Origin beyond heaven

Awakening day

The first rays of morning covered the Lin Clan.

For the first time in many years, the usually quiet clan was filled with excitement. Many young disciples hurried along the clan's pavestone road in groups, their faces dazzling with anticipation. Some spoke confidently of awakening powerful cultivation techniques, while others nervously rehearsed the breathing exercises they had practiced since childhood.

Today was Awakening Day, the day that would determine the fate of every young cultivator.

Lin Yuan walked quietly through the bustling crowd, his hands clasped behind his back. Unlike the others, there wasn't the slightest hint of anticipation on his face. He had already lived through this day once. He knew exactly how cruel fate could be.

"Young Master Lin!" an excited voice called out, and several young disciples respectfully cupped their fists as they greeted him.

"Good morning, Young Master!"

"We're counting on you to awaken a Heaven Grade technique today!"

"You'll definitely become the pride of our Lin Clan!"

Lin Yuan merely nodded with a faint smile. "If destiny wills it."

The disciples exchanged excited glances after he walked away.

"As expected of Young Master Lin. He's so calm."

"Of course he is. He's been the strongest among our generation since childhood."

"I heard even the elders believe he'll awaken a Heaven Grade cultivation technique."

Their voices gradually faded behind him, and Lin Yuan's expression remained unchanged. A Heaven Grade technique? If only they knew.

Soon, the grand Awakening Square came into view. The stone plaza was already packed with thousands of clan members, towering stone pillars surrounding the square, each engraved with marks that pulsed faintly with spiritual energy. At the center stood a circular platform made of white jade, upon which rested a crystal nearly twice the height of a grown man. Its surface gleamed like flowing water, releasing an aura that caused every disciple to instinctively hold their breath.

It was the Awakening Crystal, the treasure that had guided the Lin Clan's descendants for many generations.

The clan elders sat upon an elevated platform overlooking the ceremony, their expressions solemn. At the very center sat the Clan Head, Lin Zhentian. Beside him was Lin Qingxue, her eyes searching the crowd until they found her son. She smiled gently, and Lin Yuan returned the smile before calmly taking his place among the younger generation.

A deafening drum echoed throughout the square. Boom. Boom. Boom. The crowd instantly fell into silence.

An elderly man in flowing gray robes slowly rose from his seat, his white beard reaching his chest, his sharp eyes sweeping across every disciple present. It was the Grand Elder. With a wave of his sleeve, the Awakening Crystal radiated a dazzling light.

"The Awakening Ceremony," his voice spread throughout the entire square, "officially begins."

Every disciple unconsciously straightened their backs.

The Grand Elder continued. "Today, each of you will awaken the cultivation technique destined for you by Heaven. A powerful technique will grant you a greater path. A weaker technique will require greater perseverance. But remember this: no matter what you awaken, the path of cultivation ultimately depends upon your own heart."

His gaze swept over the sea of eager faces before finally stopping on the first disciple in line, a faint smile appearing beneath his beard. "Let the ceremony begin!"

The disciple swallowed nervously before stepping onto the white jade platform. Every eye in the square turned toward the Awakening Crystal. The first awakening was about to begin.

The young disciple stood before the Awakening Crystal, his palms slick with sweat. Taking a deep breath, he slowly placed his right hand against the crystal's smooth surface. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then, with a buzz, the Awakening Crystal burst into a soft green radiance. Threads of spiritual light spiraled around the disciple before gathering above his head, where a jade scroll gradually formed in the air.

The Grand Elder's eyes narrowed as he examined it. A moment later, he announced in a clear voice, "Low Spirit Grade Cultivation Technique — Green Wood Art."

The silence lasted only an instant before applause erupted throughout the square.

"Spirit Grade!"

"He actually awakened a Spirit Grade technique!"

"Not bad! He'll definitely become an inner disciple in the near future!"

The young disciple's terrified expression instantly turned to joy. He bowed repeatedly toward the elders before leaving the platform with a proud smile.

The ceremony continued, one disciple after another stepping forward.

"Low Mortal Grade — Stone Body Art."

"Middle Mortal Grade — Flowing Water Technique."

"High Spirit Grade — Wind Shadow Steps."

"Middle Earth Grade — Crimson Flame Scripture."

