Chapter 1

Langhuan Mountain, home to Cloud's End Cliff, is recognized as the most perilous of the Four Great Perilous Lands on the Azure Cloud Continent. The abyss beneath Cloud's End Cliff is known as the Graveyard of the God of Death. Throughout history, countless individuals have plummeted from its heights, including three Heaven King level powerhouses of unimaginable strength. None have ever returned alive.

At this moment, by the edge of Cloud's End Cliff, a young man with black hair and black eyes leaned against a towering boulder. His body was drenched in blood, and his black robes were torn in countless places. In the few breaths he had been standing there, a small pool of blood had already formed at his feet.

His chest heaved violently, and his breaths were ragged and strained. Every muscle in his body trembled faintly, clearly showing his complete exhaustion; he was on the brink of collapse. Were it not for the colossal rock beside him, he might not even be able to stand. Yet, his eyes remained sharp and cold, like two blades, without a hint of dullness. They emanated a fierce, wolf-like glare, while a sneer of extreme mockery and disdain tugged at the corners of his lips.

Ahead of him, a dense, dark crowd blocked every possible escape route.

"Yun Che, you've reached a dead end! Hand over the Sky Poison Pearl, and we might spare your life!"

"Today, we shall act on behalf of heaven to rid the world of your menace! Surrender the Sky Poison Pearl immediately, and I can grant you a quick death. Refuse, and you will suffer the agony of ten thousand blades piercing your heart!"

"Yun Che! Stop being so stubborn! Your only option now is to hand over the Sky Poison Pearl! A divine artifact like this is not something you are worthy of possessing!"

Roars erupted from the crowd, each individual shouting with self-righteous fervor and overwhelming indignation. Any casual passerby from the Azure Cloud Continent would be utterly astounded by the spectacle before them. This dense throng comprised nearly all the most powerful sects on the continent; their sect masters were almost all personally in attendance, and even some forgotten elders who had been in secluded cultivation for years were conspicuously present. It was no exaggeration to say that any one person standing there was a formidable expert capable of shaking an entire region.

Yet now, they were all gathered here, solely for the man cornered at Cloud's End Cliff—or, more precisely, for the Sky Poison Pearl in his possession, the Azure Cloud Continent's foremost divine artifact!

The crowd slowly advanced, their threats and shouts growing louder. When the Sky Poison Pearl finally reappeared, its immense and irresistible allure drew all these peak powerhouses like a magnet. After three days and three nights of relentless pursuit, the moment to claim their prize had finally arrived.

"You... want this... Sky Poison Pearl?"

Yun Che sneered, slowly raising his right hand. A spherical, jade-green pearl, emitting a faint glow, appeared in his grasp. The moment the pearl radiated its light, every advancing footstep halted, and eyes fixed on the green luminescence, radiating an intense, covetous hunger.

These powerhouses, each renowned enough to shake the world, now appeared utterly base and grotesque in Yun Che's eyes. His gaze slowly tilted upwards; despite his desperate situation, his eyes remained proud and mocking. Deep within them, an ingrained hatred surged. "My master dedicated his entire life to healing the world and saving countless lives, never seeking fame or profit. Yet, seven years ago, because of this very Sky Poison Pearl, you so-called righteous sects... you cruelly forced him to his death."

"How I hate... I hate myself for being useless, for not having annihilated all your wretched sects in these seven years!"

Every word was laced with profound, ingrained hatred. Even after seven years, the memory of his master's tragic death brought two streaks of bloody tears to his eyes.

Yun Che never knew his parents; his master found him when he was just a few days old. It was deep spring, a time of gentle breezes and clear mountains and waters, when his master named him "Yun Che" (Cloud Clear/Pure). He hoped Yun Che's spirit would be as pure as the clouds and as clear as water, and that he would one day inherit his legacy, becoming a benevolent healer who saved lives with an unblemished heart.

No matter how severe an illness or injury, it would heal safely under his master's care. The secret lay in the Sky Poison Pearl, which his master had kept hidden. The name "Sky Poison" denoted the pearl's immense poisonous capabilities, yet medicine and poison are often two sides of the same coin, and healing and toxins share a common origin. His master never once utilized its toxic power. Instead, he harnessed its abilities to extract and refine, creating countless potent elixirs that saved innumerable lives. He passed on all his medical knowledge to Yun Che. However, seven years ago, the secret of his possession of the Sky Poison Pearl was exposed. He entrusted the pearl to Yun Che, urging him to flee, while he himself perished at the hands of the major sects.

