C1 An Inner Sect Disciple from Sky Profound Sect.

Zhao Yu stirred from his groggy state, pushing himself up with his hands and sitting up in bed. He gazed around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with a blank expression.

"I have this feeling that I died, but where am I now...?"

Suddenly, a flood of foreign memories surged into his mind.

"I see. I'm no longer on Earth. I've transmigrated, and now I'm an inner sect disciple of the Sky Profound Sect."

As Zhao Yu sifted through his memories, clarity dawned in his eyes.

He attempted to stand, but his effort sent him tumbling back onto the bed. His body felt limp, devoid of strength.

"Warning. Your body has sustained severe damage. Your internal organs are failing and continue to deteriorate. Immediate medical attention is required."

Out of nowhere, a familiar synthetic voice echoed in his mind.

Startled, Zhao Yu quickly regained his composure, exclaiming with a hint of joy, "Light, you've crossed over too, and we've become one."

Light was a Super Bio-Brain, a marvel that took the Earth Union over a century to develop. But as soon as the Super Brain was unveiled, a traitor hidden within the lab initiated a rebellion.

As the lab's head, Zhao Yu couldn't bear the thought of such advanced intelligence falling into terrorist hands—a catastrophe for humanity. So, he had triggered the lab's self-destruct mechanism.

"Yes, Master," Light responded.

Snapping out of his initial shock, Zhao Yu asked with gravity, "You mentioned severe damage to my body. What exactly happened?"

He had no intention of dying again so soon after being resurrected.

Light replied, "Scans indicate that your body has been poisoned for at least a year."

"Poisoned?" Zhao Yu's face fell.

He had assimilated the memories of this body. The former Zhao Yu was a martial artist with knowledge of Medical Cultivation. If he had been poisoned, how could he have failed to detect it?

He had been convinced he was suffering from a bizarre terminal illness, growing weaker until organ failure would claim his life.

"There is a compound toxin within you," Light clarified.

"A compound toxin?" Zhao Yu echoed, taken aback.

"Correct. Each component of this toxin is an ordinary herb, harmless on its own. But combined, they form a potent slow-acting poison. According to the memories you've acquired, the likelihood of the previous you detecting the poison was virtually nonexistent."

It all made sense now. No wonder Zhao Yu had tirelessly sought out renowned healers in the past, yet never uncovered the root of his ailment.

Realization dawned on Zhao Yu, and his expression chilled.

If he had been poisoned, it was almost certain someone had done it deliberately.

But who would want to harm him?

He delved into his memories, racking his brain, but came up empty.

The memories of this body had merged with his own, but due to the body's frailty and a flagging spirit, many past recollections were now hazy and indistinct.

"In this world, martial prowess is paramount, and the mighty are revered. Before the poison took hold, I was the Sky Profound Sect's brightest prodigy. By seventeen, I'd reached the third layer of Qi Refining, becoming the youngest inner sect disciple, and the Sect Master's favored one. He had even promised his daughter's hand in marriage to me, sealing our betrothal. My future should have been dazzling, but after the poisoning..."

The memory of his grueling existence over the past year, culminating in a silent, unnoticed death, drew a sigh from Zhao Yu.

Yet, he was no longer the Zhao Yu of before. Now, with Light by his side, he was determined to turn his fortunes around without delay.

Just then, a knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Senior Brother Zhao, are you in?"

"Who is it?" Zhao Yu called out, snapping back to the present.

"Senior Brother Zhao, the Sect Master has sent for you. He requests your presence in the front courtyard square."

"Understood."

As the sound of footsteps receded, Zhao Yu's brow furrowed in puzzlement. He couldn't fathom what the Sect Master could want with him now.

His status had declined sharply over the year, his cultivation base a shadow of its former glory.

In name, he remained the Sect Master's prospective son-in-law.

Yet, for the last six months, the Sect Master had neither spoken of the engagement nor acknowledged him.

Regardless, as an inner sect disciple, Zhao Yu had no grounds to decline the Sect Master's summons.

Feeling a resurgence of strength, Zhao Yu rose to his feet, working the stiffness from his limbs.

Then, he felt an unexpected hardness in his chest. Pulling out the object, he discovered it was a dagger.

This dagger, known as the Nether Dream Dagger, was a Spirit Weapon. It was the legacy his grandfather left him before passing away.

Zhao Yu had always kept it on his person, a secret he had never shared.

Spirit Weapons were exceedingly rare. The entire Sky Profound Sect possessed only four such treasures.

In the hands of a martial cultivator, a Spirit Weapon could wield immense power.

After a quick tidy-up, Zhao Yu stepped out the door and made his way to the front courtyard square, guided by memory.

There, more than a dozen sect disciples were gathered, encircling a young man whose posture oozed arrogance.

Yet, Sect Master Zhang Daoming was nowhere to be seen.

Upon recognizing the haughty youth as Tian Feng, Zhao Yu's brow furrowed involuntarily.

Tian Feng, a disciple of the Sky Profound Sect, was known for his exceptional martial arts talent. However, he had always been overshadowed by Zhao Yu. Even during the competition for an inner sect disciple position, Tian Feng had been bested by Zhao Yu.

To add insult to injury, Zhao Yu's betrothed, Zhang Xuemeng—the Sect Master's daughter and the object of Tian Feng's unrequited affection—was promised to Zhao Yu by her father.

With a volatile and prideful nature, Tian Feng harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Zhao Yu following these setbacks.

Before Zhao Yu's poisoning, Tian Feng was powerless against him.

But after the poisoning weakened Zhao Yu, Tian Feng seized every opportunity to undermine him, often humiliating him in front of others.

Their statuses had shifted; Zhao Yu's standing had diminished, while Tian Feng's star was on the rise. Six months prior, Tian Feng had ascended to the rank of inner sect disciple, quickly becoming a new luminary within the sect.

