In front of the ancestral altar in Qingshi Village, torches blazed and people surrounded Lin Bufan. He was kneeling on the ground, covered in dust and bruises, and dressed in a tattered blue robe.
"Lin Bufan, today is the day of the clan sacrifice. Unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter. You useless body, what are you making a fuss about?"
The speaker was the third elder of the Lin family. His voice was sharp as a knife, and each word pierced the air.
The surrounding youths could not help but laugh.
"Tsk, tsk. A waste without a spiritual root still wants to share the spiritual spring? Dream on!"
"He's probably hoping to drink some spiritual spring water to grow taller. How embarrassing."
Lin Bufan lowered his head and remained silent.
No one knew that a strange voice was ringing in his head:
[Ding! System binding completed!]
[Host: Lin Bufan]
[Fate path: Die at 17, live a mediocre life, unknown to the world]
[Current rebellion task: Seize the spiritual spring!]
[Reward: Basic cultivation + awakening of spiritual roots + combat skill 'Duanyunzhan'
[Friendly reminder: If not seized, wait to die]
Lin Bufan licked the blood at the corner of his mouth and suddenly smiled.
This stunned the elder.
"What are you laughing at? You dare to laugh?!"
Lin Bufan slowly looked up. His eyes were cold as ice.
"I suddenly feel that some people are really too noisy."
He stood up step by step.
The third elder frowned. "What do you want to do? You—"
"Shut up." Lin Bufan interrupted him, and the whole place fell silent.
"You say I'm useless?" He walked onto the altar step by step.
"Then don't blame me for slapping your face later."
"Rebellion starts."
He silently recited in his heart.
[Ding! The host has defied the fate path — activating backlash effect!Spiritual root awakening in progress… Boom! A white light burst from beneath his feet, swirling with spiritual energy!
"What?! He has spiritual roots?!"
"How is this possible?!"
The third elder's face changed abruptly. "Impossible! He was tested as having 'no spiritual roots' in his early years. How could he—"
Lin Bufan sneered and swung a punch toward the ground.
Bang!
The altar's stone slab shattered, and chaotic spiritual energy surged up. It even forced back several elder protectors three steps.He stood in front of the spiritual spring, staring at the third elder. He said lightly, "Didn't you say I could only be a waste my whole life? Then watch closely—from now on, I will seize your fortunes." He reached into the spiritual spring.
[Ding! Absorbing from spiritual spring—cultivation +1]
[Acquired: Basic Spiritual Power
Stabilized Spiritual Roots
Combat Skill: Duanyunzhan
Combat Power: Surpassed All Peers Present
Lin Bufan turned and left, his back straight as a sword in the firelight.
"After tonight, I will make all who look down on me bow their heads."
He stepped down from the altar, his tone calm yet resonating far and wide: "My life is determined by me, not by heaven."