The morning light filtered through my bedroom window, casting a soft glow on the familiar surroundings. Yet, despite the peaceful ambiance, my mind was consumed with a relentless headache, a lingering reminder of the tumultuous events that had transpired the night before.
As I gingerly rose from my bed, the weight of impending decisions bore down on me. The System binding awaited a pivotal moment that would irrevocably alter the course of my life. With determination coursing through my veins, I resolved to seek out a secluded location for the ritual—a place where I could undergo the transformation without fear of interruption.
However, my strict parents posed a formidable obstacle. Aware that every move of mine was scrutinized, I concocted a plan to escape their watchful eyes.
The evening unfolded, and as the night draped the world in shadows, I seized the opportunity to approach my mother with a carefully crafted ruse. Dressed impeccably and feigning urgency, I informed her, "Hey, Mom, I need to go out. My friend Marcus called, and we're surprising someone with a party. I have to pick him up."
Her response was a mix of concern and skepticism. "When will you come back?"
"Probably around 2 or 3 in the morning," I replied, gauging her reaction.
She raised an eyebrow, issuing a stern warning. "You better come home early, or I won't be able to save you from your father this time."
Playing my trump card, I implored, "Mom, you know Dad adores you more than me. Can you please convince him one more time, pleaseeee?" My plea, accompanied by pleading eyes, seemed to soften her resolve.
As the negotiations continued, I promised improved grades in return for her favor. Finally relenting, my mother sighed, "Okay, fine. But remember to be safe."
With a sense of triumph, I rushed out, leaving my mother waving at the doorstep. The night air greeted me, charged with both anticipation and apprehension.
Upon reaching the abandoned construction site, I ascended to the third floor, where the event hall was intended to be. A solitary space awaited, providing the perfect setting for the mysterious binding process. Seated in the middle of the desolate floor, I summoned the Supernatural Divine Godly Power System.
Ping!
"Host is required to bind with the System."
Summoning courage, I commanded, "System, start the binding."
Ping!
Ping!
"The System will bind with the Host's mind in 10 seconds."
Counting down, the mechanical voice echoed in the space. My heartbeat quickened as the seconds ticked away. When the countdown reached zero, a surge of agony enveloped me, as if a million needles pierced my head. My consciousness wavered, but the pain kept me tethered to reality.
For 20 excruciating minutes, I endured the otherworldly torment—a process that felt like my very essence being torn apart and reassembled. The System's voice echoed, announcing the completion of the binding with my mind.
As relief washed over me, I heard the ominous declaration, "System will start binding with the Host's body in 10 seconds."
An eruption of pain ensued, surpassing anything I had ever imagined. The sensation of being devoured by a multitude of ants, the agony seeping into my bones—each second felt like an eternity. A fervent curse escaped my lips as I battled through the pain.
The torment persisted for ten minutes, only to be succeeded by a new sensation—an intense heat that consumed me from within. Unbeknownst to me, my body emitted steam, and my skin, covered in black ashes, began to glow with a radiant golden light that pierced the night sky.
The commotion attracted the attention of onlookers who believed it to be a mere spectacle. The golden light continued to radiate, casting an ethereal glow over the deserted construction site.
After an hour of enduring the binding process, I rose from the floor, feeling reborn. My body, while retaining its familiar appearance, exuded a newfound strength and vitality. A golden pillar of light marked the transformation that had taken place.
The System's voice resonated once more, announcing my successful binding with the Supernatural Divine Godly Power System. The details flashed before my eyes—my name, age, and newfound status as a cultivator practicing mortal cultivation.
