Frozen Wasteland, far in the northern frontier.
Lin Zhan’s tall and broad figure stood firm in the raging wind and snow.
He had just torn apart a king-rank vicious beast that had attempted to breach the defense line—barehanded. A faint, murderous aura still clung to his body.
He was about to sit down cross-legged and begin regulating his breathing when his communicator buzzed again.
He looked up—it was still the number from home.
The old war god frowned and tapped to connect.
Immediately, the anxious face of Butler Zhong appeared on the screen.
“Old Master, there’s a problem!”
After listening to the report and learning that his precious grandson couldn’t even be bothered to participate in the academy tournament and had been branded a coward by everyone at school, Lin Zhan’s expression darkened instantly.
“Ridiculous!”
His angry roar swept through the wind and snow for hundreds of meters, making the entire battlefield freeze momentarily.
“Patch this call directly to that little brat!”
The next second, the specially-made communicator on Lin Yuan’s wrist began vibrating violently.
Lin Yuan was enjoying a chilled spiritual fruit delivered by his maid when he glanced at the screen flashing the caller’s ID.
He raised an eyebrow and lazily connected the call.
A holographic projection popped up—it was his fierce, killing-aura-drenched grandfather.
“Yo, old man. What’s got you free today? Not out slaying beasts, and instead coming to check up on me?” Lin Yuan maintained his usual carefree attitude.
“You little brat!”
“I heard you didn’t even sign up for the academy tournament? What are you thinking? Trying to throw the Lin family’s face into the dirt?!”
Seeing Lin Yuan’s relaxed demeanor made Lin Zhan’s beard bristle and eyes bulge.
“Disgrace the family? How could that be?” Lin Yuan shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m protecting the Lin family’s reputation.”
“Don’t give me that crap!” Lin Zhan bellowed.
“Think about it…”
“I, the great Lin Zhan’s grandson, future heir of the Lin family, a once-in-a-generation genius—if I go and join some kiddie playground-level competition, wouldn’t that just cheapen my status? Fighting a bunch of kindergartners… even if I win, how’s that something to brag about? Way beneath me!”
Lin Yuan spoke with complete seriousness.
“You…” Lin Zhan was so infuriated by the nonsense he couldn’t help but laugh.
This kid sure could talk his way around anything.
“Cut the excuses! I don’t care if you think it’s beneath you. You’re going to that damn tournament today, no matter what!”
Lin Zhan’s expression turned stern, his tone absolutely unyielding.
“Why, though?” Lin Yuan grumbled.
“Three reasons!” Lin Zhan raised three fingers.
“One: You are my grandson—descendant of the Lin family! A Lin must be proud and bold, but never labeled a coward! If anyone dares mock you, you beat them until they shut up!”
“Two: I’ve guarded the northern frontier for a hundred years, killed so many vicious beasts they no longer dare step south! My name inspires awe across the empire! And now you—my direct grandson—are hiding like a turtle in school? Where do I put my face?!”
“And third…” Lin Zhan continued to lecture without pause.
Damn it…
All Lin Yuan wanted was to lie flat in peace. Was that too much to ask?!
There was no way out. No matter what, he couldn’t go against the old man.
“Fine, fine, I’ll go…”
“But Grandpa, you’ve got to promise me—if I really take first place, I want complete freedom! I’m not a kid anymore…”
Lin Yuan looked completely fed up.
“Deal! As long as you win first, you can do whatever you want! If anyone dares bother you, I’ll break their legs myself!” Lin Zhan agreed without hesitation.
Upon hearing that, Lin Yuan’s eyes lit up.
No interruptions?
Now that was a bargain!
Even his sister wouldn’t be able to boss him around anymore!
So what if he had to beat up a few kids? Sure, it was annoying, but for a whole month of peaceful lying flat—it was worth it!
And it’d shut his grandpa up too. Kill two birds with one stone.
“Deal!”
“Hmph! That’s more like it!” Lin Zhan nodded with satisfaction and ended the call.
Lin Yuan stretched, then turned to Butler Zhong and said, “Uncle Zhong, go submit a late registration for me. Just say—Lin Yuan is joining the tournament.”
…
At the competition grounds—
Ten massive arenas hosted intense battles simultaneously.
Spiritual power lights flashed in every direction. Clashes of weapons and roars of spectators created a wave of excitement surging into the sky.
And yet, amidst this uproar, one person looked completely out of place.
Lin Yuan was sitting leisurely in the best spot of the contestant viewing area on a soft couch that had been delivered just for him.
Chilled spiritual fruits and snacks rested by his side, and two beautiful maids stood behind him, fanning him gently.
He didn’t even look at the arenas. Instead, he stared at the sky, seemingly studying the shape of clouds.
This wasn’t a tournament—it was a vacation.
