"Young Master Lin, please wake up! The sect evaluation begins in 2 hours!"


    Lin Feng could not hide his difficulties with the young master''s abnormal behavior.


    "So, you''re saying that I am the third son of the Lin family?"


    "And this is the Celestial Dragon Sect in the Eastern Cultivation Realms. The Mortal Realm of Latvaria doesn''t even exist."


    It was strange.


    The young master wasn''t someone who was usually called smart, but he wasn''t normally this confused.


    Lin Feng wondered if he had consumed some corrupted spirit herbs.


    Recently, the deviance of young masters from prominent cultivation families had become a topic of gossip, but it would be particularly troubling if it happened to Young Master Lin Tian.


    Trash of the Lin Family.


    While his elder brother had already become an outer sect elder and his younger siblings had reached the fifth level of Qi Condensation and earned the right to train in the Inner Sect, Lin Feng could see the reality of Lin Tian just by watching him struggle with even the most basic cultivation techniques at the age of sixteen.


    Lin Feng said calmly, "Young Master, today is the day of the sect''s quarterly evaluation. As you may know, Elder Zhou has already warned that if you fail to demonstrate progress in your cultivation, you might lose your place in the sect entirely. So, it is better to prepare now. It''s your third evaluation, so it would be great to at least show some improvement—"


    "There is something more important than that."


    Lin Tian cut him off while he was talking.


    No matter how he looked at it, the young master, who seemed to not be in his right mind, spoke in a voice that had a different weight to it than usual.


    "Take me to the Sect''s archives. It is more important for me to understand the cultivation methods of this world in which I will be living, than to participate in an evaluation I am unprepared for."


    It was bizarre.


    The young master, who had lived in the Celestial Dragon Sect for over a decade, said it''s important to learn about cultivation methods as if he were a complete newcomer.


    But what can I even do?


    "I understand, Young Master."


    It was Lin Feng''s role to fulfill his duty as an attendant.


    The place Lin Feng guided Lin Tian to was the outer disciples'' archive pavilion, a modest building at the edge of the sect grounds.


    After the last spirit beast incursion, many of the original archives were damaged; however, the inner archives were restricted to core disciples, so the outer disciples had formed their own collection of basic texts.


    Creak.


    Lin Feng frowned as he pushed open the wooden door.


    At the stale air and dust creeping up from all directions, he glanced at Lin Tian''s eyes.


    "Do you really want to browse these basic cultivation manuals? If it''s knowledge about advanced techniques you''re seeking, it''s better to ask one of the sect elders or wait until you qualify for the inner archives. We can still head back."


    "It''s fine."


    Lin Tian didn''t care about what was in his surroundings.


    Like Lin Feng, he walked into the dusty room without hesitation, and his pristine white sect robes quickly became smudged with the fine dust that covered everything.


    ''Oh, his robes are getting soiled.''


    Lin Feng was perplexed.


    Of course, he expected Lin Tian with his soiled robes to make a fuss, but Lin Tian did not show any particular reaction.


    This behavior defied everything Lin Feng understood about the young master.


    Though the Lin family held modest status among cultivation clans, Lin Tian typically boasted endlessly about his family connections.


    Disciples often gathered to share stories about how Lin Tian demanded special treatment despite his complete lack of talent.


    This focused, determined individual before him seemed like an entirely different person.


    Had he suffered some form of qi deviation? Lin Feng wondered silently.


    Lin Tian approached a dusty shelf in the back of the archive.


    He paused before a collection of worn scrolls as Lin Feng watched with growing curiosity.


    "These contain only entry-level breathing techniques and basic meridian exercises. All outer disciples master these within their first three years. They offer little advantage for today''s evaluation."


    The archive''s condition was pitiful.


    Thick dust covered everything, making breathing difficult, while cobwebs stretched across corners and between shelves.


    No son of even a minor clan should spend time in such a place, Lin Feng thought.


    Despite Lin Feng''s repeated suggestions to leave, Lin Tian continued examining the scrolls with unusual interest.


    "Wait outside," Lin Tian commanded suddenly.


    Lin Feng couldn''t hide his surprise.


    With confident movements, Lin Tian brushed aside cobwebs and selected a scroll, unrolling it carefully on a nearby table.


    "Does anyone regularly visit this archive?" he asked.


    The elderly archive keeper in the corner looked up with visible surprise.


    "Young Master Lin shows interest in our basic texts?"


    The old man stood slowly from his simple wooden chair and approached with careful steps.


    "Sit and share your knowledge with me," Lin Tian said, gesturing to a chair.