"Congratulations, Host has Successfully Binded with the Supernatural Divine Godly System"
Hosts name: Danial Crawford
Age: 17
Status: Cultivator
Cultivation: Mortal cultivation
The medical team burst through the infirmary doors, wheeling in Danial’s barely conscious body. His clothes were torn and singed, and blood still oozed from the wounds scattered across his frame. Gloria ran alongside, her palm pressed firmly against his chest, her healing light flickering like a flame in a storm. She looked pale, beads of sweat rolling down her temple, but her hand never faltered.“Clear the path!” one of the medics shouted as they reached the emergency bay. Danial was carefully transferred onto the main healing slab, and the room immediately filled with the hum of enchanted medical equipment activating.Pavan and Crystal arrived moments later, panting, their faces ashen with worry. “Danial!” Crystal shouted, rushing forward—only to be gently pushed back by a medic.“Wait,” Gloria said breathlessly. “He’s stable… but barely. I need a moment.”Sophie arrived right after, her face streaked with tears she didn’t even realize had fallen. She stood frozen at the doorway, h
Zyler spat out another clot of blood, the crimson liquid sizzling slightly as it touched the burning arena floor. Yet, despite the state of his body, his grin widened, unnerving everyone watching. “Seems like I have to end this battle soon,” he muttered with a hoarse chuckle. “Danial, I’ve enjoyed playing with you.”Danial’s expression turned grim as his gaze flicked to his left arm. The burns and damage from earlier were mostly gone, but more importantly, he noticed something else. His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought, His attacks... although powerful, they're not poisonous. That information mattered. He had been too cautious before.He exhaled slowly and flicked his sword out to the side. Flames instantly coiled around the blade like a living serpent, and within seconds, the familiar, deadly aura of the Hellfire Sword returned—its crimson and black flames licking at the air, warping the space around them.Zyler snorted in disdain and launched forward without hesitation. His grot
Danial stood upright, body trembling, yet his eyes never wavered from Zyler. Blood still dripped from the gash on his side, and his broken right arm hung weakly at his side. But he refused to let go of his sword.Then, without a word, Danial raised his left hand and placed it over his broken arm. A faint green glow began to emanate from his palm, rippling with soft, healing energy. His fingers trembled as the light surged gently through the cracks in his bones, mending tissues, reinforcing muscle fibers, and slowly stitching flesh back together.The crowd gasped. Even amidst the brutal spectacle of the tournament, such a healing technique was rare—especially one that worked mid-battle.In the VIP section, voices rose in stunned whispers.“Did he just use… a healing art?” muttered of of the God of Wars, Astra Skyreach, narrowing her eyes behind his glasses. “That kind of regeneration mid-combat is no joke.”Catherine Lancaster leaned forward. “It’s refined and stable. That isn’t some c
Danial’s eyes snapped open.There was no trace of fatigue or frustration in them anymore. Instead, an intense sharpness cut through the air like a blade. His pupils seemed to narrow, not in fear, but in focus—pure, honed focus. Predatory—that was the only word Zyler could muster to describe them. For the first time in the entire fight, Zyler took a cautious step back.He didn’t understand why… but something primal stirred inside him.Danial’s body didn’t move, but the Aura Blade in his hand began to surge, resonating with a cold, refined power. The space around it wavered like heat distortion—yet there was no heat, only pure cutting energy. It hummed with lethal intent.Zyler’s momentary fear melted into a wide, twisted grin. His chest heaved with excitement as he flicked his right arm, and the tendrils writhed violently, twisting and condensing into the shape of a grotesque, fleshy sword—black, pulsing, and jagged like a spine ripped from a monster. With a delighted chuckle, he flick
Danial pointed the Hellfire-cloaked sword toward Zyler, his body now surrounded by embers that shimmered like a tempest waiting to burst.Zyler scoffed, arms crossed beneath the grotesque armor that pulsed with sickly energy. “Just because your fire’s changed color… you think I’ll be afraid?”Danial didn’t reply.He raised his hand, and a torrent of fire erupted from his body. The flames whipped and spiraled, wrapping tighter around him like coiling serpents until they formed a blazing dome. Gasps rose from the audience as the structure pulsed like a living heart, casting flickering shadows across the arena. The heat it radiated was suffocating, almost surreal.Inside the inferno, Danial stood unburned—his calm, collected form emerging slowly from the wall of fire, a faint smirk on his face.Zyler tilted his head, amused. “These are flashy tricks. They won’t work against me.”Danial’s smirk deepened. “Let’s find out.”With no warning, he dashed forward. The dome collapsed into sparks
Danial froze as he caught a full glimpse of Zyler’s face—sharp cheekbones, flawless skin, crimson eyes that shimmered like rare rubies. For a moment, his breath caught in his throat.It’s… beautiful…?His crimson eyes shimmered like rubies under sunlight, his silver hair danced faintly in the wind, and his porcelain skin glowed with an otherworldly elegance. The sight disarmed Danial—not with fear, but with awe. For a fleeting moment, Danial's thoughts became a blur. His grip loosened slightly on the hilt of his sword.“Why... why does he look so… beautiful?”A strange warmth rushed into his chest, his thoughts spiralling in directions he didn’t understand. Then, like a slap across the face, a sharp thought jolted him back.“What the hell am I thinking?!”He shook his head hard, brows furrowed, disgusted at himself. “Why am I suddenly getting these thoughts? This is a battle. Focus, Danial!”Zyler caught his expression and let out a low chuckle. He tilted his head slightly, the smirk