A cloud of dust blanketed the Martial Platform.
The disciples around the arena held their breath.
Even the elders narrowed their eyes, waiting for the dust to settle.
A breeze swept across the platform.
Gradually, two figures came into view.
One remained standing.
The other was kneeling on one knee, his breathing ragged.
"..."
The entire arena fell silent.
It was...
Lin Yuan.
His robe was torn at the sleeve, and his right fist was stained with blood, but his posture remained straight.
A few steps away, Wang Jie struggled to rise.
His right arm trembled uncontrollably.
The collision had fractured several of the bones in his hand.
"Impossible..."
Wang Jie muttered, staring at Lin Yuan.
"I'm in the Fifth Stage..."
"How could I lose to you?"
Lin Yuan looked at him calmly.
"You relied too much on your strength."
"You forgot to think."
The words cut deeper than any blade.
Throughout the battle, Wang Jie had believed that a higher cultivation realm guaranteed victory.
He had underestimated Lin Yuan from the very beginning.
"Enough."
The supervising elder stepped onto the platform.
"The winner..."
"Lin Yuan."
The silence lasted only a moment before the arena erupted.
"He won!"
"He defeated someone a whole stage above him!"
"Didn't he awaken a Mortal Grade One Martial Soul?"
"Something isn't right."
The Heaven Courtyard disciples looked at Lin Yuan with new eyes.
Even some of those who had mocked him now wore expressions of respect.
Strength spoke louder than rumors.
Instructor Han walked onto the platform with a smile he couldn't hide.
"You fought well."
Lin Yuan bowed.
"I still have much to learn."
Han laughed.
"That humility will take you further than talent alone."
Nearby, Wang Jie's followers hurried over to help him stand.
Before leaving, Wang Jie glared at Lin Yuan.
Hatred burned in his eyes.
"This isn't over."
"My Wang Family won't let today's humiliation go unanswered."
Lin Yuan met his gaze without fear.
"I'll be waiting."
That evening, Lin Yuan returned to his residence.
He sat quietly beneath the old tree outside his room, reflecting on the battle.
Although he had won, he had also realized his shortcomings.
Without the Green Spirit Sapling continuously strengthening his body, Wang Jie's final attack might have defeated him.
"My cultivation is still too low."
"The farther I go, the greater the gap between realms will become."
He could not rely on battle experience alone forever.
He needed to become stronger.
Much stronger.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Lin Yuan opened his eyes.
The old librarian stood before him, carrying a bamboo fishing rod over one shoulder.
The old man smiled faintly.
"So, you're the disciple who defeated Wang Jie."
Lin Yuan stood and bowed.
"Greetings, Senior."
The old man nodded.
"I've come to tell you something."
"Tomorrow, the academy will open the Spirit Spring."
Lin Yuan had heard of it.
The Spirit Spring was a cultivation site beneath the academy where spiritual energy was several times denser than the outside world.
It was opened only once every three months.
"Normally," the old man continued, "only the top ten disciples of the Heaven Courtyard are allowed to enter."
He looked directly at Lin Yuan.
"But Elder Sun has made an exception."
"You've earned a place."
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up.
"Thank you for telling me, Senior."
The old man turned to leave, then paused.
"Oh, one more thing."
"The Spirit Spring is not as peaceful as people believe."
"There is something beneath it..."
"Something that has been sleeping for a very long time."
Without another word, he walked away into the darkness.
Lin Yuan frowned.
He looked toward the mountain behind the academy where the Spirit Spring was located.
A strange feeling rose in his heart.
For some reason...
The Green Spirit Sapling within his spiritual sea began to sway gently, as if it had sensed a familiar presence hidden beneath the mountain.