He started running without looking back. His steps were fast, almost blurring as adrenaline surged through his body. Whatever that thing was, he had no intention of finding out the hard way.
After a while, a massive gate appeared ahead. Ancient stone, worn by time, with a name carved into it that he barely processed before entering.
He slipped inside and immediately rushed through narrow alleys. Twisting paths and sharp turns helped him lose her completely. Only after stopping did he finally look around.
Everything felt… wrong.
Leon scanned his surroundings carefully. Wooden houses, stone streets, people dressed in robes, and weapons that looked centuries old.
"What the hell is this place… no buildings, no tech… even their weapons look prehistoric."
"I need information. A library or something… but first, I gotta change these clothes. I look suspicious as hell."
Leon quickly adapted to their accent and speaking style. Observing people for a short time was enough for him to blend in.
He spotted a lone man walking into a quiet alley.
Bad luck for him.
Leon appeared behind him like a ghost and struck.
Thud.
The man collapsed instantly, his body dropping lifelessly onto the ground. Leon crouched and removed his clothes without hesitation.
"Sorry bro… wrong place, wrong time."
He left the man breathing faintly, then changed and walked back into the street like nothing happened.
After moving through several streets, Leon finally found a library. It wasn't grand, but it looked old and resourceful.
He stepped inside, eyes sharp.
A girl with delicate features approached him, her expression calm yet slightly curious.
"Welcome, young master. What brings you here today?"
Leon paused for a moment, acting natural.
"I'm looking for history. This continent… I need to understand it."
The girl raised a brow and scoffed lightly.
"Not many people waste time on such things."
She pointed toward a section.
"Left side. You'll find what you're looking for there."
Leon walked over and began reading. Book after book, he absorbed everything quickly.
The Jiang Wu Continent was divided into five regions. The eastern region was filled with dense forests and wild beasts.
The north and south were ruled by humans and powerful sects. The west marked the borders, while the center housed the strongest kingdom.
Wars had shaped the land for centuries. Kingdoms rose and fell endlessly.
"But only one man ever unified everything…"
Leon's eyes narrowed.
"Huà Shén Jìng… Spirit Severing Realm… and then he just disappeared?"
Leon leaned back slightly, processing everything.
"…Yeah, this is straight-up a Chinese fantasy novel."
"Cultivation, sects, realms… what the hell was that voice earlier?"
He continued reading and found the cultivation realms listed clearly.
Mortal Realm (Fán Rén Jìng)
Body Tempering (Cuì Tǐ Jìng)
Qi Gathering (Jù Qì Jìng)
Foundation Establishment (Zhù Jī Jìng)
Golden Core (Jīn Dān Jìng)
Nascent Soul (Yuán Yīng Jìng)
Spirit Severing (Huà Shén Jìng)
"…So this is how power works here."
Thud.
A book suddenly fell behind him. Leon turned instantly, instincts sharp.
No one was there.
Only a single book lying on the ground.
Its title—
HEAVENLY DRAGON DEMON
"…That sounds shady as hell."
He picked it up slowly. The moment he opened it—
The book vanished.
A blinding white light shot straight into his head.
"—What the fu—?!"
Pain exploded inside his skull. It felt like his brain was being crushed, torn, and burned all at once.
He dropped to his knees, clutching his head violently.
"AARGH—!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
Knowledge flooded his mind uncontrollably, forcing its way in like a storm.
Then everything went dark.
When he woke up, his vision was blurry and his head throbbed heavily. Time had passed, but he didn't know how much.
The girl stood in front of him, her face slightly red.
"S-Sir… the library is closing."
Leon slowly sat up, still dazed.
"…Tell me something."
She hesitated.
"What is it?"
"What's a cultivation technique?"
She blinked, surprised.
"It's a method used by those walking the path of immortality."
"It allows people to surpass mortal limits… to grow stronger and control Qi."
She paused briefly.
"If you haven't taken a sect's test, you can still apply."
Leon's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Yeah… I'll take that test."
The next morning, the testing ground was filled with people. A massive stone pillar stood in the center.
The announcer spoke loudly.
"Only those who score above 350 will pass! The rest can try again next time!"
One by one, candidates stepped forward.
Punch.
Fail.
Punch.
Fail.
Then—
"Lou Rong from the Lou Sect—450!"
Applause erupted.
"I knew it! He was definitely going to pass!"
"Yeah, that guy's strong!"
Lou Rong stepped down confidently.
Another candidate stepped forward. Elegant, refined—almost too perfect.
Leon raised a brow.
"He looks more like a girl than a guy…"
"The Feng Clan—Feng Xiu—500!"
The crowd exploded.
"Feng Xiu!!"
"I knew he'd do it!"
"He's incredible!"
"Marry me, Feng Xiu!!"
Feng Xiu smirked arrogantly, enjoying every second.
More participants tried. Some passed, most failed.
No one surpassed Feng Xiu.
Just when it seemed over—
Leon stepped forward.
The crowd grew quiet.
"Who's that guy?"
"Never seen him before…"
"Doesn't look like he's from any big clan."
Leon cracked his knuckles.
"…Let's see what this thing can handle."
Fire energy surged through his arm, coiling like a raging beast.
Then—
BOOM.
His punch struck the pillar with explosive force. The ground beneath him cracked slightly.
The score shot up rapidly—
400… 450… 490… 500…
And stopped at—
502
Silence.
Then chaos erupted.
"What the hell?!"
"He beat Feng Xiu?!"
"Who is that guy?!"
"Huang Hun—502! Pass!"
Leon had already chosen his name.
Huang Hun.
"That name… never heard it before."
"Is he some hidden genius?"
"No way… where did he come from?!"
Feng Xiu's smile faded slightly, his eyes turning cold.
"The exams are finished!"
"Those who passed, gather at the outskirts near the city gate! Prepare your belongings!"
Leon ignored everything and returned to the inn. He bought a few clothes and changed.
He lay down, ready to rest.
Creak.
A faint sound came from the roof.
Leon's eyes snapped open instantly.
"…Someone's here."
He quietly took out his knife and waited.
The door opened slowly.
A shadow entered.
"No one is he—"
Slash.
Leon moved instantly.
The blade tore through the man's throat. Blood burst out violently, spraying across the room in a thick arc.
The assassin's eyes widened in terror. He clutched his neck, choking as blood flooded his mouth.
A wet, gurgling sound escaped him.
His body trembled uncontrollably before collapsing.
Thud.
Leon stared at the corpse coldly.
"…Amateur."
He grabbed the body and dragged it across the floor, leaving a dark trail of blood behind.
"Who the hell sent you…?"
The next morning—
Inside the Feng Mansion—
Feng Xiu stood with a dark expression.
"What happened to the assassin we sent?"
A servant bowed nervously.
"We… we can't contact him, young master."
Feng Xiu's fists clenched tightly.
"…He's dead."
"That was my best assassin… and yet he still failed?"
His eyes turned cold and dangerous.
"…Interesting."