2. The Trash Young Master Strikes Back

A New Life, A Familiar Enemy

The dimly lit wooden room reeked of old medicinal herbs. Ling Tian sat up slowly, his muscles weak, his body unfamiliar yet painfully real. The lingering memories of this body's former owner flooded his mind.

This new Ling Tian was once a genius of the Ling Clan, born with immense talent—until an accident crippled his cultivation. From that moment on, he became a laughingstock, bullied by his own family and humiliated by his enemies.

And now, standing before him was one of those enemies—Ling Tao, his arrogant cousin.

"You've been lying in bed for days," Ling Tao sneered, his arms crossed over his chest. "Father said if you don't show signs of improvement soon, we might as well throw you out of the clan."

Ling Tian blinked slowly. His mind processed the words, and then a smirk curled on his lips.

Throw me out? I was once an emperor who ruled the heavens. Do you think I care about a mere clan?

The old Ling Tian might have lowered his head, swallowed his pride, and accepted his fate.

But he was not the old Ling Tian.

A Slap That Shakes the World

Ling Tao scoffed. "Heh, still too weak to even talk back? Useless as alw—"

PAH!

A crisp slap echoed through the room.

Ling Tao's head snapped to the side, his cheek burning red from the impact. The world seemed to freeze for a moment. The arrogant young master, who had never been challenged before, staggered back in shock.

"You… you dare hit me?!" he stammered.

Ling Tian shook his wrist lazily. "Huh, I thought that would feel more satisfying. Maybe I should slap you again?"

Ling Tao's face twisted with rage. "You lowly cripple! How dare you lay a hand on me?! I'll—"

PAH!

Another slap. Harder this time. Ling Tao's entire body tilted from the impact, and he nearly crashed into the table.

"Still talking?" Ling Tian said casually. "I thought I was the cripple. How come you can't even dodge?"

Ling Tao clenched his fists. His face turned red with humiliation. "You... you..."

The door suddenly burst open.

"What is going on here?!"

An elderly man in expensive robes stormed in—Ling Tao's father, Ling Hai, an elder of the Ling Clan. His sharp gaze landed on his son's swollen face before shifting to Ling Tian.

"You little brat!" Ling Hai roared. "You dare raise your hand against my son?!"

Ling Tian remained seated, completely unfazed. He simply smiled and said, "I didn't raise my hand. I lowered it… onto his face. Twice."

Ling Tao pointed furiously. "Father! Punish him! He's just a useless cripple!"

Ling Hai's expression darkened. He took a step forward, his aura pressing down on Ling Tian like a mountain.

But instead of showing fear, Ling Tian calmly met his gaze.

Hah. You think this little suppression trick can intimidate me?

Even in his weakest state, he was still Ling Tian, the man who had once crushed divine sects beneath his feet.

The Awakening of a Monster

Just as Ling Hai was about to unleash his fury, something inside Ling Tian stirred.

A faint golden glow flickered within his dantian, a remnant of his past self. A surge of ancient power awakened, though still weak.

"A mere elder dares act mighty before me?" Ling Tian thought.

For now, he would endure. He had no power yet, but that would change.

"Apologies, Elder Ling Hai," Ling Tian said, his voice smooth. "I must have forgotten my place."

Ling Hai smirked. "At least you know your limits, cripple."

But Ling Tian's smile held a hidden sharpness.

Let them mock me. Let them think I am weak.

Because when the time came…

I would make them all kneel.

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