The heavens were quiet when Wang Lin was dragged to the execution platform.
No thunder. No rain. Not even the wind dared to move.
It was almost as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for the traitor to die.
Dozens of golden-robed elders stood in judgment above him. Thousands of outer and inner disciples gathered in the distance. Whispers echoed across the execution cliffs like fading ghosts.
He could barely hear them.
His ears were ringing from the lightning seal still sizzling across his spine.
Blood dripped from his lips. His arms were bound in golden spirit chains that pulsed with divine suppression, tightening with every breath.
The pain didn't matter anymore.
Nothing mattered now.
Not after what he saw.
Not after she looked away.
His blurry vision locked onto a single figure behind the elders — her long white robes stained only by the crimson hair ribbon she still wore. A ribbon he had once tied for her in secret, when the two of them used to sneak away to train beneath the plum blossom tree.
Lan Xue.
She looked at him with no emotion. No regret. Not even surprise.
Just silence.
The same girl who once said:
"Even if the sect turns on you, I never will."
Wang Lin's heart didn't break.
It was already dust.
Now it simply… stopped beating.
"Any last words, Wang Lin?" Elder Mo called out, his voice loud, righteous, disgustingly fake.
Wang Lin coughed up blood and lifted his head.
Even with his face swollen, his white hair matted, and his body trembling, those ocean-blue eyes stared into Elder Mo like steel.
"I gave everything to this sect," he said softly. "And you sold me for your pride."
"You were corrupted by power," the elder spat. "You strayed from the righteous path—"
"I was pushed off of it!" Wang Lin roared.
That one shout silenced the cliff.
He turned his gaze to Lan Xue.
And smiled.
Not with warmth.
Not with forgiveness.
But with something far colder.
I'll remember your silence.
I'll remember your smile as they killed me.
Elder Mo raised his hand. The divine sword of judgment formed above the platform — glowing gold, humming with heavenly energy.
"This is the price for defying heaven," he said.
And then—
The sword fell.
A flash of light.
The sound of burning.
And nothing.
Darkness. Silence. Cold.
There was no pain.
No body.
Only drifting thought.
Then a voice.
Soft. Calm. Inescapable.
"Wang Lin."
He tried to speak. But he had no mouth.
"Do you desire the strength… to take your revenge?"
He didn't hesitate.
Yes.
"Then I will awaken what sleeps in your blood."
"You have been chosen."
"Let your body rise again. Let your rage refine your soul."
"Let the Celestial Dragon awaken."
Light. Wind. Breath.
Wang Lin gasped awake.
His back arched. His lungs filled with air that tasted too fresh.
His hands clutched grass. Real, wet, morning grass.
He opened his eyes and blinked into the sunlight.
"…What…?"
He sat up quickly, heartbeat thunderous.
Birds chirped nearby.
Cherry blossoms danced in the wind.
This place…
It was the outer sect forest clearing.
He knew this place. He had trained here years ago. He had meditated here… long before anyone hated him. Long before betrayal. Long before Lan Xue looked away.
His hands trembled.
They were… small. Young. Clean.
He looked into the stream nearby — the reflection didn't lie.
Fifteen years old. White hair flowing gently over his shoulders. Blue eyes untainted by bitterness.
His heart pounded.
How…?
What happened?
Why… am I back here?
Then a sharp ping echoed inside his skull.
"Initializing... Cultivation Ascension System…"
He staggered back, nearly falling.
A glowing blue panel suddenly appeared before him — hovering silently.
"Celestial Dragon Bloodline detected." "Dormant awakening… commencing." "System Sync: 4%." "Base enhancement complete."
Strength, Speed, Endurance increased. Recovery Rate: Enhanced.
System Mode: Passive Support + Battle Optimization
Welcome, Wang Lin.
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Wang Lin Age: 15 Realm: Qi Condensation – Stage 1 Talent Grade: Heavenly Tier – Perfect Soul Root Bloodline: Celestial Dragon (Dormant) System Sync: 4% Body Enhancement:
Strength: +60%
Speed: +55%
Recovery: +120%
Wang Lin's breath caught in his throat.
"What… is this?" he whispered. "A… system?"
His hands gripped his robes.
"Why now? Why not back then? Why not when I was being killed?!"
No one answered.
Only the panel's calm, floating presence.
He stared at it for a long time.
The cold breeze tugged his sleeves.
And slowly… he stood.
The emotions inside him began to shift.
Panic turned to confusion.
Confusion turned to fear.
Fear turned to clarity.
And clarity… turned to ice.
No one can know.
Not about this.
Not about me.
This time… I won't fall before I rise.
Wang Lin clenched his fists.
He could feel something alive inside his body. Power humming beneath the surface. The bloodline. This so-called Celestial Dragon...
Whatever it was, it didn't just give him strength.
It gave him purpose.
Outer Sect Courtyard — Later That Day
A ten-year-old servant boy screamed as a group of outer sect disciples kicked him into the dirt.
"You broke the basket again, you little rat!"
"Your mother should've sold you for spirit stones!"
The boy whimpered, covering his head.
Then a shadow passed over him.
A moment later—
Crack.
One of the bullies was sent flying ten feet through the air, crashing into a wall.
The others turned, startled.
Wang Lin stood there.
White hair. Calm eyes. One foot on the broken wooden basket.
"You want to pick on someone?" he said quietly. "Pick me."
The second disciple charged. Too slow.
Wang Lin moved like wind.
Boom. A single palm strike. The boy crumpled.
The third froze, legs shaking.
Wang Lin took one step forward.
He dropped to his knees and crawled away.
The servant boy stared up, wide-eyed.
Wang Lin handed him a few spiritual herbs.
"Next time, don't cry," he said. "Call."
"Th-Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Wang Lin turned, not looking back.
[System Notification]
You protected an innocent. Moral Flag: Kindness to the Weak — Logged Reputation (Public): Slightly Improved Celestial Dragon Bloodline +1%
System Sync: 4% → 6%
Wang Lin looked up at the rising sun.
His enemies still stood above.
But not for long.
This time, he wouldn't beg.
This time, he wouldn't wait.
This time…
He'd make them kneel.