The moment the two blue-robed Qingyun Sect examiners landed on the street, the entire crowd fell into a dead silence. Everyone bowed deeply, their eyes filled with awe and reverence. To the ordinary cultivators of Green Sun City, the Qingyun Sect was a legendary immortal sect, a place they could only dream of entering in their wildest dreams. Even the Lin Family's Clan Leader and Grand Elder hurried forward, bowing respectfully, not daring to show the slightest arrogance.
The leading examiner, a middle-aged man with a calm, dignified face, waved his hand casually, his gaze still locked on Lin Chen. A faint smile played on his lips, his eyes filled with genuine admiration. This was Elder Li, an outer sect elder of the Qingyun Sect, a genuine Foundation Establishment realm powerhouse—someone whose strength was far beyond anything the people of Green Sun City had ever seen.
"You must be Lin Chen," Elder Li said, his voice clear and steady, echoing through the silent street. "I've heard all about your deeds. Crippling a peak 7th level genius at 16, defeating an 8th level bandit leader with ease, and even bringing the tyrannical Wang Family to their knees. For a young man from a small city like this, your talent is truly rare."
The crowd around them gasped. A Foundation Establishment elder from the Qingyun Sect was actually praising Lin Chen to his face? This was an honor that no one in Green Sun City had ever received before. The Lin Family's Clan Leader and Grand Elder were red with excitement, their heads held high with pride.
But Lin Chen remained completely calm. He bowed slightly, his voice neither arrogant nor humble. "Greetings, Elder Li. I am merely doing what I must. A few small victories are nothing worth praising."
Elder Li's smile widened. He had seen countless geniuses in his life, most of whom became arrogant and conceited after a little success. But Lin Chen was different. Even in the face of praise from a Foundation Establishment elder, he remained steady and calm. This kind of mindset was even rarer than his talent.
"Very well. Humility is a rare quality in a young genius," Elder Li nodded. "We have come to Green Sun City to gather all the qualified young disciples for the Qingyun Sect entrance selection, which will begin in three days at the sect's mountain gate. You have already earned a spot, of course. But I must warn you: the selection will be far more difficult than anything you have faced before. You will be competing against thousands of geniuses from a hundred cities across the entire region. Many of them have been trained by powerful families since birth, and some have even received personal guidance from our sect's disciples."
Lin Chen nodded slightly. He knew this well from his previous life. The Qingyun Sect's entrance selection was the first real test for young cultivators in the region, and only the absolute best of the best could earn a place in the sect. But he was not afraid. With the Supreme Sign-In System, he had nothing to fear.
Just as Elder Li was about to continue speaking, the familiar cold mechanical voice rang in Lin Chen's mind.
[Ding! Special location sign-in triggered!]
[Location: In front of Qingyun Sect Foundation Establishment Elder, facing the upcoming sect entrance selection]
[Do you want to complete the special sign-in now?]
Lin Chen's eyes lit up slightly. He had not expected the system to trigger a special sign-in here. This was perfect timing.
"Sign in."
[Ding! Special sign-in successful! Congratulations to host for obtaining:
1. Cultivation Base Upgrade: Peak 8th Level of Qi Refining!
2. High-Grade Heaven-Rank Skill: Spirit Sealing Divine Finger!
3. Special Item: Complete Secret Map of the Qingyun Sect Trial Grounds!
4. Special Item: Foundation Breaking Pill x3!
5. Spirit Stones: 80,000!]
Boom!
A warm, boundless surge of spiritual energy exploded inside Lin Chen's body, pushing his cultivation smoothly from the early stage to the absolute peak of the 8th level of Qi Refining in an instant. His aura skyrocketed, the air around him rippling with suppressed power, matching and even surpassing the strongest elders of Green Sun City.
At the same time, a complete set of profound skill memories flooded into his mind. Spirit Sealing Divine Finger, a top-tier heaven-rank control skill that could seal an opponent's spiritual power and meridians with a single strike, rendering them completely helpless. The secret map of the trial grounds was even more precious—it showed every hidden danger, every treasure location, and every shortcut in the upcoming selection's secret realm trial. This would give him an overwhelming advantage over the other competitors.
Elder Li's eyes widened in shock. He could clearly feel Lin Chen's aura rising, breaking through to the peak of the 8th level of Qi Refining right in front of him. He had seen many geniuses, but he had never seen someone who could break through so casually, without any warning or preparation. This kind of cultivation speed was simply unheard of.
Before he could say a word, a cold, arrogant voice rang out from behind him.
"Elder Li, you're wasting your time on a small-town genius from a backwater city. A mere peak 8th level cultivator is nothing compared to the real geniuses coming to the selection."
Everyone turned around, and saw another group of people walking over. At their front was a young man in a luxurious black robe, his face sharp and arrogant, his eyes blazing with disdain as he looked at Lin Chen. He was at the peak of the 8th level of Qi Refining, his aura powerful and oppressive. This was Zhao Lei, the number one genius of Black Rock City, a city far larger and more powerful than Green Sun City. He had been personally scouted by the other Qingyun Sect examiner, Steward Zhang, and had been training with the sect's disciples for months.
