Li Qiang hadn't expected Lin Qinglu to take things so seriously, which only further enraged him. His lungs felt like they were about to explode. At Chunjiang High School, no one had ever dared to oppose him—let alone steal his girl.
The killing intent in his eyes was overwhelming as he glared at Zhou Yang, gritting his teeth. "Zhou Yang, hiding behind a girl? Could you be any more pathetic? Come to the Jingwu Club and fight me one-on-one. Today, this ends here."
His tone was commanding, dripping with disdain. In his eyes, Zhou Yang was nothing but a worthless insect.
Though the school forbade fighting, brawls in the Jingwu Club were tacitly permitted—under the guise of "martial arts sparring." Even if someone got severely injured, it could be brushed off without legal consequences.
That was exactly why Li Qiang had chosen the Jingwu Club.
The other students shuddered at his words. They had never seen Li Qiang this furious before. Some even thought Zhou Yang was as good as dead.
Zhou Yang knew he couldn't back down. He was a man, and now that Lin Qinglu was his girlfriend, retreating would only bring her shame.
He stepped forward, meeting Li Qiang's challenge head-on. "Fine. I accept."
Lin Qinglu immediately grabbed his hand, her voice urgent. "Zhou Yang, no! You can't fight Li Qiang!"
She knew the truth—Li Qiang was a **Second-Level Qi Practitioner**, while Zhou Yang hadn't even reached **First-Level**. Fighting him would be like an egg smashing against a rock.
The other students shared the same thought.
*"Is Zhou Yang insane? He's actually daring to fight Li Qiang?"*
*"He's going to get destroyed. Serves him right—who told him to compete with Li Qiang over Lin Qinglu? He's digging his own grave."*
Zhou Yang squeezed Lin Qinglu's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. Luck favors the brave."
Ever since his rebirth, he had sworn to himself that this time, he would defy fate. Even if he died, he'd go down fighting.
Just then, his body suddenly felt like it was expanding—like a balloon about to burst. Streams of energy surged through him, converging in his dantian.
Confused, a voice echoed in his mind:
*"Kid, I've remodeled your body. Your meridians are now fully unblocked, and I've transferred my Profound Sky Qi to you. You've gone from a loser to an **Eighth-Level Profound Sky Qi Master**. Don't ask who I am—I'm just a remnant soul that latched onto you during your rebirth. The stronger you get, the stronger I become. This is all I can do for you. The rest is up to you."*
Zhou Yang shuddered. He had no idea whose soul fragment was inside him, but its original owner must have been insanely powerful.
This was an era of **spiritual revival**, where superhumans were emerging worldwide.
As a nation deeply rooted in martial traditions, China had seen a surge in cultivators. Schools now offered cultivation courses, sparking a nationwide training frenzy.
Cultivators were divided into **martial practitioners** and **qi practitioners**, with many powerful clans, sects, and organizations rising to prominence.
Qi practitioners focused on **Profound Sky Qi**, which had nine tiers: **First-Level to Ninth-Level Qi Practitioners**. Beyond that was **Infinite Qi**, also divided into nine tiers—**First-Level to Ninth-Level Qi Sovereigns**.
Yet, in all of China, few had reached **Eighth-Level Profound Sky Qi**, let alone **Infinite Qi**. Those who attained **Third-Level Qi Sovereign** or higher could be counted on one hand.
Zhou Yang was only eighteen. Reaching **Eighth-Level Profound Sky Qi**—an **Eighth-Level Qi Practitioner**—was unbelievable.
But his body *had* transformed. He was itching to test his newfound power.
Just then, Lin Qinglu let out a sharp cry. "Zhou Yang! You're crushing my hand!"
He immediately loosened his grip.
Looking at her flattened phone, she said softly, "Zhou Yang, don't be afraid of Li Qiang."
She thought his grip had been out of fear.
Warmth flooded Zhou Yang's heart. Having such a beautiful, caring girlfriend made him feel like his ancestors had blessed him.
He didn't explain. Today, he was going all out.
Together, they arrived at the Jingwu Club—a grand, four-story building named Jingwu Tower, donated by Li Qiang's father, Li Jinglei, just six months prior.
The first floor housed the club—a luxurious 1,000-square-meter space with a gym, swimming pool, and most importantly, a fighting ring.
Li Qiang stood on the stage, surrounded by over a hundred students—some club members, the rest just spectators.
Every student who had heard about the fight had come to witness Zhou Yang's humiliation.
Spotting Zhou Yang, Li Qiang sneered. "Trash, get up here! If you're scared, kneel, call me 'Grandpa,' chop off your right arm, and castrate yourself—then maybe I'll spare you."
Lin Qinglu's face paled. How could he be so cruel?
Ignoring him, Zhou Yang gave Lin Qinglu one last look before leaping onto the 1.5-meter-high stage.
She clenched her fists, resolved—if Li Qiang went too far, she'd protect Zhou Yang at all costs.
The crowd jeered, many flipping Zhou Yang off.
He was used to it. At this school, he'd endured far worse. Right now, all he wanted was to fight—to see if he really was an Eighth-Level Qi Practitioner. Even Fourth-Level would be a dream come true.
Before this, he had been a complete failure—unable to cultivate qi at all.
Li Qiang smirked at Lin Qinglu. "Lin Qinglu, today I'll prove that no one but me is worthy of you—especially not this loser."
Turning to Zhou Yang, he scoffed. "Beating trash like you? One move is all I need."
With that, his fist shot forward—a strike infused with violent qi, the air itself trembling in its wake.