C1 Lin Tian!

Atop the highest peak of the Xuanwu World, Xuanwu Mountain!

Dust swirled with the howling gales, as the sky above was riddled with countless fissures, exuding an aura of chaos and turmoil.

Amidst this disordered realm, two figures stood upon the summit, facing off!

One, clad in a flowing black robe with hair billowing, bore a gaze of steely resolve.

The other, draped in a billowing white gown, had a visage of beauty and an air of icy detachment.

Their mere presence seemed to saturate the atmosphere with their formidable auras.

"Junior Sister Zhao Lian, why?"

"I was the one who rescued you from death's grip, who taught you the martial ways that shook Xuanwu, and ultimately, became your partner. Why have you turned against me?"

"Hehe, Lin Tian, there's no need for so many questions."

The lady in white offered a slight smile, "I simply desire your Black Tortoise Stone."

"The Black Tortoise Stone!"

A chill flashed in the eyes of the man in black, "So this was your motive!"

"Indeed. My dear, didn't you ascend from a mere mortal to the Black Tortoise Sovereign with the aid of this stone?"

Zhao Lian's laugh was tinged with scorn, "If it could elevate you to Sovereign status, imagine what it could do for me?"

Lin Tian shuddered, his fists clenching in a sudden grip.

"Have you been plotting for this throughout our three centuries together?"

"Without a doubt."

Zhao Lian's nod was unequivocal, "Otherwise, why would I have been so compliant?"

"Hehe, to think that I, Lin Tian, who reigned supreme over Xuanwu, would be undone by the betrayal of the woman I cherished most."

"How foolish."

"Yet, I am not without options!"

Lin Tian's gaze hardened, and his hands came together in a swift motion.

"Supreme Disintegration!"

With a rush, Lin Tian's form dissipated into the ether!

A green jade stone, the size of a palm, emerged from the dispersing glow.

"Zhao Lian, I would rather destroy the Black Tortoise Stone than let you have it!"

Boom!

Flames erupted as the green jade stone floated away with Lin Tian's body, vanishing into thin air.

"No!"

Zhao Lian's scream pierced the air as she gave chase, but she couldn't close the distance.

"Zhao Lian, you wretch!"

A thunderous roar burst forth from a dilapidated straw hut, and Lin Tian bolted upright from a wooden bed.

Surveying his surroundings, a myriad of lights danced in Lin Tian's eyes.

"Who would have thought? I, Lin Tian, have been granted a second chance!"

A flood of memories washed over him. The youth whose body he now inhabited was also named Lin Tian, hailing from the Celestial Dragon Sect of the Celestial Dragon Country. Both his parents were sect elders who tragically perished on a mission, leaving him and his sister, Lin Ling, to fend for themselves.

His recent unconsciousness was the result of a severe beating by a fellow disciple, Ye Ku, under the guise of a friendly spar, all to lay claim to his twelve-year-old sister, Lin Ling.

"Lin Tian, your sister should count herself lucky for my affections, but you're too foolish to see it. What use is your life? Die!"

The taunting voice and the image of a corpulent face invaded Lin Tian's mind. With a single punch, Lin Tian's heart had stopped, but now, the once supreme Lin Tian, was reborn.

"Strength, it's all about strength! No matter where, it's the ultimate currency. Lin Tian, now that I am you, I vow to grow stronger and never again allow you to suffer such indignities!"

Murmuring to himself, a glint of determination sparked in Lin Tian's eyes. He began to sit in meditation, drawing deep, steady breaths. With each inhale and exhale, his Qi and blood flowed more vigorously, knitting together the fissures in his organs.

Moments later, Lin Tian's eyes snapped open. "Excellent. The Dragon Gate Breathing Technique from my past life truly is a superior method for reinforcing the foundation and enhancing potential. Though this body's natural talent is lacking, with the Dragon Gate Breathing Technique, I can gradually transform my aptitude."

"Such a shame the Black Tortoise Stone is gone. Had it remained, its power to draw in the vital energy from the cosmos, combined with the Dragon Gate Breathing Technique, would have accelerated my progress even more."

