Chapter 1

C1 – Devouring System Activated

Peng Gengkun stood in disbelief, marveling at the scene before him. “I’ve actually arrived in another world,” he exclaimed in awe.

Surveying his surroundings, a sense of helplessness washed over Peng Gengkun. Moments ago, he was at home, engrossed in a video game; now, he found himself here, in this strange place.

He swung his legs off the bed and approached the mirror. Studying the reflection of the young face before him, fragments of this world’s memories began to coalesce in his mind.

“This is the Thunder Continent, and I am a disciple of the Flying Cloud Sect from the Bleakwind Barrens,” he realized.nove(l)bi(n.)com

With this understanding, Peng Gengkun grasped the gravity of his situation. The Thunder Continent was a realm where cultivation was a sacred mission. Only those who mastered martial arts could lead prosperous lives.

The Flying Cloud Sect was a formidable martial arts institution within the Bleakwind Barrens. Even as an Outer Sect disciple, Peng Gengkun held a position of respect.

Yet, with this knowledge, a wave of helplessness engulfed him once more. “The Thunder Continent honors the strong, but I am nothing but a failure who cannot cultivate.”

The shock hit him as he remembered the reason for his inability to cultivate. “It was all because of a woman!”

The original owner of this body, he recalled, had harbored a secret love for a fellow sect senior sister, Xi Yingzhu.

But there was a chasm between them: Peng Gengkun was an Outer Sect disciple, while Xi Yingzhu belonged to the elite Inner Sect. The disparity in their statuses was too vast for him to even entertain the idea of confessing his feelings.

A few days prior, Peng Gengkun had caught Wei Pengxing, a notorious playboy from the Outer Sect, harassing Xi Yingzhu. Enraged, Peng Gengkun had intervened, only to be overpowered by Wei Pengxing’s superior cultivation, resulting in the destruction of his Qi Sea.

Had Xi Yingzhu not intervened, Peng Gengkun’s fate could have been much grimmer.

“The Qi Sea is the cornerstone of a warrior’s cultivation. Without it, am I doomed to be worthless forever?” The thought tormented him.

Peng Gengkun’s mind drifted to the strict hierarchy within the Martial Arts: the four initial realms of a Warrior—Power Refining, Qi Refining, Soul Refining, and Intent Refining. Beyond these, a warrior could transcend the physical limits and ascend to the ranks of Martial Disciple, Warrior, and beyond.

Peng Gengkun was a high-ranking Power Refining Warrior. However, once Wei Pengxing destroyed Peng Gengkun’s Qi Sea, Peng Gengkun found himself unable to advance to the Qi Refining realm.

The system reiterated, “Devouring treasures imbued with Spiritual Energy can significantly boost your progress.”

Peng Gengkun scanned his surroundings, yet to the system, everything in sight was deemed worthless.

Ultimately, Peng Gengkun fingered an unadorned jade pendant at his waist and inquired, “How much progress can this item add?”

After a brief pause, the system clarified, “The fractured jade pendant holds a trace of Spiritual Energy. Due to its irreparable state, it can contribute 150 points to your progress. Will you devour it?”

Peng Gengkun’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded without hesitation.

“Devour!”

Instantly, the jade pendant vanished, and the progress bar filled up.

The system updated Peng Gengkun: “Progress bar complete. You have ascended to the Low Rank of Qi Refining.”

“The unlocked ability is Leviathan-roc Astral Energy, which can neutralize an enemy’s Astral Energy.”

“The next ability to be unlocked is the Leviathan-roc Martial Soul.”

“Current upgrade progress: 150/500.”

A surge of strength began to emanate within Peng Gengkun, unmistakably the aura that emerges upon entering the Qi Refining Stage.

“Reaching the Qi Refining Stage allows you to forge Innate Astral Qi and strike down foes up to a hundred meters distant.”

Without a second thought, Peng Gengkun threw a punch, creating a deep cavity in the wall.

Witnessing the impact, Peng Gengkun marveled.

“The Innate Astral Qi truly is formidable. My power has vastly surpassed my Power Refining Stage capabilities now that I’ve achieved the Qi Refining Stage..”