Chapter 34: The Mortal Realm’s First Trial

Wu Tian's smirk faded as he turned toward the approaching figures. Five cultivators, each radiating a powerful aura, surrounded him in a loose formation. Unlike the weaklings from before, these individuals carried themselves with absolute confidence—killers seasoned by survival.

One of them, a tall man with a jagged scar running from his brow to his jaw, eyed Wu Tian with mild curiosity. "You're the one who tore through Feng Lao's men?" His voice was calm, but his presence was suffocating. Qi Refining Realm—Peak Stage.

Wu Tian cracked his neck. "If that was their best, I'm disappointed."

The men chuckled darkly, but the scarred leader remained impassive. "You're not from around here. That much is clear." He took a slow step forward, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his curved saber. "Since you're new, I'll give you one chance—kneel, hand over everything of value, and swear allegiance to the Iron Shadow Syndicate. Otherwise, you die."

Wu Tian exhaled, shaking his head. Why did everyone in this world think strength came from numbers?

He lifted a single hand. "Come make me."

The Battle for Domination

The moment the words left his mouth, the scarred leader vanished.

Wu Tian barely tilted his head in time as a blinding arc of steel slashed through where his neck had been. The saber sliced clean through the air, leaving a faint distortion in its wake.

The attack had been fast. Faster than anything he had encountered in the Sealed World.

The other four cultivators moved instantly, closing in from all sides.

Wu Tian grinned. Finally, a real fight.

His foot tapped the ground, and in the next instant, he was gone.

The scarred leader's eyes widened—

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted as Wu Tian reappeared behind one of the attackers, his fist crashing into the man's chest. Ribs shattered, blood spewed from his lips, and his body crumpled like a broken doll.

The remaining three hesitated only for a split second before retaliating. Twin spears thrust forward, aiming to skewer him from both sides. Wu Tian's gaze sharpened—Ethereal Step.

He twisted, dodging by a hair's breadth, then caught the spear shafts with a vice grip. Before they could react, he ripped them forward, sending both men hurtling into each other with a sickening crack.

The fourth cultivator, wielding a massive greatsword, roared as he brought his weapon down, aiming to split Wu Tian in two.

Wu Tian stopped it with a single hand.

The giant blade trembled, unable to move an inch further. The wielder's eyes bulged in disbelief.

Wu Tian smirked, then shattered the sword with pure force.

A fist to the gut sent the man crashing into the dirt, unconscious.

Only the scarred leader remained.

His saber was still flashing through the air, dancing like a silver serpent. Wu Tian had to admit—this man was on a completely different level from the others. His Qi was razor-sharp, each movement calculated and efficient.

But it wasn't enough.

Wu Tian caught the saber mid-swing.

The scarred leader's pupils shrank. "Impossible—"

Wu Tian snapped the blade in half and drove his knee into the man's stomach. A wave of force sent him flying through the trees, crashing into the dirt several meters away.

Coughing up blood, the man struggled to rise, but Wu Tian was already standing over him.

"You talk too much."

The leader clenched his jaw. "The Syndicate… will not let you walk away from this."

Wu Tian crouched, gripping the man's throat. "Where are they?"

The man spat blood but didn't answer. Wu Tian sighed, applying pressure. The ground beneath the man cracked.

His face paled. "T-The Black Fang Outpost! South of the river!"

Wu Tian released him, standing. "Good."

The leader gasped, clutching his throat. "You think you can walk into our domain and survive?"

Wu Tian chuckled. "Watch me."

First Steps Toward Power

The moment the battle ended, Wu Tian sat cross-legged, closing his eyes. This world's Qi was thicker, more primal. He had felt it during the fight—his body absorbing it faster than before.

He focused inward.

The book in his mind flickered, revealing a new passage:

"To thrive in the Mortal Realm, one must shatter the chains of their past. Strength is not granted—it is taken."

Wu Tian smirked. Then I'll take everything.

His breath slowed, his core expanded, and in that moment—

He broke through.

True Qi Formation—Early Stage.

His entire body thrummed with newfound strength.

He opened his eyes, standing effortlessly. Time to visit the Black Fang Outpost.

If the Iron Shadow Syndicate ruled the land, then he would start by tearing them apart.