Sovereign of Stolen Fate

The evening sun cast elongated shadows across the dusty main street of the village. Jin Ye walked steadily, his calm exterior masking the tempestuous fury within. Every step toward the heart of the village tightened the coil of anticipation in his chest, sharpening his focus until the world narrowed solely onto the impending confrontation.

Villagers, sensing a brewing storm, watched from windows and doorways, their whispers hushed and cautious.

"Is that Jin Ye? Does he really think he can challenge Wei Rong?" one elderly man muttered skeptically, shaking his head.

"He's asking for trouble again. Poor Lin Xian, she won't bear losing him twice," a woman whispered sympathetically from her doorway.

"Wei Rong has gotten more arrogant. Perhaps someone finally standing up to him isn't a bad thing," another villager responded quietly, cautious hope in his voice.

Wei Rong stood arrogantly in the village square, flanked by his cronies, Luo Ming and Chen Li. His posture radiated supreme confidence and entitlement as he sneered openly at Jin Ye.

Wei Rong's cultivation was firmly established at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement, far stronger than Jin Ye's newfound strength. Yet, this stark difference in power did nothing to deter Jin Ye. His resolve was ironclad—strength was more than just raw Qi power. It encompassed strategy, precision, and an indomitable will.

"Finally brave enough to face me, Jin Ye?" Wei Rong taunted loudly, ensuring the gathered crowd heard clearly. "I thought you'd stay hidden forever, cowering behind your mother's skirts."

"I came to warn you, Wei Rong," Jin Ye spoke clearly, his voice steady and measured. "Leave my family alone. This pointless harassment ends now."

Wei Rong's smile widened mockingly, eyes glinting maliciously. "And what will you do if I don't? Perhaps you forgot how easily you fell last time?"

Jin Ye's expression hardened, his voice carrying a quiet, resolute menace. "That was then. Things are different now."

Wei Rong laughed outright, contemptuous and dismissive. "Oh? Has the pathetic Jin Ye finally managed a meager breakthrough? Do you think reaching the second stage of Qi Refinement is enough to challenge me?"

Luo Ming stepped forward aggressively, jeering at Jin Ye. "You should kneel down and apologize while you still can, trash. Or we'll beat respect into you."

Chen Li cracked his knuckles menacingly, adding with a sneer, "Maybe this time, we'll ensure you don't get back up."

"I'm stronger than you believe," Jin Ye stated steadily, assuming a calm, balanced stance. "But if you want to leave broken be my guest. Now apologize and leave my family alone, and I'll spare your pride."

The threat seemed absurd coming from Jin Ye, prompting another wave of laughter from Wei Rong and his followers. Wei Rong's eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice dropping lower, threatening and dark. "I think I need to remind you again of your place."

Without further warning, Wei Rong lunged forward, his fist covered in a faint shimmer of Qi aimed at Jin Ye's chest. The gathered villagers gasped collectively, some turning their heads away, expecting another cruel beating.

Jin Ye anticipated Wei Rong's straightforward assault, having already gauged the limits of his opponent's cultivation. Just at the 4th stage of Qi Refinement. Rather than directly countering the strike, he shifted subtly aside, allowing Wei Rong's momentum to carry him off balance. With swift precision, Jin Ye's palm struck Wei Rong's exposed side—a modest strike, yet perfectly aimed to disrupt his Qi flow temporarily.

Wei Rong stumbled, stunned by Jin Ye's unexpected move. Fury flashed across his face as he spun around, embarrassment fueling his rage. "You dare mock me with petty tricks?"

Luo Ming and Chen Li seeing Wei Rong losing control surged forward aggressively, aiming to overwhelm Jin Ye with sheer numbers. Jin Ye retreated smoothly, eyes narrowing as he prepared himself. He couldn't afford to get surrounded by multiple opponents. While not as strong as Wei Rong they were still 2nd and 3rd stage Qi Refinement cultivators.

Outnumbered and overpowered he knew the only way to win this fight was to rely on his experience from a lifetime of battles in his previous life.

Luo Ming struck wildly, lacking discipline. Jin Ye evaded effortlessly, countering swiftly with a precise jab to Luo Ming's jaw that sent him sprawling to the ground. Chen Li was cautious, attacking more controlled. Jin Ye circled patiently, watching carefully for an opening before landing a kick to Chen Li's knee, forcing him to collapse painfully grabbing his knee.

Villagers gasped audibly, astonished by Jin Ye's unexpected skill.

"Did Jin Ye just defeat both Luo Ming and Chen Li? Impossible!" a woman whispered incredulously.

"Maybe he really has changed," another villager murmured thoughtfully.

As Wei Rong recovered, his face twisted with rage and humiliation, eyes blazing with shame and fury. "Enough playing around! I will crush you!" he roared, charging recklessly.

Jin Ye sidestepped again, but Wei Rong anticipated it this time, pivoting sharply, his fist grazing Jin Ye's shoulder. Pain flared, reminding Jin Ye just how weak his new body was compared to Wei Rong's.

"Learn a couple tricks and think that gives you the courage to challenge me?" Wei Rong hissed, pressing aggressively.

Realizing Wei Rong was learning he knew he had to end this fast. Jin Ye shifted his approach. He drew inward, briefly channeling his limited Qi in a focused burst. He waited for Wei Rong's next aggressive strike, then ducked beneath it, delivering a sharp, precise punch directly to Wei Rong's lower ribs. Wei Rong stumbled backward, momentarily breathless and vulnerable.

"You bastard!" Wei Rong spat furiously, humiliation coloring his face. "I'll kill you!"

But Jin Ye stood firm, calm yet defiant. "You threatened my family. This is the least you deserve."

Wei Rong's face darkened further, shame mixing with rage. "You'll regret this, Jin Ye," he growled bitterly. "You won't always be so lucky. Next time, I'll break more than your bones—I'll break your family as well!"

Jin Ye's eyes hardened, his voice cold and final. "There won't be a next time, Wei Rong. You've chosen your path."

Wei Rong stumbled away, supported by Luo Ming and Chen Li, their confidence now shattered. The watching villagers parted silently, eyes wide with shock and newfound respect.

Yet, beneath his calm exterior, Jin Ye felt a sharp burning sensation deep inside, as though his veins were aflame. He subtly clutched his chest, the pain intense yet oddly invigorating. Within that agony was something else—a faint yet powerful surge he hadn't felt before, as though something had quietly transferred from his defeated opponents into him.

As he watched Wei Rong and his cronies retreat into the gathering dusk, realization flickered faintly in Jin Ye's mind. Could this strange feeling be related to the mysterious voice, to the power it hinted at? He didn't know but now wasn't the time to think about it.

Returning home, Jin Ye maintained his composure despite the lingering pain and confusion. Tonight was merely the start. This strange new power demanded exploration, and with it, he would carve a path toward vengeance that none could predict or stop.