    The old archivist hesitated, clearly confused by the notorious failure''s sudden scholarly interest.


    "I need to understand everything about the Celestial Dragon Sect - what cultivation paths exist here and which techniques are most valued. This will likely be a lengthy discussion, so let''s begin while I examine these scrolls."


    Lin Tian unrolled another ancient text before him.


    Seeing the old man''s uncertainty, Lin Tian offered a reassuring smile that immediately eased the archivist''s hesitation.


    "Please begin now," he added with gentle insistence.


    Finding himself at this strange new beginning, Lin Tian chose to adapt methodically to his circumstances.


    The old archivist struggled initially to organize his thoughts.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    As Lin Tian demonstrated genuine interest and posed thoughtful questions, however, the old man''s hesitation quickly dissolved.


    "The Celestial Dragon Sect was originally founded by the Immortal Cultivator Feng Long. He discovered a method to harness the spiritual energy of the five elements through the Azure Dragon meridian system; however, he suddenly received enlightenment that the cultivation path should be available to worthy disciples regardless of birth. There was a great war between sects for a while, so it was a significant breakthrough that allowed even common disciples to advance to respectable cultivation levels. After the sect wars, Master Feng who had reached the Nascent Soul realm at the awards ceremony..."


    The discussion was extremely long.


    Most of what he said was what any disciple of the sect should know, but the enthusiastic old archivist narrated all the stories he knew in great detail.


    Lin Tian''s judgment was correct.


    He asked specific questions that showed unexpected insight, and the old man, delighted to find someone interested in the sect''s history, shared knowledge that went far beyond the basic scrolls.


    ''Lin Tian, huh.''


    Lin Tian.


    No, his real name was Edward Reinhart.


    Edward Reinhart had lived most of his life as the Emperor of Latvaria, who unified the Mortal Realm and defeated the gods.


    He was someone who had lived a fierce life as a warrior beyond compare.


    Having accomplished everything he wanted to, he had calmly accepted his life, one filled with peace and quiet.


    It was supposed to be his well-deserved rest after conquering all the gods and bringing peace, but when he opened his eyes, he was in Lin Tian''s body.


    It was absurd.


    In fact, at the moment of his supposed rest, Edward Reinhart had somehow crossed between worlds.


    Although he had been ready for peaceful retirement, Edward Reinhart now found himself trapped in the body of a cultivation world''s most notorious failure.


    So, he accepted this new reality.


    Most warriors ultimately want to achieve legendary status, but Edward Reinhart had only wanted to live a quiet life of retirement.


    And now, at the crossroads of new choices, Edward quickly accepted the reality he faced.


    ''Is this a gift from heaven, or is it some kind of punishment for rejecting ascension when the gods offered it to me?''


    It didn''t matter.


    A new life.


    A new environment.


    For Edward, only one thing was important.


    His last years as the Emperor had been filled with responsibilities, but the peaceful retirement he had envisioned now seemed further away than ever.


    He would have to work again.


    ''Having accomplished everything I wanted to, I was ready for a quiet life away from conflict. But that''s not what fate has delivered. Lin Tian, the Celestial Dragon Sect; this world full of cultivation and spiritual energy will be a new challenge I never asked for.''


    His heart sank.


    Edward Reinhart lived a life that would remain in the history of Latvaria. However, looking back at it now, he realized that even his moments of greatest triumph had never granted him the simple life he truly desired.


    He is someone who cannot seem to escape his destiny.


    So he had to accept it and move on.


    That''s the kind of person Edward Reinhart was.


    "...This is all I know."


    The talk was now over.


    Maybe because it had been a long time, the old archivist he had met for the first time felt strangely familiar now.


    "Thank you, it was a big help to me. We will compensate for this separately later."


    "No, Young Master Lin. Just having a conversation with someone who shows genuine interest in our sect''s heritage was a pleasure for me."


    Edward, no, Lin Tian smiled.


    It was now time to go back.


    But, at that moment.


    Bang!


    Thump!


    "You worthless trash!"


    Loud noises were coming from outside.


    It seemed like something was going on near the archive.


    It was just as he expected.


    When he went out, he saw a group of disciples beating a young boy who appeared to be even younger than his current body.


    Bam!


    Bam! Bam!


    "You talentless waste."


    "Just give up and leave the sect!"


    The boy did not make a single sound despite the intense beating.


    Perhaps that fueled the disciples'' anger even more, and they indiscriminately beat the boy with cultivation-enhanced strikes that could permanently damage his meridians.


    The boy''s body shook with each punch.


    The skin exposed outside his simple disciple robes was already stained with bruises, his face was swollen, and blood dripped from his nose.


