Lin Chen stretched his back, bones cracking like fireworks.
"Ahhh... Damn, this body is weak," he muttered, flexing his thin arms. His joints popped loudly, echoing in the empty room. The sound was pitiful compared to the thunderous roars his divine body once made.
In his past life, he could crush mountains with a sneeze. Now? He was pretty sure a strong breeze could knock him out.
But even so—
His grin widened, sharp and predatory.
"Trash? Heh. That just means I get to bully my bullies again. From scratch."
---
The Azure Sky Sect outer grounds were buzzing.
Today was the Monthly Resource Distribution Day — the day outer disciples fought tooth and nail for precious cultivation pills, spirit stones, and rare herbs. It was their only hope of advancing in this ruthless world.
Rows of stalls were set up around the square, manned by inner sect stewards who watched with disdain as the outer disciples jostled and shoved like hungry dogs.
And standing right in the center was Senior Brother Wang Fei, a broad-shouldered brute with a sneer on his face. He loomed over the crowd, arms crossed, basking in the fear he inspired.
"Listen up, trash disciples!" Wang Fei bellowed, his voice booming. "Hand over your contribution points, or don't blame me for breaking some bones today!"
The crowd of weak outer disciples cowered. No one dared challenge Wang Fei. His father was an inner elder, after all — a man with enough power to make outer disciples vanish overnight.
Wang Fei's goons — a gang of thuggish disciples — jeered and cracked their knuckles, ready to enforce their leader's demands.
No one… except a certain someone who just swaggered into the square.
---
Lin Chen strolled in, hands clasped behind his head, casual as a lazy cat basking in the sun.
His gaze swept over the scene — the trembling disciples, the smug bullies, the greedy stewards. It was the same story in every realm, no matter how high or low.
"Yo, Senior Brother Wang," he drawled, voice loud enough to cut through the murmurs. "Did you forget to wipe your mouth? There's still some dog shit on your lips."
The crowd gasped.
Was Lin Chen courting death?!
Wang Fei's face turned purple with rage. His nostrils flared, and a vein bulged on his forehead.
"Lin Chen? You piece of trash dare insult me?!" he roared.
Lin Chen grinned, teeth flashing like a wolf's.
"Trash? Come slap me then. If you can."
---
The square fell deathly silent.
Even the inner sect stewards watching from afar paused, their eyes narrowing in interest.
Wang Fei cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp and menacing. Low-grade Qi energy flared around his fists, shimmering faintly like a heat haze.
He lunged forward, muscles rippling, fists blazing.
But Lin Chen—
Stepped lightly aside.
Slap!
His palm whipped across Wang Fei's face with a crisp, echoing sound that seemed to freeze the entire square.
The square exploded in shocked whispers.
"H-He slapped Senior Brother Wang—?" "Is Lin Chen tired of living?!"
Wang Fei staggered back, clutching his stinging cheek, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You… you dare—!"
Lin Chen's smile only widened. "Didn't you want to slap me? Looks like your face got in the way."
---
Wang Fei roared, veins bulging as his face twisted in fury.
"You're dead, Lin Chen!"
He charged again — heavier, faster, angrier. His Qi flared hotter, kicking up dust and scattering pebbles.
But Lin Chen's eyes gleamed coldly. In his past life, he killed apex gods and fought ancient devils. Dodging this fool was like swatting flies.
He shifted his foot, twisted his waist—
Slap!
This time, his palm struck Wang Fei's other cheek. Teeth flew from the brute's mouth, glinting in the sunlight like broken pearls.
The outer disciples gasped so hard some almost passed out.
Wang Fei toppled like a felled tree, landing hard on the ground with a grunt.
---
"Senior Brother Wang!"
A soft, anxious voice called out.
Lin Chen blinked.
Turning, he saw her — a petite girl with soft features, long black hair tied in a simple ponytail, and eyes wide with worry. She wore a faded outer disciple robe, her small hands clutching a basket of herbs.
Her name floated into his mind from the body's memories: Luna Yue.
His junior sister. Sweet. Innocent. The only person in this sect who ever shared her meager food with him when he was beaten and starving.
In his past life, Lin Chen had conquered galaxies… but seeing Luna's worried little face made his heart do an odd flip.
His grin faded for a brief second.
---
Wang Fei, still spitting teeth and struggling to his knees, saw Luna too — and snarled.
"Luna Yue, get away from that trash! Once I cripple him, you'll belong to me—"
Before he could finish—
Lin Chen's smile vanished.
Boom!
He kicked Wang Fei square in the chest with all his meager strength. But Lin Chen's precision was deadly — his foot struck a vital point, sending the bigger man crashing into a stack of spirit stones.
The square went silent again.
Lin Chen cracked his neck, eyes cold as the void.
"Touch her, and you'll die. Trash like you doesn't deserve to even look at her."
---
Luna Yue's cheeks flushed red. Her eyes shimmered with a strange light.
"W-Why are you… standing up for me…?" she stammered.
Lin Chen turned to her, smile returning — this time, warm and teasing.
"Because cute junior sisters deserve better than ugly dogs like him."
Luna's face turned even redder.
"C-Cute—?!"
Her hands fumbled, and her basket of herbs spilled onto the ground. She dropped to her knees, hastily gathering them, cheeks burning.
Lin Chen squatted down, helping her pick them up with a chuckle.
"Careful, little Yue. Wouldn't want you to lose your precious herbs."
Luna peeked up at him through her lashes, her heart thumping wildly.
---
The outer disciples stared at Lin Chen like they'd just seen a dragon hatch from an egg.
Who was this guy?!
Where did this sudden confidence come from?
Just yesterday, Lin Chen was the sect's biggest joke — beaten, mocked, spat on. Today, he was slapping senior brothers like they were flies.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Did he get possessed by a spirit?" "Maybe he found a treasure!" "No way, it's just dumb luck!"
---
Far away, in the elder pavilion…
An old man watching through a spirit mirror frowned deeply. Elder Mo, a wizened figure with hawk-like eyes, stroked his beard.
"Lin Chen…"
He leaned closer to the glowing mirror, his gaze sharp.
"Why does this trash disciple suddenly… feel dangerous?"
---
Meanwhile, Lin Chen casually patted Luna's head — making her squeak and stiffen like a startled bunny.
"Let's go, little Yue," he said, voice low and smooth. "Time to get your senior brother his well-earned resources."
His grin turned wicked.
"And maybe… a few more young masters to slap."
He shot a glance at the inner sect stewards watching from the sidelines, daring them to challenge him.
They quickly looked away.
---
Thus began the rise of Lin Chen.
Once an apex sovereign. Now, a trash disciple with a sharp tongue, quick fists— And a growing list of women whose hearts would soon start to flutter.
---
Far across the stars, in a grand palace wreathed in burning flames, the Phoenix Empress Xueyao's heart shivered again.
Her closed beautiful eyes narrowed.
"Chen'er… you're alive… aren't you?"
Her heart, which had lain cold for centuries, pounded fiercely in her chest.
---
Lin Chen stood at the top of the outer sect square, hands on his hips, gazing at the distant peaks of the inner sect. His blood boiled with anticipation.
His body was weak. His cultivation was at rock bottom.
But his will… his will was unbroken.
"Realm by realm… step by step…"
He clenched his fists, knuckles popping.
---
[End of Chapter 2]