The night sky stretched endlessly above the Heavenly Origin Sect, its stars shimmering like scattered fragments of fate. But beneath this peaceful sky, the sect buzzed with unseen currents—whispers, movements, and forces shifting in the dark.

Lin Xuan stood outside his courtyard, his fingers gripping the small jade vial Liu Qingyan had given him. The medicine inside pulsed with a cool glow, filled with high-grade qi-replenishing herbs.

"She didn’t have to go out of her way."

He sighed, tucking the vial into his robes before stepping inside. The moment he closed the door, he let out a slow breath, focusing on his own body.

The inheritance had fused with him, but he still hadn’t fully grasped its depths. The golden energy remained dormant, yet he could sense its vastness. It was like standing before an endless ocean, knowing that one wrong step could drown him.

"I need to understand it."

Without hesitation, he sat down cross-legged, steadying his breathing. The room dimmed as he delved into his consciousness, feeling the energy within him stir.

And then—

Boom!

A force exploded from his core, not outward, but inward. He found himself drifting in a golden void, surrounded by countless runes that shimmered with an ancient power.

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A voice—soft yet boundless—whispered in his mind.

"The Path… has begun."

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THE SECT’S INNER HALLS – A BREWING STORM

Meanwhile, in the heart of the sect, a group of inner disciples gathered in a secluded training hall. Their expressions were cold, their voices low.

A tall young man, dressed in dark green robes, leaned against a pillar, his fingers tapping impatiently. Wang Jian, one of the strongest inner disciples, narrowed his eyes.

"So, Lin Xuan really got the inheritance?"

One of the disciples nodded. "Yes. And Elder Mo hasn’t interfered, which means it’s legitimate."

Wang Jian scoffed. "Legitimate or not, do you think the other powers will let him keep it?"

The room fell silent.

Everyone understood—great power always invited jealousy.

And the Heavenly Origin Sect was no exception.

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DEEP WITHIN THE SECT – THE FORBIDDEN GROUNDS

Far beneath the sect, in an ancient chamber untouched by time, a figure knelt before an altar. Flickering blue flames cast eerie shadows across the stone walls.

A deep, gravelly voice spoke. "The inheritance has surfaced."

The kneeling figure, clad in dark robes, lowered their head. "It will attract attention from beyond the sect."

The voice chuckled. "Of course it will. But let us see if the boy can hold onto it."

The blue flames pulsed.

And the shadows deepened.

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LIN XUAN’S AWAKENING

Back in his courtyard, Lin Xuan’s eyes snapped open.

Sweat dripped down his brow, his breath ragged. The golden runes in his mind had disappeared, but their presence lingered.

And with them—

A name.

"Golden Scripture of Celestial Ascendance."

Lin Xuan clenched his fists. This was no ordinary inheritance. It was a path, a test—one that would push him beyond anything he had known.

A slow smile crept onto his face.

"Then let’s see where it leads."

To be continued…