5. A Monster Awakens

The Aftermath of Defying the Heavens

Ling Tian exhaled slowly. His room was a disaster—charred walls, shattered furniture, and a lingering static energy in the air. The aftermath of the tribulation was clear.

Yet, he stood in the center of it all—unscathed.

He raised his palm. A faint crackling energy danced between his fingertips. His body felt lighter, stronger, faster—as if he had been reborn.

The tribulation should have killed him. Instead, it had remade him.

His once-crippled meridians were now indestructible conduits of power. His dantian, which had once been hollow, was now filled with a mysterious, limitless energy.

And his soul?

It had transcended.

Ling Tian smirked. "This… is going to be fun."

---

Outside the Ling Clan: The Storm of Rumors

While Ling Tian was reveling in his newfound power, the rest of the clan was in chaos.

The sudden heavenly tribulation had shaken the entire sect.

Disciples whispered among themselves.

"Did someone break through to the Nascent Soul realm?"

"No way! The energy was too terrifying. This felt like… a divine punishment!"

"Who could possibly cause such a thing?"

Meanwhile, at the Ling Clan's Elders' Hall, several senior members had gathered.

Elder Mo, the Forbidden Library's guardian, had a deep frown. His hands trembled as he recalled the destructive energy he had felt last night.

"The heavens do not strike lightly," he muttered. "Whoever invoked that tribulation… is either a fool or a monster."

Another elder nodded. "We must investigate immediately."

---

Ling Tian's First Test

Back in his ruined room, Ling Tian finally moved. His body felt too powerful to remain still.

He clenched his fist, testing his strength. A light punch sent a shockwave through the room, cracking the floor beneath him.

He smirked. "Oops."

Just as he was about to leave, a knock sounded on his door.

"Young Master Tian!"

It was a servant.

Ling Tian frowned. He hadn't expected visitors so soon. "What is it?"

"The Clan Elders have summoned you!"

Ling Tian's eyes flickered. "Oh?"

It seemed the storm he caused last night hadn't gone unnoticed.

Time to face the consequences.

---

The Elders' Hall: A Show of Power

Ling Tian walked into the grand hall where a dozen clan elders sat on raised platforms. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

At the center sat Ling Hai, the Ling Clan's Great Elder. His sharp gaze locked onto Ling Tian.

"Do you have any idea what happened last night?" Ling Hai's voice was heavy. "A heavenly tribulation appeared above our clan. Many believed a grand cultivator had emerged… but we found no one."

Ling Tian feigned ignorance. "A tribulation? I was asleep all night. Did something happen?"

A few elders frowned.

But Ling Tao, who stood among the disciples, sneered. "You expect us to believe that, you crippled bastard?" He stepped forward, arrogance oozing from his tone. "If you were asleep, then why does your room look like it got hit by a divine thunderbolt?"

The elders' eyes narrowed.

Ling Tian turned to Ling Tao, his expression unreadable.

"Are you implying something, cousin?"

Ling Tao smirked. "I'm implying that you should prove you're not hiding anything. If you're still a weakling, then there's no way you caused the tribulation, right?"

The hall went silent.

The implication was clear—a challenge.

Ling Tian sighed inwardly. He had planned to keep his power hidden a bit longer… but it seemed fate had other plans.

Fine. If they want a show, I'll give them a damn good one.

---

A Challenge Accepted

Ling Hai nodded. "Very well. If you have nothing to hide, you won't mind a simple test."

Ling Tian smiled. "Of course. Who shall be my opponent?"

Ling Tao grinned. "Me, of course."

The elders didn't object.

After all, Ling Tao was an 8th Stage Qi Refinement cultivator, while Ling Tian was still considered a cripple.

This fight should have been over before it even started.

They had no idea how wrong they were.

---

The Battle Begins

The arena was filled with excited disciples and clan members.

"This will be over in one hit," someone chuckled.

"I almost feel bad for Ling Tian. Almost."

Ling Tao stood confidently, his aura flaring. "Try not to die too quickly, cousin."

Ling Tian stepped forward. He cracked his knuckles and smiled.

"Don't worry," he said. "I was just about to say the same to you."

Ling Tao snorted. "Arrogant until the end, huh? Fine! Let me put you back in your place!"

He charged, his palm glowing with spiritual energy.

A direct strike to cripple Ling Tian permanently.

BOOM!

His attack connected—

Or so he thought.

The moment his fist struck, Ling Tian didn't move an inch.

Ling Tao's expression froze.

"W-what…?"

Ling Tian's body didn't even flinch.

Ling Tao felt like he had just punched an immovable mountain.

Then, Ling Tian moved.

With a single flick of his fingers—

CRACK!

Ling Tao's arm snapped like a twig.

"AAAAAAAAAH!"

He screamed in agony, clutching his broken limb.

The crowd fell into complete silence.

The elders' expressions shifted. They finally realized—Ling Tian was not the same weakling they thought he was.

Ling Tian grinned.

"Pathetic."

He raised his hand, preparing to finish the fight.

But then—

"ENOUGH!"

A powerful pressure filled the arena as an elder intervened.

"Ling Tian, that's enough!"

Ling Tian lowered his fist. He had already made his point.

Ling Tao had been defeated in one move.

And the entire Ling Clan had just witnessed it.

He was no longer a cripple.

He was a monster in the making.

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