    People gathered around the noisy situation.


    However, when they saw the golden trim on the disciples'' robes, they looked away in fear.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Young Master!"


    Lin Tian stood next to Lin Feng.


    Lin Feng was watching the scene, and he said in a cautious voice when Lin Tian appeared.


    "They seem to be disciples from the Inner Sect. It is a group that takes pleasure in ''testing'' the weaker disciples, and seeing them do that, it seems that the boy failed to show proper respect to his seniors. You should just pretend you don''t know. There is nothing good about being tangled up with them."


    Lin Tian''s gaze assessed the Inner Sect disciples.


    Bullying.


    Because of the sect''s emphasis on strength and talent, the weak were constantly oppressed, leading to violence.


    ''The problem is that such punishment should not be administered by fellow disciples.''


    This was the Celestial Dragon Sect.


    As explained by the old archivist, they were obliged to judge and solve any problem by taking it to the sect elders.


    Lin Tian.


    He still hasn''t quite figured out how to act as Lin Tian.


    What is certain is that the original Lin Tian is no more.


    When he woke up, the first things he found were cultivation pills, believed to have been stolen by Lin Tian, and a half-written suicide note scattered on the floor.


    The contents of the note showed him how desperate Lin Tian had been.


    The Celestial Dragon Sect is a sect that requires all disciples to demonstrate cultivation progress, so there is a quarterly evaluation that requires each family representative to perform and prove their worth or face expulsion.


    Lin Tian was included in it.


    Since it was impossible for his elder brother with his sect position or his talented younger siblings to risk humiliation, the Lin family had decided to send their talentless third son despite knowing he would fail.


    So, Lin Tian had chosen death.


    Trembling at all the vicious rumors about becoming a cultivationless outcast, he had chosen to end his life after stealing forbidden enhancement pills that had failed to work.


    ''From now on, I am Lin Tian.''


    The previous life was behind him.


    No matter what kind of life Lin Tian had led, he would believe and follow the ''values of Edward Reinhart'' from now on.


    "Stop."


    "Young... young Master!"


    Lin Feng was startled at Lin Tian''s abrupt move forward and tried to stop Lin Tian.


    However, it was already too late.


    Lin Tian''s voice was loud, and the Inner Sect disciples, who had stopped beating the boy, looked at him with puzzled eyes.


    "Lin Tian?"


    It was a sight to behold.


    The problem was that Lin Tian''s reputation had reached them as well.


    The disciple with a cold face, who seemed to be the leader, spoke out with a smirk.


    "Don''t mind this, Trash Young Master Lin. We will finish our business here."


    "Tsk, trying to act brave because his family has connections."


    "Stop it, he says. Hahaha, useless waste."


    The disciples whispered from behind and laughed.


    Lin Feng said in a quiet voice as the others might hear as well.


    "Young Master Lin, we have to return. The Inner Sect disciples have the backing of powerful elders. If a problem arises here, not even your family connections can protect you. So, please calm down..."


    "Lin Feng."


    Lin Tian looked at Lin Feng.


    The powerful and calm voice immediately caught the attention of Lin Feng, who was trembling in fear.


    "I don''t know the rules of this sect very well yet. So, please explain. Who has violated the sect''s principles here? And for breaking these principles, what kind of response is appropriate?"


    Lin Feng was stunned.


    He felt like he was being drawn into Lin Tian''s eyes.


    Trash of the Lin Family.


    The pathetic young master who had failed at every cultivation challenge caught him with a powerful presence that he could not escape.


    In the current situation, it was advisable to retreat.


    However, Lin Feng unwittingly told the ''truth.''


    "The boy was guilty of walking on the wrong path reserved for Inner Sect disciples. It deserves correction, but these disciples have no right to administer punishment directly. Above all, they dared to speak insulting words against a recognized disciple of the Celestial Dragon Sect on sect grounds. It is a violation that should be reported to the elders. According to sect rules, they should receive formal discipline."


    Lin Feng bowed his head.


    His heart was pounding, and his legs were trembling, but now he felt compelled to reply truthfully out of unexpected respect for Lin Tian.


    The onlookers held their breath, and smirks appeared on the faces of the Inner Sect disciples.


    Let''s go with that.


    "You have violated the sect''s principles..."


    Lin Tian stepped forward.


    While everyone was watching, he picked up a wooden practice sword from a nearby weapon rack and pointed it at the Inner Sect disciples.


    "From now on, as Lin Tian of the Celestial Dragon Sect, I will demonstrate how true disciples should conduct themselves."