At the age of seven, Lin Shen's abilities had quietly matured. The World Tree inside him had grown deep roots along his meridians, its branches extending in his spiritual world, forming a small inner realm that could store energy, knowledge, and even minor flame fragments. His Sun–Moon Yin–Yang Physique allowed him to manipulate energy with precision, balancing fire, ice, and spiritual force within him effortlessly.
Recruiters from Canaan Academy arrived in his village, searching for children with latent talent. They tested for intelligence, energy flow, and unusual abilities. Lin Shen's calm demeanor and precise energy control drew their attention immediately. Though his cultivation rank was not extraordinary, the subtle hints of his Sun–Moon balance and the faint aura of the World Tree impressed even the most experienced examiners.
He passed the entrance tests quietly, without showing pride or arrogance. Unlike other children, he observed everything—the flow of spiritual energy in the testing grounds, the weaknesses of other candidates, and even the movements of the examiners. Beyond that, fragments of the original Battle Through the Heavens plot whispered in his mind. He could anticipate which children would rise to prominence, which clans would interfere in future conflicts, and where Heavenly Flame fragments might appear. Yet he revealed nothing, acting like an ordinary child among prodigies.
The journey to Canaan Academy was long and uneventful, yet Lin Shen used the time to observe patterns in the energy of the lands, the behavior of travelers, and the subtle flow of spiritual energy across the empire. He quietly mapped the world in his mind, storing every detail for later.
Upon arrival, the academy bustled with prodigies and ambitious cultivators. Lin Shen did not compete or draw attention. He spent his days observing teachers, students, and the natural energy flow within the academy. The Sun–Moon Physique and World Tree made him stronger and sharper than anyone suspected.
By night, he practiced energy circulation in secret. Small sparks of flame and streams of spiritual energy danced along his body. With the World Tree as his anchor, he could stabilize and manipulate chaotic energy safely. Each exercise fed both his cultivation and his inner knowledge of the world's unfolding events. Quiet, patient, and intelligent, Lin Shen had already begun laying the foundations of a power no one in the academy could foresee