Silence lingered over the training grounds.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Everyone stared at Lin Jin.
The same Lin Jin who had just been declared to possess a trash Soul Seal—
Had just forced Lin Xuan to take a step back.
Even the elders were stunned.
"…What just happened?"
"That wasn't normal…"
"Did you see that burst of power?"
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
At the center of it all, Lin Xuan's expression turned ugly.
He glanced down at his own foot.
That half-step—
To him, it was humiliation.
A branch family trash had forced him back.
In front of everyone.
"Lin Jin…"
His voice dropped, cold and dangerous.
"You think that makes you strong?"
A wave of heat surged from his body.
The phantom of a flaming blade appeared behind him, flickering with violent energy.
The temperature around them rose instantly.
"Let me show you the difference between us."
Boom!
Lin Xuan stepped forward.
This time, he wasn't holding back.
His aura surged to its peak, pressure rolling outward like a wave.
Several nearby disciples instinctively retreated.
"That's the Flame Blade Seal…"
"He's serious now!"
Lin Jin narrowed his eyes.
He could feel it clearly—
The pressure was far stronger than before.
But at the same time…
Something within him responded.
The black seal in his palm trembled.
Hungry.
[Devour activated]
[Absorbing surrounding soul energy…]
The thin strands of energy in the air began flowing toward him.
Fast.
Relentless.
His body grew lighter.
Stronger.
"Come."
Lin Jin spoke calmly.
That single word ignited Lin Xuan's fury.
"Die!"
Lin Xuan's figure shot forward, flames trailing behind him.
His kick tore through the air—
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
But—
In Lin Jin's vision—
It was still not enough.
He stepped forward instead of retreating.
At the same time—
His fist shot out.
Boom!!!
The two attacks collided again.
This time—
The result changed.
Lin Xuan's expression froze.
Because he felt it clearly—
The force behind Lin Jin's punch had increased.
Significantly.
Their bodies clashed.
A shockwave spread outward.
Then—
Crack.
A faint sound echoed.
Lin Xuan's body trembled—
And he was pushed back.
Not half a step.
A full step.
The crowd erupted.
"He pushed Lin Xuan back again!"
"That wasn't luck!"
"What's going on?!"
Lin Xuan's face turned pale for a split second before twisting with rage.
"Impossible!"
He raised his arm, flames gathering into a sharper, more condensed form.
This was no longer a simple strike—
It was a Soul technique prototype.
Even if incomplete—
Its power far surpassed before.
"End this!"
He slashed downward.
The air distorted from the heat.
Even the ground beneath them seemed to crack.
Lin Jin's eyes sharpened.
He knew—
If he took this head-on carelessly, he would lose.
But retreat?
That wasn't an option.
Not anymore.
[Combat analysis complete]
[Optimal response calculated]
A stream of instinctive understanding flooded his mind.
His body moved before conscious thought.
He shifted his stance.
Twisted.
Redirected the force—
Then struck at an angle.
Boom!!!
Flames scattered.
The attack didn't land cleanly.
Lin Jin's shoulder was still hit—
But not critically.
Pain shot through his body.
Yet at the same moment—
His fist slammed into Lin Xuan's side.
Thud!
A muffled impact.
Lin Xuan's eyes widened.
His body staggered—
Then he was forced back again.
Two steps.
This time, it was undeniable.
Lin Xuan had been suppressed.
Completely.
The entire arena fell into stunned silence.
Even the elders stood up.
"This…"
"This is impossible…"
"A trash Soul Seal user… suppressing a Spirit-grade genius?"
High above, Lin Cangyue's gaze turned sharp.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Meanwhile—
Su Wanning's eyes finally changed.
For the first time—
There was genuine focus in her gaze.
She watched Lin Jin closely.
Not his strength.
But the way he fought.
Calm.
Precise.
As if he could see through everything.
"Interesting…"
she murmured softly.
Back in the arena—
Lin Xuan's breathing grew heavier.
Pain spread across his ribs.
But what hurt more—
Was his pride.
"I don't believe this!"
He roared.
His aura surged wildly, losing control.
Flames flared outward in all directions.
"Lin Jin!"
"I'll kill you!"
He charged again—
Reckless.
Unstable.
Desperate.
Lin Jin looked at him—
And shook his head slightly.
"You've already lost."
That single sentence—
Hit harder than any attack.
Lin Xuan's expression twisted.
But before he could reach Lin Jin—
A powerful pressure descended.
"Enough."
A voice cut through the chaos.
An elder stepped forward, his aura suppressing both of them instantly.
"This is the Awakening Ceremony, not a battlefield."
His gaze swept across them coldly.
"Stop now."
Lin Xuan froze.
His fists clenched tightly.
He wanted to continue—
But he couldn't.
Not under an elder's authority.
Slowly, he lowered his head.
But the hatred in his eyes burned even hotter.
"This isn't over," he said in a low voice.
Lin Jin didn't respond.
He simply stood there.
Calm.
As if everything that had just happened meant nothing.
But inside—
His heart was pounding.
The system.
The power.
It was real.
And it had changed everything.
[First suppression achieved]
[Reward: 50 system points]
A faint smile appeared in his eyes.
Just the beginning.
He turned—
And walked away under countless stunned gazes.
No one laughed this time.
No one mocked him.
Because everyone knew—
Something had changed.
A trash—
Had just stepped onto the stage.