Lin Tian shook his head, intending to resume the Dragon Gate Breathing Technique, when suddenly a stream of green energy began swirling around him!

"Spiritual energy!"

His eyes snapped to his heart, where he spotted a green jade stone.

"The Black Tortoise Stone—it actually reincarnated with me!"

"Excellent! Though I'm not sure what's happening, this is perfect! With the Black Tortoise Stone, my training speed will skyrocket!"

Lin Tian closed his eyes once more, taking a profound breath.

The Black Tortoise Stone within him vibrated incessantly, quickly channeling streams of spiritual energy into his body.

Time raced by.

One day later, Lin Tian leapt to his feet inside the thatched hut and threw a punch!

"Aooo!"

A dragon's cry echoed from within him as his fist unleashed a gale, causing the firewood in the hut to burst apart!

"Ha! Fantastic! My fist strikes like a dragon! I've reached Martial Apprentice Level Four! In just one day, I've advanced a whole level! At this rate, regaining my peak form is just around the corner!"

Lin Tian's laughter boomed, his eyes alight with thrill.

"Brother!"

The door to the hut burst open, and a girl in a patched grey dress entered. Despite the patches, her delicate features shone through. Her small mouth and expressive eyes painted a picture of budding beauty—it was Lin Tian's sister, Lin Ling.

Tears of joy streamed down Lin Ling's face as she saw Lin Tian rise. She flung herself into his embrace, sobbing.

Lin Tian froze, his mind awash with memories.

Since their parents' death, eight-year-old Lin Ling had taken on chores, cooking, and caring for him with meticulous devotion. Even when his cultivation faltered, Lin Ling was there to comfort him, yet he had never reciprocated her care.

Reflecting on this, he realized he had been a less than dutiful brother.

"Brother, you've been in bed for two days. Many people thought you were gone, but I never believed them. I knew you wouldn't leave me behind, right, brother?"

Just then, Lin Ling, cradled in Lin Tian's embrace, lifted her head to gaze at him, her large eyes brimming with tears.

Moved by the sight, Lin Tian felt a surge of emotion.

In his past life, Lin Tian had been an orphan, never imagining that in this new life, he would be blessed with a sister who cared so deeply for him.

As the memories of his two lives intertwined, Lin Tian was awash with sentiment. A look of resolve swept across his face, and he gently placed his hand on Lin Ling's tiny head. "Ling, I'm sorry for worrying you. I promise, it won't happen again."

With those words, Lin Tian felt a jolt through his spirit, as if in that moment, the Supreme Lin Tian had finally and fully integrated with the original Lin Tian.

Lin Tian understood that the young Lin Tian's consciousness had now fully accepted him. From this day forward, he was both the young Lin Tian and the Supreme Lin Tian!

"Mhm, Ling trusts brother," Lin Ling murmured, nodding against Lin Tian's chest. "Brother, what exactly happened the day before yesterday? Why did Ye Ku...?"

Lin Tian shook his head gently. "Ling, let's not talk about that now. You must be exhausted from the past couple of days. Here, you should rest."

Lin Ling nodded once more, clearly worn out. As she allowed herself to relax, she ended up lying down in Lin Tian's arms.

Lin Tian was about to carry Lin Ling to bed when, abruptly, a lascivious chuckle echoed from outside the door.

"Hehe, Sister Ling, are you in there? Your dear brother Ku has come looking for you."

At the sound, Lin Ling, nestled in Lin Tian's arms, blanched, while Lin Tian's own expression twisted into a grim smile.

"Perfect! I was just about to go out and find him, but he's saved me the trouble by showing up on his own!"

"Brother..."

Lin Ling's voice trembled with fear, but Lin Tian soothed her with a gentle pat on the back. "Don't worry, Ling. Everything's going to be okay. I'm here for you."

With those reassuring words, Lin Tian opened the door to find a group of Outer Sect disciples clad in yellow, standing not far from the thatched cottage, gesturing and seemingly deep in conversation. As Lin Tian stepped out with his sister in tow, many of the disciples' faces turned at once, their expressions shifting dramatically.

"What's happening! Wasn't Lin Tian dead? Ye Ku killed him under the guise of a friendly match! How is he alive again?"

