Every pair of eyes turned toward Lin Tian.
Some looked curious.
Most looked amused.
A few were already waiting to laugh.
Lin Tian took a deep breath.
His heartbeat became faster with every step he took toward the platform.
“This is my chance…” He whispered to himself.
“I can’t fail.” The stone stairs felt heavier than usual.
Each step echoed through the silent square.
When he finally reached the top, he stood before the Awakening Crystal.
It was even bigger than he remembered.
Spiritual energy slowly flowed around it like a river.
The First Elder looked at him.
“Place your hand on the crystal.” Lin Tian nodded.
He slowly raised his right hand.
For a brief moment…
He hesitated.
Then…
His palm touched the crystal.
Nothing happened.
The crowd frowned.
A second passed.
Then another.
Someone laughed.
“I knew it.” “Maybe he doesn’t even have a Spiritual Root.” More laughter followed.
Lin Tian clenched his teeth.
“Come on…” “Please…” Suddenly…
Crack!
A strange sound came from inside the crystal.
The laughter stopped.
Crack!
Another crack appeared.
The First Elder’s eyes narrowed.
“What is happening?” Before anyone could answer— BOOM!!
A terrifying explosion shook the entire square.
The Awakening Crystal released a pillar of black light that shot into the sky.
Dark clouds gathered above the Lin Clan.
Thunder roared.
The ground trembled beneath everyone’s feet.
The disciples screamed and stepped back.
Even the elders looked shocked.
“What…
what is that?” “I’ve never seen anything like this!” The black light continued to grow stronger.
Ancient golden symbols appeared across the crystal.
One after another.
Hundreds of them.
None of the elders could read them.
Then…
Black lightning danced around Lin Tian’s body.
It didn’t hurt him.
Instead…
It surrounded him like it was protecting him.
His clothes fluttered wildly.
His black hair moved with the powerful spiritual energy.
For a brief moment…
He looked like someone standing above the heavens.
The First Elder stared at the crystal.
His face slowly turned pale.
“No…” “It can’t be…” An old book suddenly appeared in his hands.
His hands trembled as he quickly turned its ancient pages.
Finally…
He found what he was looking for.
The picture in the book matched the symbols on the crystal perfectly.
His breathing became uneven.
His lips trembled.
“The Heaven-Forbidden Root…” The surrounding elders heard those words.
Their expressions changed instantly.
One elder’s face became completely white.
Another unconsciously took a step backward.
“Impossible.” “That Spiritual Root disappeared thousands of years ago.” “I thought it was only a legend.” The disciples looked at each other in confusion.
“What is the Heaven-Forbidden Root?” “Is it powerful?” “Why do the elders look so frightened?” The First Elder slowly closed the ancient book.
His eyes were filled with fear as he looked at Lin Tian.
“The records say…” “The Heaven-Forbidden Root is cursed.” “It cannot cultivate.” “It brings disaster wherever it appears.” “It is rejected by Heaven itself.” The crowd became silent.
Then…
Someone burst into laughter.
“Cursed?” “So he’s even worse than having no Spiritual Root!” Another disciple laughed.
“I thought he was finally becoming someone important.” “What a joke!” Lin Hao crossed his arms.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
“I told you.” “Trash will always be trash.” Lin Tian stood frozen.
His mind went completely blank.
“Cursed?” “Impossible…” “There has to be a mistake.” He looked at the crystal.
The black light slowly disappeared.
The dark clouds above the clan also faded away.
Everything became quiet again.
As if nothing had happened.
Only the broken cracks covering the Awakening Crystal proved that everyone had witnessed the same thing.
The First Elder took a deep breath.
His expression became cold.
“Lin Tian.” “From today onward…” “You are forbidden from entering the cultivation hall.” “You will receive no cultivation resources.” “You will no longer be considered a core disciple of the Lin Clan.” Every word struck Lin Tian’s heart like a hammer.
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
The First Elder raised his voice so everyone could hear.
“The Heaven-Forbidden Root is an omen of misfortune.” “The Lin Clan cannot risk keeping such a person.” “From this day forward…” “Lin Tian…” “Is expelled from the Lin Clan.” Silence filled the square.
Lin Tian’s eyes widened.
He slowly looked around him.
Not a single person spoke in his defense.
Not one.
The clan he had called home…
Had abandoned him.