Prodigy

Among them a boy with sharp eyes and untamed hair, no older than sixteen. Lin Dong. Whispers rise around him. “The failure of the Lin family…” “His father lost everything to Lin Langtian.” But Lin Dong says nothing. His jaw tightens, his fists curl. “I’ll make them remember my name.” The gong strikes. The test begins. One by one, disciples unleash their Yuan Power, glowing faintly with light. When Lin Dong steps forward silence. He places his palm on the stone pillar. Nothing. No glow. No tremor. Just cold stone. Laughter ripples through the crowd. Lin Langtian, his older cousin, smirks from afar already a martial prodigy, already chosen by the clan elders. But Lin Dong’s eyes don’t lower. There’s something burning behind them something feral. That night, he runs into the mountains, fists bleeding, shouting into the dark. “If the heavens won’t give me power, I’ll take it myself!” Lightning flashes and the earth trembles. From beneath the ancient roots, a strange stone talisman rises glowing with ancient runes. The air hums, trees bow, and the mountain itself seems to breathe. Lin Dong stares at it, breathless. The talisman pulses once… twice… then melts into his palm. His eyes widen his veins blaze with golden light. And somewhere, deep within the realm of spirits… something wakes up. “Finally… someone worthy.”