“Look at him, Azure Cloud Sect’s eternal trash! Even pigs cultivate faster than Kai Lin!”Li Shen’s voice boomed across the training yard, cutting through the morning air like a whip cane. Dozens of outer disciples burst into laughter. Their jeers echoed against the ancient stone walls of the sect’s martial field.Sixteen-year-old Kai Lin stood in the center of the arena. He was panting with sweat rolling down his pale face. His frail body trembled from exertion as the wooden practice sword slipped from his hands and clattered onto the tiles. He bent over, clutching his chest. His breath was shallow. His veins screamed with pain and his broken meridians reminded him of his unworthiness once more.“Trash! Trash! Trash!” The crowd of outer disciples chanted and their words went through the atmosphere. It sunk into Kai's ears … but he hated it Kai clenched his fists. His nails are digging into his palm. He wanted to scream, to prove them wrong, but no words came. His body had betrayed

The world was nothing but fire inside Kai’s body.His veins burned, and every breath was a blade scraping through his lungs. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest really hard. His screams muffled against the dark silence of the forbidden Ancestral Trial Grounds.“System Notification: Initiating Core Fusion. Warning: Host meridians incompatible. Structural collapse imminent.”The golden text burned itself into his vision, but Kai could barely read through due to the intense agony. His body twisted unnaturally. He could feel his bones popping and realigning with blood spilling from his nose and mouth.“Ahhh…!” His voice echoed across the cavern walls.For years, they had called him trash. For years, the whispers had covered his steps, suffocating him like chains he could never break. And now, those chains have broken with fire and fury.The Martial Core’s power surged through him and his body convulsed as the fragments of energy sought paths where none existed. His vision blurred.

Elder Zhao,” Yuan said, his brow furrowing. “You mean to suggest the boy has…”“I mean to suggest nothing,” Zhao interrupted silkily, stroking his beard. His gaze settled on Kai with an unreadable expression. “I merely find it… curious. A crippled disciple, worthless for years, suddenly rises beyond his peers. Sometimes, when such miracles occur, one wonders if forbidden methods were involved.”The words were carefully selected. It was never a direct accusation. The disciples whispered louder now with their eyes narrowing on Kai.“Forbidden methods?”“Could it be… demonic arts?”“He might have made a deal with spirits in the forbidden grounds…”Kai’s jaw tightened. He knew Zhao was trying to bury him without lifting a blade.Master Yuan exhaled heavily. “Elder Zhao, unless you present evidence, your insinuations are dangerous. The boy’s results stand. He is a Qi Refining disciple now.”Zhao only smiled faintly, his tone slippery. “Of course, of course. I do not question the results. I

The Azure Sect’s training grounds were alive with chatter as disciples returned from their assigned missions. Dust and sweat clung to their robes. The air was filled with the clashing scents of blood, herbs, and the faint tang of spirit stones being exchanged as rewards. Among them, Kai walked silently. His expression was calm though his body still hummed from the lingering thrill of his first kill. The Scarlet Fang Wolf’s demise had not only given him rewards from the System, but had also changed something inside him. But he had barely stepped back through the gates of the sect when eyes turned his way.“Isn’t that Kai? The so-called trash?”“I heard he killed the Scarlet Fang Wolf himself.”“Impossible. Probably just tagged along and stole the credit.”Kai ignored the whispers from the disciples. His footsteps remained steady, and his mind locked on the glowing blue interface only he could see.“System Notification!First Hunt Mission Complete Rewards: +10 Strength, +15 Agility,

The Azure Sky Sect’s martial arena were filled with the loud voices of some gathered disciples. It was the day the elders would announc the chosen participants for the Secret Realm Trial. It was a test of survival and opportunity that happened once every ten years. Only the most talented outer disciples were permitted entry, and from within its mysterious domain came treasures, spirit herbs, and the chance to awaken new martial potential.For most, it was a chance to ascend.For others, it was a graveyard.Kai stood quietly at the back of the crowd with his arms folded. Though the sun blazed above and the heat coursed through him. Whispers rippled among the disciples like venoms.“Do you think trash like him will even be allowed in?”“Hah, if he steps into the Secret Realm, he won’t last a single night!”“Better he die there than stink up the sect.”Each word was a blade pressing against his pride. Kai’s expression remained calm, but his fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.At