The first light of dawn seeped through the thin clouds, casting a pale golden glow over the Azure Cloud Sect. The quiet chirping of birds echoed through the mountains, and the fresh scent of dew-covered grass filled the air. For most outer sect disciples, this was just another ordinary morning of cultivation and training.
But for Lin Mo, everything was different.
He stood up from the moss-covered rock, his body straight and steady. The exhaustion and weakness that had lingered for three long years were completely gone. In their place was a quiet, restrained power that flowed through every inch of his flesh and bones.
He closed his eyes slightly, sensing the abundant spiritual energy circulating inside his dantian.
4th Level of Qi Refining.
Just a day ago, he had been stuck at the 1st Level, a useless trash that everyone could bully. Now, he had already reached the 4th Level—a speed that could only be described as monstrous.
And all of this was thanks to the Steady Immortal System.
Lin Mo's lips curled into a faint, cold smile. He opened his eyes, and there was no longer any trace of timidity or inferiority. Instead, his eyes were deep and calm, like a quiet lake that hid a raging storm beneath the surface.
He checked his system panel once more.
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Host: Lin Mo
Cultivation Base: 4th Level of Qi Refining (320/1000)
Spiritual Root: Broken Pseudo-Spiritual Root
Steady Points: 350
Skills: Basic Body-Tempering Technique (Mastery)
System Store: Unlocked
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Three hundred and fifty Steady Points. Not enough to repair his spiritual root, but more than enough to keep him growing steadily.
Today was the day of the outer sect's monthly small assessment. All disciples were required to gather at the main training ground to test their cultivation progress. Those who showed significant improvement would receive extra spirit stones and resources. Those who stagnated would face punishment, or even expulsion.
For the old Lin Mo, this assessment was a death sentence.
But for the new Lin Mo, it was nothing more than a stage.
A stage where he would begin to step out of the shadows.
He straightened his tattered gray robe and walked toward the main training ground. His steps were calm and steady, without the slightest hurry or anxiety.
Along the way, many outer sect disciples cast strange glances at him. Some looked sympathetic, some looked indifferent, and most looked contemptuous.
"Isn't that Lin Mo? The trash with the broken spiritual root?"
"He still dares to come to the assessment? He's definitely going to be kicked out today."
"Poor guy. He's worked hard for three years, but talent is everything."
"Hard work can't make up for a broken root. He's just wasting his time."
The whispers entered Lin Mo's ears clearly, but he did not even frown. He ignored all the mocking and disdain, walking forward as if he were alone in the world.
In the past, these words would have stabbed his heart like knives.
Now, they were nothing but meaningless noise.
He understood better than anyone:
The strong do not need to defend themselves with words.
They only need to crush their enemies with strength.
Soon, he arrived at the main training ground.
Hundreds of outer sect disciples stood neatly in rows. In front of them was a huge black stone monument—the Spirit Testing Stone. It could clearly show a person's exact cultivation level.
Several elders stood beside the stone, their expressions solemn.
Lin Mo found a remote corner and stood quietly, keeping a low profile as usual.
Not long after, a loud laugh sounded from the entrance.
"Hahaha, today I will definitely show my progress!"
A tall figure swaggered in, surrounded by a group of flatterers. It was Zhao Hai, his face full of arrogance and confidence. Behind him followed Wang Hu and the other bullies.
In just a month, Zhao Hai had broken through to the 6th Level of Qi Refining. He was already one of the top disciples among the outer sect.
His eyes quickly swept across the crowd and landed on Lin Mo. A look of extreme disdain appeared on his face.
He walked straight toward Lin Mo, stopping just one step away.
"Trash, you actually dared to show up today." Zhao Hai crossed his arms, looking down at him. "I thought you would have run away in the middle of the night. Are you really waiting to be expelled?"
Wang Hu and the others laughed loudly.
"Senior Brother Zhao, he's probably here to say goodbye!"
"Maybe he's begging the elder for mercy!"
