Inside the cold, damp prison hall beneath the Celestial Radiance Sect, Ye Tian sat cross-legged, bloodshot eyes gleaming with resentment.
"Hmph... those useless disciples… and that bitch Elder Lan…" he muttered under his breath, fists clenched tight. "Zhao Ming, Lin Xuan… you dared humiliate me? One day, I'll make you kneel."
Suddenly, a distant boom echoed. Outside the prison, the sect was stirring—but Ye Tian remained locked in chains, unaware of the shifting fate above.
Far above, in the mist-veiled mountains, Lin Xuan arrived at Challenge Peak—a sacred ground known to all inner and outer disciples. Legends whispered that the Son of Destiny would one day comprehend sword intent from this very peak.
But that "Son" was now in prison.
And Lin Xuan? He smirked slightly, eyes calm.
"This is where Ye Tian was supposed to obtain his sword intent… but he's not here. That opportunity will now belong to me."
An old, drowsy elder guarding the gate glanced up lazily. "Huh? Another disciple here to waste time? No one's made it past the tenth level anyway… This one doesn't even look that tough. Five levels, max."
He waved his hand and the gates to Challenge Peak creaked open.
Lin Xuan stepped inside.
Immediately, crushing gravity slammed down on him—each level increasing in intensity. He advanced steadily: 1st level… 2nd… 5th…
The elder's boredom shifted into amusement. "Heh, not bad. Let's see how long that lasts."
But then Lin Xuan passed the 6th level… then the 9th…
Ting! Ting! Ting!
The great bell of Challenge Peak rang across the entire sect.
Someone had reached the 10th level!
Disciples stopped what they were doing and rushed toward the viewing mirror at the main plaza. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Who is it?"
"Only the top geniuses barely reach level 10!"
The sect leader's eyes widened. "Elder Lan! Your disciple is…"
At that moment, a panting inner disciple rushed to Lan Yuerong. "Master! Senior Brother Lin—he's at the Challenge Peak… He's reached the 10th level!"
Lan Yuerong's eyes snapped open. "Xuan'er…?"
Without another word, she vanished, flying straight toward the peak. Other elders and the sect leader followed suit.
At the viewing mirror, more disciples gathered. An outer disciple shouted, "That's Lin Xuan! I know him!"
"Wasn't he one of Tang Xiaoran's bootlickers?"
"No way! That guy's a genius?"
Back at the peak, Lin Xuan stepped into the 11th level.
Record broken.
The old elder at the gate dropped his teacup.
By the 20th level, Lin Xuan was gritting his teeth. "It's like mountains pressing down on my bones…"
The sect leader was ecstatic. "He's setting a new record! This is unprecedented!"
30th level.
Lin Xuan's back began to bend under the pressure.
40th… 49th…
His face paled, blood dripping from his nose and lips.
"System," he whispered internally. "Why is this so hard? In the novel, Ye Tian only struggled at the 80th level…"
Ding! Son of Destiny is protected by the will of heaven.
"…That's unfair! Can you help me?!"
Ding! Sorry. Host must endure alone.
"Then I'll endure."
At the 50th level, Lin Xuan collapsed to his knees—but he didn't stop. He crawled forward.
Outside, disciples stared in horror.
"Isn't he the one the 7th sister always yelled at?"
"Weren't we told he was a weakling?"
"Why is he… so strong?!"
Some began to tear up. Outer disciples shouted, "Senior Brother Lin is our pride!"
Inner disciples scoffed, but were clearly shaken.
Tension grew—inner and outer disciples began arguing.
"Trash like you outer disciples think he's great because you're trash too!"
"He's done more than you ever could!"
Meanwhile, Elder Lan clenched her fists, heart torn.
"Xuan'er, you fool… You don't need to go this far!"
Inside the peak:
60th level… 70th… 80th…
Veins ruptured. Blood soaked his robe.
"Aaaahhhh!"
Ding! Warning! Host body reaching critical limit. Suggest retreat.
"I won't… give up…!"
He pulled himself with trembling hands to the 90th level. His right leg crushed under the weight.
Snap!
"AAAAHHH!"
Silence fell outside. No one could speak.
"Why… why is he doing this to himself?"
95th level.
His eye exploded under the pressure.
BANG!
Lan Yuerong trembled. "Xuan'er… stop…"
But he kept moving.
99th level.
One arm. One leg.
Lin Xuan crawled, screaming in pain—his flesh peeling off.
100th level.
Suddenly, a radiant light engulfed him.
A sword-shaped intent surged into his soul, carving itself into his very being.
Ding! Host has comprehended Sword Intent.
Effect – Sword Intent (First Level):
Increases all sword techniques by 200%
Grants passive sword pressure that weakens opponents' confidence
Cuts through energy defenses below your cultivation realm
Future growth potential: Heaven-tier
Ding! Host has snatched the fortune of the Son of Destiny!
+500 Villain Points
Lin Xuan stumbled out of the peak, blood still dripping.
He took one step forward.
Then collapsed.
Lan Yuerong immediately caught him in her arms and flew to her residence.
Back at the mirror, no one spoke.
One inner disciple whispered, "…I'm never stepping on Challenge Peak."
Another muttered, "He's not human…"
The sect leader looked on proudly. "A true genius…"
And Ye Tian? Still chained underground, completely unaware his destiny had been stolen.