After a night of deep rest,
Lin Chen circulated his energy within the cave, fully healing his wounds and solidifying his realm at the Peak of the True Martial Realm.
When he opened his eyes, he felt refreshed, his body brimming with power.
But in the next moment—
The entire ground trembled violently!
BOOM—!!!
A deafening explosion shook the heavens, as if the sky itself was collapsing.
The cave shook violently, rocks crashing down and dust filling the air.
Lin Chen's face changed drastically. He rushed out of the cave in an instant.
The scene before him froze his blood.
Canglan Martial Academy… was gone.
The once‑tall mountain gates, solemn halls, and neat pavilions—all lay in ruins, engulfed in raging fire.
Thick smoke billowed, flames soaring to the sky.
Screams, explosions, clashing weapons, and desperate cries tore through the air.
"Enemy attack! It's the Blackwind Academy! They've come to slaughter us!"
"Where's the headmaster? Where is he?!"
"We're doomed… The headmaster offended a high‑ranking figure from the Heavenly Fate Sect! They allied with Blackwind to destroy us!"
Piercing wails reached Lin Chen's ears.
His pupils constricted sharply.
Heavenly Fate Sect?
That was one of the most powerful forces on the entire Canglan Planet!
What kind of existence had the headmaster offended?
Lin Chen's gaze swept across the chaos, and his heart twisted violently.
He saw it.
The outer‑sect mentor who had once taught him was split in two by a blade, his blood soaking the earth.
The old sweeper who had secretly given him half a piece of dried food when he was at his lowest had his head crushed under a boot.
Su Muxue, who had watched him silently from the arena with complicated eyes, now lay covered in wounds, surrounded by attackers. Before her life faded, her last gaze turned toward him, filled with unwillingness and despair.
One familiar face after another died before his eyes.
Blood, severed limbs, despair, and wailing…
This was not a duel, not a conflict.
This was a massacre.
A total annihilation.
Lin Chen stood at the edge of the fire, his body ice‑cold.
An indescribable agony spread from his heart to every limb.
He was not a saint.
But he repaid kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance.
Though Canglan Academy had villains like Elder Song, it also held people who had shown him even a shred of kindness.
Those people had been the only warmth he had in this world.
Now, they were all reduced to ashes and ghosts.
"No—!"
Lin Chen let out a low roar, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
Rage and grief churned and erupted like magma in his chest.
He hated!
He hated the invaders for their cruelty!
He hated the headmaster for his foolishness, dragging the entire academy to the grave!
Most of all, he hated himself… for being too weak!
If he were stronger, if he had broken through to a higher realm long ago, perhaps… he could have protected them!
At that moment, several cold eyes locked onto him.
"There's another survivor!"
"He's an inner disciple of Canglan! Kill him!"
Several experts from Blackwind Academy charged toward Lin Chen, blood‑stained blades in hand.
Their auras were terrifying, far surpassing the True Martial Realm!
In Lin Chen's eyes, there was no fear—only dead‑silent coldness.
He slowly lifted his head.
Beneath his gaze lay a hatred that could burn everything to ash.
"You… all deserve to die."
His voice was soft, yet carried the bone‑chilling chill of the underworld.
But he also knew the truth.
Right now, he was no match.
As long as he lived, he could avenge them someday.
Kindness would be remembered.
Hatred would be repaid in blood!
Without hesitation, Lin Chen turned and plunged into the burning ruins, using the chaos to flee for his life.
Behind him, the sounds of pursuit echoed endlessly.
"Don't let him escape!"
"Chase! Not a single one shall live!"
Blade lights howled, killing intent locked onto him.
Lin Chen ran for his life.
Behind him lay a destroyed home and dead friends.
Ahead lay unknown darkness and endless pursuit.
But in his heart, only one thought remained.
Survive.
And then—
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!