The first rays of dawn crept over Azure Cloud City, painting the tiled roofs in shades of crimson and gold. In a quiet corner of the Li Clan estate, the once-abandoned courtyard of Li Tianming now pulsed faintly with life.
He sat cross-legged on the cracked stone platform, his breath steady, his eyes closed. A faint aura of azure light flickered around his body as the restored dantian within his abdomen stirred with spiritual energy. For the first time in two years, qi flowed through his meridians like a gentle stream.
Each inhale drew in threads of ambient qi from the world, and each exhale refined it into his body.
[Ding!]
"Cultivation progress: Qi Refining, 1st Stage → 1st Stage (22%)."
Li Tianming slowly opened his eyes, excitement glimmering within them. "It's real… I can cultivate again."
The sensation was intoxicating. Once, this feeling had been natural to him, but after two years of emptiness and despair, its return was like drinking fresh water after endless drought.
Yet he knew this was only the beginning. To rise again, he needed to temper his body, strengthen his foundation, and climb swiftly—or he would be trampled once more.
---
The System's Shop
"System," Tianming called out within his mind. "Show me the Shop."
At once, a glowing panel appeared before him.
[System Shop]
– Body Tempering Elixir (Low-Grade) – 50 System Points
– Qi Condensation Pill (Low-Grade) – 100 Points
– Basic Sword Arts – 30 Points
– Mysterious Lottery Ticket – 200 Points
Current Points: 0
Li Tianming frowned. "I don't even have points. How do I earn them?"
[Ding!]
"Points can be obtained by completing quests, defeating enemies, or achieving significant milestones."
As if on cue, another message flashed:
[Daily Quest Activated: Cultivate for 6 hours continuously.]
Reward: +20 Points
His lips curved. "So it's like a strict master—forcing me to work hard."
For two hours he maintained his meditation, drawing qi into his meridians until sweat beaded his brow. His body, though weak, felt stronger with every cycle.
Suddenly—
"Li Tianming!"
A harsh voice rang outside the courtyard. The gate creaked open and a tall youth swaggered in, his face twisted with mockery.
---
The Return of Li Hao
The intruder was Li Hao, one of the younger generation's rising stars. Though only a year older than Tianming, he had reached the Qi Refining 4th Stage and was hailed as the Li Clan's new genius ever since Tianming's downfall.
Li Hao sneered, his gaze falling on Tianming's meditating form. "Well, well. The cripple dares to sit and pretend to cultivate? What are you doing—playing at being a cultivator again?"
Tianming slowly opened his eyes, expression calm. "Li Hao. What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Li Hao laughed cruelly. "Your existence shames the Li Clan. Do you know how many people mock us for harboring trash? You should have died quietly instead of clinging to life. Now, I'll make sure you understand your place."
His words were loud, drawing a few curious servants to peek from behind the walls. They whispered among themselves, eager for entertainment.
---
A System Quest
Before Tianming could reply, the familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
"Temporary Quest: Defeat Li Hao in battle."
Reward: +50 Points, Basic Sword Arts Manual
Failure: -10 Points
Tianming's eyes sharpened. The System itself demanded he fight.
He slowly rose, brushing dust from his robe. "Li Hao, if you wish to test me, then step forward."
Li Hao burst out laughing. "You? Fight me? Don't tell me you actually believe you can cultivate again. Fine! I'll cripple you a second time—permanently."
---
The Battle Begins
Li Hao surged forward, qi flaring around his fists. With the force of a bull, he threw a punch aimed straight for Tianming's chest.
But Tianming, guided by instinct and sharpened by the System's subtle support, twisted his body just enough to let the fist graze past him. He countered with a swift strike to Li Hao's ribs.
Thud!
Li Hao staggered, more from surprise than pain. His eyes widened. "You… you can circulate qi again?"
"Why don't you find out yourself?" Tianming said coldly.
Enraged, Li Hao launched a flurry of blows. His movements carried the weight of a cultivator who had trained diligently for years. Yet Tianming, though only at the 1st Stage, moved with uncanny precision, dodging by hairs' breadths and striking at vital points.
Each exchange fueled Tianming's confidence. The System chimed faintly in the background:
[Adaptive Combat Guidance Activated.]
It was as though invisible threads guided his steps. His counters grew sharper, his strikes more accurate.
Finally, with a sudden surge of qi, he slammed his palm into Li Hao's chest.
Boom!
Li Hao flew backward, crashing into the courtyard wall with a groan.
---
Humiliation
The servants gasped. The cripple had actually defeated the clan's new genius!
Li Hao struggled to rise, blood dripping from his lip. His eyes burned with disbelief and hatred. "Impossible… you were crippled… how could you…"
Tianming stepped forward, his gaze sharp as a blade. "You call me trash, yet you can't even withstand one cripple's fist. Tell me, Li Hao—what does that make you?"
The watching servants snickered, barely hiding their amusement. Li Hao's face turned purple with shame.
"Y-you just wait!" he spat, stumbling out of the courtyard. "The elders will hear of this. You won't live long, Tianming!"
As his figure disappeared, Tianming finally let out a slow breath. His body ached, but his spirit soared.
---
System Rewards
[Ding!]
"Quest Complete. Reward Granted."
+50 Points
+Item: Basic Sword Arts Manual
A scroll of light appeared in his hand. Opening it, he saw simple but refined sword movements etched within.
"Perfect," Tianming muttered, eyes gleaming. "With sword arts, I'll have a weapon against those who try to step on me."
He opened the Shop again. With 50 points, he purchased a Body Tempering Elixir. A small jade bottle appeared, filled with a glowing red liquid.
The moment he uncorked it, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the courtyard.
He drank it in one gulp. Fire raced through his veins, muscles tightening, bones creaking as impurities forced their way out of his skin. Sweat poured down his body, black and foul-smelling.
The pain was excruciating, but Tianming gritted his teeth. He had endured humiliation for two years; this pain was nothing.
Hours later, when he finally opened his eyes, his body felt lighter, his strength doubled.
[Ding!]
"Body Tempering Complete. Physical Strength increased by 30%."
---
Su Ning's Concern
Just as Tianming washed off the filth, a soft knock came at the gate.
"Young Master Li? It's me… Su Ning."
His heart softened at her voice. She stepped inside, carrying a small basket of food. Her eyes widened when she saw him standing tall, skin glowing faintly, eyes sharp.
"Tianming… you… you're different," she whispered.
He smiled faintly. "I've begun cultivating again."
Her lips parted in shock. "That's… impossible. Your dantian—"
"Not anymore," he interrupted gently. "The heavens gave me a second chance, Ning'er. This time, I won't waste it."
She stared at him for a long moment, then lowered her gaze, her cheeks faintly red. "I always knew you weren't truly trash…"
In his mind, the System chimed.
[Potential Harem Member: Su Ning – Compatibility 81%.]
Tianming nearly coughed blood. System, must you announce it like that?
Yet when he looked at her determined expression, a strange warmth bloomed in his chest.
---
The Road Ahead
As night fell, Tianming sat again on the stone platform, clutching the sword manual.
"The Azure Cloud Sect's trials are in a month," he whispered. "If I want revenge… if I want to stand above everyone once more… I must grow faster."
He drew his first sword stroke under the moonlight, qi humming faintly around him.
In his heart burned a single vow:
I, Li Tianming, will rise again. And those who scorned me will kneel beneath my feet.