058 : A Week of Peace Before the Storm.

The moment their fists collided, the world itself trembled. Sand exploded in all directions, the sheer force of impact creating shockwaves that tore through the endless landscape. The shadow fought exactly like Lin Tian—same movements, same techniques, same instincts.

It was like fighting a mirror.

Lin Tian twisted, dodging a rapid series of strikes, his own counterattacks meeting nothing but air. The shadow mirrored him perfectly, reacting before he could land a solid hit.

This wasn't just a battle of strength.

It was a battle of identity.

The shadow spoke between blows, its voice calm yet relentless. "You are incomplete."

Lin Tian's golden eyes narrowed. "What?"

"You seek to reclaim something that was never meant to be taken back."

Lin Tian's foot slammed into the shadow's side, sending it skidding across the sand. "You don't know anything about me."

The shadow straightened, unfazed. "I know you are bound by something beyond this Tower. I know that your existence here is a mistake."

Lin Tian's fingers curled into a fist. "Then I'll make that mistake permanent."

And with that, he attacked.

The battle stretched on, a clash of speed, skill, and raw instinct. But slowly, Lin Tian began to pull ahead.

The shadow, for all its perfect mimicry, lacked something vital—adaptation.

It moved with absolute precision, but Lin Tian fought with improvisation.

Where the shadow calculated, Lin Tian anticipated. Where it countered, Lin Tian overpowered.

And then—he saw his opening.

The shadow shifted to strike, but Lin Tian was already there. A feint, a twist, a final devastating blow.

His fist collided with its core, and the shadow shattered.

The world froze.

Then, the System spoke.

[Trial Complete. You may now proceed.]

But then, something unexpected happened.

A new notification appeared—one that should not have existed.

[The Tower has acknowledged your presence.]

[You have been marked.]

Lin Tian's smirk faded. "Marked?"

Su Yun's voice was uneasy. "Lin Tian… what did you just do?"

Lin Tian exhaled slowly, staring at the notification.

The Tower was watching him.

And now, it knew exactly who he was.

The massive Roulette of Fate appeared before him once again, its glowing symbols waiting. Lin Tian placed his hand on the wheel—and spun.

This time, his mind was elsewhere.

The shadow's words lingered.

"You are incomplete."

"Your existence here is a mistake."

What did it mean? Was the Tower trying to tell him that he wasn't supposed to be here? That bringing Su Yun back was impossible?

Lin Tian's golden eyes narrowed.

"No. That's not true."

He clenched his fists.

"I don't care what the Tower thinks. Su Yun is waiting for me. And I will bring her back."

The roulette stopped.

[Congratulations! You have received… The Mark of the Tower.]

Lin Tian's body tensed as a burning sensation spread across his chest. A symbol—glowing, ancient, unknown—etched itself onto his skin.

Su Yun gasped. "Lin Tian! What is that?!"

Lin Tian exhaled. "No idea."

A new notification appeared.

[The Mark of the Tower: A unique symbol given to those who have defied the Tower's will.]

[Effect: Unknown.]

Lin Tian smirked.

"Looks like I just became even more interesting."

With that, he stepped toward the next gate.

The climb continued.

The transition was sudden. One moment, Lin Tian had been stepping through the gate to the Sixth Floor. The next—he was standing in his apartment on Earth.

No warning. No system announcement. Just silence.

The city lights flickered outside his window, the sounds of traffic and distant chatter filling the air. It was familiar. Normal. The world hadn't changed at all in the time he had been gone.

But he had.

Lin Tian looked down at his hands, clenching and unclenching his fingers. The power he gained in the Tower was still there—his enhanced strength, his speed, his instincts. Even his Status Window remained accessible in the back of his mind.

And then—a voice.

"Wow… we're really back."

Lin Tian's golden eyes flickered. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Su Yun.

Her voice, soft yet filled with awe, came from the System.

Lin Tian exhaled, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like the Tower wasn't lying. Every five floors, I get a week back on Earth."

Su Yun giggled. "And I'm still here with you. Guess you can't get rid of me that easily."

Lin Tian chuckled. "I wasn't planning to."

He stretched, his body still adjusting to the sudden change in atmosphere. The Tower had been a world of constant battles, challenges, and shifting landscapes. But here—everything was still.

And for the first time in a long while, he didn't mind.

The next morning, Lin Tian woke up to the smell of food.

Not battlefields. Not ancient ruins or monster-infested lands. Just food.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes before glancing at his phone. 8:30 AM.

His apartment was exactly as he left it before the Tower took him—clean, simple, well-maintained. But today, something was different.

The AI system in his apartment—an automated cooking assistant—had prepared breakfast for him. A plate of eggs, toast, and coffee sat neatly on the table, steam rising gently from the mug.

Su Yun's voice chimed in. "I made sure it cooked something good. You're always too focused on fighting to enjoy real food."

Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. "You can control my apartment's system now?"

Su Yun laughed. "I guess being part of your system has its perks!"

Lin Tian smirked, sitting down to eat. As he took the first bite, something unexpected happened.

For the first time in centuries—he actually tasted it.

It wasn't just fuel for his body. It wasn't something he ate out of necessity. It was good. Warm. Satisfying.

A simple thing, yet… somehow, it meant more than any battle he had won.

Su Yun's voice softened. "You're smiling."

Lin Tian paused, then let out a small chuckle. "Guess I am."

He had spent lifetimes chasing power. Fighting. Conquering. Destroying.

And yet—this moment of peace felt just as valuable.

Lin Tian spent the day doing something he never had time for before.

Living normally.

He walked through the city, visited a bookstore, even stopped by a small café and sat by the window, watching the world pass by. No threats, no enemies, no Tower looming over him. Just people going about their daily lives.

Su Yun, still speaking through the system, commented on everything.

"That girl keeps glancing at you. You're too handsome, you know that?"

Lin Tian smirked. "Not my fault."

"Oh! Look at that puppy! Lin Tian, can we get a dog?"

"We?"

"Hey, I'm part of your system now! I have a say in things!"

Lin Tian chuckled, shaking his head.

It was… nice. This back-and-forth. This connection. Even though she wasn't physically here, Su Yun's presence was real. And that was enough.

At least, for now.

That night, Lin Tian stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, looking out over the endless cityscape. The lights stretched far beyond the horizon, a world that felt both vast and small at the same time.

Su Yun was quiet for a while before finally speaking. "You know… I don't want this to end."

Lin Tian exhaled. "Neither do I."

They both knew what came next.

In six days, the Tower would pull him back.

He would have to keep climbing. Keep fighting. Keep searching for the answer that would bring her back for real.

A week was nothing compared to the time they had spent apart.

But… maybe, for now, it was enough.

Lin Tian smiled slightly. "Let's enjoy it while it lasts."

Su Yun's voice was warm. "Yeah… let's."

And for the first time in a long time—Lin Tian allowed himself to rest.

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