Chapter 2: The Tyrant Awakens

Word of Liu Feng's defeat spread like wildfire through the Heavenly Sword Sect. Disciples whispered in hushed tones, their faces pale as they recounted the scene—the weakest disciple standing victorious over one of the most feared senior disciples. It defied all logic, all expectation.

Yet, in the secluded courtyard where Jiang Chen resided, an eerie calm prevailed.

Jiang Chen sat cross-legged beneath an ancient tree, his aura swirling around him like a tempest. He was still adjusting to the newfound power coursing through his veins, the surge of Qi that had elevated him to the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was intoxicating.

[System Notification: Host has achieved Foundation Establishment Realm.]

[New Mission Unlocked: Establish Dominance within the Outer Sect.]

[Objective: Defeat three Outer Sect disciples ranked within the top ten.]

[Reward: Heaven's Might Cultivation Technique – A supreme method to crush enemies with overwhelming force.]

Jiang Chen's eyes gleamed. Establish dominance? It was as if the system could read his very desires. A smirk crept across his lips. Yes, he would dominate. He would rule. And no one would ever dare humiliate him again.

His reverie was interrupted by hurried footsteps. A figure appeared at the entrance of his courtyard—a young man with timid eyes and a cautious stance.

"Senior Brother Jiang…" the boy stammered, bowing low. "I… I heard what happened with Liu Feng… Is it true? Did you really…?"

Jiang Chen's gaze was cold, his aura oppressive. The boy's legs trembled.

"Did you come here to question me?" Jiang Chen's voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

The boy paled, shaking his head furiously. "N-No! I… I came to warn you… Senior Brother Liu's friends… They're looking for you. They won't let this go."

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed. Of course, Liu Feng wouldn't suffer this humiliation alone. But this was an opportunity—an opportunity to complete his mission and assert his dominance.

"Let them come," Jiang Chen said, his voice laced with arrogance. "I'll crush anyone who stands in my way."

The boy's eyes widened in shock. He had expected fear, hesitation—anything but this overwhelming confidence. He looked at Jiang Chen, truly looked at him for the first time, and felt a chill run down his spine. This wasn't the weak, cowardly disciple he once knew. This was a monster in the making.

Without another word, the boy fled, his footsteps echoing down the stone path.

Jiang Chen watched him go, his gaze cold and calculating.

"System," he whispered, his voice low. "Show me my status."

[Name: Jiang Chen]

[Realm: Foundation Establishment]

[Abilities: Heaven's Suppression – Crush weaker opponents with aura.]

[Next Mission: Establish Dominance within the Outer Sect.]

His power had grown, but it was only the beginning. If he was to rule the sect, to avenge his father's disgrace, he needed more. More power. More influence. More fear.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke his thoughts. Three figures appeared, their faces twisted with anger and contempt. They were senior disciples, each radiating powerful auras, their cultivation at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"Jiang Chen!" the leader spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dared to lay your filthy hands on Liu Feng? You've overstepped your bounds!"

Jiang Chen stood, his posture relaxed, his eyes cold and indifferent.

"Overstepped? I merely put trash in its place."

The disciples' faces contorted with rage.

"You think you're strong just because you got lucky? We'll show you what true power looks like!"

They moved as one, their bodies blurring with speed as they attacked. Swords gleamed, spiritual energy crackled, and killing intent filled the air.

Jiang Chen didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked, his aura erupting with violent force.

"Heaven's Suppression."

A wave of overwhelming pressure exploded from his body, crashing down on his attackers like a mountain. Their movements faltered, their faces twisting with shock as their knees buckled beneath the weight.

"W-What is this…?!" one of them gasped, his face pale. "His aura… it's crushing me…!"

Jiang Chen stepped forward, his eyes cold, his presence suffocating.

"You came here to kill me, yet you can't even stand. Pathetic."

He moved, his speed blinding, his fist slamming into the first disciple's chest. Bones shattered, the disciple's body folding as he was launched through the air, crashing into the stone wall.

Before the others could react, Jiang Chen appeared behind them, his palm striking the second disciple's back. A burst of spiritual energy tore through the disciple's body, blood spraying from his mouth as he collapsed, unconscious.

The leader staggered back, his eyes wide with fear. This wasn't Jiang Chen. This was a demon. A monster.

"You… what are you…?"

Jiang Chen's gaze was cold, his aura radiating dominance.

"I am the one who will rule this sect. Kneel, or be crushed."

The leader's pride flared, his body trembling with anger.

"Never! I won't bow to a lowly worm like you!" He roared, his spiritual energy flaring as he launched his most powerful technique, a sword strike that tore through the air with deadly intent.

Jiang Chen didn't move. His aura surged, a violent storm of power that collided with the sword strike, shattering it into fragments of light. He appeared before the leader in an instant, his hand gripping his throat, lifting him off the ground.

The leader choked, his body thrashing, but Jiang Chen's grip was unyielding.

"You dare to raise your sword against me? Know your place."

He slammed the leader into the ground, the earth cracking beneath the impact. The leader coughed blood, his body broken, his spirit shattered.

Jiang Chen stood over him, his presence towering, his eyes merciless.

"Spread the word. From this day forth, I rule the Outer Sect. Anyone who opposes me… will end up like you."

The leader's eyes were filled with terror, his body trembling as he struggled to breathe.

"You… you're a demon…"

Jiang Chen laughed, his voice echoing with arrogance and malice.

"A demon? Perhaps. But this demon will rule you all."

[Mission Complete. Reward Granted: Heaven's Might Cultivation Technique.]

[New Ability Unlocked: Heaven's Might – Overwhelming spiritual pressure that crushes enemies and enhances physical strength.]

Power surged within him, his aura growing even more terrifying. Jiang Chen closed his eyes, a smile of satisfaction playing on his lips. This was only the beginning. He would rise, he would dominate, and he would crush anyone who dared stand in his way.

In the world of cultivation, power was everything. And he… would have it all.