The news of the Giantwood Sacred Tree's withering shook the entire Lin Realm.
Rumors spread everywhere. People said the Evil King Wan Tian had returned, invading Senluo City, destroying the Sacred Tree, and killing two Grand Lin Adepts. For a time, panic spread across the nations. Every kingdom watched nervously, uncertain whether the disaster would continue to spread.
It was said that the Star Palace had dispatched the Seven Star Governors to investigate the matter, but after that, no further news about the Evil King was ever heard.
Later, another rumor appeared—that the two Grand Lin Adepts of Giantwood had joined forces beneath the Sacred Tree and slain the Evil King, preventing his return to power.
What the truth was…
No one knew.
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye—ten years had gone by.
Senluo City had long since returned to its former bustle and peace. At the southern gate, merchants and travelers flowed in endless streams like rolling traffic.
No one there knew that the catastrophe that had nearly destroyed Giantwood had begun from this very place.
Yet if one continued toward the city center, they would eventually see the Sacred Tree.
Once it had been silver-white and radiant, its crown spreading like clouds across the sky.
Now only a gray stone trunk remained, towering into the heavens. Its branches twisted like ancient bones, yet not a single leaf remained.
Only then would people understand—
What happened ten years ago was no mere legend.
The once holy silver tree had become something neither stone nor wood.
It stood silently in the center of Senluo City like a gigantic monument.
A tombstone.
A tombstone burying the secrets of ten years past.
Beneath the withered Sacred Tree lay a lake of deep blue water.
During the earth-shattering battle ten years ago, the Dragon Spear of the Tenth Lin had plunged into the ground with heavenly lightning, collapsing the earth and leaving behind a crater over a hundred zhang wide.
Over the years, rainwater gathered there, gradually forming a lake.
The deepest part was only a dozen zhang deep, the water so clear one could see the bottom.
On its surface reflected the gray fossil-like figure of the Sacred Tree.
When the wind blew, ripples shimmered across the water like whispered memories.
People called it—
Falling Dragon Lake.
According to legend, the Azure Dragon, sacred beast of the Tenth Lin, had fused with the Dragon Spear during that battle. After defeating the Evil King, it descended into the depths of the lake.
Many had attempted to search the lake for the Tenth Lin's divine weapon.
Yet over ten years, no one ever found anything.
Whether a divine spear truly lay at the bottom remained unknown.
Still, some claimed that on quiet nights, they could occasionally hear a low dragon's roar echoing from beneath the lake.
But legends were only legends.
After enough years passed, people stopped taking them seriously.
Another summer arrived.
It was midday, and sunlight spilled across the shores of Falling Dragon Lake.
A group of children chased one another beneath the fossilized Sacred Tree, their laughter echoing across the empty plaza.
A handsome young boy ran at the front.
He looked about ten years old.
His skin was bronze-toned, faintly glowing with a subtle sheen. His body was thin but agile.
When he ran, his steps were light—as though he were running on the wind.
He turned back and made a face at the others.
"You can't catch me! You can't catch me!"
Behind him, a tall boy with thick brows and bright eyes chased after him while shouting,
"Lin Fei, don't get so smug! Just wait until I catch you!"
This boy was Li Chen, the only son of Li Changfeng, the Shadow Lin Adept of Giantwood.
All the other children had already been caught.
Only Lin Fei and Li Chen remained, chasing each other around the fossilized Sacred Tree again and again.
Lin Fei ran lightly, as if floating.
He wasn't particularly fast, yet somehow Li Chen could never quite grab him.
Finally, Li Chen collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"I… I'm done running…"
He waved his hands weakly.
"Are… are you a rabbit or something…"
Lin Fei walked back and sat beside him, smiling as he handed him a water pouch.
"So you admit defeat, right? That means we win."
Li Chen grabbed the pouch and gulped down several mouthfuls before finally catching his breath.
The other children gathered around them. Some sat on the ground while others chattered excitedly about the chase.
"Actually," Li Chen suddenly said, "I could have caught you. I just didn't want to take advantage of you."
"How would that be taking advantage?" Lin Fei asked.
"If I used Lin Arts, you wouldn't stand a chance."
"What?!" the children exclaimed.
"Li Chen, you already know Lin Arts?"
They surrounded him in excitement, asking questions all at once.
Lin Fei's eyes lit up.
"Really? Show us!"
Li Chen glanced around, then stood up and walked to an empty patch of ground near the lake.
Taking a deep breath, he stretched out one hand, palm facing downward, murmuring quietly.
The children gathered closer, staring wide-eyed.
After a moment—
Several scattered pebbles on the ground began to tremble.
Then slowly…
They rose into the air.
Three inches above the ground.
Floating.
"Whoa——!"
The children cried out in amazement.
Lin Fei's mouth fell open in a perfect circle.
"That's amazing!"
Li Chen lowered his hand, and the stones dropped back onto the ground.
He grinned proudly.
"Well? Pretty impressive, right?"
"How did you do that?" Lin Fei grabbed his arm.
"It's called Stone Guidance, an earth-element technique," Li Chen explained proudly. "It's the most basic beginner Lin Art. You use spiritual power to control earth and stone."
"I practiced for two months before I could do it. My grandfather said I learned pretty quickly."
"Two months?" Lin Fei looked shocked.
"And that's considered fast?"
Li Chen puffed out his chest.
"Of course! That's what my grandfather said! My grandfather is amazing!"
"He's the Ninth Lin, the strongest Lin Adept in Giantwood! If he says something, how could it be wrong?"
Lin Fei smiled but said nothing.
Of course he knew Li Chen's grandfather was powerful.
Li Shentong, the Ninth Lin, the pillar of Giantwood.
It was said that ten years ago he had fought alongside the Tenth Lin to defeat the Evil King.
Even now, he remained the stabilizing force of the kingdom.
Whenever Li Chen mentioned his grandfather, his face would shine with pride.
"Oh right!" Li Chen suddenly remembered something.
"Lin Fei, I'm going to Giantwood Academy this autumn."
"Giantwood Academy?" Lin Fei blinked. "What's that?"
"You don't know?" Li Chen looked shocked.
"It's the biggest Lin Adept school in Giantwood!"
"You study there for seven years, and when you graduate you become a real Lin Adept!"
He began counting on his fingers.
"You can learn Lin Arts, cultivation techniques, and all kinds of powerful skills!"
"My grandfather studied there too. The Tenth Lin and my father both graduated from there!"
Lin Fei listened, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
Lin Adepts…
He had seen them before.
Many of Senluo City's guards were Lin Adepts.
When they patrolled, they used light-body techniques, running across rooftops and walls. It looked incredibly cool.
The man who had lived next door and watched over him since childhood—Brother Li Dong—was also a Lin Adept.
But Li Dong never showed his abilities, so Lin Fei had no idea how strong he really was.
"Then… can I go too?" Lin Fei asked.
Li Chen scratched his head.
"Well… you have to pass an exam, I think."
"My grandfather said they recruit every year. As long as you pass the test, you can get in."
"But Lin Fei, you've never even learned Lin Arts before, right? That might be a little difficult."
Lin Fei nodded quietly.
It was true.
Uncle Wanli had never allowed him to touch those things.
He always said to wait until he was older.
"But it's okay!" Li Chen suddenly thumped his chest.
"When I learn more Lin Arts, I'll teach you everything!"
"My grandfather said my talent isn't bad. If I work hard, maybe someday I can become a great Lin Adept too—just like him and the Tenth Lin."
Lin Fei looked at him.
A warm feeling filled his heart.