*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
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Leon's fangs tore into raw caterpillar flesh—fibrous strands exploding viscous ichor across chin, texture rubbery-tough laced with metallic tang and bubbling bitterness that clawed throat like battery acid. He gagged mid-chew, spitting globules.
"Damn it, it's awful! Tastes like rotting leather soaked in piss. Yagh—why does monster meat always betray the stomach?" Another savage rip, forcing swallow. "Chewy as sin, slimy aftertaste... but filling. Better than starving guts."
Wiping slime-hand across thigh, he grimaced. "At least no instant death—progress?"
Meal devoured, Leon staggered upright, stick-crutch steadying as circulation returned.
"Well, I can at least feel my legs again now. Then let's first figure out what type of world this is—and just how long I have to keep walking like this."
Eyes half-lidded, gazing at battered feet sinking into sanguine dunes, he mumbled.
"As I didn't really expect, I wasn't a match for the God of Lightning. I still have no idea how strong his full power is—or was he even using his full strength against me? I guess I was far too arrogant back then. Hm, but this is interesting—that damn Mind Demon isn't saying a single word, but at the same time, it feels good."
Eyes lifting to endless stone-pocked horizon of weirdly hued sand, he continued.
"My injuries are far from healed, so I have to conceal my presence. I'm in no condition to fight a god for some time. Right now, I must focus on healing and must not attract the attention of any god until I become stronger."
Time wove through grueling marches—Leon's shadow elongating across crimson wastes under relentless sun, stick-thud echoing solitude, wounds scabbing under sheer will, every step carving resolve deeper than fatigue.
This forsaken realm hid dominion beneath desolation: the Eight Great Sects, immortal lineages ruling from mist-shrouded peaks and divine forbidden grounds. Each commanded heaven-defying inheritances—Crimson Blood Sect devouring life-essences, Thunder Sovereign Sect wielding heavenly tribulations , Void Shadow Sect erasing existence, Eternal Flame Sect birthing world-forging infernos, Heaven-Shaking Earth Sect pulverizing mountains, Soul Devouring Sect enslaving spirits, Beast Taming Sect subjugating primordial beasts, Heavenly Fate Sect weaving karma-threads. Sect disciples signed in daily for ancient divine bodies, elders slumbered as transcendent apocalypses, inter-sect blood feuds shaking firmaments eternal
Unbeknownst, Leon's path veered toward collision course...
Deep within mist-veiled peaks piercing eternal clouds, the Heavenly Fate Sect sprawled—a majestic fortress of jade pagodas spiraling heavenward, golden runes pulsing along obsidian walls etched with karma-webs, spirit springs cascading luminous waterfalls into koi-filled abysses, central plaza ringed by nine divine steles radiating fate-aura that bent causality itself.
Inside grand birthing hall of flowing silk banners and incense braziers flickering phoenix-flame, robed elders gathered—crimson-sashed with phoenix embroidery, faces wizened yet radiant, silver beards woven jade beads. At center, young father in azure sect robes cradled newborn, pride etched amid anxiety.
Suddenly, the infant boy's eyes snapped open—piercing yellow irises gleaming unnatural intellect. He mumbled internally, thoughts racing.
W-where am I? Who are these people? Their clothes so strange... W-wait, I can't speak!
A ethereal blue screen materialized before him.
"Hello, host. How are you?"
Boy's mind reeled, unable to vocalize—only frantic mumbles.
W-what the hell is that screen? I should be dead! How am I alive? Why does my body feel so strange? If I remember correctly, I was killed by a robber that was raiding my home at night...
Elders and father tensed at the babe's bizarre stillness—no wail, just twitching brows and darting yellow eyes.
"What's happening? Why isn't this boy crying?" one elder fretted.
"Strange behavior indeed," another murmured.
Head elder stroked faint smile, waving hand.
"Hurry—we should name him."
Father nodded urgently.
"Yeah, let's hurry it up."
Boy's thoughts soured.
I wasn't even married, only 20 years old. Why does everybody hate me so much? Damn it...
System: "Host, at least reply to me."
Boy flinched inwardly.
Huh? Totally forgot about this blue screen.
System hologram bloomed before his face.
"Host, you've been chosen by the system. Do you wish to unlock your physique?"
Shock rippled, then sly grin twisted tiny lips.
Yes, I'd like to unlock this physique—or whatever it is.and Explain what's going on and what can this so-called physique can do.
"Congratulations, host! You have unlocked the Heavenly Fate Physique."
Elders gasped at babe's contorting expressions—frozen, awaiting end to "seizure." Boy puzzled aloud in mind.
Heavenly Fate Physique? What's that? Did you grant it?
"No, host. To be precise, the physique wasn't granted by the system—you were born with it. The system merely awakened your awareness. This physique is blessed by heaven's luck, unlocking great rewards in the future. Who knows—you might become one of the strongest, most powerful men alive."
"With my help, of course. The family you're reborn into belongs to the Heavenly Fate Sect—one of the Eight Great Sects, among the strongest."
Boy smirked triumphantly.
I get it a little now. By your talk, I'm heaven-blessed. With your help, I can become the strongest ever. You're right—let's do it, system!
Abruptly, golden radiance erupted from infant's form—pure heavenly fate physique awakening, luminous halo cascading like liquid starlight, runes blooming across skin in fate-karma filigree, aura rippling causality waves that bent incense smoke into auspicious dragons, dazzling hall in divine effulgence. Elders prostrated, father wept tears of fortune—prophecy fulfilled.