Jake was one of the people who used to torment Wang Jian, back before everything changed. The thought of going to his party amused him. Perhaps in the past, he would have avoided such an event out of fear of ridicule. But now? He almost welcomed the idea. Let them try to mock him—he was no longer the same person.
"I think I'll go," Wang Jian said with a smirk, his voice dripping with confidence. Emily looked taken aback for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Later that evening, Wang Jian prepared for the party, his mind still processing everything. His experiences in the cultivation world had not only made him stronger, but they had also changed his outlook on life. Here on Earth, without his Divine powers, he still felt infinitely superior to those around him. They had no idea what kind of person he truly was.
The party was loud and filled with drunken students. Music blared through the speakers as people danced and laughed. Wang Jian arrived with Emily at his side, but his presence quickly drew attention. The once meek foreign exchange student now carried himself with an air of dominance that couldn't be ignored. Even Jake, who had once bullied him, seemed to falter for a moment when their eyes met.
Jake grinned, but there was an uneasiness in his gaze. "Hey, Wang, long time no see!" he shouted over the music, slapping Wang Jian on the back with a little too much force. It was the kind of friendly gesture that was meant to assert dominance.
Wang Jian barely reacted, his eyes locking onto Jake's. "It has been a while," Wang Jian said, his voice smooth but cold. Jake's grin faltered, and he quickly moved on, making an excuse to talk to someone else.
Emily watched the interaction, confused by the tension. "You okay?" she asked, looking up at Wang Jian.
He smiled down at her, his eyes softening for a moment. "I'm fine. Just remembering some old... friends," he said, though the word "friends" felt strange on his tongue.
The night continued, and more people began to notice the change in Wang Jian. Some tried to make small talk with him, others shot him glances from across the room, unsure of how to approach this new version of the man they had once disregarded. Wang Jian found himself enjoying the subtle power he now held over them.
It wasn't the same as his godlike abilities in the cultivation world, but it was still satisfying.
Later, as he stood alone on the balcony overlooking the city, Wang Jian thought about his future. This was just the beginning. His time in Ohio, in this world, would not be spent in mediocrity. He had seen and conquered realms beyond imagining, and even though he didn't have his powers here, he still had his mind—an indomitable force shaped by thousands of years of experience.
He had plans, and Earth would be his playground.
Emily joined him on the balcony, leaning against the railing. "You seem different," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the wind.
Wang Jian turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Maybe I am," he said. "Maybe I've realized there's more to life than what we see in front of us."
She looked at him, trying to understand the cryptic words, but she couldn't grasp the depth of his thoughts. Instead, she just nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.
As the night wore on, Wang Jian's mind was already racing ahead, plotting his next moves. He would rise in this world just as he had in the last, but he would do it differently this time. Earth was familiar yet foreign, and the rules here were different. But that was the beauty of it.
Wang Jian loved challenges, and this would be his greatest one yet—ruling without powers, bending this world to his will.
A wicked grin spread across his face as he looked out into the night, the stars twinkling above. Earth was vast, filled with opportunities, and Wang Jian was ready to take them all.
The party continued in full swing, the air filled with the energy of students letting loose after a long week. The music pounded through the walls, the bass vibrating through the floor as people danced, drank, and laughed. Wang Jian, now fully in his element, moved through the crowd with an air of confidence that set him apart from the others.
His eyes were sharp, observing everything around him with a level of awareness that only someone with his experiences could possess.
As he stood with Emily by his side, casually sipping a drink, he noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Heads began to turn, whispers spread through the crowd, and then he saw her—Jake's girlfriend. She made her entrance like a queen, commanding attention without even trying. Her name was Jessica Blake, a blonde beauty with striking features and a body that seemed sculpted by the gods themselves.
Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a form-fitting black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. The dress was stylish yet simple, with a plunging neckline that hinted at just enough to drive the boys wild while still maintaining an air of elegance.
Her makeup was minimal, highlighting her natural beauty, and her confidence was palpable as she made her way through the crowd toward Jake.
Wang Jian's gaze locked onto her the moment she entered the room. He subtly checked her out from head to toe, taking in every detail of her appearance. Her long legs, her confident stride, the way her hips swayed slightly with each step—it was all mesmerizing.
"Damn," Wang Jian whispered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else, "Jake really hit the jackpot with this one. That dress... absolutely perfect for tonight. And that low makeup? She knows exactly how to make an entrance."
His girlfriend Emily, who had been standing next to him the whole time, heard his comment and immediately mockingly punched him on the arm. "Wang! Are you seriously checking her out like that right in front of me?" she teased, her tone playful but with a hint of annoyance.
Wang Jian rolled his eyes, quickly coming up with a witty excuse. "Babe, I'm just admiring the competition, that's all. Gotta know what I'm up against, right? Besides, you're the only one I'd take home at the end of the night."
Emily raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face but ultimately failing as she let out a small laugh. "Smooth, Wang. Real smooth."
Wang Jian grinned, feeling relieved that he had managed to defuse the situation. He wrapped his arm around Emily's waist, pulling her closer. "Come on, let's go say hi to Jake and his stunning girlfriend. I'm sure she'll appreciate some friendly company."
As they made their way through the crowd, Wang Jian kept his expression neutral, but his mind was already at work. He was eager to learn more about Jessica, and this would be the perfect opportunity. He was confident in his ability to read people, a skill honed over centuries in the cultivation world where deception and manipulation were as natural as breathing.
Analyzing someone like Jessica would be child's play.
When they reached Jake and Jessica, Wang Jian greeted them with a warm smile, extending his hand toward Jake first. "Jake! Good to see you, man," he said, his tone friendly but with a subtle undertone of something more. "And you must be Jessica," he added, turning his attention to her. "Jake's told me a lot about you."
Jake, caught up in the spirit of the party, didn't seem to notice anything unusual in Wang Jian's tone. He laughed and shook Wang Jian's hand. "Wang! Glad you could make it, bro. Yeah, this is Jessica. Jess, this is Wang, one of the exchange students I told you about."
Jessica smiled politely and shook Wang Jian's hand. Her grip was firm, her eyes meeting his without flinching. "Nice to meet you, Wang. Jake has mentioned you once or twice," she said, her voice smooth and confident.
"All good things, I hope," Wang Jian replied, his smile widening as he held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jessica. You have quite an entrance—I think half the party stopped when you walked in."
Jessica chuckled softly, clearly used to such compliments. "Thank you. I like to make an impression," she replied, her tone light but with a hint of pride.
As the conversation flowed, Wang Jian carefully observed Jessica's mannerisms, her way of speaking, and the way she interacted with Jake. It didn't take him long to analyze her personality. She was confident, used to being the center of attention, and clearly enjoyed the power her beauty and presence afforded her.
But there was something more—an undercurrent of restlessness, perhaps a desire for something beyond what she had. Wang Jian could sense it in the way her eyes flickered around the room, never fully settling on anything, always searching.
He engaged both Jake and Jessica in conversation, making sure to keep the atmosphere light and humorous. His wit and charm drew laughs from both of them, and even Emily seemed to be enjoying herself, although she still kept a close eye on her boyfriend.