The entire training ground remained dead silent, with not even a single breath audible.
All the outer disciples stared at Lin Chen as if he was some kind of monster that had just stepped out of a legend. The once arrogant and domineering Lin Hao was lying miserably on the stone ground, his knee twisted in an unnatural angle, screaming in agony. No one present could believe their eyes—the useless trash they had mocked, bullied, and humiliated for more than ten years had just defeated a third-level Qi Refining genius in a single move.
For a long while, the crowd remained frozen in shock. Then, whispers began to spread like wildfire, growing louder and more heated by the second.
"Did you all see that clearly? Lin Chen… really defeated Lin Hao!"
"In just one move! How is that even possible? He was stuck at the first level of Qi Refining for years!"
"Is he a hidden genius? Did he pretend to be weak this entire time just to humiliate everyone?"
"This is too crazy! The trash has turned into a genius overnight!"
The voices were no longer filled with contempt or mockery. Instead, they were brimming with shock, awe, and even a trace of fear. The name Lin Chen, which had once been a joke throughout the Lin Family, now carried a weight no one dared to ignore.
The elder in charge of the monthly assessment slowly stepped forward, his eyes shining with unconcealed amazement as he carefully examined Lin Chen from head to toe. He had been overseeing the outer courtyard assessments for decades, and he had watched Lin Chen grow up. For ten straight years, Lin Chen had been at the bottom of every ranking, labeled as a hopeless waste with no future in cultivation.
But today, everything had changed.
"Lin Chen," the elder spoke in a deep, respectful tone that surprised everyone nearby. "You have hidden your strength extremely well. No one in the outer courtyard expected you to possess such combat power."
Lin Chen cupped his hands slightly, maintaining a calm and modest demeanor that did not seem to belong to a sixteen-year-old boy. He neither appeared arrogant nor overly humble, standing there with a quiet confidence that made everyone look at him differently.
"This junior has merely experienced a sudden enlightenment recently, which allowed me to break through my previous limits," Lin Chen replied calmly.
The elder nodded deeply, his eyes growing warmer with approval. In the world of cultivation, sudden enlightenment was both rare and precious, a sign of extraordinary fortune. He no longer doubted Lin Chen's potential, and he immediately made a decision that would shake the entire outer courtyard.
"Your performance in this assessment is unprecedented," the elder announced loudly, ensuring every disciple could hear him clearly. "From this moment forward, you are no longer an outer disciple. I will personally promote you to the inner courtyard, effective immediately."
The moment his words landed, the entire training ground erupted into an uproar.
Inner courtyard!
Those two words represented status, resources, and hope. Only the most talented disciples of the Lin Family qualified for the inner courtyard, where they received better cultivation techniques, more spirit stones, personal guidance from elders, and far higher status than those in the outer courtyard. Even Lin Hao had struggled for years before barely meeting the requirements for inner courtyard qualification.
Yet Lin Chen—once the biggest joke of the family—was being directly promoted without taking the official assessment. This was an honor no outer disciple had ever received in the history of the Lin Family.
On the ground, Lin Hao's face turned purple with rage, jealousy, and humiliation. He stared daggers at Lin Chen, his eyes filled with murderous intent. He had planned to crush Lin Chen in front of everyone, reclaim his pride, and mock the trash one last time before entering the inner courtyard. Instead, he ended up with a broken knee, a destroyed reputation, and the very person he hated the most rising above him.
Lin Chen did not even spare Lin Hao a glance. To him, Lin Hao was nothing more than an insignificant ant, a stepping stone on his path to supremacy. With the Supreme Sign-In System by his side, he would soon stand at a height where people like Lin Hao would not even be qualified to look up at him.
"Thank you for your kindness, elder," Lin Chen said politely.
The elder waved his hand with a smile. "Go to the inner courtyard affairs hall before sunset to complete your registration. You will receive a new courtyard, monthly spirit stones, and access to basic cultivation techniques. You may leave now."
Lin Chen nodded and turned to leave. As he walked, the crowd of disciples automatically stepped aside, their heads lowered in respect. Not a single person dared to block his path or utter a single insult. The era where Lin Chen could be bullied at will was gone forever.
