The valley was still, but the tension in the air remained. Lin Xuan’s heartbeat gradually slowed, yet his mind raced with countless questions.

  The golden energy within him had reacted on its own. The runes, the power—everything felt unfamiliar, yet strangely natural. It was as if the inheritance had chosen him, awakening something long buried inside him.

  Zhao Feng dusted himself off, muttering under his breath. "I swear, this sect needs fewer ancient inheritances and more normal training. First, the trial, now a random shadowy guy with weird eyes? What’s next, a divine beast appearing out of nowhere?"

  Lin Xuan exhaled, his gaze fixed on the mist where the figure had disappeared. "That wasn’t normal qi cultivation. It was something else."

  Zhao Feng nodded. "Yeah… I felt it too. That power was twisted, unnatural."

  Lin Xuan clenched his fists. If such beings were watching the inheritance, then this was far from over.

  "Who else is after it?"

  Far from the valley, within the Heavenly Origin Sect’s core region, a lone figure stood atop an ancient pagoda. Elder Mo’s gaze was fixed on the horizon, his hands clasped behind his back.

  A soft rustle of robes signaled another presence.

  "Elder Mo."

  A middle-aged man in gray robes stepped forward. His expression was solemn. "A disturbance was detected near the valley. Should we send enforcers?"

  Elder Mo remained silent for a moment.

  "No." His voice was calm, but his eyes held a deep weight. "Let them handle it. If Lin Xuan has truly inherited its power, he must prove himself."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  The man hesitated. "And if he fails?"

  Elder Mo sighed, his gaze drifting to the full moon above. "Then he was never meant to bear it in the first place."

  The winds carried his words into the night.

  Lin Xuan and Zhao Feng made their way back to the sect, their bodies weary but their minds alert.

  Zhao Feng stretched, groaning. "I need a bath, a feast, and at least three days of sleep after this."

  Lin Xuan smirked. "You can rest. I need to train."

  Zhao Feng scoffed. "Of course you do."

  The grand gates of the Heavenly Origin Sect loomed ahead, their towering presence a reminder of the world they were part of. The moment they entered, several disciples turned to stare.

  Whispers filled the air.

  "They’re back?""Wait… did Lin Xuan really obtain the inheritance?""Zhao Feng looks half-dead. What happened out there?"

  Lin Xuan ignored them, his thoughts elsewhere. But just as they were about to part ways, a familiar voice called out.

  "Junior Brother Lin."

  A figure in elegant blue robes approached, her expression unreadable.

  Liu Qingyan.

  Zhao Feng’s eyebrows shot up. "Oh? The Ice Queen herself came to greet you. Lucky guy."

  Lin Xuan shot him a look, but Liu Qingyan didn’t seem to care. Her sharp eyes studied him.

  "You’re injured."

  Lin Xuan nodded. "I’ve had worse."

  She hesitated for a brief moment before handing him a small jade vial. "This should help."

  Lin Xuan took it, a little surprised. "You didn’t have to."

  Liu Qingyan crossed her arms. "Don’t misunderstand. I just don’t want you dying before we have a rematch."

  Zhao Feng smirked. "Cold as ever."

  Ignoring him, Liu Qingyan turned to leave. But before she did, her voice dropped slightly.

  "Be careful, Lin Xuan. The inheritance may have chosen you, but others will not accept it so easily."

  Lin Xuan watched as she walked away.

  "So, it begins."

  Deep beneath the Heavenly Origin Sect, in an underground chamber hidden from ordinary disciples, an old man sat before a flickering lantern. His robes were tattered, his face lined with time, but his eyes gleamed with knowledge beyond centuries.

  A whisper drifted through the darkness.

  "He has inherited it."

  The old man’s fingers tapped against the wooden table, his lips curving into a faint smile.

  "Then… the prophecy unfolds."

  The light of the lantern dimmed, swallowed by the shadows.

  To be continued…