"He's not just alive, but he looks full of energy and even seems to have improved! Things are about to get interesting!"

Lin Tian paid no mind to the whispers of the disciples around him. His eyes swiftly found and focused on the three youths in yellow standing at the forefront of the thatched cottage.

The ringleader of the trio was a portly young man with a face like a slab of meat—none other than Ye Ku!

Likewise, when Lin Tian's gaze met Ye Ku's, the latter was taken aback, his face contorting as if he'd seen a ghost. Pointing at Lin Tian, he exclaimed incredulously, "Lin Tian! You were supposed to be dead!"

"You might wish I were dead, but I'm very much alive," Lin Tian retorted with a menacing grin. "And now that I'm alive, it's your turn to die!"

"What did you just say?!" Ye Ku's face twisted into a snarl. "Lin Tian, do you think you have any right to be so bold just because you somehow managed to survive? What are you, after all? Nothing but an orphaned nobody. How dare you speak to me that way!"

Behind Lin Tian, Lin Ling's face flushed with rage as she shot back, "Senior Brother Ye Ku! Our parents died as heroes for the sect! They were honorable! How can you, a disciple of the Celestial Dragon Sect, speak of them like that?!"

"Haha, quite the fiery spirit, Lin Ling. I didn't expect such defiance from a little wretch like you, but I like it—it makes things more exciting!" Ye Ku sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You know what? I've made up my mind. I won't kill your brother right away. First, I'll cripple his limbs, and then I'll make him watch as I have my way with you! I bet that'll make him utterly despair. Hahaha..."

"Senior Brother Ye, don't forget about me! I want in on the fun too!"

The skinny, pole-like youth next to Ye Ku chimed in with a vile chuckle, "Senior Brother Ye always looks out for his juniors. You wouldn't leave me out this time, would you?"

Another young man chimed in with a sycophantic grin, "Senior Brother Ye, you enjoy the meat, and we'll be happy with the broth."

"Haha, sure thing. Once I've had my fill, you'll get your turn too. After all, shared joy is double joy!" Ye Ku's laughter was infectious, prompting his two companions to join in with nods and chuckles, as if their victory was already in hand.

Lin Ling shivered with rage, while Lin Tian's smirk grew more malevolent, his fists clenched tight.

"Shared joy is double joy, huh? You three sure are fortunate to have each other! Well then, you can all depart together! Kill!"

With a thunderous boom, Lin Tian's figure burst forward, closing the distance to the trio in an instant. His fists lashed out at the two young men flanking Ye Ku!

"What! Lin Tian, you dare!"

Ye Ku and his companions were taken aback by Lin Tian's bold move, their faces twisting in shock as they bellowed. But before they could muster a response, two explosive sounds echoed, and the bodies of the youths beside Ye Ku were blasted into the air, bursting apart and raining down as a gruesome shower of flesh and blood.

The disciples around them gaped in disbelief.

They couldn't fathom the once timid Lin Tian taking a life right before their eyes!

"What's happening! How did he get so strong?! Wasn't he just a Martial Apprentice Level Three?"

Ye Ku himself was utterly dumbfounded.

Lin Tian's sinister laughter continued, "Ye Ku, your two brothers have begun their journey. Now, it's your turn!"

A cold shiver ran down Ye Ku's spine, yet in the next moment, his face contorted in defiance.

"What's this nonsense! He's nothing but an orphaned nobody! Why should I fear him? How could I possibly fear him!"

His anger boiling over, Ye Ku bellowed back, "Lin Tian, you're seeking your own demise! To dare spill the blood of fellow sect members..."

"You're the one seeking death!"

Lin Tian countered with a roar, his fist barreling towards Ye Ku. Enraged, Ye Ku countered with his own punch, the Inner Strength of a Martial Apprentice Level Three unleashing a tempestuous wind.

Witnessing the clash, Lin Tian's grin only broadened. His punch, fueled by the force of a Martial Apprentice Level Four, continued its trajectory, accompanied by a resounding dragon's roar that filled the arena.

In an instant, his fist slammed forcefully into Ye Ku's right fist.