Upon learning of his master's death, Yun Che wept for three days and three nights, and a seed of hatred took root in his heart. He abandoned his medical studies and instead furiously absorbed the terrifying poisonous power within the Sky Poison Pearl. Revenge became his singular obsession. Seven years later, with his poison cultivation perfected, he finally unleashed his vengeful fury. In less than ten days, poison spread for a thousand miles, claiming countless lives and plunging the entire Azure Cloud Continent into chaos and fear. This also attracted the covetous attention of peak powerhouses, who united to hunt Yun Che down for the Sky Poison Pearl, ultimately cornering him here.

He glared resentfully at everyone in his line of sight, his smile turning increasingly cold. "You wretched mongrels, you want to get the Sky Poison Pearl in my hands... keep dreaming!!"

As his low voice faded, Yun Che suddenly raised his hand and forcefully thrust the Sky Poison Pearl into his mouth. A surge of internal energy propelled the pearl directly from his mouth into his abdomen.

"You... what are you doing?!"

"He actually... swallowed the Sky Poison Pearl!"

"Yun Che! Are you trying to kill yourself?!"

"It doesn't matter. At worst, we'll kill him and retrieve the pearl!"

As the Sky Poison Pearl entered his body, Yun Che did not succumb to immediate death from overwhelming poison, as they expected. Instead, only a faint, jade-green glow appeared on the surface of his skin.

"Kill him immediately! Otherwise, if the Sky Poison Pearl undergoes some unforeseen transformation within him, we'll be in deep trouble!"

With a fierce roar, the dozen individuals at the front simultaneously charged at Yun Che. Gaze fixed on the figures he wished he could reduce to dust, Yun Che erupted into wild laughter. His voice was hoarse and weak, yet filled with defiant pride. "I may not have killed you, but don't imagine you can kill me! You wretched mongrels, you are utterly unworthy of obtaining the Sky Poison Pearl, and you certainly aren't worthy of taking my life, Yun Che's life. Even if I die... I will only die by my own hand! Hahahaha..."

With one last wild laugh, Yun Che suddenly unleashed all his remaining power and leaped backward...

"Stop him!!!"

Realizing Yun Che's intent, deafening cries of alarm erupted. Five or six hands simultaneously reached out towards Yun Che, yet they failed to grasp even a shadow of him. They could only watch helplessly as his body plunged straight down into the abyss of Cloud's End Cliff.

Cloud's End Cliff... truly a fitting resting place for me, Yun Che...

My life has been without attachment, but it is regrettable... that I could not avenge my master... nor find my birth parents...

Yun Che gently clasped the silver pendant on his chest—the only item he possessed when his master found him. With the wind howling in his ears, he slowly closed his eyes, allowing his body to plunge into what felt like a boundless, bottomless abyss of darkness.

---

**Author's Note:**

The following is written on my fifth anniversary.

Yes, it has been exactly five years since October 1, 2009, when the first chapter of my debut novel, *Asura*, was uploaded.

Five years – it seems like a long time, yet it has also passed in the blink of an eye, imperceptibly.

In these five years, I have written four books: *Legend of Asura*, *Tian Chen*, *Evil Dragon Against Heaven*, and *Heaven's Wrath Asura*, totaling over ten million and fifty thousand words. This is a number I never dared to imagine, much less thought possible, when I first typed the opening word of *Asura*.

But because of all of you, Mars Gravity has been able to continue on this path until today. Without your steadfast companionship, there would be no Mars Gravity as I am now, nor would there be this new book.

I have always been grateful to you and have always striven. In the early and mid-stages of *Asura*, *Tian Chen*, and *Evil Dragon*, I never missed or delayed an update. However, from the later stages of *Evil Dragon* and throughout *Heaven's Wrath*, I have let you down far too much. Numerous missed updates have tarnished my long-standing reputation, and the accumulated guilt and remorse often make me feel unworthy of facing you. The 'Xing Clan' and 'Arbiters' (fan groups) emerged for me and once flourished, only to wane due to my slump and lack of progress. I have disappointed countless people, caused many to leave sadly, yet countless others have remained without complaint or abandonment.

I want to say I'm sorry, and even more... thank you.

Today, with the opening of this new book, simply by reserving the title, I have seen so many familiar faces and long-absent ones return, bringing with them blessings and support. My heart is filled with boundless gratitude.

With this book, Mars Gravity will dedicate all his effort and absolutely not disappoint anyone again. I will prove through my actions that you can regain your confidence in Mars Gravity.

For the first month of the new book, Mars Gravity aims for the top.