The next morning, the village stirred early as usual.
Chickens clucked. Firewood cracked. A dog barked somewhere near the well.
Li Tian stood outside his hut, watching the sun rise over the hills. Both his body and mind felt sharper and brighter.
His senses were clearer than ever.
He flexed his fingers. The strength in them felt real.
Looks like last night wasn't a dream. Li Tian thought to himself
[Good morning, Master! Ready to shake the heavens today? Don't forget, the system always loves you. Muuahhh!]
Li Tian sighed.
Still loud in the morning.
He stretched lightly, then moved through a basic stance he hadn't used in decades. His body followed smoothly. No stiffness. No hesitation. A feeling which he had not experienced in a long time.
As he stretched, a soft voice called from the path.
"Big Brother Tian!"
He turned.
A young girl jogged toward him, holding a basket of wild herbs. Barefoot and smiling, Mei was the baker's niece. She'd often brought him broth on cold nights.
"You... look really different," she said, eyes wide. "You were... old yesterday. Are you really Big Brother Tian?"
Li Tian gave a small nod, gently soothing the girl's head.
"Just feeling better," he said quietly, unsure of what else to offer. The truth was too strange to explain.
However, Mei was too young to care; she was just happy that her favorite uncle now looked better. She beamed. "Grandpa says a trader's cart will pass through soon. Want to come help?"
Li Tian nodded. "Alright."
Together, they walked into the center of the village.
Several villagers had gathered, organizing baskets of produce and dried meats. Children played near the stream. An air of calm routine settled over the square.
As they entered the village square, a few villagers paused mid-step. Then more turned. Their gazes locked on Mei—and the unfamiliar young man walking beside her.
"Who's that with Mei?"
"Is he a traveler?"
"More like a kidnapper. Get him!!"
A few of the men began to approach, one of them holding a stick. "Mei! Step away from him!"
Mei blinked, startled. "Huh? What?"
"We don't know who he is! You went to get Li Tian, right? How are you returning with this young man?"
Mei stepped in front of him, facing the villagers. "Stop it! He didn't kidnap me! This is really Big Brother Tian! He was like this when I saw him this morning!"
Li Tian nodded.
The confusion on the villagers' faces deepened. Someone dropped a basket. Another murmured, "He was an old man yesterday."
The chief arrived just in time to see the crowd parting. He studied Li Tian's face for a long moment, then exhaled. "...Li Tian. By the heavens."
Li Tian raised both hands calmly. "It's me."
They didn't believe him. One of the women gasped. "He's a cultivator—look at his posture!"
The whispers turned into stunned silence. Then, more eyes widened as recognition finally hit.
It was Li Tian indeed! There was no doubt about it.
But just as they were about to question further, a shout broke their train of thought.
"Riders! From the east!"
All heads turned towards the voice.
Dust rose in the distance. Four men on horseback galloped down the slope—shabby armor, wicked smiles. Their leader had a curved blade strapped to his back and a jagged scar across his chin.
"Bandits!"
The villagers froze. One of them, who was also the village chief, turned sharply. "Everyone, grab your weapons. Now! Form up near the carts!"
But before anyone could react, the bandits had already reached the square. Their horses kicked up dust, scattering baskets and knocking over crates. Villagers stumbled back as the four riders pulled up confidently, their eyes scanning the crowd like wolves sizing up prey.
The scar-faced leader gave a villainous grin. "You have one hundred breaths to hand over everything of value—money, food, weapons, anything worth carrying. After that, we take it ourselves. Do not forget the women."
The chief stepped forward again, hands raised. "Please, we can give you silver and grain. Spare the people."
Scarface dismounted and walked up. Without a word, he slapped the chief hard across the face, sending him to the ground.
"You don't negotiate with me, old man."
He turned to his men. "Take everything of value. Kill any man who resists."
The bandits spread out.
One of them reached for Mei, grabbing her wrist.
She yelped and stumbled back, hiding behind Li Tian.
Li Tian stepped forward, placing himself between her and the attacker.
Scarface's smile faded. "No?"
The other three dismounted.
"We've got a hero, boys."
Li Tian could feel his heartbeat in his ears. He hadn't fought in years. But the strength inside him pulsed, eager to be unleashed.
[Minor Combat Mission Triggered: Defend the village! Reward: 10 points! Go, Go, Go!]
But Li Tian was already moving.
He lowered his stance.
One of the bandits lunged forward, swinging a short blade. Li Tian dodged sideways and countered with a sharp elbow to the ribs. The man staggered, wind knocked out.
Another came from the left. Li Tian ducked under the swing, planted his foot, and drove his palm into the man's chest. The bandit flew back, landing hard.
[Two down. Nice moves, Master!]
The third bandit hesitated.
Scarface growled. "Useless!"
He leaped down from his horse and walked forward slowly, unsheathing his curved blade. His eyes locked onto Li Tian.
"You think you're strong because you beat a few untrained rats? Let me show you the difference between a real cultivator and a mortal."
A sudden weight pressed into the air.
Scarface's qi burst out, a dull oppressive wave washing over the square. Villagers staggered. Some dropped their weapons. Even Mei gripped her chest and backed away.
"Late Stage of Layer 1 of the Body Tempering Realm!!" someone shouted. "We... we're doomed."
Li Tian stepped forward calmly.
He released his own aura.
A sharper, tighter force radiated from his body. It pushed back against the bandit's presence. The air lightened.
Scarface's eyes widened.
"Early Stage Layer Two...?!"
"What is a cultivator like you doing here in the middle of nowhere?|
Li Tian didn't speak. He was already moving.
"Do not underestimate me!"
Scarface charged, blade flashing. His swings were heavier, boosted with qi.
Li Tian ducked the first, deflected the second, and on the third—he stepped in.
A heavy punch slammed into Scarface's ribs, cracking something.
Scarface roared and swung low. Li Tian sidestepped, grabbed the bandit's wrist, and drove his knee into Scarface's gut.
The bandit stumbled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Scarface fell to one knee, coughing violently. "W-Wait! I was wrong! I had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai! Spare me, Senior!" he begged, voice cracking.
Li Tian's eyes were cold.
"You preyed on the weak, robbed the poor, and tried to take what was never yours."
Scarface tried to crawl back, coughing blood. "W-Wait! I was wrong! I had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai! Spare me, Senior! I-I can change—"
But Li Tian was done listening. He stepped forward and struck without hesitation. A heavy blow landed cleanly against Scarface's head, silencing him for good.
The other bandits froze for a heartbeat. One turned to run.
Too late.
Li Tian moved like a gust of wind, cutting through them with swift, precise strikes. A kick shattered one man's spine; a palm strike broke another's neck. The last fell with a gurgle as Li Tian's fist crushed his throat.
In seconds, all four bodies lay sprawled on the ground, motionless and still.
They were all dead.
The silence that followed was absolute. The villagers stared back and forth between the dead bandits and Li Tian.
Mei was the first to speak. "Uncle Tian... you saved us!"