Lin Mo lifted his head slightly. His gaze was calm as he looked at Zhao Hai, without the slightest fear.
This calm reaction made Zhao Hai's expression turn cold. He felt that Lin Mo seemed a little different today, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
How could a piece of trash change?
"Speak!" Zhao Hai shouted coldly. "Are you deaf?"
Lin Mo's lips moved slightly, and he spoke in a low voice.
"I'm here for the assessment."
"Oh? The assessment?" Zhao Hai laughed mockingly. "Still at the 1st Level of Qi Refining? Go up and test it. Let everyone laugh at you again!"
He reached out and pushed Lin Mo hard on the shoulder, trying to make him stumble and fall in front of everyone.
But the next second, Zhao Hai's expression changed drastically.
His push landed on Lin Mo's shoulder, but Lin Mo did not move an inch. It was as if he had pushed a heavy, motionless boulder.
A faint look of surprise flashed through Zhao Hai's eyes.
"What are you standing there for? Get up there!" Zhao Hai growled, hiding his shock with anger.
Lin Mo did not argue. He slowly walked toward the Spirit Testing Stone.
All eyes immediately focused on him.
Everyone was waiting to see the joke—the eternal 1st Level trash taking the test again.
The elder in charge of the assessment glanced at Lin Mo with a trace of boredom in his eyes.
"Step forward and place your hand on the stone."
Lin Mo walked up and stretched out his right hand, gently pressing it against the cold surface of the Spirit Testing Stone.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the faint, dim light that represented the 1st Level of Qi Refining.
One breath.
Two breaths.
Three breaths.
The Spirit Testing Stone remained completely dark.
No light appeared at all.
The crowd burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Not even a little light? He's worse than trash!"
"He can't even activate the Spirit Testing Stone anymore!"
"Expel him! This is a disgrace to our sect!"
Zhao Hai laughed loudly, pointing at Lin Mo. "Look at you! You can't even reach the 1st Level! Get lost!"
The elder's face darkened, and he was about to speak.
But at that moment—
Boom!
A bright, dazzling light suddenly erupted from the Spirit Testing Stone!
The light was so intense that it made everyone squint.
The entire stone monument lit up like a small sun.
And then, lines of light lit up one after another on the stone's surface.
1st Level…
2nd Level…
3rd Level…
4th Level!
Four complete lines of light shone brightly, illuminating the entire training ground.
The laughter stopped abruptly.
The entire square fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared at the Spirit Testing Stone, their eyes wide with disbelief, their mouths hanging open.
The elder froze, his eyes almost popping out of his head.
Four… 4th Level of Qi Refining?!
That was impossible!
Yesterday, Lin Mo was still at the 1st Level!
Everyone in the outer sect knew that!
How could he jump three levels in a single night?!
Zhao Hai's smile froze on his face, turning into a stiff, pale mask. He looked at the Spirit Testing Stone, then at Lin Mo's back, as if he had seen a ghost.
Impossible… This is impossible!
Lin Mo slowly pulled his hand back from the stone.
His expression remained calm, as if he had just done something trivial.
He turned around, his gaze sweeping across the shocked crowd.
No mockery.
No arrogance.
No provocation.
Just quiet calm.
But that calm was more shocking than any roar.
The trash that everyone had bullied and laughed at for three years…
Had quietly become a 4th Level Qi Refining cultivator.
A tremendous change in a single day.
No one knew how he did it.
No one dared to ask.
Lin Mo's eyes fell on Zhao Hai, who stood frozen in place.
Zhao Hai's body trembled violently, and he took an involuntary step back.
For the first time, he felt a trace of fear toward the boy he had always called trash.
Lin Mo looked away and walked back to his corner silently.
He did not explain.
He did not show off.
He just stood there quietly, as steady as ever.
But in everyone's heart, a storm had already exploded.
The Steady Immortal had taken his first step into the light.
And soon, the entire Azure Cloud Sect would tremble at his name.
[To be continued]