A few days later.
After being served breakfast at a leisurely pace by two beautiful maids, Lin Yuan yawned and lazily made his way toward the Capital Martial Arts Academy of the Celestial Dragon Nation.
Ever since winning the Academy Tournament and receiving the “Lying Flat Authorization Decree” from his grandfather, life had only become more relaxed.
Going to school now? For him, it was just switching locations for a nap.
Just as he stepped onto campus, he keenly overheard a few students gathered not far away, lowering their voices and whispering with an air of secrecy.
“Have you heard? That Ye Xuan guy is insane!”
“What happened now? What’s he done this time?”
“A few days ago, he actually went to the black market alone and took on that Rank 6 mission that’s been posted for a month—he went to hunt a Nether Panther!”
“No way! Seriously? That thing’s a Stage-2 Fierce Beast! Is he suicidal?”
“Exactly! But guess what? He actually pulled it off! I heard he came back barely alive, but he still managed to kill the Nether Panther!”
“Holy crap! That’s nuts! Isn’t the Nether Panther’s Spirit Core top-tier material?”
“Absolutely! Word is he made a huge profit this time. Probably got pushed over the edge after losing to Young Master Lin in the tournament. Looks like he’s training like crazy, trying to make a comeback!”
…
Hearing all this, Lin Yuan, who was just walking by, paused for a moment.
Ye Xuan?
Hunted a Nether Panther?
And even got a High-Grade Nether Spirit Core?
A subtle glint flickered in Lin Yuan’s eyes.
This guy…
Got that lucky?
More importantly, a Stage-2 Fierce Beast—Ye Xuan, only at the 2nd stage Bone Refining Realm, actually soloed it?
A Stage-2 Fierce Beast’s strength was comparable to Bone Refining Realm cultivators, but their physical toughness made them nearly impossible for a 2nd stage cultivator to kill alone.
Which meant…
Ye Xuan was indeed impressive.
But then Lin Yuan thought about it and instantly understood the key.
Protagonist halo—makes sense.
After all, Ye Xuan was the Chosen One of this novel, Extreme Dao Martial God—the author’s beloved son.
With fate on his side, he was destined to rise.
However…
A playful smirk curled at Lin Yuan’s lips.
Compared to the original story, Ye Xuan’s rise was now riddled with setbacks. Find the original chapter at g.com.
In the original plot, Ye Xuan became famous at the Academy Tournament, stepping over him, the “villain,” and basking in the spotlight.
Then, he’d be favored by the academy’s upper echelons.
Top-tier cultivation resources, manuals, access to secret realms—all would be thrown at him like they cost nothing.
He just had to train step-by-step and steadily become stronger.
But now?
The tournament champion was Lin Yuan.
The spotlight was his.
Naturally, all the academy rewards were no longer Ye Xuan’s.
Losing his “ATM” (Lin Yuan), and the academy’s resource support, Ye Xuan was left with only one path to grow stronger.
Take missions at the black market.
Venture into the most dangerous places.
Lick blood off blades.
Risk his life for resources.
Sure, he might still gain fortuitous encounters—but the risk now was more than ten times what it was in the original!
And even then, the hard-won resources he earned through blood and sacrifice couldn’t compare to what Lin Yuan and the academy could provide—not even half!
…
At that moment, the group of students finally noticed Lin Yuan walking past them.
“Y-Young Master Lin!”
Their faces turned pale in an instant, and their voices died immediately, looking as if they’d bitten their tongues in panic.
They’d just been discussing how Ye Xuan was pushed to the brink by Lin Yuan, only for the real deal to show up behind them?!
They quickly forced out awkward smiles, bowing and nodding.
“Good morning, Young Master Lin!”
“Morning, Young Master Lin!”
Then, without waiting for a response, they bolted like they’d seen a ghost.
Watching their panicked escape, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle.
He shook his head, not bothering to fuss, and strolled casually toward the familiar ancient tree in the Rear Garden.
Ye Xuan risking his life?
Not his problem. Even if the sky fell, don’t expect it to interrupt his nap.
With a swagger that said he didn’t recognize his own relatives, Lin Yuan made his way to his exclusive “Lying Flat Sanctuary”—the century-old tree in the Rear Garden.
But just halfway there, a stunning figure suddenly appeared and blocked his path.
It was Gu Ningxue.
She was wearing a sharp martial arts uniform today, her voluptuous figure outlined to perfection.
Her voluminous wavy hair was tied up in a high ponytail, radiating bold confidence.
“Something you want?”
Lin Yuan lifted his eyelids lazily.
“Of course. And it’s something huge,” Gu Ningxue crossed her arms, wearing a meaningful smile.
She got straight to the point, “On behalf of the academy’s team, I’m officially inviting you to join. In one month, it’ll be time for the annual National Martial Arts League between universities. We need your strength.”
National Martial Arts League?
Lin Yuan searched his memory—yep, that was a major plot point in the original story.
It was the highest-level competition among all top martial academies in the Celestial Dragon Nation.
It was also the perfect stage for young geniuses to make a name for themselves and earn attention on a national level.
Performing well could bring not only glory to their school, but also tremendous personal rewards—honor, resources, and even direct recruitment by the military or powerful organizations.
“Represent the school. Compete with the best from top universities across the country. Bring glory to the academy. Earn countless honors and rewards.” Gu Ningxue looked at him earnestly, trying to persuade him. “So? Interested?”
But after hearing all that, Lin Yuan simply yawned and gave her a look—as if she were an idiot.
“You really think someone like me needs to fight over scraps like that?”
Gu Ningxue: “…”
She was speechless.
The resources others dreamed about day and night—he called them scraps?
Even if he was right, did he have to say it like that?
Lin Yuan ignored her constipated expression and instead raised a brow, asking, “Besides, something feels off. Inviting me to join the team—shouldn’t that be a job for the principal or at least the head instructor? Why’d they send you?”
Gu Ningxue curled her lips, not replying.
But her expression said everything.
Lin Yuan instantly understood.
These old foxes!
They probably knew he was hard to deal with and that trying to convince him directly would just lead to rejection.
Gu Ningxue was one of the few girls in school with a background comparable to his—and recently, she had been getting closer to him.
So naturally, they sent her instead.
Playing the beauty card?
Or maybe they thought she’d have a higher chance of success?
Keep dreaming!