Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 49: Into the Lion's Den

The cold winds of the Abyssal Canyon still lingered as Li Tian emerged from its dark embrace, the newly acquired Abyssal Force Technique burning within him like a beacon of destruction. His mind was buzzing with the knowledge and potential it carried, but he knew better than to let this new power lull him into complacency. There were far more dangerous threats looming on the horizon.

As he took a deep breath, the system chimed again.

[New Quest: Return to the Li Family Estate and confront the next challenge. Objective: Survive the encounter.]

Li Tian raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk forming on his lips. Survive the encounter? He wasn't one to just survive—he dominated. The system's warning only fueled his anticipation. Whatever awaited him back home, he was more than prepared to face it head-on.

With the shadow step technique, it didn't take long for him to cover the distance back to the estate. As he crossed the threshold of his family's grand manor, the atmosphere was different. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if the very walls were anticipating the storm to come.

Li Tian moved through the familiar halls, his senses heightened. Servants and family members glanced his way, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear. News of his recent exploits in the Abyssal Canyon had spread like wildfire, and now, everyone knew that Li Tian was not the same bastard child they once ignored.

He entered the main hall, where his father, Li Feng, stood at the head of the room, flanked by his brothers and half-sisters. The air was thick with anticipation.

"Li Tian," his father's voice boomed. "You've returned."

Li Tian met his father's gaze with an unwavering stare, his expression calm yet unreadable. "I have."

Li Feng's eyes narrowed. "There are whispers that you've ventured into the Abyssal Canyon and returned unscathed."

"More than unscathed," Li Tian said, stepping forward. "I've grown stronger. And I'm ready for whatever comes next."

Before his father could respond, a figure stepped out from the shadows—a tall, imposing man with dark robes and an aura of menace that sent a shiver down the spine of everyone in the room. This was a man who didn't belong in the Li Family Estate.

"Who is this?" Li Tian asked, his eyes locking onto the stranger.

Li Feng's jaw clenched. "This is Zhan Chen, a high-ranking cultivator from the Imperial Clan. He's here to... test you."

Zhan Chen's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "I've heard much about your strength, Li Tian. The Imperial Clan is interested in those who show potential. But talk is cheap. Let's see if you're worthy of their attention."

Li Tian's eyes gleamed with interest. "You're here to test me? Very well."

Without another word, Zhan Chen's aura exploded, filling the room with a suffocating pressure. The ground beneath their feet trembled as dark energy swirled around him, creating an almost tangible sense of dread.

But Li Tian didn't flinch. He allowed the Abyssal Force Technique to activate, dark energy coursing through his veins as he prepared for battle. The two stood facing each other in the center of the room, their auras clashing with enough force to send ripples through the air.

Zhan Chen moved first, his figure blurring as he launched himself toward Li Tian, a spear of dark qi forming in his hand. The speed of his attack was incredible, but Li Tian was faster. With a swift movement, he dodged the spear and countered with a powerful punch, the Abyssal Force amplifying the strike.

Their fists collided with a thunderous explosion, the shockwave knocking over furniture and sending the spectators scrambling for cover. But neither man backed down. They exchanged blows at a furious pace, each strike more intense than the last.

Zhan Chen's eyes gleamed with malicious intent. "You're better than I expected, but it won't be enough."

With a swift motion, Zhan Chen summoned a series of dark tendrils, each one lashing out at Li Tian like whips. But Li Tian wasn't fazed. He summoned the Abyssal Force again, creating a barrier of dark energy that deflected the tendrils with ease.

"You talk too much," Li Tian said calmly, his eyes locked on his opponent.

Zhan Chen's expression twisted into a snarl as he launched into another barrage of attacks, but Li Tian was ready. With the shadow step technique, he danced around each strike, moving like a phantom in the night. His movements were fluid, almost effortless, as he closed the distance between them.

In a flash, Li Tian was behind Zhan Chen, his fist glowing with the Abyssal Force's dark energy. He struck with a devastating blow to the back, sending Zhan Chen crashing into the floor with a loud crack.

Zhan Chen staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth, but his eyes burned with fury. "You're good, but you've underestimated me."

Before Li Tian could react, Zhan Chen's body exploded with dark energy, his form shifting and warping into something monstrous. His skin turned black as night, and his eyes glowed with an eerie red light. This was no longer a mere cultivator—he had become something far more dangerous.

Li Tian's eyes narrowed. This wasn't going to be easy.

Zhan Chen lunged at him again, his movements faster and more erratic than before. But Li Tian was prepared. He activated the Abyssal Force Technique once more, his body glowing with dark energy as he met Zhan Chen's attack head-on.

The two clashed again, their fists colliding with enough force to shake the very foundation of the estate. The room around them began to crumble as their battle intensified, neither one willing to give an inch.

But Li Tian wasn't about to lose. With a burst of speed, he dodged Zhan Chen's next attack and countered with a devastating punch to the chest, sending him flying across the room. Zhan Chen hit the wall with a sickening thud, his body slumping to the ground, motionless.

The room fell silent as everyone stared at the fallen cultivator in shock.

[Mission Complete: Survive the encounter. Reward: Advanced Shadow Step Technique unlocked.]

Li Tian stood tall, his expression calm as he looked down at Zhan Chen's lifeless form. He had won, but he knew this was just the beginning. The challenges ahead would only grow more dangerous, and he would need every ounce of strength to face them.

As the system's notification faded, Li Tian glanced at his father, who stood speechless at the sight of his son's victory. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the moment he would prove to the world that he was more than just a forgotten child.