"Stay down, you waste!"
The pockmarked-faced youth at the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering was the first to attack.
WHOOSH!
His punch was fierce and violent, stirring up the air around it.
Luo Tian's expression was grim. He was already injured, and despite being at the same Ninth Layer of Body Tempering, he could only muster sixty or seventy percent of his strength.
Under pressure.
His senses suddenly sharpened several times over, and he released his Spiritual Sense.
Huh!
Luo Tian was surprised to find that the movements of the pockmarked youth, Liu Yuanhu, and the others seemed incredibly slow and stiff, with a clumsy, almost dim-witted feel.
Not only that, but the trajectories of their techniques and all their flaws were clearly visible.
'This…'
A jolt went through Luo Tian.
He quickly understood that this change was brought about by the Celestial Destiny Creation Technique.
Although Luo Tian had only cultivated the Beginner's Guide, his Spiritual Power was already several times that of his peers, not to mention it was enhanced by his Spiritual Sense.
SMACK!
Luo Tian chopped out with his palm, striking the pockmarked youth's wrist with perfect accuracy.
"Aargh!"
The pockmarked youth screamed, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. He couldn't lift his forearm at all.
Defeated in one move?
The other Liu Clan students were stunned.
From their perspective, it looked as if the pockmarked youth had simply offered up his wrist to take Luo Tian's blow.
"You bastard! I'll defeat you in one move!"
The tall Liu Yuanhu roared and lunged forward.
Fierce Tiger Claw!
His hand, shaped like a claw, seemed to swell in size as it gave off a scorching wave of air, aiming straight for Luo Tian's chest.
The power of this claw was twice as strong as that of the pockmarked youth, who was also at the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering!
If it hit, it could crack solid stone.
What Liu Yuanhu cultivated wasn't a Basic Martial Skill from the Academy, but the Liu Clan's more profound Entry Grade Martial Skill, the Fierce Tiger Claw.
'This Liu Yuanhu is about to open his Martial Vein. He's just half a step away from the Meridian Opening Realm and becoming a true Martial Artist,' Luo Tian thought.
His Spiritual Sense could faintly perceive that Liu Yuanhu's Martial Vein was at least two-thirds open.
WHOOSH!
Just as Liu Yuanhu's claw was about to pierce Luo Tian's chest…
'The flaw is too obvious.'
Luo Tian's gaze turned cold. He pulled his shoulder back and took a sudden half-step.
WHOOSH!
Liu Yuanhu's fatal claw strike grazed past him in a hair-raisingly close call.
It looked dangerous, but in Luo Tian's consciousness, reality seemed to have slowed down several times over.
But it wasn't over!
"Up you go!"
As Luo Tian dodged, he shot out his hand.
SMACK! He grabbed Liu Yuanhu's arm and used his opponent's own momentum to pull.
"Ah!"
Liu Yuanhu cried out in alarm as Luo Tian used his own force to yank him into the air.
This scene left the other Liu Clan members pale with shock.
THUD!
Liu Yuanhu flew several meters, his forehead smashing into a tree. Blood splattered, and he couldn't get up for a long time.
'That easy?' Luo Tian himself was surprised.
When he'd attacked, his body had felt inexplicably light, and his control over his strength was several times better than before.
On second thought, Luo Tian felt it was normal.
Spiritual Sense was something only Martial Artists at the Earth Element Realm possessed.
With his Spiritual Power enhanced several times over and boosted by his Spiritual Sense, he completely crushed them in terms of Martial Arts Realm.
"Ah!"
The few Liu Clan members were scared out of their wits.
In just two exchanges, both the pockmarked youth and Liu Yuanhu had been defeated by Luo Tian in a single move.
Especially Liu Yuanhu, whose Martial Vein was mostly activated—he was practically a fledgling Martial Artist.
SWOOSH!
While they were still stunned, Luo Tian moved like a tiger among sheep, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks.
BOOM! POW! CRACK!
Dust flew and piercing wails filled the air. Luo Tian first gave Liu Yuanhu a savage beating, then did the same to the others.
A moment later, the four of them, led by a bruised and battered Liu Yuanhu who looked like a beggar, watched Luo Tian walk away.
The youth's departing figure was different from before. It had a cold, upright air to it, and he seemed inexplicably taller.
"That guy... is he still that waste who can't open his Martial Vein?" the pockmarked youth muttered, clutching his swollen face.
...
Luo Tian's home was in the commoner's district of Qingchang City.
CREAK!
The door opened, revealing a pure and flawless, pretty face.
