THE SOVEREIGN GOD'S MORTAL VENGEANCE!

5.

Wiping away the lingering sensation of pain from the surface of his skin, Lucas crossed his legs on the wooden floor, which was now much cleaner. He closed his eyes, casting all doubts far aside, and began to harmonize his consciousness with the pulse of nature surrounding this worn-out dwelling.

"Grand Primordial God Technique, activate!"

A forbidden cultivation method from his glory days as a God Emperor began to spin within his soul once again. Even though the Qi in this mortal realm was so sparse—like dew in the middle of a desert—the technique forcibly sucked in every clump of energy particles scattered in the air. Faint streams of silvery light began to flow through the pores of his skin, creeping inside to fill his blood vessels and merging into his previously hollow dantian.

Two days... Three days passed unnoticed.

In the deep silence of meditation, the flow of Qi he managed to gather worked like golden needles, stitching back together his damaged internal organs. The bruises on his back faded, and his previously fractured bones fused firmly back together.

WUUUUUUSH! BOOM!

A faint vortex of wind suddenly exploded from the center of Lucas's body, blasting away the fine dust around him. His eyes snapped wide open, flashing a burst of intimidating golden light before slowly dimming down once more.

"One-Star Mortal Realm..." Lucas muttered, clenching his fingers.

In the immortal world from which he originated, this rank was the most basic stepping stone—a very weak starting threshold in the eyes of true cultivators. However, for Lucas's fragile vessel, this success was a giant leap forward. Eighty percent of his physical and internal injuries had completely healed, and his thin muscles were now surging with pure spiritual strength ready to erupt at any moment.

However, before Lucas could enjoy his first breath after cultivating, the tranquility inside the room was suddenly shattered into pieces.

BRAAAAAAAAAANG!

The rotted wooden door was slammed so hard it shattered to splinters! Fragments of wood flew in all directions, floating past Lucas's head as he remained seated calmly in his position.

"Hahaha! Look at this bastard child! Turns out you still dare to hide in this junk room after what you did!"

A haughty, shrill voice filled the room. Young Master Edward—the favored son of the Wine Family Head—strided inside with an air of complete arrogance. His luxurious silk robe embroidered with gold thread stood in stark contrast to the humble sight of the storeroom.

Behind Edward stood the two guards who had been beaten black and blue by Lucas three days ago. The bald guard's face was now covered in dingy bandages with his nose still crooked out of place, while the guard with the mole limped along, clutching an iron club tightly in his hand. His eyes burned with scorching vengeance.

"Young Master Edward! See, he was indeed hiding in his dilapidated room!" the bald guard growled, pointing at Lucas's face with a tremble.

"This devilish brat used dirty tricks to crush my face and break my companion's ribs! Please avenge us!"

Edward looked Lucas up and down with a disgusted glare, as if staring at an insect crawling in the mud.

"Lucas... I heard reports that you suddenly went wild and dared to lay a hand on my pet dogs," Edward said with a cruel smirk, casually twirling a gem-studded dagger between his fingers. "I came here not only to break both your legs and arms in exchange... but I want to see where a piece of trash like you got the courage to fight back?!"

Lucas did not move an inch from his seated position. He slowly raised his gaze, staring at Edward with calm yet ice-cold eyes, as though he were looking at a heap of lifeless meat.

He then exhaled softly before finally speaking in an utterly relaxed tone.

"You ask where that courage came from?" Lucas chuckled softly, a subtle, mocking smile carving onto the corner of his lips. "The answer is simple. Because the human sitting before you right now... is no longer the weak Lucas you can trample on as you please."

He stood up slowly, straightening his shabby robe, which now sat much firmer atop his body now filled with Qi energy.

"Besides, I don't need a special reason to teach a lesson to a dog that barks indiscriminately," Lucas continued, his eyes sweeping over the two guards behind Edward, who instantly flinched a step backward. "I beat up those two dogs of yours because they kept insulting my late mother... And my awakening this time is merely to take back what should rightfully be mine while living in this Wine Family residence. Be it a proper room, or the respect that I am due."

Instantly, a brief silence crept over the room... before a loud burst of laughter exploded from Edward's mouth!

"HAHAHAHAHA! RIGHTS?! RESPECT?!"

Edward laughed until he bent over, clutching his stomach as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke of his entire life. The two guards behind him joined in, laughing hysterically in an attempt to cover up their previous fear.

"Ah, my head actually hurts listening to this!" Edward wiped the corner of his eyes, which were watery from laughing too much, then glared at Lucas with a face that suddenly turned deeply malicious and full of contempt.

"Hey, you bastard! Did you suddenly go crazy or get amnesia after getting beaten half to death by me?!" Edward shrieked in a high-pitched, mocking tone. "Did you forget who you are? Wasn't that dead mother of yours nothing more than a cheap whore who seduced my father?! You're just a piece of trash born from filth, a bastard child of unknown origins!"

Edward stepped closer, spitting right beside Lucas's feet with overflowing disgust.

"Where did you get the ridiculous idea that you have rights as a Young Master in this residence?! Your place is in the sewer, along with the rats and carcasses! The only right you deserve from the Wine Family... is to die at my hands today!"

Hearing his late mother referred to once again as a cheap whore, and even the term 'bastard child' hurled into his ears, Lucas's gaze turned bone-chillingly cold. His aura and killing intent erupted completely on their own.

"Say that... one more time..."