CHAPTER 2
Years passed, and Tian Ping grew in the shadows of his father’s disdain. Raised by indifferent maids in the cold, dim halls of the Chen estate, he quickly learned the harsh reality of his existence. Though they provided for his basic needs, the absence of warmth and affection left a void in his heart.
When he turned five—a day that should have marked a new beginning—Tian Ping found himself thrust into a different world: the dark, unforgiving mines where he would labor under the watchful eyes of weary workers.
The mine's damp air clung to him, mingling with the sharp scent of earth and coal. The other workers were harsh, their faces worn from toil, but it was the bullying from his father's other children that cut the deepest. Chen Ren, with her cruel laughter, Chen Mo, with his mocking glances, and Chen Xie and Chen Yuan, who took pleasure in tormenting him, all echoed the disdain of their father. Yet, it was Chen Feng, the most hateful of them all, who delighted in beating him, leaving marks not only on his skin but in his soul.
As the years of torment passed, Tian Ping turned 14, a time when most boys were discovering themselves, but for him, it was just another year of enduring pain and isolation.
“This world has been far too cruel. All I've known is pain. What is the point of living if all I know is pain? This cold and dirty mine is all I might ever know?” A flicker of longing for the city flashed through his mind.
“WHAT ARE YOU YAPPING ABOUT OVER THERE, BOY? GET OVER HERE! THE YOUNG MASTER CHEN FENG WANTS TO SEE YOU!” a mine worker shouted, snapping Tian Ping from his thoughts.
Sigh. Here we go again, he thought, his cold gaze hardening. He followed the worker outside the mine, where the sun shone beautifully, sending warmth through his body, a stark contrast to the chill of the mine.
“Follow me, you worthless thing,” Chen Feng sneered, his displeasure clear as he looked down at Tian Ping.
“Yes, Young Master,” Tian Ping replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
As they walked deeper into the Great Zhou Forest, the air thickened with tension. The chirping of birds and rustling of leaves seemed to fade, replaced by an eerie silence that hung in the air like a storm cloud. Shadows danced around them as sunlight filtered through the dense canopy overhead, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Tian Ping's heart raced with each step; something about the secluded path felt foreboding, as if the forest itself were holding its breath.
“Where is he taking me? This should be far enough from the estate. What does he want?” His mind raced with questions, each more troubling than the last. Sweat trickled down his back as he kept pace behind Chen Feng, who strode confidently, oblivious to the growing unease in Tian Ping’s gut.
“Stop daydreaming, you pathetic worm!” Chen Feng shouted, turning sharply. His piercing gaze locked onto Tian Ping, who swallowed hard, fear creeping into his chest. “I didn’t say you could look around!”
“Y-yes, Young Master,” Tian Ping stammered, focusing his gaze on the ground. Just a little further, and it will all be over soon, he told himself, though doubt gnawed at his insides.
As they continued, the forest seemed to close in around them, branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. Tian Ping could feel the oppressive atmosphere weighing down on him, suffocating and dark. He tried to steady his breathing, but the feeling of impending doom was relentless.
“What will he do to me?” A pit of dread settled in his stomach as memories of past beatings flooded his mind. The cruel laughter of his siblings echoed through the trees, and he could almost feel their hands striking him again.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, Chen Feng finally halted. “This should be far enough,” he declared, turning to face Tian Ping. The confidence in Chen Feng's stance sent a chill down Tian Ping's spine.
Confusion washed over Tian Ping. “What do you mean—”
BAM!
Before he could finish, Chen Feng’s fist connected with his chest, sending him crashing backward until he hit a tree. Pain exploded in his chest, and he gasped for air. “Ahhh!” he screamed, blood spilling from his mouth. Cough, cough... is he trying to kill me? He broke my ribs in one move. My heart feels like it'll collapse any second.
As he struggled to stay awake, darkness began to creep into the corners of his vision.
“Why! This attack is much more powerful than before,” Tian Ping croaked, desperately trying to move, but pain lanced through his body, relentless and unforgiving.
“That's because before I just wanted to see you hurt. Now I want to see you dead! NOW DIE, YOU WORM! I’M NOW IN THE PEAK OF THE DANTIAN REALM. KILLING YOU WOULD BE AS EASY AS SQUASHING A BUG, BUT I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM!”
With that, Chen Feng relentlessly struck him with palm strikes, each hit sending shockwaves through Tian Ping’s body, blood splattering across the ground and painting the surroundings a deep crimson. Tian Ping screamed in agony as his bones broke, flesh tore, and organs crushed until his heart finally stopped, the world fading to black.
Chen Feng, noticing Tian Ping's stillness, checked for a pulse. “HM, dead at last. You were nothing but a pretty face, you trash.” He turned away, a triumphant smirk on his face as he walked away, reveling in the joy of having killed his half-brother.
But Tian Ping wasn't dead. No... this can't be how it ends. Deep within, a flicker of energy began to stir, awakening the true potential that lay dormant within him. The remnants of his mother’s words echoed in his mind. You will walk a long and difficult road, but you will have no rival... not even the heavens can stop you.
These words, though unfamiliar, felt strangely resonant. As the Zhen energy within him began to take shape, Tian Ping’s consciousness flickered like a dying candle fighting against the darkness. What is this feeling? The energy swirled, a warmth spreading through him, igniting his very essence.
The shaping of one’s Zhen energy marks the first step into the world of cultivation, he recalled, as the knowledge filled his mind like a tide. Entering the Dantian realm is a sacred milestone...
He envisioned the colors: blue—the most common; green—a rare glimpse found in only 1 in 10,000; red—seen in 1 in a million cultivators; yellow—an unimaginable 1 in 10 million. But what if…?
Something unprecedented occurred within him. His dantian glowed with an intense yellow, and within it formed a magnificent gold sword, pulsing with energy.
His body trembled as the pain that had defined his existence melted away, replaced by an overwhelming surge of power. Every bone, every cell, was reconstructed. I feel... amazing! Tian Ping opened his eyes, the world around him sharper, more vibrant.
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