Qinglan City, Lin Family Training Grounds.
Today was the annual Soul Seal Awakening Ceremony.
The massive obsidian awakening stone stood at the center of the arena, its surface shimmering faintly under the morning sun. An ancient aura lingered around it, heavy and oppressive, as if it had witnessed countless destinies being decided.
Around the arena, the crowd was already packed.
Elders, guards, disciples, and even representatives from other factions had gathered. Every gaze was fixed on the stone.
Because today—
Fate would be decided.
"Those who have reached twelve years of age, step forward one by one and awaken your Soul Seal!"
The First Elder, Lin Cangyue, spoke in a deep, commanding voice.
A young boy stepped forward nervously and placed his hand on the stone.
Buzz!
A burst of green light erupted, forming the phantom of a ferocious wolf in midair.
"Lin Zhan — High-grade Spirit Rank, Green Wolf Soul Seal!"
The crowd immediately erupted.
"High-grade Spirit Rank!"
"Not bad at all!"
"With the right Soul Rings, he'll have a solid future!"
Lin Zhan's face flushed with excitement as he straightened his back, basking in admiration.
In this world, Soul Seals determined everything.
Talent.
Status.
Destiny.
One after another, the youths stepped forward.
Some awakened weapon seals, others beast seals, while a few barely formed weak, low-grade seals, leaving with pale faces.
Some celebrated.
Some despaired.
At the very back of the crowd stood a boy in worn, faded clothes.
His name was Lin Jin.
A branch family member.
His father had died in battle three years ago. His mother had disappeared long ago. All he had left was a broken house and a few outdated cultivation manuals.
In the Lin Family—
He was nothing.
"Next, Lin Jin!"
As his name was called, many heads turned.
Mockery.
Indifference.
Disdain.
"His turn."
"With his background, what can he even awaken?"
"Probably a trash seal."
"Trash? That's generous. He might not awaken anything at all."
Soft laughter spread through the crowd.
Lin Jin ignored them.
He walked forward step by step.
Steady.
Calm.
As he passed the viewing area, his gaze paused briefly.
A girl sat there.
Dressed in a white gown, her presence was calm and distant. Her features were delicate, her expression cold yet refined.
Su Wanning.
The City Lord's daughter.
The number one genius of Qinglan City.
It was said she had already awakened a Earth-grade Ice Phoenix Sword Soul three days ago.
She didn't mock him.
She didn't expect anything either.
She simply watched.
Lin Jin withdrew his gaze and placed his hand on the awakening stone.
Cold.
A chill spread instantly through his body.
The stone trembled.
Buzz—
A faint black light slowly emerged.
It was weak.
Flickering.
As if it could vanish at any moment.
Within the darkness, a broken black seal appeared.
Cracked.
Incomplete.
Dead.
For a moment, the entire arena fell silent.
Then—
Laughter exploded.
"What is that?"
"A broken seal?"
"That's not even a proper soul form!"
"Is that junk?"
An elder examined it briefly before announcing:
"Lin Jin — Soul Seal undetermined."
"Seal is damaged, energy extremely weak."
"Evaluation: Low-grade Mortal Rank… Trash Soul Seal."
Trash.
The word echoed like a hammer.
Laughter intensified.
"Just as expected."
"He's finished."
"With that kind of seal, he's worthless."
Lin Jin clenched his fists.
Trash?
No.
The moment he touched the stone—
He had felt something.
A presence.
Ancient.
Terrifying.
But it vanished instantly… as if sealed.
"Step down."
The elder waved dismissively.
Lin Jin turned.
Then—
"Lin Jin."
A figure stepped in front of him.
Lin Xuan.
A core family genius.
Earlier, he had awakened a High-grade Spirit Rank Flame Blade Seal.
Arrogant.
Dominant.
"People like you," Lin Xuan said coldly, "should know your place."
"The dignity your father died for? You've already thrown it away."
Silence fell.
Lin Jin raised his head.
"Finished?"
Lin Xuan froze.
He hated that tone.
That refusal to submit.
"Trash dares to talk back?"
He slapped down.
Fast.
Ruthless.
But—
Lin Jin moved.
He barely dodged.
The wind from the strike cut across his face.
"You dare dodge?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Lin Jin replied coldly. "Who do you think you are?"
The crowd froze.
Lin Xuan's face darkened.
"Good."
"Very good."
"Then don't blame me."
He kicked forward violently.
Boom!
Lin Jin blocked—
But was sent sliding backward.
Blood rose in his throat.
Too big a gap.
"Trash will always be trash," Lin Xuan sneered.
"From today onward, you're nothing."
He turned—
Then suddenly—
A voice exploded in Lin Jin's mind.
[Extreme pressure detected]
[Survival instinct threshold reached]
[Infinite Evolution System — Force Activation]
BOOM!!!
A freezing current surged through his body!
Time slowed.
Lin Xuan's movement—
Became clear.
Slow.
[New ability loaded: Devour (Passive)]
[Soul absorption efficiency: +1000%]
[Temporary enhancement activated]
Power erupted.
Lin Jin's body stabilized instantly.
His eyes—
Turned cold.
Then—
He stepped forward.
And punched.
BOOM!!!
The two forces collided.
Air exploded.
Lin Xuan—
Was forced back half a step.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
"Impossible…"
Lin Xuan's pupils shrank.
Lin Jin slowly raised his head.
A faint golden darkness flickered in his eyes.
His voice was low—
But it cut through the entire arena.
"Now…"
"Who's trash?"