Chapter 1

"What is the purpose of living a human life?"

Li Qiuxian stood on the rooftop of the teaching building, facing the brisk wind, gazing at the distant evening sky that seemed to be set ablaze by flames, and said in a daze.

Behind him stood his best friend, Long Zeyun.

Wearing the school uniform of Yaoyang High School, Long Zeyun, who still had a hint of childishness on his face, looked at Li Qiuxian, who had asked such an unusual question, with a worried expression: "Qiuxian, don't think too much... Although Aunt's accidental death is painful, you must stay strong. There's only a month left until the college entrance exam. I believe Aunt would not want to see you fall into despair because of her."

"I'm not thinking too much; on the contrary, my mind has never been clearer than it is now."

Li Qiuxian stepped forward, stretched out his hands, and unconsciously swayed them left and right, as if trying to clear away a thin veil in front of him to see the world more clearly.

"Unprecedented clarity."

"Qiuxian, don't scare me. You are the most likely candidate to be the top student in the province for the science section. Just get through the next month, pass the exam, and get into Shale University, and you'll immediately reach the peak of your life, enjoying a bright future. You must stay calm... By the way, your Okas Math Competition is over, and you don't have any more competitions for the next month. Let's go relax!"

"Meaningless."

Li Qiuxian said indifferently.

He looked at Long Zeyun, and the deep, unfamiliar gaze made Long Zeyun feel a bit afraid.

That was not the gaze of a student under eighteen...

"Long Zeyun, I appreciate your encouragement these past few days, but... I'm leaving. I'm going to take a break from school for a while."

"Leave school?"

Long Zeyun's eyes widened: "You're leaving school? There's only a month left until the college entrance exam. At this critical moment, you're leaving school? Are you giving up? Haven't you forgotten what Aunt's greatest wish was?"

"To attend a prestigious university and become an excellent student. I know, and I will definitely fulfill Mother's wish."

Li Qiuxian said seriously: "On the day the exam starts, I will return."

"You..."

Long Zeyun looked at his friend, who had suddenly become unfamiliar in just a few days. Under his serious gaze, he felt a pressure that made him hesitant to argue. His words of persuasion became more gentle: "You... You must have memorized all the high school knowledge by now. Taking a month off might be good for you, a chance to relax and adjust your state..."

Li Qiuxian nodded and said sincerely to Long Zeyun again: "Thank you."

After that, he turned and walked toward the stairs.

Just as Li Qiuxian was about to disappear at the stairwell, Long Zeyun suddenly thought of something and asked worriedly: "Qiuxian, what are you going to do next?"

Li Qiuxian, who was about to go down the stairs, paused for a moment...

Looking at the clean stairwell, he lifted his head, and the confusion in his eyes gradually faded...

"Life is too fragile, like a newly grown flower, looking strong and beautiful, full of vitality, but a little rain or wind can easily destroy it, turning it to dust... I'm going to do something to make my life less fragile..."

"What?"

"Practice martial arts."

"Practice martial arts?"

Long Zeyun was stunned.

...

Practice martial arts.

Yes, practice martial arts.

Li Qiuxian firmly took a leave of absence from school. The school, understanding the family upheaval caused by his mother's car accident and not wanting to lose a top student who had the potential to be the top science student in the province, eventually approved his leave.

Back in his rented room, Li Qiuxian did nothing but what he had told Long Zeyun...

Practice martial arts.

The only difference was that he practiced a mysterious martial art from another dimension, not the common martial arts available on the market.

In that dimension, there was also a Li Qiuxian. Their dimensions overlapped with a fallen semi-four-dimensional dimension called the "Xu World," which gave birth to many Xu beasts that ravaged the universe, hunting and trampling all intelligent life. Only those who mastered the power of the Xu World could fight and kill the Xu beasts, protecting their race and preserving the flame of civilization.

In that dimension, Earth's civilization was extinguished by the Xu beasts. Despite Li Qiuxian's arduous cultivation and achieving the status of a supreme being in the universe, he could not reverse the past and restore Earth's glory.

To thoroughly resolve the crisis brought by the fallen semi-four-dimensional dimension, he wandered the universe for a thousand years and ventured deep into the Xu World to investigate its origin. He barely escaped with a mysterious object from the origin of the Xu World but was ambushed and killed by his enemies on the way back.

...

Since childhood, Li Qiuxian's mind would occasionally be filled with fragments of memories from the "him" in that dimension, causing him great distress. This made him more mature than his peers. It was at the moment he learned of his mother's death in a car accident that the intense grief and pain finally merged his memories with those of the other dimension's self.