Zhao Yu, preferring to avoid further disgrace, had typically steered clear of Tian Feng.

Yet, fate had it that he would encounter Tian Feng right here.

Spotting Zhao Yu immediately, Tian Feng approached with a sneer and taunted, "Genius Zhao, what brings you here? Aren't you usually skulking away from me?"

Laughter erupted from the other disciples, who regarded Zhao Yu with scornful eyes.

These ordinary Outer Sect disciples ridiculed Zhao Yu partly to ingratiate themselves with Tian Feng, and partly for the perverse pleasure of mocking a fallen genius.

Moreover, the Sky Profound Sect values strength above all else. Given Zhao Yu's current state, which is practically that of a cripple, they naturally feel justified in dismissing him.

Zhao Yu chuckled and remarked, "I'm here on the Sect Master's orders. I was told there was a pack of wild dogs putting on a show, so I thought I'd check it out. Yet, I don't see any wild dogs—just you folks."

The grins on Tian Feng and his companions' faces instantly stiffened.

"Who are you calling a wild dog?" one of them demanded, bristling with anger.

"Let it go. It's pointless to waste anger on a dying man," another dismissed.

Tian Feng gestured for calm and addressed Zhao Yu, "I've been meaning to have a word with you, Zhao Yu. I would have sought you out even if you hadn't shown up."

Zhao Yu met his gaze with an even stare.

"You've had a rough time these past six months, haven't you, Zhao Yu?" Tian Feng began deliberately. "Subjected to my humiliations, yet powerless to retaliate. Truthfully, I have no desire to keep targeting you. You're already down and out, and with your health, you probably don't have much time left."

Zhao Yu cut him off, "Enough with the drivel. Get to the point."

With a cold huff, Tian Feng said, "Fine, I'll be blunt. If you willingly call off your engagement to Zhang Xuemeng, I'll cease my hostilities toward you."

Zhao Yu remained silent, prompting Tian Feng to press on, "You're an intelligent man, Zhao Yu. You must realize that in your current state, you're no match for Xuemeng. The two of you won't find happiness together. Calling off the engagement would be beneficial for you and for everyone else!"

After a moment's reflection, Zhao Yu responded, "It appears it wasn't the Sect Master who sent for me after all. You used his command as a pretext to lure me here, didn't you?"

Tian Feng let out a short laugh, "So, do you accept my terms?"

Zhao Yu replied calmly, "It seems there's something important you've overlooked."

"What's the issue?" Tian Feng asked with a furrowed brow.

Zhao Yu responded, "Even if my engagement to Zhang Xuemeng is in name only, it's still our business. It has nothing to do with you!"

Tian Feng's expression chilled as he retorted, "So you're refusing? Then don't blame me for not holding back."

With that, he advanced towards Zhao Yu step by step.

Zhao Yu backed away, protesting, "You're going to attack me? The sect prohibits disciples from engaging in personal combat."

"We're not engaging in a private fight. I merely wish to have a friendly spar," Tian Feng said with a cold smirk. "While the sect rules do forbid private combat, they do encourage sparring among disciples."

"Exactly. We can all vouch for Senior Brother Tian. It was Senior Brother Zhao who suggested a spar with Senior Brother Tian."

"Let's clear some space for the two brothers to spar."

The surrounding disciples chuckled and moved aside, encircling Zhao Yu and Tian Feng in the center.

Zhao Yu sighed, "You really didn't need to go this far. I'm aware of my own situation and have no desire to make Zhang Xuemeng suffer."

Tian Feng paused, then scoffed, "You're just realizing this now?"

Shaking his head, Zhao Yu declared, "But now you're threatening me. If I were to give in to you again, wouldn't that just show that I'm scared of you? Therefore, I've decided once more not to call off the engagement!"

"What? You dare to toy with me?" Tian Feng erupted in rage.

"As a martial artist, I refuse to continue living a life of weakness," Zhao Yu stated firmly. "Even if you beat me to death, it would be worth it. You're stronger than me at the moment. You won't object to me using a weapon, right?"

Watching Zhao Yu draw a dagger from within his clothing, Tian Feng sneered, "Why would I fear your dagger? Even if you wielded a Spirit Weapon, crushing you would be as easy as squashing an ant."

Previously, Zhao Yu would cower at the sight of him, like a mouse before a cat, always keeping his distance.

But now, Zhao Yu seemed transformed. In his gaze, Tian Feng could detect not a trace of fear, fueling his rage to an uncontrollable degree.

"Since you're okay with it, I'm going to make my move."

With a loud battle cry, Zhao Yu charged at Tian Feng. In his mind, he called out, "Light, activate the Nether Dream Dagger for me."

Light responded, "Master, given your current physical state, you can only muster a single strike!"

One strike would suffice.

Zhao Yu's gaze was resolute.

"Look at this guy, he can barely stand. And he thinks he can challenge Senior Brother Tian?"

"How pitiful, utterly laughable."

Zhao Yu's faltering steps drew jeers from the surrounding disciples. At that moment, it seemed even a regular person could knock him over.

A smirk crossed Tian Feng's face.

He certainly didn't see Zhao Yu as a threat. His mind was preoccupied with devising ways to torment Zhao Yu into calling off the engagement.

It wasn't long before Zhao Yu closed the distance to Tian Feng.

Feeling the surge of genuine energy Light was channeling within him, Zhao Yu swung the Nether Dream Dagger without hesitation.

Swoosh! A faint black saber aura burst forth from the dagger, cutting through the air towards Tian Feng.

"Is that... saber aura?"

Tian Feng was taken aback. He tried to evade, but it was too late. The aura cleaved into him, sending him screaming as he was flung five meters away.