Each announcement stirred different reactions. Those who awakened Mortal Grade techniques lowered their heads in disappointment, while those fortunate enough to awaken Spirit Grade techniques were congratulated by friends and family. Whenever an Earth Grade technique appeared, the elders nodded in satisfaction, making notes beside the disciple's name.

As the awakenings continued, the atmosphere grew more lively, and the crowd discussed every result with excitement.

"It seems this year's generation is stronger than the last."

"I've already seen three Earth Grade techniques."

"The Lin Clan might truly produce another outstanding genius."

Standing quietly among the disciples, Lin Yuan watched the familiar scene unfold. In his previous life, he had watched many of these faces rise, and many more disappear into obscurity. Some would become renowned experts. Others would die before ever reaching their potential. Their fates had once been written. But that was his previous life. Now that he had returned, every decision he made could send history down an entirely different path. His gaze remained calm. The future no longer belonged to fate alone.

Suddenly, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd. A handsome young man in blue robes stepped onto the platform with confident strides.

"It's Lin Hao!"

"The number one genius of the branch family!"

"I heard even the Grand Elder has high expectations for him."

Lin Hao smiled proudly as he placed his hand upon the Awakening Crystal. The crystal trembled violently, and a brilliant light shot toward the heavens, illuminating the entire square. An overwhelming sword aura spread in every direction, causing countless disciples to instinctively retreat. Above Lin Hao's head, a magnificent golden scripture slowly appeared, and even before the Grand Elder spoke, excitement flashed across the elders' faces.

A smile finally appeared on the old man's solemn face. "Heaven Grade Cultivation Technique." He paused. "...Heavenly Sword Scripture!"

The cheers lingered long after Lin Hao stepped down from the Awakening Platform. Many of the younger disciples looked at him with admiration, while others stared with unconcealed envy. A Heaven Grade cultivation technique — even within the Lin Clan, such an awakening was exceedingly rare.

The Grand Elder nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. From today onward, Lin Hao shall receive the clan's highest level of cultivation resources. Continue to cultivate diligently and do not disappoint the clan."

Lin Hao respectfully cupped his fists. "This disciple will not fail the clan."

As he returned to the crowd, countless disciples immediately surrounded him with congratulations, and even several elders smiled approvingly. Lin Hao's gaze swept across the square before finally stopping on Lin Yuan, a confident smile appearing on his face.

"Brother Lin Yuan. I hope you don't—"

The surrounding disciples immediately fell silent. Everyone knew that although Lin Hao was the number one genius of the branch family, Lin Yuan had always been regarded as the greatest talent of the younger generation. Now, the entire clan was waiting to see which of them would awaken the stronger cultivation technique.

Lin Yuan met Lin Hao's gaze and simply nodded. "I'll do my best." His calm response surprised many people.

In his previous life, he would have confidently declared that he would surpass everyone present. Now, he no longer cared about empty praise. His eyes swept across the crowd, so many familiar faces. Lin Yuan's gaze gradually became thoughtful. Since his return, things had already begun to change.

The mysterious girl beneath the willow tree, Old Chen's survival, the sealed memories within his soul — each one reminded him of a simple truth. The future he remembered was no longer absolute. It was merely one path among countless possibilities. This time, even fate itself could be rewritten.

"Next!" the Grand Elder's voice echoed across the square.

Another disciple stepped onto the platform, and the ceremony continued. One awakening after another. Spirit Grade. Mortal Grade. Earth Grade. Hours seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Finally, the Grand Elder lowered the scroll in his hand, his sharp eyes sweeping across the remaining disciples. Only one name remained, and a faint smile appeared on his aged face.

"Our final participant... Lin Yuan."

The entire Awakening Square fell into complete silence. Thousands of eyes instantly turned toward him. His mother unconsciously tightened her grip on the armrest. His father remained expressionless, but his fingers slowly clenched beneath his sleeve. Lin Hao folded his arms with a confident smile. The younger disciples held their breath.

The clan's greatest genius, the young man upon whom countless expectations rested, slowly stepped forward. Each footstep echoing throughout the silent square was calm and steady, without the slightest hesitation.

Lin Yuan climbed the white jade platform and stopped before the towering Awakening Crystal. Its translucent surface reflected his composed expression, and for a brief moment he stared at his own reflection. Then, without another thought, he slowly raised his right hand, his fingertips moving toward the crystal.

The instant they touched its surface, the entire Awakening Crystal trembled violently, and a blinding gray light erupted from within.

The expressions of every elder changed. "What is this...?"