Inside the glowing formation, Fang Lin's eyes slowly fluttered open. The faint hum of spiritual energy still vibrated around him as the formation continued to operate due to Elder Baishan's newly placed yellow spiritual stone.
Fang Lin exhaled softly.
"I am back."
The moment those words echoed, his will responded instantly—overflowing with relief and excitement, as if a dying man had suddenly found water.
"Yes… you are back! I was so afraid that you wouldn't return. Why did you leave at that moment? You don't understand—if something happened to you, what would become of me? And what about my revenge?"
Fang Lin replied calmly, his tone relaxed and steady.
"Don't panic, bro. How could I leave? Especially this body—thanks to it, I have the chance to enjoy this world. And yes, I'll tell you later why I had to go."
He paused, taking in the lingering energy around him.
"Well then… what color appeared from my body?"
His will answered immediately,
"You don't know? You should look at yourself."
Fang Lin slowly pushed himself up inside the formation and glanced down at his own body.
A moment later, his eyes widened in shock.
"What… Yellow color?"
A pure, bright yellow aura danced faintly across his skin.
The realization struck him—an A-grade awakening.
Fang Lin's heart surged with happiness. For that brief moment, he completely forgot where he was.
Elder Baishan immediately stepped forward, his voice firm and urgent.
"Don't waste a single moment," he said, fully aware of how precious every second was; the longer the formation ran, the more the yellow spiritual stone would be drained.
Seeing Fang Lin awake, his stern expression softened.
"Child, you're awake… I am truly pleased by your willpower. But now isn't the time to linger—do not delay. Your relatives are waiting for you."
Mu Chen, standing near the edge of the formation, called out to him with relief in his voice:
"Brother Fang Lin, you're safe! I knew it—you truly are the pride of our clan.
To awaken with an A-grade aptitude… its value is immeasurable in the Mortal Martial Realm."
Fang Lin paused for a heartbeat.
A soft smile touched his lips, his expression calm yet carrying a hint of pride.
He replied lightly,
"Mu Chen… I'm fine. And thanks. But I just did what I had to. The result—"
he glanced at the shimmering yellow aura still fading around him,
"—is a little surprising even for me."
For the first time since waking up, a faint confidence glimmered in his eyes.
Hearing Mu Chen's voice had steadied him, grounding him in the moment.
Fang Lin fell into deep thought.
"I've transmigrated into this world… into the body of a boy everyone used to call useless. But ever since I arrived, everything has changed. I still don't know if I'm the reason behind it… and if he was truly so weak, then why did someone try to kill him?"
He exhaled slowly.
"Forget it… what matters now is that I've awakened an A-grade aptitude—something only a rare few in this world ever achieve. And now I'm one of them."
A determined glint flashed in his eyes.
"I just have to become strong—strong enough to be free. Strong enough that no one will ever dare to look down on me again."
Right after him, Su'er stepped forward, her face still pale from worry.
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke:
"Fang Lin… you really scared us. When you collapsed, I— I thought something terrible had happened.
Thank the heavens you're awake."
Beside her, Fang Hanbo exhaled deeply, the tension finally leaving his shoulders.
He nodded firmly toward Fang Lin:
"You gave all of us a fright, kid. But it seems you're tougher than any of us expected.
Since you're awake, that's all that matters. Just… don't push yourself like that again."
Su'er and Fang Hanbo stood close, both still shaken, but relief clearly visible on their faces.
Fang Lin slowly walked toward Su'er and Fang Hanbo.
He knew, deep inside, that he was not their real son… yet the moment his eyes fell on them, an unexpected warmth surged through his chest.
There was a sense of relief—
as if some invisible thread still tied him to them,
as if a part of him naturally belonged by their side.
As Fang Lin walked toward his family, Fang Qinxian—the head of the Fang Family—stepped forward. His voice carried both pride and an unmistakable arrogance as he spoke:
"Fang Lin, you are a truly talented child of our family. You have surprised me greatly. I have never once heard any rumors of someone outside the Tian Family awakening an A-grade aptitude… yet you have done it. Don't worry—I will personally arrange all the cultivation resources you need. From today onward, you are the main pillar of the Fang Family."
Standing beside him, Fang Qing's face turned completely red with anger.
Even after his own awakening, his father hadn't spoken a single word of praise, yet here he was—showering Fang Lin with admiration. The unfairness burned in his chest, making him clench his fists tightly as he glared at Fang Lin.
After that, Elder Baishan stepped forward and announced in a loud, authoritative voice:
"The Awakening Ceremony is now concluded. Everyone, return to your respective families."
With his words, the tension-filled atmosphere of the Azure Sword Hall finally began to ease as murmurs spread through the crowd and people started moving away.
After everyone else had left, only the Fang Family remained behind. Even they were just about to depart when Elder Baishan suddenly spoke:
"Fang Lin, wait."
His calm yet firm voice echoed through the now-quiet Azure Sword Hall, causing the Fang Family to pause mid-step.
Su'er stepped forward respectfully and said,
"Elder Chu Baishan, may I ask what the matter is? The Awakening Ceremony has already concluded, and the other families have already left."
Elder Baishan replied quickly, his tone calm and official:
"It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's simply a rule of the clan—anyone who awakens with an A-grade aptitude is granted the opportunity to choose one sword and one manual from the clan."
He then looked toward Fang Lin and continued,
"For that reason, Fang Lin will have to come with me."
Hearing Elder Baishan's words, Fang Hanbo was momentarily stunned. He quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Elder Baishan, this is Fang Lin's fortune. We are grateful to the clan for giving him such an opportunity."
Beside him, Su'er felt a mix of relief and nervousness. She gently held Fang Lin's arm, her voice soft yet caring:
"Lin'er, listen carefully to the elder and don't be reckless."
Fang Lin nodded. He then turned toward Elder Baishan and spoke calmly:
"Elder Baishan, I understand. I will follow you."
Seeing Fang Lin's composed attitude, Elder Baishan gave a slight nod of approval.
Without wasting another moment, he turned and began walking deeper into the Azure Sword Hall, signaling Fang Lin to follow.
The Fang Family could only watch as Fang Lin's figure slowly disappeared alongside the elder