Time flowed steadily onward as Tang Tian's shouts gradually shifted from high-pitched to hoarse and raspy. Only the sound of his fists cutting through the air remained, ceaseless and relentless.

Punch after punch, strike after strike…

In low-level martial skills, physical strength forms the basis of everything. For five years, Tang Tian had pushed himself relentlessly, training far beyond the limits of most people, forging an astonishing level of endurance. Though he lacked the raw power of Amory, his stamina was by no means inferior. This fierce stamina enabled him to sustain an incredible amount of training.

However, faced with such an intense and insane training regimen, even someone as physically resilient as Tang Tian found himself on the verge of exhaustion. When the last ounce of strength drained from his body, he collapsed onto the ground, sprawled out like a mass of lifeless flesh. His extreme training was insanity. Although his true energy continually repaired his body, and he felt no hunger in this strange space, the mental toll was immense.

He consumed every bit of his stamina, then trained in cultivation techniques to restore it, only to repeat the cycle endlessly, leaving no time wasted. But as time passed, the strain on his body from this intense training only increased. Fatigue became harder to shake off, the flow of true energy took longer to run its course, and the pain and exhaustion grew sharper each time.

His spirit took a toll as well, with his mind feeling like it was about to split from the intense focus and weariness. The coldness of the black stone floor against his cheek brought a sliver of clarity, yet he had no strength to move, not even a single finger. His body felt foreign and unresponsive.

At this moment, he should sit up and engage his technique, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t sit up. Waves of fatigue surged over him, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

"Just sleep… just drift off," a voice inside seemed to whisper, laced with temptation. "You’ve done well enough. You’ve earned some rest…"

A sinister voice seemed to echo in his mind, coaxing him. Tang Tian struggled to keep his eyes open, trying to move, but his body was limp, unresponsive.

"No, I won’t sleep! I want to train!" he cried out in his mind, as though speaking to himself, or perhaps to the devil lurking in his thoughts.

"You don’t have any strength left for training. Just sleep. You can train after you rest. You’ve given it your all. No need to push yourself so hard; sleep, and it will be so sweet…”

"No! I want to train! I’m going to train!" Something in Tang Tian’s heart seemed to ignite like molten lava, a fierce anger surging through every fiber of his being. His roar carried a stubborn defiance.

Like an enraged lion, his body trembled, shaking uncontrollably, while his eyes burned like a fiery sea. Bloodshot, he glared fiercely at the cold, mirror-like ground beneath him, and a hoarse growl escaped through clenched teeth.

“A man of godly spirit does not give up.”

“I’m going to Perseus! I’m going to find Chihui! We’re going to the Celestial Road!”

“How can I give up on our promise?”

“Tang Tian…”

“Never give up…”

“Never give up!”

Through fierce, repeated roars, strength surged from somewhere deep within. Tang Tian slowly began to push himself up, his eyes wide open, his face contorted, veins bulging across his forehead.

His body trembled as he struggled, but little by little, he forced himself to sit up. Beneath him, sweat pooled, forming a reflection of his stubborn figure against the smooth stone.

Never give up… Tang Tian… you’re already far behind others…

Day ten.

Tang Tian’s mind grew blurry; he could barely make out the red numbers and the passing time. His fists swung automatically, driven purely by instinct.

The scarlet digits flashed by rapidly.

He could hear his heart pounding, his breath heavy and strained. So many things to achieve... How could he quit now?

Just a little longer… just hold on a little longer…

Time slipped by in a haze. In his daze, Tang Tian felt as if the world spun around him, and as his body relaxed, an exhausted smile crossed his face.

"Hah, I won…"

Those were the last words he remembered.

Beyond the light door, only one thing remained, a row of red numbers.

30000!

---

Inside the Zhou family ancestral hall, all the family elders were present.

“This matter has truly tarnished the reputation of our Zhou family,” declared an elderly man with white hair and beard. Though aged, his gaze was fierce as he leaned on a dragon-headed cane, commanding respect. Known as the Great Elder, even the family head addressed him as such.

The Great Elder had personally convened this meeting.

