The evening sky above the city slowly darkened as the last golden rays of sunlight disappeared behind rows of tall buildings. Streetlights flickered on one by one, casting soft pools of light along the sidewalks and quiet streets.
For most people, the evening meant relaxation after a long day.
For Lin Tian, it meant training.
Since discovering the hidden ruin and recovering the ancient cultivation technique, his strength had been increasing rapidly. Every night he continued his quiet training, absorbing cosmic energy and refining it within his body.
But even as his cultivation grew, he carefully concealed his true power.
To the world, he was still just an ordinary high school student.
Only Lin Tian knew the truth.
Walking Through the Night
That night, Lin Tian left his house after finishing his homework.
The air was cool and calm, perfect for cultivation.
He walked quietly through a narrow street that led toward the hill outside the city where he usually practiced meditation beneath the stars.
His senses were far sharper now than any normal human's.
He could hear distant footsteps.
Feel the movement of air.
Even sense faint traces of energy around him.
As he walked, he suddenly stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Something's wrong."
From a nearby alley came the sound of hurried footsteps.
Then—
A frightened voice.
"Help! Someone help me!"
Lin Tian turned his head toward the alley.
His expression remained calm, but his eyes grew cold.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the darkness.
The Alley
The alley was dimly lit by a single flickering streetlamp.
Three men surrounded a young woman who had been forced against the wall.
She looked to be around Lin Tian's age—perhaps a university student. Her clothes were simple but neat, and her expression was filled with fear.
One of the men laughed cruelly.
"Stop shouting. Nobody will come."
Another added with a sneer,
"And even if someone does… they'll regret it."
The third man grabbed her arm.
The girl struggled.
"Let me go!"
Her voice trembled, but she refused to give up.
Unfortunately, the street was quiet and empty.
No one came.
Except one person.
A calm voice suddenly echoed through the alley.
"You should release her."
The three men turned their heads.
Standing at the entrance of the alley was Lin Tian.
His hands were casually in his pockets.
His expression calm.
Almost bored.
For a moment, everyone was silent.
Then one of the men burst out laughing.
"Look at this kid!"
Another smirked.
"A hero?"
The third man waved his hand dismissively.
"Kid, if you don't want trouble, get lost."
The girl looked toward Lin Tian with wide eyes.
She was surprised someone had actually come.
But when she saw that he was only a high school student, worry replaced her brief hope.
"You… you should go," she said softly.
"They're dangerous."
Lin Tian didn't move.
Instead, he slowly walked forward.
His footsteps echoed softly on the concrete ground.
"I already said," he replied calmly,
"Let her go."
The Threat
The leader of the group frowned.
His patience was gone.
"Kid… you're asking for trouble."
He stepped toward Lin Tian, cracking his knuckles.
"You think you're brave?"
Lin Tian looked at him with calm indifference.
"Not brave."
The man sneered.
"Then what?"
Lin Tian answered quietly.
"Just stronger."
For a moment, the alley was silent.
Then the three men burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
The leader wiped a tear from his eye.
"Did you hear that? Stronger!"
The second man shook his head.
"Kids these days watch too many movies."
The leader suddenly stepped forward and swung his fist toward Lin Tian.
"Let's see how strong you are!"
One Move
Lin Tian didn't dodge.
He simply raised his hand.
Tap.
His fingers lightly touched the man's wrist.
That was all.
Yet the man suddenly froze.
His entire body trembled as if struck by lightning.
Then—
THUD!
He collapsed to the ground unconscious.
The other two men stared in shock.
"What—?!"
They hadn't even seen what happened.
The girl was equally stunned.
Lin Tian lowered his hand calmly.
His voice remained relaxed.
"Your turn."
Fear appeared in the men's eyes.
But anger quickly replaced it.
"Get him!"
Both rushed forward.
One swung a metal pipe.
The other aimed a kick.
Lin Tian sighed slightly.
To him, their movements were painfully slow.
He stepped aside effortlessly.
The pipe missed.
Before the man could react—
Lin Tian gently tapped his shoulder.
The man's eyes rolled back instantly.
He collapsed.
The third man froze in place.
His face turned pale.
"What… what are you?"
Lin Tian looked at him calmly.
"A student."
The man trembled.
He looked at his two unconscious companions.
Then back at Lin Tian.
His survival instincts screamed.
Without another word—
He ran.
Lin Tian didn't chase him.
There was no need.
After the Fight
The alley fell silent again.
Lin Tian turned toward the girl.
She was staring at him with wide eyes.
Shock.
Confusion.
Curiosity.
All mixed together.
"Are you okay?" Lin Tian asked.
She nodded slowly.
"Y-Yes."
Her voice was still shaky.
Lin Tian glanced at the two unconscious men on the ground.
"They'll wake up soon," he said calmly.
"But they won't bother you again."
The girl hesitated.
Then she spoke.
"Thank you."
Lin Tian simply nodded.
"It's fine."
He turned to leave.
But the girl suddenly called out.
"Wait!"
Lin Tian stopped.
"What is it?"
She looked at him carefully.
For a moment, her eyes seemed to examine him with unusual focus.
Almost as if she was sensing something.
Then she asked softly,
"Who… are you?"
Lin Tian thought for a moment.
Then he gave a simple answer.
"Lin Tian."
He didn't say anything more.
Yet for some reason, the girl's heart trembled slightly when she heard the name.
As if it carried some hidden weight.
She smiled faintly.
"My name is Mei Lin."
Lin Tian nodded.
"Nice to meet you."
But before he turned away, Mei Lin spoke again.
"Earlier… how did you do that?"
Lin Tian smiled faintly.
"Training."
She clearly didn't believe that answer.
But she didn't press further.
Instead, she said quietly,
"Still… thank you."
Lin Tian waved his hand lightly.
"No problem."
Then he walked out of the alley.
His figure soon disappeared into the quiet street.
Mei Lin's Thoughts
Mei Lin remained standing there for a long time.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the direction Lin Tian had left.
Something about him felt… strange.
Not dangerous.
But powerful.
Very powerful.
She closed her eyes briefly.
For a moment, she focused her senses.
A faint trace of energy lingered in the air.
Her eyes opened in surprise.
"That energy…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"It can't be…"
She looked toward the night sky.
Then she smiled slightly.
"This world is more interesting than I thought."
Lin Tian's Reflection
Meanwhile, Lin Tian had already reached the hill outside the city.
The sky above him was filled with countless stars.
He sat down on the grass and closed his eyes.
The cosmic energy around him slowly gathered.
Flowing into his body.
But his mind briefly returned to the girl.
"She noticed something," he thought.
That was rare.
Most ordinary humans couldn't sense cultivation energy at all.
Yet she had reacted differently.
Lin Tian opened his eyes and looked at the stars.
Perhaps…
Earth was not as ordinary as it seemed.
And perhaps…
There were others like him here.
He smiled faintly.
"Interesting."
Then he closed his eyes again and continued cultivating.
Above him, the endless stars shimmered quietly.
As if watching his journey.
And somewhere in the vast universe—
Fate had already begun moving its pieces.