The morning sun spilled over the city gates, turning the cobblestones of Riverstone Regional Academy into a golden sea of light. Lin Wei walked through the streets with quiet purpose, his cloak brushing lightly against his legs. To any casual observer, he was just another student arriving for the entrance evaluation—a boy of sixteen, slightly undernourished, but otherwise ordinary. His golden hair caught the sunlight briefly before he tucked it back under his hood, and his deep blue eyes scanned the academy grounds carefully, measuring the crowd, the teachers, the competitors.
He had learned long ago that appearances mattered in the world of cultivation. Strength alone was rarely enough to survive. A reputation could protect a weak body—or destroy a strong one. And he had learned even more: true power was dangerous if revealed too soon. That was why the purification system, the secret that made him far stronger than anyone could guess, would remain hidden, known only to him.
The gates of the academy loomed tall, engraved with intricate patterns of dragons and clouds, and faintly glowing symbols that only the trained eye could recognize as protective wards. Lin Wei's footsteps echoed across the courtyard, drawing some attention from passing students. He ignored them, keeping his posture relaxed yet alert. The trials were about to begin, and he had little interest in being distracted by idle chatter or curious glances.
As he entered the main hall, a loud voice rang out, announcing the start of the evaluation. "All prospective disciples of Riverstone Regional Academy will now take the Talent and Combat Trial. Show your ability, show your potential, and remember: skill speaks louder than lineage!"
Lin Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. Talent trials were always a mix of skill testing and observation by the academy elders. For most students, this would be terrifying. For him, it was another chance to measure his own abilities—and to practice controlling the system in secret.
The first challenge was simple, at least on the surface: a coordinated combat trial against training dummies imbued with minor spirit energy. Most students hesitated, unsure of their strength, fumbling with movements that should have been basic. Lin Wei approached a dummy, his body moving with fluid precision. Every muscle, every joint, every tendon worked in perfect harmony. He struck, and the dummy shattered instantly, leaving other students staring in disbelief.
A few whispered, "Who… is he?" and "That boy… he's too fast…" Lin Wei said nothing. He knew better than to draw attention. A second, more complicated task followed: a coordinated display of spiritual energy manipulation, meant to gauge refinement and control. Many students failed outright, energy exploding dangerously in small arcs before fizzling out. Lin Wei, however, drew a subtle energy flow in his palm, shaping it like water, then compressed it into a concentrated sphere that dissipated neatly against the target without spilling.
The instructors exchanged glances, murmuring amongst themselves. "Remarkable… unusually precise for a first-time entrant."
Lin Wei allowed himself a faint nod of satisfaction. In the academy, nothing could replace actual skill. But skill alone could not reveal the secret behind his strength—the purification system that allowed him to move beyond ordinary limits. No one would know.
It was during a break in the trials that he first noticed her. A girl standing to the side, arms crossed, observing with a detached precision that made her appear almost untouchable. Silver-black hair framed her pale face, and her sharp, jade-like eyes missed nothing. Lin Wei felt a small twinge of curiosity—he could sense that she was no ordinary student. Her energy was controlled, refined, and disciplined; her posture alone indicated years of training.
When she finally spoke, her voice was low, measured, yet carried authority beyond her apparent age. "You move with precision," she said, not looking at him directly. "But skill without understanding is fragile. Be careful not to rely solely on strength."
Lin Wei blinked. He had been trained to ignore unnecessary attention, yet her words struck a chord. Not because she had insulted him, but because she had seen something beyond the surface—a hint of potential, a spark that could grow into true power. He inclined his head slightly, a silent acknowledgment, and moved on to the next trial.
Meanwhile, across the courtyard, another student observed Lin Wei differently. A girl with bright crimson hair knelt beside a table of herbs and pills for a different test—an alchemy challenge. She noticed his movements, the subtle confidence in his stride, the way he carried himself with ease. Something about him felt unusual, but she could not pinpoint why. Her curiosity was piqued; a part of her instinctively wanted to study him further, to understand the boy who seemed both ordinary and extraordinary at once.
The second half of the evaluation involved team coordination. Students were paired to solve combat puzzles using both martial skill and strategy. Lin Wei was assigned with two other entrants, both older boys from well-established clans. They immediately assumed he would fail, sneering at his quiet demeanor.
"You? You're going to keep up with us?" one of them laughed. "We'll see how long that lasts."
Lin Wei merely nodded. He did not argue. Words were cheap; skill was all that mattered. The trial began, and the boys charged forward recklessly, attempting to overpower their opponents with brute force. Lin Wei moved like a shadow, guiding their momentum subtly, compensating for their mistakes without anyone realizing it. In the end, the team completed the challenge far faster than anyone anticipated. The other two boys were stunned, unsure how the quiet outcast had contributed so much.
Whispers spread quickly among the observers. "He… he's amazing." "How did he do that?"
Lin Wei stayed silent. No one would ever guess the truth: that he had refined every move, every strike, every step with a secret system that purified his body and enhanced his senses. To the outside world, it was talent, luck, and sharp observation—but it was far more than that.
By the end of the day, Lin Wei's evaluation scores were off the charts. The academy instructors spoke privately, impressed and intrigued, while other students stared in quiet awe—or jealousy. Yet even in the midst of this recognition, Lin Wei kept to himself, his mind already planning the next steps. The academy was a stepping stone, a place to hone skills, gain allies, and quietly test his limits.
As he left the courtyard, he caught a final glimpse of the silver-haired girl. She looked at him again, eyes thoughtful. He smiled faintly, though she could not see it clearly. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he wondered if this mysterious observer might play a role in his journey.
At the edge of the academy, the crimson-haired girl also lingered, her amber eyes watching him intently. She tilted her head slightly, curiosity evident on her face, but her focus remained on the herbs she had been preparing. Lin Wei did not approach her—he had learned early that attention could be dangerous—but the spark of intrigue was planted.
As night fell over Riverstone, Lin Wei found a quiet corner to meditate. He purified his body subtly, refined his techniques, and reflected on the day. Every trial, every observation, every whisper of awe or jealousy would be a tool he could use.
The system hummed silently, unseen, unheard, untouched by the world. He smiled faintly. Let them watch, let them wonder. None of them can know. Not yet.
Tomorrow, the real tests would begin. And by the time the academy fully understood his ability, it would already be too late to stop him.