Bang bang bang! Clap clap clap...

Dust flew everywhere at the scene, accompanied by wails and howls. Ryan Lawson first gave William York a fierce beating, then did the same to the others.

A moment later.

With bruised faces and ragged clothes, looking like beggars, the four of William York watched as Ryan Lawson walked away.

The back of that young man was different from before, exuding a cold and upright aura, making him seem inexplicably taller.

"That guy... is he still the useless one who can't awaken his martial meridian?"

The pockmarked youth murmured, clutching his swollen, aching face.

...

Ryan Lawson's home was in the commoners' district of Qingchang City.

Creak!

The door opened, and a pure, flawless, beautiful face came into view.

At the door, a young girl stood gracefully, her delicate brows like distant mountains, her features as lovely as a painting. Though dressed in simple, plain clothes, she radiated an elegant and dignified aura, otherworldly and refined.

"Xiaotian, were you bullied at the academy again?"

The girl gently furrowed her brows, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the blood from Ryan Lawson's forehead.

"Emily, I'm fine..."

Ryan Lawson gazed at the plain-clothed girl standing so close, her unadorned jade-like face and clear, watery eyes filled with a trace of tenderness.

A faint, fresh fragrance lingered in the air.

Ryan Lawson's heartstrings trembled, a surge of guilt, affection, and unwillingness welling up inside him.

The girl's name was "Emily Nash", just two months older than Ryan Lawson, brought home by his father five years ago.

According to his father, because he owed a favor to one of Emily Nash's elders, he brought her to Qingchang City to take refuge and adopted her as a foster daughter.

From the very first moment he saw Emily Nash five years ago, Ryan Lawson was captivated by her gentle and intelligent nature, developing a fondness for her.

However—

Emily Nash was different from ordinary girls, born with a noble and ethereal purity that made others feel unworthy.

Moreover, Emily Nash seemed to always treat him as a younger brother.

The trace of affection in Ryan Lawson's heart was buried deep inside; every time he faced Emily Nash's beautiful eyes that seemed to see through his soul, he didn't dare meet her gaze.

"Emily, I'll be able to awaken my martial meridian very soon."

Ryan Lawson said cheerfully.

"Of course! Xiaotian is a genius, you'll definitely awaken your martial meridian."

Emily Nash's clear eyes sparkled with a smile.

Clearly, she didn't take Ryan Lawson's words seriously, not wanting to hurt the young man's self-esteem.

Ryan Lawson was about to tell the truth, but thinking of the miraculous Heavenly Book and his own divine meridian, he decided to keep it secret for now.

Even a Heaven-grade martial meridian would be enough to shock all of Qingchang City, even the entire Cangyun Kingdom—let alone a divine meridian.

And the Heavenly Book of Destiny, said to be all-knowing and all-understanding, was likely even more valuable.

If Emily knew about these things, it would do her more harm than good.

"In two months, once the debt is paid off, no one will bully you anymore."

Emily Nash said.

"In two months?"

Ryan Lawson's heart trembled as he thought of certain things, feeling a surge of guilt and anger, his fists clenching tightly.

In two months, Emily Nash would be forced to marry the Du family's young master, "Charles Duke".

The Du family, like the Liu family, was one of the three great families of Qingchang City.

And it was all because of Ryan Lawson.

Because he had been unable to awaken his martial meridian, a few months ago, the Du family provided Ryan Lawson with a top-grade "Meridian Opening Pill" to help him awaken.

A top-grade Meridian Opening Pill was meant for those with Earth-grade or higher martial meridians—extremely precious, worth twenty thousand gold coins, something even the young masters of second-rate families in Qingchang City couldn't afford.

But Ryan Lawson still failed.

After that, he was deemed a cripple, destined never to become a martial artist.

The noble families of Qingchang City immediately turned their backs on him, and the Du family came several times to collect the debt.

Until a month ago.

The Du family's young master, "Charles Duke", came to collect the debt and was stunned by Emily Nash's beauty, practically drooling over her.

So—

Charles Duke declared that as long as Emily Nash married him, the Du family would forget about the Meridian Opening Pill and even help pay off the other debts.

If Ryan Lawson's father were here, these people would never dare be so arrogant, but unfortunately, his father had been gone for years, with no news.

In the end, Emily Nash, concerned for Ryan Lawson's safety, agreed to a deal with the Du family.

The terms: in two months, if the twenty thousand gold coins weren't repaid, Emily Nash would have to marry Charles Duke!

"Emily, I absolutely won't let you marry Charles Duke. He's notorious in Qingchang City as a playboy—countless girls have been ruined by him."

Ryan Lawson made up his mind, his gaze firm and sharp.

If he could awaken his martial meridian, with the talent of a divine meridian, and become a true martial artist, he might be able to change his fate.

"That's right, my 'Destiny Creation Art' has already reached the beginner level. I wonder if I can now use the power of the Heavenly Book."

Ryan Lawson thought to himself.

The most urgent task was to awaken the divine meridian within his body.

He returned to his room.

Ryan Lawson closed his eyes, and his consciousness touched the massive ancient book deep within his mind.

At this moment, the blue-gray light on the surface of the Heavenly Book was a bit brighter than before.

Chapter 003: Divine Meridian

"This Heavenly Book seems to have recovered some of its power."

Ryan Lawson felt a surge of joy.

Whoosh!

The ancient, massive Heavenly Book slowly opened, and an ancient aura that seemed to encompass the world rushed forth.

A fifth of the first page of the Heavenly Book lit up again.

But suddenly—

A layer of dark, deep mist rippled across the Heavenly Book.