Knock, knock...
A man dressed in a formal suit stepped into the hospital ward.
"Boss. Gao Xiong has allied with more than a dozen major shareholders and launched an all-out suppression against Lin Technology. They have issued an ultimatum: if Young Master Lin does not marry Gao Damei within three days, the entire Lin Group will be erased from Earth."
The man lowered his head. He had omitted one crucial detail—Gao Xiong had also threatened to destroy the entire Lin family bloodline if they dared refuse.
Lin Yang breathed a heavy sigh and spoke quietly. "Send word to Gao Xiong. My son will marry Gao Damei. Tell them to make preparations in advance."
"My poor, unfortunate son!" Lin Tingbai's mother burst into bitter tears. Her son was once an outstanding talent, destined for greatness. To think he would be forced to marry the plump Gao Damei... Heaven was truly blind.
Lin Yang shot a cold glance at Lin Tingbai and murmured, "Son, misfortune is part of life. Sacrifice yourself for the rise of the Lin family."
Upon hearing his father's words, a single tear of sorrow slid down Lin Tingbai's cheek. His own happiness had been discarded, used as a bargaining chip by his ambitious father.
Farewell, my beloved Xia Weiwei...
Lin Tingbai closed his eyes in agony, his world plunged into endless darkness.
Meanwhile, inside the alchemy laboratory at Number Eleven High School.
Blurs of movement swirled around Wang Hao's hands. When he dropped a single droplet of refined liquid into a red test tube, the potion inside shimmered instantly, casting a faint golden glow across the room.
"That's the Enhancement Elixir. Child's play." Wang Hao shrugged, tilted his head back, and drank the elixir in one gulp. He then sat cross-legged on the floor and began circulating the Demonic Radiance Heavenly Technique.
Boom!
As night fell, Wang Hao's body shuddered violently. A surging wave of energy erupted from within him, sending every object nearby flying across the room.
He opened his eyes, and a streak of dazzling golden light flashed past his gaze.
"I've reached Level Seven Martial Apprentice." Wang Hao clenched his fists, brimming with vigorous power. His cultivation foundation remained rock-solid and unshaken.
Ordinary cultivators who broke through three minor realms in such a short time would suffer unstable foundations and be unable to unleash their full strength. But Wang Hao had consumed a Tier One Potential Pill long ago. Adapting to surging power came as easily as drinking water. He would need no more than a day to adjust completely.
"System. I want to strengthen myself further. Any recommendations?"
"Host currently possesses 41,400 Villain Points. Recommended enhancements: Strength Stones, Speed Stones, Spirit Stones, and Stamina Stones."
"Attribute Stones?" Wang Hao blinked. Detailed descriptions materialized before his eyes.
Tier One Strength Stone: For Martial Apprentices. Boosts foundational physical strength. Maximum ten stones. Cost: 1,000 Villain Points each.
Tier One Speed Stone: For Martial Apprentices. Enhances movement agility. Maximum ten stones. Cost: 1,000 Villain Points each.
Tier One Spirit Stone: For Martial Apprentices. Sharpens mental perception. Maximum ten stones. Cost: 1,000 Villain Points each.
Tier One Stamina Stone: For Martial Apprentices. Improves endurance reserves. Maximum ten stones. Cost: 1,000 Villain Points each.
"This feels just like stat-point allocation in video games..." Wang Hao's mouth twitched. Had the system turned his cultivation journey into a game?
"Whatever. If it makes me stronger, I'll take it." He purchased ten of each stone, spending40,000 Villain Points in total.
When he focused his will and activated a golden Strength Stone, a warm current flooded his body, instantly amplifying his brute strength.
"Excellent treasure!" Delighted, he consumed all thirty-nine remaining stones at once.
"My combat power has multiplied several times over." Wang Hao jumped lightly, feeling unbelievably agile. Thanks to the Spirit Stones, his bodily control was razor-sharp, and his mind crystal clear.
Who's there?
A streak of silver light sliced through the air. An assassin! Without the enhanced perception from the Spirit Stones, Wang Hao would never have detected the lurking killer.
The assassin's eyes widened in shock. He could not believe a mere high school student had evaded his fatal strike. Knowing a second attempt would risk alerting school guards, he turned to flee.
"You think you can run after trying to kill me?" Wang Hao let out a cold snarl and chased after him, moving at lightning speed.
The assassin was stunned again. Intelligence reports only mentioned Wang Hao's peerless evasion footwork—not such terrifying raw speed.
On a tall school rooftop, Su Mu and Principal Zhongli watched the chase, both deeply astonished. How had Wang Hao gained such speed overnight? He had only broken through to Level Six that morning, yet now stood at Level Seven, with an unshakable cultivation foundation.
"This boy must have stumbled upon a heavenly fortune," Su Mu smiled, stroking his beard. The vast Interstellar Federation brimmed with geniuses and ancient inherited legacies. Only a supreme legacy could explain Wang Hao's flawless rapid breakthroughs.
"Shall we ask about his inheritance, Senior Su?"
"No. His secrets are his own. I shall never pry unless he chooses to speak."
"You embody noble virtue, a role model for us all," Zhongli praised.
Su Mu smiled inwardly. Regardless of Wang Hao's legacy, the boy would one day inherit everything Su Mu possessed—their combined power would be unstoppable.
"Shall we intervene to help Wang Hao? The assassin is Level Nine Martial Apprentice, two realms above him," Zhongli asked anxiously.
"Let us observe. I wish to see his true battle prowess in a life-or-death struggle." Su Mu narrowed his eyes. He had forged a common-born legend once with Wang Tianyi. If he could turn the abandoned royal heir Wang Hao into another legend... the thought alone filled him with triumph.