Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, casting a dazzling glow and a gentle warmth over the land.
Lin Changqiang stirred awake, still immersed in the sweetness of last night's dreams. Squinting, he raised a hand to shield his eyes, peering at the light through his fingers…
The sun.
"…The sun?"
His expression froze.
"…Wait—where's my ceiling?!"
He shot upright, confusion flooding his face as he scanned his surroundings. Before him stretched a vast forest beneath a towering mountain. At the forest's edge, a group of teenage boys had gathered, noisily arguing about something.
"I want that herb—and I'm beating that guy up today!"
A slightly immature yet forceful voice rang out. Turning toward the sound, Lin Changqiang saw a young boy gripping a girl's hand as he faced off against several others.
Though still young, the boy carried himself with quiet determination. His features weren't strikingly handsome, but they were well-proportioned, and his calm, steady gaze revealed a strong inner resolve.
The girl beside him was even more eye-catching. Barely twelve or thirteen, she possessed delicate, picturesque features and flowing black hair that shimmered in the sunlight.
"Lin Dong, did I hit you too hard last time and knock the sense out of you?"
A sturdier boy—Lin Shan—stepped forward with a sneer, arms folded. The surrounding youths either laughed or shook their heads, already anticipating what they thought would be a one-sided beating.
"Brother, don't fight him… I don't want the Red Sun Grass anymore."
Qingtan tugged anxiously at Lin Dong's sleeve, her eyes filled with worry. She knew full well he wasn't Lin Shan's match—at least, he hadn't been.
"Lin Dong… Red Sun Grass…"
Lin Changqiang's eyes widened in shock.
"…This is Martial Universe?!"
"So that brute is Lin Shan… and the girl is Lin Qingtan…"
"Too late to back out now!"
Seeing Qingtan's hesitation, Lin Shan grinned viciously. He stomped forward, closing the distance in an instant, and threw a heavy punch toward Lin Dong's chest. The force behind it cut through the air with a sharp, piercing sound.
Yet Lin Dong didn't dodge.
A faint smile curved his lips.
Smack!
Before anyone could react, Lin Dong casually raised his right hand and caught the punch midair.
Effortlessly.
Lin Shan's expression changed instantly. No matter how hard he pushed, his fist wouldn't budge.
"Fourth Level of the Body Tempering Realm?!"
The crowd erupted in shock.
Everyone knew Lin Dong had only reached the Second Level after six months of cultivation—so how had he leapt two levels in just over ten days?
"…So he already got the Ancestral Stone."
Lin Changqiang frowned slightly, a trace of disappointment flashing across his face.
He was late.
The Ancestral Stone—second only to the Plane Embryo in the entire Tianxuan Continent—had already fallen into Lin Dong's hands.
That had been his easiest opportunity.
Now it was gone.
He began mentally sorting through other possible chances nearby, but after a long moment, his expression darkened.
Every opportunity required strength.
And right now?
He had none.
"If you want strength, you need opportunities. But to seize opportunities, you need strength…"
His lips twitched helplessly.
"…Great. Perfect logic."
"Changqiang? Changqiang? What are you spacing out for?"
Lin Dong waved a hand in front of his face, snapping him back to reality.
By the time Lin Changqiang came to his senses, Lin Shan had already been driven off, and the crowd had dispersed. Only he remained, standing there like a statue.
"…Ah, I was just shocked at how strong you've become," he said casually, not even blinking.
"That's because you're lazy," Lin Dong replied with a shake of his head. "If you trained properly like I do, you wouldn't still be stuck at the Second Level."
He patted Lin Changqiang's shoulder, clearly exasperated.
Still… he couldn't deny that he appreciated the guy. Changqiang had always stood up for him and Qingtan.
Though there was one problem.
This guy liked Qingtan.
Thinking of that, Lin Dong narrowed his eyes slightly before turning away.
"Let's go."
With that, he left with Qingtan, heading deeper into the back mountain.
Watching their figures disappear, Lin Changqiang curled his lips.
"…Yeah, yeah. Go hide your cheat first."
How was anyone supposed to compete with the Ancestral Stone?
Even if he got it, would he really be able to match Lin Dong's effort?
That guy was insane.
He trained relentlessly—ten hours a day, minimum. Only resting when he was completely exhausted, soaking in the Stone's spiritual fluid to recover, then diving right back into cultivation.
Even at night, he cultivated mental energy in its internal space.
No breaks.
No excuses.
And his pain tolerance?
Monstrous.
Grinding his spirit with a millstone, tempering his body with wind and lightning…
Just thinking about it made Lin Changqiang's scalp go numb.
"…System? You there?"
Silence.
"…Hello?"
Nothing.
He sighed, shoulders drooping, and waved his hands around in a futile search.
No cheat abilities.
No old man in a ring.
No mysterious artifact.
"…So I transmigrated just to sit in Qingyang Town and watch Lin Dong fight the final boss alone?"
His gaze dimmed slightly.
Like many young men, he had once dreamed of adventure—of roaming the world with a blade, or standing at its peak.
Now?
He was background scenery.
"…What a joke."
Just as his thoughts sank—
"Ding! Host's strong desire detected."
"Glory of the Heavens System successfully bound."
"Wishing the host a prosperous martial path."
Lin Changqiang froze.
Then slowly inhaled.
His eyes lit up.
"…Took you long enough."
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