Regardless of whether their dimension also had a Xu World or if people would face the threat of the Xu World, the scene of his mother being hit and killed deeply pierced Li Qiuxian's heart.

What is the purpose of living a human life?

After ten days of silent contemplation, he realized.

Living is because of the most fundamental desire to live.

To make life stronger, to transform life, to elevate life, to break free from one's own constraints, to break free from mental constraints, to break free from the constraints of the universe, and then...

Transcend!

Thus, the conversation on the school rooftop took place.

And so, he began practicing martial arts.

And so, he chose another path in life.

...

Star God Body Tempering Fist.

This is the boxing technique Li Qiuxian is currently practicing, a physical strengthening technique that originates from the spiritual level, emphasizing the transformation of the body through the spirit.

The strongest are fearless, the strongest are invincible.

Only the strongest can shine with the light of their own life.

...

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The intense knocking on the door interrupted Li Qiuxian, who had been practicing for three days.

The knocking was so loud that it seemed to be trying to break through the door, the deafening sound echoing in the small room, causing a pile of study books on the table to slide off.

Li Qiuxian retracted his fists and took a long breath.

Although he had only been practicing for three days, with the boxing intent inherited from the Li Qiuxian of the other world, his demeanor had already changed significantly.

He became heavier, colder, and...

More aggressive.

"Click."

The door opened, and outside stood a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a suit, who bore a striking resemblance to Li Qiuxian.

"Why aren't you going to school?"

The middle-aged man asked sternly, and in that moment, an aura of authority emanated from him.

The CEO of a company worth billions.

He had the weight.

"I'm not skipping school; I've taken a month's leave."

Li Qiuxian said calmly, no longer silent, fearful, or...

Hateful.

Hating this man, his father, for abandoning his family for his so-called career.

"A month's leave? I don't allow it! Go to school now."

The man waved his hand, dismissing Li Qiuxian's decision.

"In forty-four days, I'll be eighteen."

Li Qiuxian said.

At eighteen, he would be an adult and no longer need a guardian.

"Eighteen, so your wings are hard? Not even going to school?"

The man's expression darkened, and a pressure that would make ordinary people uneasy came over him.

But...

"I won't go this month."

"Fine!"

The man punched the door, causing a layer of white powder to fall from the wall.

"From today, I will freeze all the funds in your card, and for each day that passes, I will deduct one hundred from your average living expenses until they are all gone! You eat my food and use my things, so you must listen to me!"

The man said and turned to leave without hesitation.

Just like the night ten years ago when he left for his career, not returning for six years.

"Stop!"

Li Qiuxian shouted as the man was about to leave.

"Speak!"

"How did my mother die?"

"Car accident, don't you understand!"

"Car accident? I don't believe it!"

"Whether you believe it or not, it's a car accident!"

"Chairman of Chihai Group, Chiyu Tong!?"

Li Qiuxian said a name.

The man's body trembled.

After a moment, he said forcefully: "Even if you don't want to call her mother, you should call her aunt!"

Li Qiuxian looked at the man, who seemed so unfamiliar: "My mother had already stepped down from Chihai, content to be a supermarket cashier, living in poverty, but Chiyu Tong still wouldn't let up, pressing her until she died? Just because of her dominance? Her unwillingness to share with anyone?"

Silence...

But only for a moment...

In an instant...

"I said, car accident, understand!? No matter what the investigation reveals, it can only be an accidental car accident. The law will give the final judgment!"

The man's attitude was as firm and authoritative as ever, leaving no room for doubt.

"I understand."

Li Qiuxian lowered his head.

"Because... my mother... she was weak..."

"..."

"As a student, do your job. I'll give you three days to think about it. Return to school and study well, or... even if you beg on the streets, I won't give you a single cent. I, Li Shaoyang, will do what I say!"

The man said, his expression cold and stern, and left with a suffocating silence.

The corridor was silent and speechless for a long time.

After the man's figure disappeared around the corner, Li Qiuxian's mind became calm.

He tilted his head slightly, looking at the not-so-old ceiling, and felt a gentle breeze blowing through his mind, rustling and swirling, carrying leaves away to the distance...

There, there was peace...

There were blue skies and white clouds...

Unconsciously, his eyes seemed a bit moist.

"Any decision requires not just determination... but also the necessary price!"

He reached out, wiped his eyes, and saw the tear stains on the side of his index finger: "Even... the meaning of life..."

From that moment on, practicing martial arts was no longer just talk.

He cut off all his retreats.

Because...

The weak have no way out.