The gloomy courtyard of the Lin Clan now held an entirely different meaning in Lin Yuan's mind, which was enriched by the memories of a thirty-eight-year simulation. The moss stains on the walls, the cracks between the pebbles, even the distant songs of birds, all possessed deeper layers for him now. As a time traveler from Blue Star, the past of this body named "Lin Yuan" flowed through his mind like a crystal-clear film strip. The tragic fate of Su Yun, the ruthless intrigues of the Lin Clan, and the humiliations he himself had endured... These were not just past memories; they now formed the foundation of a concrete plan for revenge, a cold-blooded strategy, and an unshakeable determination. He was not a youth blinded by vengeance, but a commander who weighed his every move with great calculation.
Upon returning to his real body, the first thing he felt was the cursed blockage in his spiritual root. The simulation had taught him that with the help of his "Heaven-Defying Comprehension" talent, he could partially resolve this blockage, but a complete recovery would require much more. This knowledge was an urgency that went beyond mere survival for him. The simulation memories had revealed the secret of a technique called the "Qi Circulation Art," found in a dusty, almost forgotten scroll in the most remote corner of the clan library. At first glance, this technique seemed like a simple exercise aimed only at strengthening the body, but it actually contained a hidden, ancient method that allowed even those with clogged spiritual roots to circulate Qi and transform their bodies step by step. Thanks to his "Heaven-Defying Comprehension," Lin Yuan had grasped every nuance, every hidden layer of this technique in just a few hours during the simulation; a process that would have taken an ordinary practitioner months, if not years.
He had no luxury to waste time. Lin Yuan turned his secluded courtyard, where he was ostracized for being "talentless," into his personal training ground and began practicing the "Qi Circulation Art" without drawing anyone's attention. With every breath, every physical movement, he brought the flawlessness and perfection he had acquired in the simulation into the real world. His weak body grew noticeably stronger with each passing hour. The invisible shackles on his clogged meridians slowly loosened with each circulation cycle, as if a rusty lock was being opened. In just a few days, he had made progress that would have taken months, or even years, in the simulation.
[Life Simulation System]
[Current Version: 1.0]
[Host: Lin Yuan]
[Spiritual Root: Clogged (Anomalous State)]
[Current Realm: Body Tempering Stage 3]
[Talents: Heaven-Defying Comprehension (Unique)]
[Simulation Chance: 1 (Replenishes every 24 hours, can be accumulated)]
It had taken him only a week to ascend to the third stage! This unbelievable speed reinforced the unshakeable faith within Lin Yuan. When the unique power of the system and his own "Heaven-Defying Comprehension" talent combined, nothing was impossible for him. However, he had to keep this early advancement a secret. If his enemies became suspicious, it would jeopardize his long-term, complex plans for revenge. Therefore, he continued to appear as the same old, "talentless" Lin Yuan from the outside. It was a deception, a cunning mask designed to put his enemies at ease.
One afternoon, mocking laughter from the clan's inner courtyard interrupted Lin Yuan's thoughts. The door to his courtyard was flung open, and two familiar silhouettes entered: Lin Feng, followed by Lin Jian. The two half-brothers, as always, had come to humiliate Lin Yuan and satisfy their cruel pleasures. A conceited smile was on Lin Feng's face, and a sense of ease brought by his self-confidence was in his eyes. Lin Jian, on the other hand, was more insidious, sizing up Lin Yuan with a hidden cruelty in his gaze. With them were two servants who supported them with their laughter.
"Ah, look who's here? The greatest shame of the Lin Clan, Lin Yuan," said Lin Feng, raising his voice loud enough for even the other courtyards of the clan to hear. The servants burst into laughter. Lin Feng continued, "Brother, are you still hiding in this rundown place? Aren't you preparing for tomorrow's junior generation tournament? Though, what's there to prepare for, right? For a talentless person like you to even participate in this tournament is an insult to our clan."
Lin Jian stepped forward to his brother's side. "Maybe a miracle will happen and you'll suddenly develop a spiritual root, right, little brother? Oh, I forgot, even your mother abandoned you. I don't think anyone will grant you a miracle. Perhaps you should just withdraw on your own before bringing more shame to our clan in this tournament."
Their mocking words were a blatant and insolent insult to Su Yun's memory. A momentary wave of rage surged through Lin Yuan's veins; despite the teachings of the simulation, this insult still hurt him. But his time-traveler mind instantly reined in his emotions. This was a test, a part of the game. He had tested how to react to such provocations countless times in the simulation and had determined the most effective strategy: to appear weak, to put them at ease, thus making them lower their guard.
"It is a great honor for nobles like you to spend time on a talentless person like me," Lin Yuan said, with an expressionless mask on his face. His voice came out trembling, just as they expected. His eyes narrowed slightly to meet their expectations. "I am sure that with the performance you show in tomorrow's tournament, you will win the appreciation of our father, Lord Lin Quin."
Lin Feng and Lin Jian looked at each other, bored by Lin Yuan's lack of reaction and expected weakness. However, this mocking submission from Lin Yuan gave them the audacity to go even further. They were blinded by their perceived victory.
"In tomorrow's tournament, you'll be eliminated in the first round at best," said Lin Feng, the arrogant smile on his face widening even more. "Your father, Lord Lin Quin, won't even deign to look at you. It's best you go and continue hiding in a corner like a concubine. At least then you won't be a burden to anyone."
A fleeting, cold, almost icy glint appeared in Lin Yuan's eyes, but it vanished instantly with the determination from the simulation. These moments held precious lessons. Every insult, every look of contempt was being recorded in his memory bank, further fueling the fire of his revenge. Not now. Not yet. His first move had to create a bigger, more devastating impact. The arrogant confidence of his enemies would be their greatest weakness.
"Your words have been noted, brothers," Lin Yuan whispered, a strange, slightly mocking smile on his face. "But in this tournament, I will prove at least one thing: even the talentless of the Lin Clan can hold some surprises. Perhaps this surprise will not be to your liking at all."
Lin Feng and Lin Jian paid no heed to these words. They thought Lin Yuan was simply bluffing, that these were the last throes of desperation. They left the courtyard with loud laughter, leaving behind contempt, humiliation, and cruel expectations of Lin Yuan's anticipated shame. Their noisy departure echoed even in the other courtyards of the clan.
As soon as the door closed, the mask of weakness on Lin Yuan's face fell away. His eyes glowed with an unquenchable fire within, with an icy determination. The thirty-eight-year simulation had bestowed upon him not only knowledge but also the ability to foresee his enemies' every move and to exploit their every weakness. While they still thought they were playing their own little games, Lin Yuan had already seen all their moves and had set up his own game. Tomorrow's junior generation tournament would be just the beginning. There was something the Lin Clan did not know: the simulation had granted him not only knowledge but also patience, strategy, and an invincible will. The first step of Su Yun's revenge and his own rise would be taken amidst the dust and clamor of that tournament.