033 : The Test of the Heavens.
When Lin Tian opened his eyes, he was no longer on the battlefield.
There was no sky.
No stars.
No world.
Just an endless, glowing void stretching in all directions.
And standing before him—
A Light Figure, pulsing with a radiance that did not belong to this universe. This being had no face, no true form, yet Lin Tian could feel its presence—ancient, boundless, beyond even the Sovereigns he had defeated.
The Light Figure spoke, its voice neither male nor female, neither loud nor soft.
"Lin Tian."
Lin Tian narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The Light Figure did not answer immediately. Instead, it lifted its hand, and suddenly—Lin Tian's body felt heavy.
His power—was fading.
The golden-black aura that had defined him, the Devourer Core that had allowed him to absorb all things—was being sealed.
Lin Tian clenched his fists, trying to resist—but he couldn't.
For the first time since stepping into the Higher Universe—he could not devour.
The Light Figure finally spoke.
"You have reached the peak of this universe. But there is still another level beyond."
Lin Tian smirked, despite the pressure on his body. "Then let me go there."
The Light Figure's radiance flickered.
"It is not that simple. To ascend further, you must take the Test of the Heavens."
Lin Tian's eyes sharpened. "Test?"
The Light Figure nodded.
"You will be sent to a world unlike any other. A world where there is no Qi, no Divine Energy—nothing you can absorb."
Lin Tian's expression darkened slightly.
No Qi?
Then how would he grow stronger?
The Light Figure continued.
"Your Devourer Power will be completely sealed. You will start with nothing. You will be mortal."
Lin Tian's gaze turned cold. "And the purpose of this?"
The void around them trembled slightly, as if the Light Figure's next words carried an undeniable truth.
"Find out why you were sent there."
Lin Tian frowned. "That's it?"
"That is everything."
The Light Figure raised its hand, and suddenly—the void cracked apart.
Lin Tian felt himself being pulled into a vortex of light.
The Light Figure's voice echoed one last time.
"You have five years. If you fail… you will die."
Lin Tian's golden-black eyes flashed with defiance.
"Then I'll just have to succeed."
And then—everything went dark.
Lin Tian's body crashed against the ground.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity—he felt pain.
Not a wound that could be healed with Qi. Not an injury that could be ignored through sheer willpower.
Real, mortal pain.
He opened his eyes, blinking against the sunlight.
He was lying on the side of a paved road, strange metal vehicles speeding past him, their movements unnatural, their forms unlike anything he had seen in the cultivation world.
Tall metal buildings rose into the sky, people dressed in modern clothing walking along the streets, their expressions focused on strange glowing devices in their hands.
Lin Tian slowly pushed himself up, his body weak.
For the first time since stepping onto the path of cultivation—
He had no Qi.
He clenched his fists. His Devourer Power was gone. His divine senses—gone.
He was nothing but a mortal.
A gust of wind blew past him, and he caught his reflection in a glass window. He still looked the same, but his aura was completely absent.
No one around him noticed him.
No one feared him.
No one knew who he was.
Lin Tian's golden eyes flashed.
"Five years to figure out why I'm here, or I die."
His lips curled into a smirk.
"Fine. Let's begin."
And with that—his trial in the mortal world began.
Lin Tian opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed—he was lying in a bed.
Not a bed made of spiritual silk, not a divine resting place infused with Qi—but an ordinary mattress, soft and unfamiliar. The ceiling above him was plain, the walls lacked the grand artistry of a celestial palace. The entire room was… normal.
Lin Tian sat up slowly, his body still aching from whatever force had brought him here. He instinctively tried to circulate his Qi—
Nothing.
His spiritual energy was completely gone. His Devourer Core—sealed. His divine senses—useless.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity—he was just a man.
A sharp ringing sound startled him.
Lin Tian turned his head, his gaze falling upon a small rectangular device vibrating on the bedside table. The screen glowed, displaying the words:
"6:30 AM – Time for school."
Lin Tian frowned.
"School?"
He pushed off the blanket, standing up. His body felt… strangely light, yet weak. He walked toward the mirror on the wall, looking at himself for the first time in this new world.
His appearance had not changed—he was still himself. His golden-black eyes remained sharp, his features still undeniably handsome. But his aura was gone.
No divine presence. No overwhelming energy.
To everyone else—he was just another student.
A set of folded school uniforms lay on a chair nearby. On top of them was a student ID card.
[Lin Tian – Year 2, Tianhai High School]
Lin Tian picked up the card, staring at it.
He had no memories of this place, no recollection of this life.
Yet, somehow—it was his.
His fists clenched slightly.
"Five years. No powers. No Qi. No Devouring."
His lips curled into a smirk.
"Let's see what kind of trial this really is."
Lin Tian stepped out of his small apartment and into the bustling city streets.
Tall buildings lined the horizon, massive metal vehicles roared down the roads, and hundreds of people moved in perfect rhythm, their faces buried in glowing rectangular devices.
The sheer unfamiliarity of it all was overwhelming—yet strangely fascinating.
He walked toward the school, blending into the crowd. As he neared Tianhai High School, he saw students in matching uniforms chatting, laughing, living normal lives.
And for the first time in centuries—
No one feared him.
No one knelt before him.
No one called him "Lord Lin Tian."
He was just a high school student.
A group of girls nearby giggled, whispering among themselves as he passed.
"Who is that?"
"He's in Class 2-1, I think. I heard he's an orphan…"
"But look at his face! He's so handsome!"
Lin Tian ignored them, stepping onto the school grounds.
Inside, a teacher stood near the entrance, checking student IDs. Lin Tian casually handed his over.
The teacher, a middle-aged man with glasses, glanced at it and nodded. "Lin Tian, right? You're never late. Good."
Lin Tian smirked slightly. At least this version of him was disciplined.
"Head to your class," the teacher said. "And don't get into trouble."
Lin Tian barely resisted the urge to laugh.
"Me? Trouble? Never."
---