Chapter 33: Baptism by Combat

The Mortal Realm was not a world that welcomed the weak.

Wu Tian barely had time to steady his footing before the group of cultivators in dark robes closed in on him. Their movements were precise, practiced—hunters assessing their prey.

The leader, a scarred man with cold eyes, grinned. "Never seen a spatial rift spit out someone intact before. Where'd you come from, rat?"

Wu Tian dusted off his robe, taking in their aura levels. Qi Gathering Realm—Late Stage. Weak by his standards, but stronger than most of the Sealed World's so-called elites.

He cracked his knuckles. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

The man's grin widened. "We'll beat it out of you, then."

First Clash in the Mortal Realm

The first attacker lunged—a swift thrust aimed at Wu Tian's heart. He sidestepped effortlessly, his movements so smooth it seemed as if he had predicted it before it even happened. Ethereal Step activated instinctively, making their speed seem laughable.

He countered with a casual palm strike—

CRACK!

The man's chest caved inward, his body flung several meters before rolling to a stop.

The others hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then they charged together.

Wu Tian vanished.

The leader's eyes widened. "Impossible—"

Wu Tian reappeared behind him, his leg smashing into his ribs. The man was sent crashing through a tree, gasping for breath.

The last two men barely had time to react before Wu Tian twisted through space, appearing mid-air above them. His fists descended like meteors.

BOOM!

The ground cracked, their bodies limp.

Only the leader remained conscious, his body trembling as he spat blood. "What… what kind of monster are you?"

Wu Tian crouched, grabbing him by the collar. "Who do you work for?"

The man coughed, glaring at him despite his injuries. "The Iron Shadow Syndicate. You're dead, stranger. You don't belong here."

Wu Tian smirked. "I do now."

He let the man go, watching as he crawled away, vanishing into the darkness.

Iron Shadow Syndicate, huh? Sounds like a good place to start.

The Mortal Realm's Law of Strength

Wu Tian took a deep breath, surveying his surroundings. The Mortal Realm's Qi was denser, purer, and suffused with untamed power. He could feel the very essence of this world rejecting those who were unworthy.

Here, strength was not just a path—it was the only law.

No sect to protect him. No elders to guide him.

He would forge his own path.

He sat cross-legged, absorbing the Qi around him. For the first time in his life, he cultivated freely, without restriction.

His body drank in the energy, his meridians expanding. His breakthrough was imminent.

Then, his eyes snapped open.

A presence—several, actually—were approaching rapidly.

He stood up, smirking.

The Mortal Realm's welcoming party wasn't done with him yet.