The black jade token felt cold in Lin Yuan's hand.
He examined it carefully.
There were no inscriptions, no clan emblem, and no trace of spiritual energy.
To anyone else, it looked like an ordinary piece of jade.
After a moment's hesitation, he placed it inside his storage pouch.
"Whether that man is friend or foe..."
"I'll find out one day."
For now, his priority remained unchanged.
The academy trial.
Only by earning a place among the twenty representatives could he leave Azure Maple City and see the wider cultivation world.
The third and final day of the Verdant Secret Realm had begun.
As Lin Yuan walked through the ancient forest, he noticed that the atmosphere had changed.
Disciples who had once searched independently were now moving in groups.
Some had formed temporary alliances.
Others had begun stealing Verdant Tokens from weaker disciples.
Although killing was forbidden, nothing prevented them from taking another person's tokens.
"Hand them over!"
A furious shout echoed through the forest.
Lin Yuan hurried toward the sound.
In a small clearing, four disciples surrounded a single youth from the Yellow Courtyard.
The young man clutched three Verdant Tokens to his chest.
His robes were stained with dirt, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
One of the attackers sneered.
"You're from the Yellow Courtyard."
"You don't deserve to represent the academy."
The frightened disciple shook his head.
"I... I earned these fairly."
The leader laughed.
"Then earn them again next year."
He stepped forward to seize the tokens.
Lin Yuan walked into the clearing.
"Four against one?"
"Is that how the Profound Courtyard trains its disciples?"
The four youths turned.
One of them recognized him immediately.
"Lin Yuan."
The leader's expression darkened.
"So you've come looking for trouble."
Lin Yuan glanced at the injured disciple.
"Leave."
The youth hesitated.
"But my tokens..."
"I'll handle this."
Seeing the calm confidence in Lin Yuan's eyes, the disciple quickly ran.
The four opponents burst into laughter.
"You let him escape."
"Now you'll have to compensate us."
The leader unsheathed his sword.
"Hand over all your Verdant Tokens."
Lin Yuan shook his head.
"No."
"Then don't blame us."
All four attacked simultaneously.
The first swordsman lunged from the front.
Lin Yuan sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade.
His fist shot forward.
Bang!
The attacker was sent crashing into a tree.
Before the others could react, Lin Yuan activated the Verdant Pulse.
A warm current surged through his meridians.
His body became lighter.
His strength increased dramatically.
The second disciple swung a heavy saber.
Lin Yuan caught the flat of the blade with one hand.
The attacker froze in disbelief.
"Impossible!"
With a twist of his wrist, Lin Yuan disarmed him and struck him in the chest with his palm.
The disciple stumbled backward and collapsed.
The remaining two exchanged nervous glances.
"This isn't the Lin Yuan everyone talked about."
"No..."
"He's much stronger."
They attacked together.
Lin Yuan calmly avoided every strike.
Months of constant training, countless battles with spirit beasts, and the guidance of the Evergreen Scripture had sharpened both his body and instincts.
Within moments...
The battle was over.
All four disciples lay groaning on the ground.
Lin Yuan looked down at them.
"I won't take your Verdant Tokens."
"But remember this."
"Strength isn't measured by how many weaker people you can bully."
He turned and walked away.
The four disciples could only watch his departing figure in silence.
For the first time, they understood why Wang Jie had lost.
As sunset approached, a brilliant pillar of emerald light rose into the sky.
A majestic voice echoed throughout the Verdant Secret Realm.
"The trial has ended."
Every disciple felt a gentle force surround them.
The next moment, Lin Yuan's vision blurred.
When it cleared again, he was standing before the ancient portal outside the academy.
Hundreds of disciples appeared one after another.
Some smiled with satisfaction.
Others looked disappointed.
Several bore obvious injuries.
Elder Sun stepped forward.
"The trial is complete."
"The Verdant Tokens will now be counted."
The entire academy plaza fell silent.
Soon...
The names of the twenty representatives for the Four Academy Tournament would be announced.
And with them...
Lin Yuan's first step beyond Azure Maple City would finally begin.