On the other side, atop Arena One, Ye Xuan was slaughtering his opponents.
Like a tiger out of its cage, he overwhelmed every enemy he faced. Each match ended with a single decisive move—clean, efficient, and brutal.
“Damn! Ye Xuan’s a beast!”
“He’s improving insanely fast! A few months ago, he was only at 1st stage Bone Refining Realm, right? His aura now feels bottomless!”
“What stage is he at now? Anyone know?”
The spectators buzzed with shock and admiration.
With his crushing dominance, Ye Xuan quickly drew the spotlight.
Soon, he was matched with a new opponent.
This one was Wang Hao, a notorious rich playboy from the academy with family backing.
He usually clung to Lin Yuan’s side and naturally looked down on Ye Xuan for being a commoner.
Wang Hao was a solid 4th stage Bone Refining Realm cultivator.
As soon as he stepped into the ring, he raised his chin and sneered, “Ye Xuan, I suggest you roll off this stage now. Save yourself the embarrassment—don’t go home crying to mommy.”
Ye Xuan’s face was cold and expressionless.
“So Lin Yuan didn’t come… so his lackeys jump out first.”
“Watch your mouth!”
“You? Call Brother Yuan by name? Trash like you doesn’t deserve it! Today, I’ll show you—between commoners and nobles, there’s a gap you’ll never cross!”
Wang Hao erupted in fury.
As he spoke, he suddenly unleashed his aura—
4th stage Bone Refining Realm!
The powerful pressure made many students flinch.
But at that moment, Ye Xuan released his own aura.
2nd stage Bone Refining Realm!
“Hahaha!”
Wang Hao burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world. “Only 2nd stage? I thought you’d improved! With that level, you dare act cocky in front of me? Get down!”
Laughing wildly, he charged forward, throwing a fierce Mountain Tiger Descends punch straight at Ye Xuan’s face.
The punch howled through the air with full confidence, as if Ye Xuan would be sent flying any second.
But Ye Xuan didn’t even blink.
Just as the punch was about to hit, he moved.
No fancy moves—just a simple punch in return.
But that punch carried unstoppable will—absolute and crushing.
“Foolish!”
Wang Hao sneered at Ye Xuan’s direct counter.
Boom—!
But instead of Ye Xuan being blown away, it was Wang Hao’s smug expression that froze.
Then…
It twisted into terror!
A terrifying force surged from Ye Xuan’s fist, utterly destroying Wang Hao’s protective aura and shattering his arm bones!
Crack!
The sound of bone breaking rang across the arena!
“Ahhh—!”
Wang Hao let out a shriek as his body flew backward like a broken kite, landing hard off the stage.
Blood spurted from his mouth as he passed out cold.
One punch. Instant knockout.
The whole arena went dead silent.
Everyone stared, mouths agape, expressions stunned.
“Did I… Did I see that right? A 2nd stage Bone Refining Realm… one-punched a 4th stage?”
“Impossible! That’s not just a realm jump. That’s a cross-tier annihilation!”
“A monster! Ye Xuan’s a real monster!”
Silence was quickly broken by a tidal wave of shocked cries.
“At this rate, could he actually take first place?”
“Hard to say. Lin Yuan hasn’t fought yet—he’s at 6th stage Bone Refining Realm!”
“So what? Ye Xuan crushed a 4th stage while only at 2nd stage. Against a 6th stage, he might still stand a chance! This year’s tournament is gonna be epic!”
“Exactly! But who knows if Young Master Lin is even going to show up!”
“Maybe he sensed how strong Ye Xuan is and chickened out!”
…
The spectators chattered excitedly, their gazes toward Ye Xuan now filled with anticipation.
On other arenas, fights continued with equal intensity.
Gu Ningxue moved gracefully. Her Falling Snow Sword Technique was flawless as she easily defeated her opponent, drawing loud applause.
Li Xuan’er also stepped onto the stage.
Her opponent was a senior at 3rd stage Bone Refining Realm.
Though the match was tough, she eventually won by relying on a more refined cultivation technique.
But her usual arrogance was gone, replaced by a trace of complexity and quiet loss.
Ye Xuan’s strength made her happy…
And strangely anxious.
…
On stage, Ye Xuan stood proudly.
His gaze was like lightning—locked onto a leisurely figure in the audience.
Lin Yuan…
You really don’t plan to compete?
Fury surged in his chest.
If he couldn’t defeat Lin Yuan in the ring today, Ye Xuan would never find peace.
It had become his inner demon.
A true, complete inner demon.
But at that moment—
The broadcast boomed with a sudden announcement.
“We interrupt with breaking news: Lin Yuan has completed late registration and will now participate in the academy tournament!”
In an instant—
Everyone froze.
All heads turned toward Lin Yuan.
Shock written across their faces.
That man… he was back!