The sun cast its golden light over the Heavenly Origin Sect, illuminating the towering peaks and casting long shadows over the training grounds. Disciples moved about, engaged in their daily cultivation, sparring, and exchanging the latest rumors. However, one topic dominated every conversation—the Shadow Valley Inheritance.

The news of Lin Xuan obtaining a mysterious inheritance had spread like wildfire, and with it came envy, curiosity, and hostility. In the training grounds, a group of inner disciples whispered amongst themselves, their eyes sharp with intrigue.

"Did you hear? Lin Xuan actually survived the Shadow Valley and obtained some kind of ancient inheritance," one disciple muttered, gripping his sword tightly.

"I heard it wasn’t just survival. He fought against some kind of mysterious figure and even used an unknown power," another added, shaking his head.

"Hmph," a cold voice interrupted. "An outer disciple dares to claim an inheritance meant for true elites? He won’t keep it for long."

The speaker was Wang Jian, an arrogant inner disciple known for his ruthlessness. His eyes gleamed with disdain as he cracked his knuckles. "Lin Xuan may think he’s special now, but soon, he’ll learn his place."

Meanwhile, within his small courtyard, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, his breathing steady, yet his entire body was undergoing a transformation. The inheritance he had absorbed was unlike anything he had experienced before. The Golden Scripture of Celestial Ascendance had begun altering his very foundation, refining his qi and pushing his cultivation to new heights. Each breath he took pulled in a purer, more refined energy, strengthening his meridians, bones, and soul. A warm sensation spread through his body, and he could feel the changes happening on a fundamental level. A notification appeared in his mind.

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[Celestial Ascendance – First Layer Awakened]

A surge of power coursed through his veins, and he clenched his fists as golden runes flickered across his skin before fading. His cultivation had taken a solid step forward. Peak Qi Refinement. Just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts, followed by Zhao Feng’s voice, urgency clear in his tone. "Lin Xuan, get out here! We’ve got trouble!"

Opening the door, Lin Xuan found Zhao Feng standing there, his brows furrowed. "Wang Jian has officially challenged you," he stated flatly.

Lin Xuan’s expression remained calm. "When?"

Zhao Feng exhaled sharply. "Today. Noon. Inner Sect Arena. He’s making a big show of it. If you don’t show up, they’ll say you’re a coward."

Lin Xuan smirked slightly. "Let them talk. It won’t change the outcome."

Zhao Feng crossed his arms. "You don’t seem worried."

Lin Xuan glanced at his hands, feeling the power simmering beneath his skin. "Because I’m not."

At that moment, deep within the Elders’ Hall, several high-ranking sect elders sat in silence, a golden scroll laid out before them, glowing faintly with ancient inscriptions. An elder in flowing white robes tapped his fingers on the table. "The inheritance he obtained… it’s unusual. We should observe carefully."

Another elder, a woman with piercing silver eyes, nodded. "If he can master it, the sect will gain a powerful asset. But if he fails…"

The first elder sighed. "Then he’ll become a target."

Back at the outer sect, Lin Xuan made his way toward the arena, Zhao Feng walking beside him. "They think you’re just some lucky outer disciple," Zhao Feng muttered. "They don’t know what’s coming."

Lin Xuan chuckled. "They’ll find out soon enough."

As he stepped forward, golden qi flickered around him, invisible to those who could not sense it. Noon was approaching. And with it, the first true clash between the rising dragon and those who wished to suppress him.