The next morning, the mountain behind Azure Maple Academy was unusually lively.
Dozens of disciples climbed the stone steps leading toward the academy's most treasured cultivation ground.
At the summit lay the Spirit Spring.
It was said that the spring was formed from an underground spiritual vein. The surrounding spiritual qi was several times richer than anywhere else in the academy, allowing cultivators to advance rapidly.
Only the most outstanding disciples were permitted to cultivate there.
As Lin Yuan reached the entrance, many disciples looked at him with surprise.
"He actually came."
"Wasn't he from the Yellow Courtyard?"
"I heard Elder Sun personally approved his entry."
The Heaven Courtyard disciples whispered among themselves, some curious, others displeased.
Among them stood Mu Qingxue.
She glanced at Lin Yuan briefly before walking over.
"Congratulations on your victory."
Her voice was calm.
Lin Yuan nodded politely.
"Thank you."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Mu Qingxue broke the silence.
"You've changed."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly.
"Perhaps I've simply stopped worrying about what others think."
Mu Qingxue lowered her eyes.
"When I ended our engagement..."
"I believed I was making the right choice."
Lin Yuan interrupted gently.
"There's no need to explain."
"We each chose our own path."
His tone held no resentment.
Only acceptance.
Mu Qingxue was slightly surprised.
She had expected bitterness.
Instead, she found a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before.
Before she could speak again, Elder Sun arrived.
"The Spirit Spring is now open."
"Each disciple may cultivate for one day."
"Remember, do not descend to the deepest part of the spring."
"The pressure there is beyond your ability."
With that, he waved his sleeve.
The barrier surrounding the spring dissolved.
The Spirit Spring resembled a clear jade lake surrounded by ancient trees.
Mist drifted across its surface, carrying rich spiritual qi.
The disciples quickly chose their places around the shore and began cultivating.
Lin Yuan also sat down.
The moment he circulated the Evergreen Scripture, the surrounding spiritual qi rushed toward him.
Unlike the others, the Green Spirit Sapling absorbed the qi first, purifying it before sending it into his meridians.
His cultivation speed immediately surpassed anything he had experienced before.
Hours passed.
One disciple after another smiled as their cultivation improved.
Lin Yuan, however, felt something strange.
The Green Spirit Sapling wasn't only absorbing the spiritual qi...
It was reaching for something much deeper.
Its leaves trembled constantly.
Its roots stretched downward within his spiritual sea, as if trying to connect with something beneath the mountain.
"What are you sensing?"
He silently followed the feeling.
His spiritual perception extended beneath the Spirit Spring.
Ten meters...
Twenty...
Fifty...
Then—
His consciousness touched an immense life force sleeping deep underground.
It was ancient.
Vast.
Endless.
The moment the two came into contact, Lin Yuan's body shook violently.
Deep beneath the Spirit Spring...
Hidden inside the spiritual vein...
He saw the faint outline of an enormous emerald root.
It was so massive that it seemed to support the entire mountain.
Countless glowing roots extended in every direction like veins.
The Green Spirit Sapling in his spiritual sea trembled with excitement.
It was as though it had finally found something it had been searching for.
Suddenly, a single thread of emerald essence separated from the ancient root and drifted upward.
It entered Lin Yuan's body without anyone noticing.
The Green Spirit Sapling absorbed it instantly.
The second flower bud bloomed.
A gentle emerald light filled his spiritual sea.
The sapling grew another branch, and its trunk became thicker and more vibrant.
At the same time, Lin Yuan felt his cultivation surge.
With a loud rumble inside his dantian...
He broke through.
Body Tempering Realm... Fifth Stage.
But before he could celebrate, a hoarse voice echoed through his mind.
"...Child..."
Lin Yuan's eyes snapped open.
He looked around.
None of the other disciples had reacted.
The voice had come from beneath the mountain.
From the ancient root buried deep within the spiritual vein.
And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared...
It fell silent once more.