“The Zhou family has stood on Wu’an Star for over four centuries. Our ancestors fought hard to build this foundation, and as their descendants, we’ve not only failed to protect it, but also brought them disgrace. I haven’t had a peaceful night’s sleep because of this.”

The Great Elder’s solemn tone cast a hush over the room. The family head felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, sweat pouring down his face. Should the elders oppose him, his position would be instantly at risk. The Great Elder’s reputation held such weight that if he proposed removing the head, half of the elders would follow suit without hesitation.

“It’s all my fault! I failed in my discipline…” the family head humbly admitted.

The Great Elder barely glanced at him, snorting. “Yes, your discipline was lacking! Who could have expected that the proud son of the Zhou family head would be nearly killed by a nobody? If I recall correctly, Zhou Peng is a candidate for future family head, isn’t he?”

The family head’s cold sweat poured out in streams, his face pale as ash. Over the years, he’d secured support among the elders, raising Peng as his successor. But with the Great Elder raising doubts about Peng’s eligibility, he couldn’t argue.

The incident was an embarrassment. Everyone in Starwind City knew about Tang Tian, a perpetual underachiever, defeating Zhou Peng. It was humiliating.

The family head could only mumble, “Peng is still young, he’s reckless, but he has talent…”

“Oh, does he?” the Great Elder’s voice was icy. “If his talents are true, then he should prove himself. Give him one month to redeem himself. Our Zhou family name was shamed because of him, so he must restore it. As a successor, he should understand this. Our family head must never be a disgrace!”

“Yes, exactly!”

“Let’s speak through strength!”

“Well said, Great Elder!”

The elders nodded in agreement. The family head realized he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he said, “The Great Elder is right. If Peng fails, I’ll act as if I have no son!”

The Great Elder’s expression softened slightly. “Your years of work haven’t gone unnoticed. But remember this always: the Zhou family name must never be shamed! You’re still young; have more children. It will be good for the family.”

“Yes!” the family head replied, bowing.

---

In the family head’s quarters, Zhou Peng burst in triumphantly.

“Father! I’ve finally tracked down Tang Tian; he ran off to Shachima Academy, that bottom-tier place! I looked so long, and only found him because Amory transferred there!” Zhou Peng was exultant.

Recalling his humiliation at Tang Tian’s hands, Zhou Peng’s fists clenched as he remembered the look in Tang’s eyes that day—a look of arrogance and brute force.

Tang Tian, you’ll soon know what I’m capable of!

“Peng, there’s something I need to tell you,” his father said in a grave tone.

“What is it, Father?”

“This matter with Tang Tian—you need to settle it yourself.”

“Great! I’ve still got that Soul Card Uncle Pan gave me, the ‘Golden Dragon Staff.’ A level-three silver-ranked soul card! I’ll make Tang Tian wish he’d never been born!”

“No,” his father shook his head, “The Great Elder says you have to resolve this with your own hands. No one else can help.”

Zhou Peng’s smile froze. “The Great Elder must be losing his senses!”

“Watch your mouth!” the family head glared sternly. “It seems I’ve been too lenient with you! Starting today, you’ll train with Zhou Mu.”

Only then did Zhou Peng notice the unassuming figure standing by his father.

Zhou Mu, his father’s top guard, known for his stoic silence but frightening strength. Zhou Mu never held back; if his father instructed something, it would be completed.

“Zhou Mu, take Peng. Use any means necessary. I want him to reach level three within a month,” the family head instructed. “Take whatever resources you need.”

“Yes,” Zhou Mu replied woodenly.

Zhou Peng nearly fainted, crying, “Father, no…”

His scream was cut short as Zhou Mu knocked him out and carried him away.

The family head’s face showed a hint of regret, but he steeled himself.

Tang Tian!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. This was all Tang Tian’s fault! If not for the Great Elder’s insistence on letting Peng earn back his honor personally, he’d have killed Tang Tian by now.

Well, let Tang Tian live a bit longer…

Once Peng finishes his task, he’d quietly send someone to eliminate Tang.

After all, in Starwind City, people went missing every year—who would notice one more? The family head’s face bore a murderous look.