The courtyard floor still held the stains of blood from earlier that morning.
Wang Lin had walked away without a scratch. The others? Left behind like broken dolls.
But he didn't feel victory.
He felt focus.
Every heartbeat. Every step. Every glance.
Sharper. Stronger. Colder.
Like the very world was finally moving at his speed.
Still, something inside him itched. A heat under his skin. Something... waiting.
He stood at the edge of the cliff path that led to the outer sect dorms, his eyes locked on the training peak in the far distance.
The place he once begged to enter.
The place he once thought would be his salvation.
Now?
It was just the first place he'd break.
He didn't return to his room.
He walked straight into the training forest — the dense, misty area sect disciples used for beast battles, testing formations, and "duel practice."
Most avoided it alone.
He wanted solitude.
But he got something else.
"Wang Lin."
The voice was sharp. Familiar.
He turned.
A young man stepped from the treeline — tall, lean, wearing polished armor over dark robes. The silver insignia on his chest marked him as a second-rank senior disciple.
Wang Lin remembered him.
Fan Yu.
He was one of the many who laughed when Wang Lin was publicly accused. One of the loudest voices calling him "corrupt."
Now here he stood, chin tilted in arrogance.
"Looks like you've been causing quite a stir," Fan Yu said, smirking. "Crippling a few weaklings doesn't make you strong."
Wang Lin said nothing.
Fan Yu's fingers tightened around the hilt of his saber.
"The sect tolerated your little outburst. But we can't have outer sect worms thinking they can do as they please."
Wang Lin's eyes narrowed slightly.
Still, he said nothing.
"You'll kneel," Fan Yu said. "Now. In front of me. You'll apologize for embarrassing the sect in public. And maybe, if you crawl low enough, I'll let you keep your bones intact."
Wang Lin blinked slowly.
Then whispered, "You want me to kneel?"
Fan Yu grinned. "Exactly."
Wang Lin stepped forward.
One step.
Two.
Fan Yu raised his saber, eyes locked.
Wang Lin's voice was ice.
"Then you'll have to cut my knees off first."
[System Notification] Combat Protocol Triggered
Opponent Detected: Qi Condensation – Stage 2
Recommended Strategy: Speed Disruption + Precision Strike Bloodline Bonus Active
Crushing Palm: Ready Dragon Step: Ready
System Sync: 6% → 7%
Fan Yu moved first — a spirit technique flaring along his blade, wind slicing forward like a crescent arc.
Wang Lin vanished.
The air cracked behind Fan Yu — a ghost image flashing by.
Before the disciple could react, a sharp force smashed into his side.
Crack!
His ribs shattered. He flew sideways into a tree, smashing through the trunk.
Leaves rained down like snow.
Fan Yu coughed violently, blood leaking from his mouth.
"You… what the hell are you?!"
Wang Lin approached, each step echoing through the silent trees.
"I'm the one you mocked," he said softly. "The one you helped betray."
He raised his hand.
Fan Yu screamed.
[Crushing Palm Activated] • Impact Multiplier: x2.3
Vital Strike Confirmed: • Rib Collapse • Shoulder Dislocation • Spiritual Meridians Damaged
System Sync: 7% → 9%
Celestial Dragon Bloodline: Awakening Progress 6% → 9%
Fan Yu lay motionless, gasping, eyes wide with terror.
Wang Lin looked down.
Not with hatred.
Not even with rage.
Just calm disappointment.
"You wanted me to kneel?" he whispered. "Now you can't even stand."
He turned and walked away.
Hours Later – Outer Sect Garden
Wang Lin sat cross-legged on a wooden platform beneath an old stone pavilion.
The world around him was quiet.
Finally.
His breath slowed. His body still ached — but there was something else growing now.
Heat. Pressure. Motion.
Inside him… the Celestial Dragon Bloodline stirred.
He could feel it coiling inside his bones, whispering through his blood, sharpening his nerves.
Why now? Why me?
He didn't know.
But he didn't need to.
It was his now.
And he would use it.
A shadow approached.
Not an enemy.
A girl.
She stood quietly near the entrance to the garden — holding a small plate of steamed buns and a flask of warm spirit tea.
She was maybe sixteen. Long sleeves, basic robe, servant rank.
Wang Lin stared at her.
She flinched under his gaze but stepped forward anyway.
"I-I brought you something. You… helped my little brother yesterday."
Wang Lin blinked. Recognition flared.
The servant boy from the courtyard.
She bowed low, carefully setting the food down.
"I don't have anything valuable," she said quickly. "But my family owes you."
Wang Lin didn't reply.
She bowed again. "Please… take it."
Then she turned and ran.
Wang Lin looked down at the plate. Still steaming.
He didn't move for a while.
Then he picked up one of the buns.
Not everyone's like them.
Some people… still remember kindness.
Just not the ones who mattered before.
He took a bite.
It was warm. Soft. A little sweet.
[System Notification] Kindness Flag Registered
Public Sector: +2 Favorability
Bloodline Sync (Empathy Anchor): +0.2%
New Passive Detected: "Draconic Clarity"
Slight mental resistance to emotional manipulation Sharper focus during battle
Wang Lin stood slowly, wiping his fingers.
Tomorrow, he'd begin the next step.
The Inner Sect Trials would start soon — and he would force his way up the mountain.
They could no longer ignore him.
And if they tried…
Then they would bleed