Lukas slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the full moon. His hand reached for a cup of warm tea on the table.
"Master… your disciple has arrived," said a tall and handsome man. His face resembled the protagonist of a hero's tale.
"Alex… you're my first disciple, yet you're still at the Mid Tier Human Realm. I've never taught you anything. Do you regret becoming my student?"
Alex knelt before Lukas, speaking with passion, "I may have no talent like others. When I lost my family and my Origin Bone was stolen by enemies, you were the only one who accepted me as a disciple. For you, Master, I'd walk through fire."
Lukas took a deep breath. Alex was once known as a prodigy. He possessed a remarkable Origin Bone that amplified his strength. He had fallen in love with the daughter of a Baron, but his feelings were rejected. Her lover challenged Alex, and in their duel, Alex was defeated. His Origin Bone was taken, and his family was slaughtered.
Lukas found him near death in a remote valley, brought him home, and nursed him back to health.
Despite his tragic past, Lukas knew Alex still held great potential. He could see Alex's true rank.
Name: Alex
Rank: SSSSS
Bloodline: Supreme Sun Bloodline
The five S's signified Alex's potential to reach the Ascendent Realm one day. Bloodline, meanwhile, was a person's innate gift. Those with special bloodlines could awaken elemental powers within their bodies.
"One year… in that time, do you still seek revenge?" Lukas asked.
It had been a year since Alex became his disciple. Every day, he harbored vengeance in his heart. But after learning the truth behind his master's past and the reason for his paralysis, Alex sat silently under the night sky.
Out there, many powerful beings existed. They were simply tools to elevate others. These people had incredible talent, guided by mysterious mentors who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Sometimes, they stumbled upon treasures just by walking or sleeping. Lukas called them "Luck-Eaters."
"Master… though I am still weak, revenge is no longer my priority. My goal now is to become strong."
"Good… that kind of mindset will open the path to a greater world," Lukas said with a smile. He was relieved that Alex had finally understood. Letting revenge become the ultimate goal would only hinder personal growth.
[Ding, Disciple has set a goal. Reward received: Rank 9 Human Body Technique: Ancient Sun Body Technique
Additional reward: Rank 9 Martial Technique: Ancient Sun Spear Technique]
Both techniques were instantly absorbed into Lukas's mind. In a flash, he fully understood them.
"This technique suits your body well. I'll give it to you, along with a martial technique," Lukas said to Alex.
In this world, a person's strength depended on their body. The higher the body's level, the greater the chance of attaining extraordinary power.
Human body techniques were divided into nine ranks, as were martial techniques.
The Ancient Sun Body Technique could awaken the body to its highest potential Rank 9. Those who achieved this rank had the potential to become Ascendent Experts.
The four major strength realms in this world were:
1. Human Realm
2. Grandmaster Realm
3. King Realm
4. Ascendent Realm
Each realm had three tiers – Lower, Mid, and Upper.
Alex accepted the techniques gratefully. He was stunned when he realized the manual was truly a Rank 9 Human Body Technique, meaning he could potentially elevate his body to the highest rank and step into the Ascendent Realm.
Meanwhile, the Ancient Sun Spear Technique would grant him formidable offensive capabilities in battle.
"Thank you, Master," Alex said, touched and overjoyed.
Without wasting any time, he rushed back to his hut. Sitting cross-legged, he began to meditate, eager to master both techniques as soon as possible.
Lukas smiled as he watched his disciple train with great determination. The once-quiet nameless mountain now felt alive, filled with the spirit of a disciple burning with resolve.
"System, claim all rewards," Lukas said calmly.
Ding. Rewards received:
+ 236 years of training energy
+ 100 Rank 3 Star Pills: Body Pill
+ 1 Ancient Rank 9 Body Technique: Azure Dragon Body Technique
The Azure Dragon Body Technique was a natural technique that allowed its user to recover from any injury even if only a drop of blood remained. It could also be used to heal others.
The technique was absorbed instantly into Lukas's mind. In the blink of an eye, his paralyzed body was fully healed. His old strength returned and even surpassed what it once was.
"My time has passed. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new generation."
A year ago, Lukas had awakened the system. He realized that by taking on disciples, his strength would increase constantly. One second equaled one day of training. In a single day, it was as if he had trained for 236 years.
Lukas fell back into deep thought, enjoying the moonlight while sipping his warm tea.
***
At the same time, a girl was climbing the nameless mountain, severely wounded. Several assassins were chasing her.
"Hah… who would've thought that I, once a princess, would become a fugitive. But I won't die here," Clara whispered to herself.
She continued to run until she reached the mountain peak. There, she saw a small hut. Without hesitation, she rushed inside and shut the door behind her, collapsing in exhaustion.
Unbeknownst to her, a handsome man was meditating inside. A warm aura radiated from his body, surrounding Clara and giving her a sense of comfort.
Moments later, the last three assassins reached the summit. Clara had already killed half their group. They hadn't expected such a petite girl to defeat three Upper Rank Human Realm fighters.
Boom!
The front wall of the hut was blown apart by the attackers. Clara was flung forward, landing right in front of Alex.
"Where do you think you're going—" One of the assassins didn't get to finish his sentence before Alex suddenly stood and struck him with a powerful punch. His body was obliterated instantly.
Seeing their comrade killed with a single blow sent shivers through the remaining assassins. They now realized they were facing someone from the Grandmaster Realm.
"Trespassing on the Nameless Mountain is your first crime. But destroying the hut built by my master… that is an unforgivable sin," Alex said firmly.
He released a scorching aura, hot enough to melt the assassins' weapons. He had trained all night and successfully awakened a Rank 3 Human Body. His current realm was now Low Tier Grandmaster Realm.
Without hesitation, Alex attacked the remaining assassins. With a single flaming punch, he ended them instantly.
Clara, barely conscious and on the verge of fainting, managed to see Alex save her. Her vision was blurry, but in her heart, she knew
she had just encountered someone extraordinary.