Legend has it that at the center of heaven and earth, there exists a Divine Throne. Whoever possesses it will gain endless longevity and the highest, most supreme power under the heavens. It is the ultimate destiny for which all the mighty ones of the world contend.

On the road to the Divine Throne, bones pile up and blood flows like rivers. The throne remains unclaimed, but only the most powerful can ascend to the supreme seat!

A young high school student, Ethan Carter, during his family's trial at the age of seventeen, accidentally encounters a flash flood. His soul traverses worlds and enters another realm, becoming a fallen young sect master.

His body is crippled, unable to practice martial arts; his father has perished, his support has collapsed; the council of elders has jointly impeached him.

Having just awakened, Ethan Carter faces one hardship after another.

A kind person is bullied, a tame horse is ridden—watch as the young Ethan Carter rises from adversity, seeking vengeance and justice. In the end, he embarks on the path to contend for the Divine Throne.

Volume One: The Descent of Five Thunders

Chapter One: Ethan Carter

The night was as dark as ink, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and torrential rain poured down.

A vast mountain loomed, faintly visible in the darkness. Flickers of firelight appeared at the summit, and as one drew closer, a simple great hall could be seen. Inside, the hall was empty, with a few oil lamps burning on the walls.

In the firelight, a silver-crowned youth lay motionless on a bronze couch. He appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old. His body was slender, his features handsome, but his face was pale and bloodless.

His lips were tightly pressed together, his sword-like brows furrowed. Even in unconsciousness, his hands were clenched tightly, as if enduring immense pain. On his chest, blood stained a large area, clearly indicating a serious injury.

Judging by the luxurious clothes he wore, his status was clearly extraordinary. Yet, despite such severe wounds, not a single attendant was by his side. Left all alone in the great hall, his situation was evidently dire.

He lay there on the bronze couch, motionless, his breath faint—whether he was alive or dead was uncertain.

Boom!

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, piercing through the wind and rain, and struck the roof of the hall. Instantly, a wild gale swept through the hall, and the youth on the bronze couch suddenly trembled. At that moment, a flush of red spread across his face, and a hint of color gradually returned to his cheeks.

Tap, tap!!

Almost within a few breaths, the sound of clear footsteps drifted through the wind and rain toward the hall. Two sets of footsteps, quick and heavy. On such a rainy night, each step was steady—clearly, they were trained.

In no time, the two entered the hall. One tall, one short, both dressed in blue Daoist robes and holding horsetail whisks—they were disciples of the sect.

"What bad luck! On a rainy night like this, we still have to come and treat this useless wretch... I really don't understand why the higher-ups still want to save him. The dignified young sect master of the Five Thunder Sect, yet his martial skills are so poor—he's the laughingstock of our sect. And now he's brought such trouble upon us; he deserves to die."

The shorter disciple who entered first shook the rain from his body, glanced at the youth on the bronze couch, and said resentfully.

"Heh, that's because our Third Elder is his aunt. If you had such an aunt, you could get away with anything too. But this kid won't be smug for long. I hear the elders are going to hold a council to strip him of his heir status. With his pathetic skills and all the trouble he's caused, he'll be doomed."

The taller disciple who followed sneered.

However, neither of them realized that as they spoke, the youth on the bronze couch fluttered his eyelashes twice, and a trace of anger flashed across his face.

The two continued chatting to themselves, setting down a medicine box and taking out some bandages and pills.

"He's going to be discarded sooner or later. The higher-ups don't really want to save him, so let's just bandage him up carelessly—no need to bother."

They wrapped the youth up haphazardly, their movements rough, as if bundling firewood.

"All right. The higher-ups have their policies, we have our countermeasures. As errand boys, we don't need to worry so much."

In less than the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, the two absentmindedly left the hall.

Yet, just as the two completely disappeared outside, the youth who had been motionless suddenly sat up slowly from the couch, showing no sign of unconsciousness at all.

"It seems the owner of this body is in a precarious situation!"

Ethan Carter gazed outside the hall and spoke slowly. In his star-like eyes, a cold, bright light flashed.

Ethan Carter had already awakened, but had remained silent. Anyone who suddenly found themselves in a strange world, in a strange body, would be greatly shocked.

Calm and composed, thinking things through!

This had always been Ethan Carter's way. Before figuring out his situation, Ethan Carter would never act rashly.

The owner of Ethan Carter's current body was the young sect master of the Five Thunder Sect. This sect was quite renowned in the world of sects, with over seven hundred members and many experts.

The sect master, William Carter, was Ethan Carter's biological father. However, five months ago, William Carter entered the ferocious beast mountains alone to hunt monsters, and then disappeared without a trace. When he was found again, he was already dead—rumor had it he was killed by a demon beast.