Steward Zhang, a cold-faced man walking beside Zhao Lei, nodded slightly, his eyes looking at Lin Chen with disdain. "Elder Li, this boy may have some talent, but he's from a tiny family in a small city. He has never seen the real world, never received proper training. He won't last three rounds in the selection. Zhao Lei here, on the other hand, has already mastered our sect's earth-rank techniques, and is guaranteed a spot in the inner sect."
Zhao Lei sneered, crossing his arms as he stared at Lin Chen. "You're Lin Chen? The so-called number one genius of Green Sun City? I heard you beat a few useless brats and now you think you're someone? Let me tell you, in front of the real geniuses from the big cities, you're just a frog in a well."
The crowd around them fell silent. No one dared to speak. Zhao Lei was from Black Rock City, a far more powerful place than Green Sun City, and he was backed by a Qingyun Sect steward. Even the Lin Family's elders didn't dare to argue with him.
But Lin Chen looked at him calmly, a faint, cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Is that all you have to say? If you're here to bark, do it somewhere else. If you think you're so strong, why don't we have a little match right here?"
The entire street erupted into gasps. Lin Chen was actually challenging Zhao Lei, the number one genius of Black Rock City? This was insane!
Zhao Lei was stunned for a moment, then burst into furious laughter. "Hahaha! You really are tired of living! Fine! I'll accept your challenge! I'll show you the difference between a real genius and a lucky small-town trash!"
He roared, and circulated all his spiritual power. A huge black python formed behind him, its scales glinting coldly, its fangs bared. This was the Black Python Fist, a high-grade earth-rank technique he had learned from the Qingyun Sect, a skill that had defeated countless geniuses.
"Die, Lin Chen!"
He threw a heavy punch straight at Lin Chen, the black python roaring as it charged forward, the force of the attack shaking the entire street.
Steward Zhang smiled coldly, already sure that Zhao Lei would win. He had trained Zhao Lei himself, and he knew exactly how strong the boy was. There was no way a small-town genius like Lin Chen could stand against him.
But at that moment, Lin Chen moved.
He didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his right hand, his index finger pointing forward. A faint golden glow wrapped around his finger, and he activated his new skill, the Spirit Sealing Divine Finger.
"Is that all you've got?" Lin Chen said coldly.
He flicked his finger.
Whoosh!
A thin, invisible beam of spiritual power shot forward, piercing straight through the black python like it was made of paper. The python exploded into nothingness, and the beam continued forward, slamming straight into Zhao Lei's dantian before he could even react.
"AHHH—!"
Zhao Lei let out a shrill scream. He felt a terrifying power rush into his body, sealing his meridians and locking down his dantian completely. He couldn't feel any of his spiritual power anymore. His legs gave out, and he fell to his knees on the ground, staring at Lin Chen in terror and disbelief.
In just one flick of his finger, he, the number one genius of Black Rock City, had been completely defeated, rendered helpless.
The entire street was dead silent. Not a single breath could be heard.
Everyone stared at the scene in shock, unable to believe what they had just seen. Lin Chen had defeated Zhao Lei, the peak 8th level genius backed by the Qingyun Sect, with a single flick of his finger.
Steward Zhang's face turned pale with shock and rage. He stared at Lin Chen, his mouth hanging open, unable to say a word. He had never seen such a terrifying young genius in his life.
Elder Li burst into loud laughter, his eyes filled with delight. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Lin Chen, you have far exceeded my expectations! With your talent, you have a real chance to enter the inner sect directly, and even catch the eye of the sect's core elders!"
[Ding! Host has defeated Zhao Lei and completed the hidden mission!]
[Reward issued: 90,000 Spirit Stones, and a special upgrade to your Primordial Chaos Divine Body!]
A powerful surge of energy flooded Lin Chen's body, strengthening his physique even further. He could feel his body becoming even more indestructible, his foundation rock solid.
Lin Chen slowly lowered his hand, and looked at the kneeling Zhao Lei coldly. "Remember this: the world is bigger than you think. Don't look down on people from small cities. Next time, you might not get off so easily."
Zhao Lei stared at him, his face twisted with shame and rage, but he couldn't say a single word. He had been completely humiliated in front of everyone, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Elder Li waved his hand, and announced in a loud voice that echoed across the street. "The Qingyun Sect entrance selection will begin in three days, at the sect's mountain gate! All disciples under the age of 20, with a cultivation of 3rd level Qi Refining or higher, are qualified to participate! The selection will have three rounds: the first round, spirit root and foundation testing; the second round, secret realm survival trial; the third round, life-or-death arena duels! Only those who pass all three rounds will become official outer sect disciples of the Qingyun Sect! The top ten performers will enter the inner sect directly!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. This was the chance they had all been waiting for.
Lin Chen turned and walked back toward the Lin Family compound, ignoring the stares of awe and admiration from the crowd around him.
He knew that the Qingyun Sect selection was just the first step into the wider cultivation world. Thousands of geniuses would be there, all fighting for a spot in the sect. There would be danger, betrayal, and powerful enemies.
But he was not afraid.
Every day, he would grow stronger. Every sign-in would give him more power.
In three days, he would shock the entire Qingyun Sect.
His journey from trash to Immortal Emperor was about to enter a whole new stage.