A young woman stood gracefully in the doorway. Her brows were like distant mountains, and her face was as beautiful as a painting. Though dressed in simple, plain clothes, she exuded a gentle, dignified, and otherworldly aura.
"Xiaotian, were you bullied at the Academy again?"
The young woman frowned slightly, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood from Luo Tian's forehead.
"Xueyao, I'm fine…"
Luo Tian gazed at the plainly dressed young woman so close to him. Her jade-like face wore no makeup, and her crystal-clear eyes revealed a trace of pity.
A faint, fresh fragrance drifted into his heart.
Luo Tian's heartstrings trembled, and a complex mix of shame, adoration, and resentment welled up inside him.
The young woman's name was Ning Xueyao. She was only two months older than Luo Tian and had been brought home by his father five years ago.
According to his father, he owed a debt of gratitude to one of her elders and had brought her to Qingchang City for refuge, adopting her as a goddaughter.
From the moment he first saw Ning Xueyao five years ago, Luo Tian had been captivated by her kind and noble nature, developing a crush on her.
However.
Ning Xueyao was different from other girls. She was born with a noble, otherworldly, and sacred aura that made others feel unworthy.
Moreover, Ning Xueyao always seemed to treat him like a younger brother.
Luo Tian buried that trace of adoration deep in his heart. Every time he faced her beautiful eyes, which seemed capable of piercing one's soul, he didn't dare to look directly at her.
"Xueyao, I'll be able to open my Martial Vein soon," Luo Tian said with a smile.
"Yes! Xiaotian is a genius, of course you can open your Martial Vein."
Ning Xueyao's clear eyes held a smile.
Clearly, she didn't take his words seriously and was only trying not to hurt the young man's pride.
Luo Tian was about to tell her the truth, but when he thought of the miraculous Creation Celestial Book and his own Divine Vein, he decided to keep it a secret for now.
Even a Celestial Tier Martial Vein would be enough to cause a sensation throughout all of Qingchang City, let alone the entire Azure Cloud Kingdom. How could he possibly mention a Divine Vein?
And the Creation Celestial Book, which was said to be all-knowing and all-understanding, was likely even more valuable.
'If Xueyao knew about these things, it would only bring her harm.'
"In two months, the debt will be paid, and no one will bully you anymore," Ning Xueyao said.
"In two months?"
Luo Tian's heart jolted. He remembered something and was instantly filled with guilt and resentment, his fists clenching tightly.
In two months, Ning Xueyao would be forced to marry the Du Family's Young Master, Du Yuncheng.
The Du Family, like the Liu Family, was one of Qingchang City's great families, ranked among the top three.
And it was all because of Luo Tian.
Because he had been unable to open his Martial Vein, the Du Family had sponsored him with an Upper Grade Meridian Opening Pill a few months ago to help him with the process.
An Upper Grade Meridian Opening Pill was specifically for those with Earth Tier or higher Martial Veins. It was incredibly precious, worth Twenty Thousand Gold Coins—something even the young masters of Qingchang City's second-class families couldn't afford.
But Luo Tian still failed.
After that, he was deemed to have a Wasted Vein, destined never to become a Martial Artist.
The Noble Families in Qingchang City immediately turned their backs on him, and the Du Family even came to collect the debt several times.
That was, until a month ago, when Young Master Du, Du Yuncheng, came to collect the debt. He was stunned by Ning Xueyao's otherworldly beauty, practically drooling at the sight of her.
So, Du Yuncheng declared that as long as Ning Xueyao married him, the Du Family would forget about the Meridian Opening Pill and even help pay off their other debts.
If Luo Tian's father were here, these people would never dare to be so arrogant. Unfortunately, his father had been gone for years with no word.
In the end, concerned for Luo Tian's safety, Ning Xueyao reached an agreement with the Du Family.
The terms of the agreement were: if they could not repay the Twenty Thousand Gold Coins within two months, Ning Xueyao must marry Du Yuncheng!
'Xueyao, I can't let you marry Du Yuncheng! That man is a notorious playboy in Qingchang City. Who knows how many women he's toyed with and ruined,' Luo Tian silently vowed, his gaze firm and sharp.
'If I can open my Martial Vein and become a true Martial Artist with my Divine Vein, I might be able to change our fate.'
'Right, I've mastered the Beginner's Guide of the Celestial Destiny Creation Technique. Can I use the power of the Celestial Book now?' an idea struck Luo Tian.
The most urgent task was to open the Divine Vein in his body.
「Back in his room.」
Luo Tian closed his eyes, and his consciousness reached deep into his mind, touching the enormous, ancient book.
At this moment, the cyan-gray glow on the surface of the Celestial Book was a little brighter than before.