NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - Reborn at the Mafia Gates
''Betrayal cuts deeper than any knife. And I felt that sting from my own kin."
The rain fell relentlessly, sharp and cold, drenching the grand coliseum where the Eastern Alliance Summit was taking place. The five notorious mafia clans of the underground world had come together, pretending to seek peace. Lightning flashed across the sky, momentarily lighting up the vast stone arena. Blood stained the ground—his blood.
Long Tianyu, the heir of the Long Clan, the mightiest of the ancient five, lay there, lifeless. His robes were tattered, his body bruised, and his powers shattered.
"You... you betrayed me," he gasped, blood seeping from his lips.
Towering over him was Long Shen, his uncle—once a guiding figure, now his executioner. Behind him loomed the leaders of the four allied clans, grinning like wolves that had trapped a dragon.
"You were too gifted, Tianyu. Too much of a threat to let live," Long Shen said with a chilling tone, pulling out a curved silver blade. "The Dragon Bloodline deserves someone more compliant."
In that final moment, Tianyu didn't feel fear; he felt a surge of rage.
I trusted you. I honored the clan. I fought for our legacy.
But they were afraid of him. Because he was destined to be more than just a ruler; he was meant to be a Dragon Emperor.
The blade descended.
And then, everything faded to black.
Ten Years Earlier
BOOM!
Long Tianyu jolted awake, heart racing, drenched in sweat. It felt like he had just battled a thousand foes. The familiar scents of incense, aged wood, and old scrolls filled the air.
He glanced around, recognizing the room. An old desk, the cracked jade lion sculpture he had broken as a child. His fingers shook as they brushed against his face.
"No, this can't be real."
He dashed to the mirror. Young. Seventeen. No scars, no blood, no injuries.
Outside, he could see disciples in white and black robes training in the morning mist.
This was the Long Clan's Outer Courtyard. He was back—ten years before his demise.
"I've been reborn?"
Just then, a cold, mechanical chime echoed in his ears.
[Supreme Sign-In System Activated]
Welcome back, Long Tianyu. Fate has smiled upon you.
Daily Sign-In Available. Current Location: Long Clan Outer Courtyard
Reward: 'Dragon Breath Foundation Technique' (Heaven-Grade - Locked in Past Life)
Tianyu was taken aback.
A system? A Sign-In System? In this life?!
In his previous life, he had to fight tooth and nail just to learn the basics of Qi circulation. But now, with just one notification, he was handed a technique that would take ordinary disciples years to even catch a glimpse of.
[Do you wish to sign in now?]
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Sign me up."
[Sign-In Successful!]
You have obtained: 'Dragon Breath Foundation Technique' - Cultivation Speed +300% | Qi Purity +100% | Fire Qi Compatibility Unlocked
Next Sign-In Available: 24 hours | Optional Bonus Sign-In Locations Unlocked
Long Tianyu trembled.
He hadn't just returned; he had come back with a vengeance and a cheat code.
"Trash is still trash, no matter how many times you breathe."
A voice rang out from outside the courtyard.
Long Tianyu stepped out, only to find himself surrounded by a group of smug outer disciples.
At the front was Long Ming, his arrogant cousin, notorious for being a third-rate cultivator and a first-rate coward.
"Well, well, if it isn't the fallen young master. Finally crawled out of your lazy coma?" Long Ming sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Still holding onto that dream of inheriting the clan?"
Tianyu's eyes narrowed. In my past life, I put up with you. Not this time.
"You want me to take you down now, or do you want to keep talking?" Tianyu replied casually.
"What did you say, trash?" Long Ming spat. "You think you're tough now? You've never even passed the first qi condensation stage!"
Whispers spread among the onlooking disciples.
Tianyu's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Activate: Dragon Breath Foundation Technique."
He gathered Qi. Pure, dense, blazing Qi surged through his meridians like wildfire. Even he was taken aback by the speed.
In a heartbeat, he lunged forward.
CRACK!
A slap so swift and fierce echoed across Long Ming's face, plunging the entire courtyard into silence. The hefty cousin spun through the air before landing in the mud with a soggy thud.
"AHHH-!" Long Ming howled, clutching his dislocated jaw.
Tianyu stood tall and unyielding. "Care to say that again?"
Not a single soul dared to respond.
Even the elders lurking in the shadows were left speechless.
"This... this isn't the same Tianyu."
Tianyu turned his gaze directly toward the Long Clan's inner mansion.
"You took everything from me once."
"This time, I'll make sure to take everything from you."
Teaser for Chapter 2:
"Now that Tianyu has successfully signed in and feels his power returning, he sets his sights on the training ground—a place where he could either face humiliation or seek out revenge."