him doubt whether he should really hit.
Watching their fading forms, Zhen's lips curled into a little grin. A single thought in his former existence could snuff out nine heavenly stars; now he had to suffer bug ridicule. Certainly a fascinating encounter.
Relish your hubris for one more day. We'll know who bows to whom after the contest tomorrow.
As Zhen shut his eyes and kept up his breathing exercise, the night breeze softly blew as he calmly waited for daybreak.
The Lu family compound hummed with activity the next morning. Apart from deciding resource distribution, the monthly contest was a significant platform for family members to show their talents.
At the heart of the Lu family patio sat a magnificent battle platform. Below it collected family members who had come to watch, their conversations rising and falling like waves.
I heard Senior Brother Hao is going to personally teach that garbage Zhen a lesson today!
Zhen Lu? The faulty ability still at Physical Realm One at eighteen? He has the audacity to enter the contest?
Haha, he must be weary of life! Already at the sixth level of the Sea of Essence realm, Senior Brother Hao has drawn the notice of the Celestial Sword Sect. With one action, he could kill that child!
That garbage has the audacity to confront Senior Brother Hao? What a slap in the face for him!
Laughter that was scornful spread across the audience. No one thought a "defective talent" could do anything in the contest.
Dressed in a plain white robe, Zhen gently entered the plaza at that time, his face serene as water and sharply contrasting with the surrounding commotion.
See, it's here waste!
Haha, he really had the guts to show up! Prepare for a pounding!
Zhen disregarded all of it and headed straight toward the fight platform surrounded by ridicule from all directions. Today would be his first fight after rebirth and the start of his proving himself to the whole Lu family.
Zhen Lu, you waste, you really have the guts to compete? From the elevated platform, the Grand Elder of the Lu family gazed down at Zhen with disdain. Family rules say you qualify to compete, but this old man suggests you should know your place and withdraw now to prevent pain.
These statements made the family members downstairs laugh hysterically, mockery flooding Zhen like a tidal wave.
Zhen lifted his head, staring at the Grand Elder with piercing intensity: "The competition is a stage for fair contest. Being a member of the Lu family, I obviously have the privilege to take part. Would the Grand Elder's interference breach the family precepts?
At these remarks, the Grand Elder's face shifted. The Lu family precepts plainly said that all family members, regardless of ability, had the right to compete. Should he forcefully stop Zhen, he would surely be breaking the law.
Okay, okay! The Grand Elder scoffed. This old man will comply since you seek suffering. The opening game of today is Zhen Lu against Hao Lu.
From the beginning, this setup was obviously intended to destroy Zhen's spirit. Having Hao, the Lu family's most exceptional genius whose power far beyond his contemporaries, battle against the "waste" Zhen was like putting an adult against a newborn.
Hahaha! The Grand Elder is clever! Allow Senior Brother Hao to give this conceited waste a lesson!
Zhen Lu, you are dying today! Senior Brother Hao will demonstrate to you what a genuine genius is!
Amid the growing ridicule, a tall, strong young guy slowly walked onto the fight platform. Wearing great clothing and with pride in his forehead, he was Hao Lu, the recognized genius of the Lu family.
Zhen Lu, I'll allow you three moves. Should you survive them, I will save your life. Hao's voice dripped with disdain as he gazed down at Zhen.
Zhen's face stayed serene while standing on the battle stage; his eyes were sword-like keen. Three actions? He grinned weakly. One action will be enough.
"Conceited!" Hao fumed. Then, don't hold me responsible for lacking compassion!
As his words dropped, spiritual energy surged throughout Hao's body, immediately exploding with the strong aura of the sixth level of the Sea of Essence domain. Forming hand seals, he punched out with a palm, spiritual energy turning into a huge tidal wave rushing at Zhen.
Raging Sea Palm!
Capable of flattening a small mountain, this palm stroke was extremely strong. All the family members below displayed schadenfreude as they awaited Zhen's demise.
But Zhen just lifted his hand a little in response to this lethal assault.
Chaos Devouring Method.
Softly speaking four words, he had a magical quality in his voice that made everyone there hear it clearly.
The world changed hue in an instant!
Zhen's palm unexpectedly sprouted a tiny vortex radiating an ancient, enigmatic aura. The vortex appeared to be linked to the beginning of the cosmos and had infinite consuming force.
Hao's tremendous tidal surge of spiritual energy, on contact with the vortex, evaporated like snowflakes falling into a furnace, instantaneously devoured, to everyone's astonishment.
This... inconceivable! Hao's expression shifted drastically. Zhen had already come before him like lightning before he could respond.
Causes from the past, impacts in the present. This palm strike pays back ten years of ridicule.
Zhen nonchalantly hit Hao's chest with fingers shaped like a claw.
Boom!
Hao Lu, the Lu family genius, sixth-level Sea of Essence realm expert, prospective direct student of the Celestial Sword Sect, flew backward like a kite with severed strings and crashed violently at the edge of the battle platform, coughing blood.
The whole stadium went quiet!
As if time had stopped at this instant, everyone gaped in disbelief at this event.
The young man they had labeled a waste had triumphed with one move over the Lu family's most strong genius. How... how could this happen?!
I... I failed? Hao lay on the ground, his eyes wide with surprise. Who... who are you?
Zhen stared down at Hao, his eyes cutting: "Who am I?" Zhen Lu here, the 'waste' you've ridiculed for ten years.
Turning to face the stunned throng below and the Grand Elder whose visage had frozen on the high stage, he said, "From today on, anyone in the Lu family who dares call me a waste will bear the consequences!"
"Ding!" Task finished. Reward: Issued Chaos Body Refinement Technique Kindly verify.
Zhen's thoughts was alerted by the system's notification, which caused the corners of his mouth to curve up. This was only the start. In this new existence, he would look down on the Nine Heavens and govern the planet.
Hai Lu and others who had ridiculed Zhen, meantime, were suddenly weak-legged and white with terror.
A strange person in a black robe quietly observed everybody outside the Lu family compound, his eyes sparkling with a mix of "Chaos energy... has it finally awakened?" Fate's wheel has started turning...
The black-robed figure vanished like morning light vapor, as though he had never existed.
Zhen was unaware, though, that those strong beings behind the scenes had already become worried by his ascent. A tremendous drama impacting the Nine Heavens, past lives and present fortunes had just begun...