012 : The beginning of Chaos.

The world had taken notice.

The destruction of Blazing Sky Sect had sent tremors across the cultivation world, and the news of Lin Tian's existence had spread like wildfire. His ability to devour qi, survive the Heavenly Tribulation, and defeat powerful cultivators effortlessly had drawn the attention of forces far beyond the small region he once called home.

The great sects had heard of him.

The ancient clans had taken interest.

The assassins had begun to move.

And yet, at the center of it all, Lin Tian remained unbothered.

He stood atop a high cliff, overlooking the vast wilderness stretching before him. The morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, but the peace it brought was deceptive. Beneath the surface, a storm was brewing.

His golden eyes flickered with amusement.

"Let them come."

His power had reached a terrifying new height. His dantian, now housing an unstable, pulsing Golden Core, hummed with energy so vast that the air around him trembled. Every breath he took pulled in the natural qi of the world, feeding the ever-growing storm within him.

He had long since stopped fearing others.

The only question that remained—who would come first?

And how strong would they be?

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"I hope they don't disappoint me."

Far beyond the mountains where Lin Tian stood, deep within the halls of Heaven's Gate Sect, an urgent meeting was taking place.

A group of high-ranking elders sat in solemn silence, their faces dark as they reviewed the intelligence reports before them.

"This boy… Lin Tian… he is unnatural." The voice of Elder Yun, a cultivator with centuries of experience, was heavy with concern. "He has defied the very laws of cultivation."

Another elder scoffed, his expression cold. "Then we must erase him before he becomes something even worse."

Seated at the head of the table, the Sect Master finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.

"We do not act blindly," he said. "If he truly possesses the power to consume qi, then we must confirm it with our own eyes."

He turned to one of the younger elders, a man with sharp eyes and an aura of boundless killing intent.

"Xiao Feng," the Sect Master said. "Take your team. Find Lin Tian. If he resists…"

His eyes darkened.

"Eliminate him."

Xiao Feng smirked. "Consider it done."

As he left, the other elders exchanged uneasy glances.

None of them realized it yet—

But they were sending a hunter… to face an apex predator.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lin Tian felt it.

A ripple in the air.

A shift in the wind.

And then—killing intent.

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Finally."

He did not move. He simply stood there, waiting. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, as if he had no care in the world.

The forest around him fell deathly silent. The birds had fled. The insects had ceased their songs.

And then, in a single breath—they arrived.

Six figures emerged from the shadows, their movements fluid, their qi perfectly controlled.

They were not reckless fools. They were trained killers.

Lin Tian recognized the lead figure instantly.

"Xiao Feng," he mused, his golden eyes glinting. "Sect Heaven's Gate sent you? I'm flattered."

Xiao Feng smirked, his blade glinting in the moonlight. "You know who I am?"

Lin Tian chuckled. "Of course. You're their dog, aren't you?"

The air grew tense. The disciples beside Xiao Feng gripped their weapons, their anger barely restrained.

Xiao Feng's smirk never wavered. "A dog, am I?" His voice was light, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. "Funny. Because from where I stand, you're the one about to be put down."

Lin Tian's smile widened. "You can try."

The killing intent in the air thickened.

And then—

They attacked.

Xiao Feng moved first.

He was fast. Faster than anyone Lin Tian had faced so far. In an instant, he vanished from sight, reappearing inches away, his sword already descending toward Lin Tian's throat.

Behind him, his five subordinates followed suit, attacking from every angle, each one wielding deadly precision.

Their timing was flawless. Their movements were honed to perfection.

And yet—

Lin Tian yawned.

"Too slow."

Before Xiao Feng's blade could reach his neck—Lin Tian moved.

In a blur of motion, he sidestepped the strike with almost casual ease. The moment Xiao Feng's sword passed harmlessly through empty air, Lin Tian reached out—

And touched his wrist.

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

A horrible sound filled the air.

Xiao Feng's body jerked violently. His eyes widened in shock as his qi began to drain away.

His five subordinates barely had time to react before Lin Tian vanished again.

The next instant—

One disciple felt a hand on his back.

Another felt fingers graze his arm.

A third had only a second to blink before Lin Tian's palm pressed against his chest.

And then—they all screamed.

Their energy rushed out of them, siphoned into Lin Tian's insatiable dantian like rivers feeding an endless sea.

They fell, one by one, crumbling to their knees.

Xiao Feng gasped, staggering back, his strength fading. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

"H-how—?!"

Lin Tian smiled, his golden eyes burning with amusement.

"Did you really think numbers would make a difference?"

Xiao Feng lunged again in a desperate attack—

But Lin Tian simply raised a single finger.

BOOM!

The air shattered.

Xiao Feng was sent flying backward, crashing through trees, his body skidding across the dirt before finally coming to a stop.

He coughed, blood dripping from his lips. His vision blurred, his limbs refused to move.

Lin Tian approached him slowly, his steps measured, unrushed.

"You came here thinking you were the hunter." Lin Tian's voice was soft, almost gentle.

"But you were always prey."

Xiao Feng's breath hitched. For the first time in his life, he felt true fear.

Lin Tian crouched beside him, tilting his head. "Tell me… what will your sect do when they realize you never returned?"

Xiao Feng's face twisted in horror.

And then—Lin Tian reached out.

The night was filled with one last scream.

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