Graylen

"A legendary powerhouse of Tianwu Continent - Qin Chen, once fell from grace in the Martial Realm due to betrayal by a close friend. Three centuries later, he reincarnated into the body of a bullied illegitimate son of a noble prince. Utilizing his profound knowledge from his past life, he cultivated spiritual power, refined divine pills, defied the heavens, and rose to power with unstoppable force. Thus began his awe-inspiring journey to reclaim glory, a legendary odyssey that would shake the entire continent to its core."

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Martial Cultivation Realms
Human Level → Earth Level → Heaven Level → Mystic Level →Martial Ancestor → Martial Venerable → Martial King →Martial Sovereign → Martial Emperor →Mortal Saint → Earth Saint → Heavenly Saint → Saint Lord →Human Paragon → Earth Paragon → Heaven Paragon → Supreme Paragon →Transcendent Realm
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Sub Realm Progression
Quasi-[Realm] → Initial Stage → Initial Peak →Middle Stage → Middle Peak → Late Stage → Late Peak

God of War Dominates

The Godseal Ruins transcended all known realms of the Martial World. Before discovering the Nine Stars Divine Emperor Art there, Qin Chen would never have believed such a divine scripture existed.

It decreed one law: Only those who opened all twelve meridians during the Meridian Awakening Stage could cultivate its power.

Yet in ten thousand years of history, no one in the Martial Domain had achieved this. Even Feng Shaoyu and Empress Xi'er—supreme talents of their era—had stalled at eleven.

"Last life, I obtained this scripture too late. Now, reborn with a second chance..." Qin Chen's eyes blazed. "But my current body has already condensed a Qi pool after opening just seven meridians. To rebuild, I must shatter this flawed foundation."

His gaze hardened. They killed me for this treasure. Now, it shall be their undoing.

"Mother, I'll return shortly," Qin Chen called out.

Qin Yuechi watched him leave, swallowing her warning: "Stay safe."

Servants shrank from his path. The guards at the manor gates bowed deeply—news of his lethal defiance had spread like wildfire.

Royal Capital Streets

The bustling capital enveloped Qin Chen in sensory chaos. He wandered through fragrant tea houses and silk markets until reaching the city's golden artery—Artisan's Promenade.

Towering structures lined the street, their eaves adorned with mythical beasts. At its heart stood a colossus of black obsidian:

Carriages emblazoned with noble crests crowded its plaza. This branch of the Hall—the pinnacle of Great Qi Kingdom's craftsmanship—thrummed with power.

"To forge Celestial Meridian Needles, I need rare materials only artificers stock," Qin Chen muttered, stepping inside.

Artificer Hall - First Floor

The hall's cavernous interior defied physics. Nobles haggled over spirit-engraved blades while apprentices hauled glowing ores. Yet amidst the chaos, an unspoken order prevailed.

"Welcome, young master." A woman in brocade robes materialized before him. "How may I assist?"

Chen Yufei assessed him covertly. This boy carries himself like a seasoned artificer, not some pampered lordling.

Qin Chen blinked. Once, Hall Masters would prostrate themselves at his arrival. Now...

"I require these materials." He scribbled a list.

Chen Yufei's smile froze. "Pardon my boldness, but half these items... I've never heard of them in five years of service."

Qin Chen's heart sank. He'd already substituted high-grade materials with inferior alternatives.

"Try these," he wrote again, hand steady.

Before she could reply, a mocking voice cut through the din:

"If it isn't my dear 'talentless' brother! Failed to awaken your bloodline, so now you play at being an artificer?"

Qin Fen swaggered in with Zhao Lingshan—the kingdom's famed Rose of the Capital. Her pink silk gown clung to curves that defied her sixteen winters, jade collarbones glinting like blades to the throat.

Chapter 8: The Artificer Hall