Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 74: Surging Power

As dawn broke over the horizon, the Li Family's estate was bathed in a golden hue. Li Tian stood at the center of a training courtyard, his muscles tense as energy coursed through him. His senses had sharpened dramatically, his understanding of combat growing exponentially. After mastering the latest techniques granted by the system, he could feel a shift within him. The next stage of his journey awaited—one that would test his abilities beyond anything he had faced before.

[Quest Complete: You have mastered the Dragon Claw Strike and the Shadowstep Technique.] [Reward: Hidden Technique – Sky Rending Palm.]

Li Tian smirked as the familiar voice echoed in his mind, announcing the completion of his latest quest. His aura flared momentarily as he absorbed the knowledge of the Sky Rending Palm. The technique was lethal, designed to rip apart an opponent's defenses with sheer brute force. He clenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming power building in his palm.

"Sky Rending Palm..." Li Tian muttered to himself, excitement flickering in his eyes. The reward was a testament to the system's promise to guide him toward unparalleled strength.

Just as he was about to test the new technique, a figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. Zheng Wei, his fiancée, stood there, her eyes fixed on him. The air between them was tense, but a sense of curiosity lingered behind her calm expression.

"You've grown stronger again, haven't you?" she said, her voice soft but laced with admiration.

Li Tian turned to her, his usual smirk playing on his lips. "I have to stay ahead of the competition, don't I?"

Zheng Wei walked closer, her gaze never leaving his. "It's more than that. You're pushing yourself harder every day, but why? What are you really after?"

Li Tian's smile faded slightly as her words struck deeper than expected. He looked away, gazing into the distance. "Power... control... and to make sure no one can ever challenge me again." He paused before turning back to her, his eyes filled with determination. "But I also want something else."

Zheng Wei tilted her head, intrigued. "And what is that?"

"You," he said, closing the distance between them. His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I want to protect what's mine. My family, the people I care about... and you. I won't let anything take them away from me."

Zheng Wei's cheeks flushed slightly at his sudden declaration, her heart skipping a beat. For a moment, her tough exterior faltered, revealing a hint of vulnerability. She looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt but found none.

"Li Tian..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

But before she could respond, a sharp crack echoed through the air, shattering the moment between them. Both of them turned their heads toward the source of the noise. In the distance, the protective barrier surrounding the estate shimmered, distorted by an external force.

"What the—?" Li Tian narrowed his eyes, his senses immediately going on high alert.

A figure appeared at the edge of the barrier—a tall man dressed in dark robes, his presence oozing with malice. The sky above darkened as the man's aura pulsed, shaking the very air around him.

Li Tian's heart pounded. The figure was clearly powerful—perhaps more so than anyone he had faced before. Zheng Wei stepped forward, her stance tense as she prepared for a possible confrontation.

"Who is that?" she asked, her tone sharp.

"No idea," Li Tian responded, his voice low and dangerous. "But whoever he is, he's looking for trouble."

Without warning, the dark-robed man raised his hand, a sphere of black energy forming in his palm. He hurled it toward the estate, the energy crackling with malevolent intent. The barrier trembled but held.

Li Tian's eyes narrowed. There was no room for hesitation.

[New Quest: Defend the Estate.] [Objective: Eliminate the invader before the barrier is breached.]

"Looks like I've got work to do," Li Tian said, a fierce grin spreading across his face.

He launched himself forward, his body blurring as he activated the Shadowstep Technique. In an instant, he appeared in front of the intruder, his fist charged with the energy of the Sky Rending Palm. The force of his attack collided with the intruder's dark energy, sending shockwaves rippling through the courtyard.

The man grinned, his eyes gleaming with twisted amusement. "So, this is the famed Li Tian. Let's see what you're really made of."

Li Tian didn't respond with words. Instead, he unleashed a barrage of strikes, his movements a blur of raw power and precision. The Sky Rending Palm ripped through the air, its energy surging with each attack.

The intruder blocked the first few strikes, but the sheer force of Li Tian's attacks began to wear him down. With a powerful upward strike, Li Tian shattered the man's defenses, sending him flying backward.

"You're not bad," the man said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "But this is only the beginning."

He raised his arms, dark energy swirling around him as he summoned a massive black serpent from the shadows. The creature hissed, its eyes glowing with malevolence as it coiled around the intruder, preparing to strike.

Li Tian's eyes gleamed with determination. "I've got plenty more where that came from."

He activated the Dragon Claw Strike, his hand transforming into a claw-like shape as he channeled his inner energy. With a powerful leap, he soared into the air, his Dragon Claw Strike aimed directly at the serpent.

The two forces collided with a deafening crash, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

When the dust settled, Li Tian stood tall, the serpent shattered into nothingness. The intruder, battered and bruised, knelt on the ground, his aura flickering weakly.

"You... you're stronger than I thought," the man gasped, struggling to his feet.

Li Tian stepped forward, his gaze cold. "You made a mistake coming here."

With a final burst of energy, Li Tian unleashed the full force of the Sky Rending Palm, sending the intruder crashing into the ground, unconscious.

[Quest Complete: Defend the Estate.] [Reward: Technique – Divine Thunder Fist.]

As the system's notification rang in his mind, Li Tian sighed, the adrenaline slowly fading from his body. Zheng Wei approached him, her eyes wide with awe.

"That was... incredible," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Li Tian smirked, his confidence returning. "Just another day in the life."

But as the sun began to rise, Li Tian couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger—something that would test him in ways he had never imagined.