Chapter 2: The Edict of the Old Man and a Glimmer of Power
Ling Tian's mind reeled. The arrogant young man's words, dripping with contempt, struck a nerve he never knew he had. In his past life, he would have shrunk back, avoided confrontation, and accepted the insult with a silent sigh. But this was a new body, a new world, and a new soul—one that felt a fierce protectiveness over Lin Yue. He could feel a strange, burning energy coiled deep within his core, a primal force ready to lash out.
Zhao Wei, a sneer plastered across his face, took a step closer, his gaze sweeping over Ling Tian's newly transformed appearance. "So, the sleeping dog is finally awake. You may look different, but you're still a weakling from that pathetic clan. Lin Yue, you deserve better than this trash. Come with me now, and I will treat you like the goddess you are."
Lin Yue's hand tightened around Ling Tian's. Her eyes, usually so serene, were now filled with defiance. "Go away, Zhao Wei. I will never leave Ling Tian. He is more of a man than you could ever hope to be."
Zhao Wei's face contorted in rage. He raised a hand, a flicker of spiritual energy gathering at his fingertips, ready to strike at Lin Yue. But before he could act, a powerful, resonating voice boomed from the doorway of the chamber they had just left.
"That is enough!"
An old man with a long, white beard and a stern expression appeared. His back was straight, his eyes sharp and commanding. This was the patriarch of the Ling Clan, Ling Yun, a figure of immense authority in this region. He was a Grandmaster of the Spirit-Formation realm, a stage of power far beyond the comprehension of the younger generation.
Zhao Wei's arrogance immediately deflated. He bowed respectfully, a newfound fear in his eyes. "Patriarch Ling, my apologies. I was merely… reminding my fiancée of her place."
Ling Yun's glare was like a physical weight, pressing down on Zhao Wei. "Lin Yue is not your fiancée, Zhao Wei. She has been betrothed to my grandson, Ling Tian, since birth. Your disrespect will not be tolerated."
Zhao Wei's face paled. He had been so used to his family's influence that he had forgotten the true power of the Ling Clan. The patriarch's words were an edict.
"As for you, Ling Tian," Ling Yun continued, turning his gaze to his grandson. "You have been in a deep slumber for three years. It seems the spiritual energy of this sacred chamber has finally awakened you. It is time for you to begin your cultivation journey in earnest."
Ling Tian was taken aback. He was a complete novice in this world, and yet this powerful old man was speaking to him as if he were a long-lost prodigy. He simply nodded, unable to form a response.
Ling Yun then turned his attention back to Zhao Wei. "However, your challenge will not go unanswered. A man's honor is a sacred thing. One month from today, in the grand arena of the Ling Clan, you will face Ling Tian in a formal duel. If you win, the engagement will be dissolved. If you lose, you will never set foot on our clan's land again."
Zhao Wei's eyes widened in disbelief. Ling Tian had only just awakened. He was an easy victory, a chance to regain his pride. "I accept!" he declared triumphantly.
Ling Tian, however, felt a cold dread settle in his stomach. A month? He knew nothing about this world's power system. He couldn't fight. He was nothing but a fraud in a handsome body.
After Zhao Wei left, a defeated smirk on his face, Ling Yun led Ling Tian and Lin Yue back into the sacred chamber. He looked at his grandson with a piercing gaze. "I know what you're thinking, Ling Tian. You're afraid. You feel weak. But what you have is something more profound than mere cultivation."
He placed a hand on Ling Tian's shoulder. A jolt of powerful energy surged through Ling Tian's body, and he felt his dormant inner power stir, like a slumbering dragon slowly waking.
"Your transformation was no accident. The spiritual energy of this chamber, the very essence of our clan's ancient legacy, responded to you. It was meant to awaken the power of the Heavenly Dao Scroll within you. For generations, this scroll has been the foundation of our clan's power, but none have ever been able to comprehend its secrets. Until now."
Ling Yun handed Ling Tian a faded, ancient-looking scroll. "This is your family's greatest treasure. Try to open it."
Ling Tian took the scroll. Its surface was warm to the touch. He tried to unroll it, but it wouldn't budge. It was sealed shut by some unseen force. He closed his eyes and concentrated, willing the scroll to open. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, as he remembered the insult to Lin Yue, the burning energy in his core flared. A faint golden light emanated from his hands, seeping into the scroll.
WHOOSH!
The scroll unrolled on its own, revealing a shimmering, glowing script. The characters were not words, but complex, intricate formations of spiritual energy. As Ling Tian stared at them, the characters seemed to leap off the page and embed themselves directly into his mind. It was not reading; it was an instantaneous transfer of knowledge.
He closed his eyes, and a vast, intricate diagram unfolded in his consciousness. It was the Cosmic Origin Formation. This wasn't just a cultivation technique; it was a fundamental law of the universe, a method to absorb, refine, and control all forms of energy. It was a power far beyond the scope of this world's conventional methods.
He could feel the spiritual energy around him responding to this new knowledge. With a thought, he pulled the surrounding energy into his body. It was a sensation of pure bliss, like drinking fresh water after a long thirst. The energy didn't just fill him; it was immediately refined and transformed, strengthening his body and soul simultaneously.
"Incredible," Ling Yun whispered, his eyes wide with shock. "You've not just read the scroll; you've comprehended its essence instantly. You are truly the one. The prophecy is true."
Ling Tian looked at the old man, his mind still reeling from the torrent of information. He felt a newfound confidence, a quiet certainty that he could, indeed, win this duel. He had a month, and with the Cosmic Origin Formation, a month would be more than enough. He would not just beat Zhao Wei; he would crush him, for the honor of his clan and, more importantly, for the sake of the girl who had welcomed him into this new world with tears of joy.