The Trash Disciple's Awakening
The acrid smell of burnt grass and sweat hung heavy over the Outer Sect Training Ground, where thirty-odd disciples of the Xuanwu Sect huddled beneath the midday sun. Lin Jing pressed his palm against the cracked earth, his knuckles white as he struggled to summon even the faintest wisp of spiritual energy. Around him, jeers cut through the humid air like shards of ice.
"Look at him—still trying to circulate qi after three months! What a waste of sect resources!"
"Trash disciple indeed. Even the new initiates can draw more spiritual power than Lin Jing!"
Chen Hao, the Outer Sect's top talent, stepped forward, his dark robes billowing despite the stillness of the air. At sixteen, he'd already mastered the first layer of the Basic Body Tempering Art—a feat that had earned him the attention of Inner Sect elders. He loomed over Lin Jing, a sneer twisting his lips.
"Lin Jing, you've disgraced our group long enough. The Sect Assessment is in three days, and if you fail again, you'll be expelled. Why don't you save us all the trouble and leave now?"
Lin Jing bit back a retort, his mind racing. This isn't right—I should be able to feel the spiritual energy flowing through the ground, through the air…
Three months ago, he'd woken up in this body, his memories of modern Earth still sharp as a blade. The original Lin Jing had been a kind but untalented boy, orphaned and taken in by the Xuanwu Sect as a servant before being allowed to train as a disciple. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't form a spiritual core—until today.
As Chen Hao reached out to shove him aside, a sudden jolt shot through Lin Jing's skull. A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
SYSTEM ACTIVATED
Infinite Crit System Online
Host: Lin Jing
Crit Chance: 100%
Crit Damage: ×10 (Base Multiplier)
First Critical Strike Triggered: Defend Against Hostile Action
Effect: Spiritual Energy Circulation Amplified ×100
The world exploded in a wash of golden light. Lin Jing's body hummed as spiritual energy surged through his meridians—so powerful it felt like his veins were filled with liquid lightning. Without thinking, he raised his hand to block Chen Hao's push.
CRACK.
The sound of bone meeting bone rang out across the training ground. Chen Hao staggered backward, his face pale with shock as he clutched his wrist. Where their hands had touched, his sleeve was singed black, and wisps of golden qi curled around his arm like tiny serpents.
"Wh-what kind of power is that?" Chen Hao stammered, his bravado gone in an instant.
Lin Jing stared at his own palm, where a faint golden rune glowed and then faded. The system's voice spoke again, clearer this time:
TASK UNLOCKED
Main Quest: Prove Your Worth
Objective 1: Pass the Outer Sect Assessment and become an Inner Disciple
Objective 2: Protect Yun Qingyan from impending danger
Reward: Crit Damage Multiplier Increased to ×20
Yun Qingyan—his childhood friend, the only one who'd ever shown him kindness in the sect. She was now training under Elder Ye of the Medicine Peak, and according to the system's prompt, she was in trouble. Lin Jing pushed himself to his feet, feeling stronger than he'd ever imagined.
The other disciples had fallen silent, their eyes wide with disbelief. Even Zhang Wei, the strict Outer Sect instructor, had paused mid-step, his gaze fixed on Lin Jing.
"Lin Jing," Zhang Wei said slowly, his voice carrying across the quiet ground. "What… what technique were you using just now?"
Lin Jing's mind raced. He couldn't very well tell them about being a transmigrator with a system. Instead, he bowed deeply, keeping his expression calm.
"Elder Zhang, I've been practicing in secret. I believe I'm finally able to circulate spiritual energy properly."
Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes, then nodded once—a small gesture, but one that carried weight. "The Assessment will test more than just raw power. But if what I saw is real… you may have a chance yet."
As the other disciples murmured among themselves, Lin Jing stole a glance toward Medicine Peak, visible in the distance as a green smudge against the blue sky. The system's words echoed in his mind: Protect Yun Qingyan. Whatever danger awaited her, he'd be ready.
Because with infinite critical strikes on his side, even a so-called trash disciple could become something more