After leaving the training ground, Lin Chen did not head directly to the inner courtyard. Instead, he returned to his small, shabby room in the outer courtyard—one last time. The moment he closed the door, a cold, mechanical voice echoed clearly in his mind.
[Ding! Daily sign-in has been refreshed! Host may sign-in now to receive today's reward!]
A faint, confident smile appeared on Lin Chen's lips. Without hesitation, he spoke in a low voice.
"Sign in."
[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to host for obtaining the following rewards:
1. Cultivation Base Upgrade: 2nd Level of Qi Refining!
2. High-Grade Mortal Skill: Wind Steps!
3. 8,000 Spirit Stones!]
Almost instantly, a violent surge of pure spiritual energy exploded within his body, rushing through his meridians like a mighty river. His dantian expanded rapidly, and his cultivation broke through to the 2nd Level of Qi Refining without the slightest obstacle or resistance.
At the same time, a complete set of movement technique memories flooded into his mind. Wind Steps—a supreme movement skill that allowed the user to move like the wind, increasing speed and agility to an astonishing level. With this skill, Lin Chen's combat effectiveness had risen once again.
Lin Chen clenched his fists tightly, feeling the surging, endless power flowing inside him. In just one day, he had transformed from a crippled, mocked trash into a 2nd Level Qi Refining warrior with powerful offensive and defensive skills. This was the terrifying power of the Supreme Sign-In System.
But he knew this was only the beginning.
The Lin Family had countless powerhouses, from inner courtyard elders to clan leaders and even distant ancestors who had lived for hundreds of years. His real enemies—those who had truly betrayed and killed him in his previous life—still stood high above him, completely unaware of his rebirth.
He must grow stronger, faster, and more unstoppable.
"From today onward, I will climb toward the peak step by step," Lin Chen whispered to himself, his eyes burning with a cold, unyielding determination. "Everyone who humiliated me, betrayed me, and pushed me into hell… I will make them pay back tenfold, a hundredfold. I will take everything back with my own hands."
He could already predict the storm that was coming. Lin Hao would not swallow this humiliation, and his family supporters would surely come to seek revenge. Other geniuses who felt threatened would also target him. The road ahead would be filled with danger and enemies.
But Lin Chen did not fear it.
He welcomed it.
Every enemy that appeared was another chance to gain system rewards, increase his strength, and move closer to his goal of becoming the Eternal Sovereign.
He sat cross-legged on his wooden bed, closed his eyes, and began to absorb and stabilize his new cultivation base. At the same time, he carefully comprehended the Wind Steps movement technique, allowing the profound insights to merge with his body and soul. In less than an hour, he had fully mastered both his new realm and his new skill.
When he opened his eyes again, a sharp, sword-like light flashed within them, then disappeared quietly.
His speed, strength, reaction, and combat awareness had all reached a level far beyond ordinary inner courtyard disciples. Even if he faced five or six disciples at the third level of Qi Refining at the same time, he would be able to defeat them easily.
Just as Lin Chen prepared to leave for the inner courtyard affairs hall, the system's voice sounded again, this time with a sharp notification tone.
[Ding! New side mission activated!
Mission Title: Stop The incoming Revenge
Mission Description: Lin Hao's elder brother, Lin Feng, a peak 4th Level Qi Refining warrior, has learned of Lin Hao's defeat. He is leading several followers to seek revenge and cripple you.
Mission Requirement: Defeat Lin Feng and establish your absolute prestige in the Lin Family.
Mission Reward: 10,000 Spirit Stones, High-Grade Mysterious Skill — Thunderclap Fist!]
A cold, murderous smile slowly spread across Lin Chen's face.
Revenge?
Perfect.
He was just looking for a way to further display his strength and shock the entire family.
"The more you come," Lin Chen murmured softly, his voice filled with dominance and confidence, "the stronger I will become."
Outside the door, heavy, angry footsteps could be heard approaching rapidly, along with furious shouting.
The storm had arrived.
But Lin Chen stood calmly, ready to face it head-on.
His path to becoming the Immortal Emperor had only just begun.