Lin Yun's Decision

The winter sun spilled over the campus of Yi'an District No. 3 High School, painting the leaves of the phoenix trees in a layer of golden yellow. On the flagpole in front of the teaching building, the national flag fluttered gently in the cold wind. The first semester of freshman year was drawing to a close, and the campus was filled with students in school uniforms, walking in twos and threes along the tree-lined paths, discussing their plans for the winter break.

Lin Yun and Luo Feng walked side by side through the campus. Even in the dead of winter, both wore only their school uniforms; the difference in their builds and temperaments made them stand out in the crowd. At fifteen, Lin Yun had already grown to 1.8 meters, with broad shoulders and a sturdy back, standing there like a tall, straight poplar tree. Although his face still carried a hint of youthful innocence, the calm and depth in his eyes made him appear much more mature than his peers. Luo Feng was not far behind, with a height of 1.75 meters and a solid physique, exuding a sense of restrained power from head to toe.

"Vacation again," Luo Feng said, looking at the high school students running on the playground, feeling a sense of emotion. "It feels like time is passing so quickly. In the blink of an eye, we're already in high school."

Lin Yun nodded. "Yeah, it's fast."

The two found a patch of grass by the edge of the playground and sat down, looking at the sky in the distance. White clouds drifted leisurely by, and a few birds flew overhead, disappearing into the distant grove. The sunlight was warm and soft, carrying the crispness unique to early autumn.

"Lin Yun, what level is your strength actually at now?" Luo Feng asked suddenly, his tone tinged with curiosity. "Every time I ask you, you just say 'it's alright.' But I know it's definitely more than what you show."

Lin Yun was silent for a moment. He and Luo Feng had grown up together; they were brothers who could truly confide in one another. There were some things he didn't need to hide from him.

"I think I've already reached the level of a warrior!" Lin Yun said calmly.

Luo Feng gasped. A warrior! For a fifteen-year-old high school student, this was simply shocking. One had to know that many adults practiced their entire lives and never reached the warrior level, yet Lin Yun was only fifteen.

"You guy..." Luo Feng shook his head, smiling bitterly. "Every time I think I'm about to catch up to you, I find out you've already run much further ahead."

Lin Yun smiled and didn't respond. His gaze fell on the distant sky, a trace of imperceptible worry flashing in his eyes.

Luo Feng noticed the change in his expression and frowned. "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

Lin Yun hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I've hit a bottleneck."

"A bottleneck?"

"Yeah." Lin Yun leaned against the tree trunk and said slowly, "My cultivation method is different from ordinary people. It mainly relies on a special breathing technique—the Qi Cultivation Style—to strengthen the body. But the effectiveness of this method is getting worse and worse. At the current rate, it will be hard to break through to the next level without at least ten years."

Luo Feng was silent for a while, then asked, "Is there any way to solve it?"

"Yes," Lin Yun said. "The Qi Cultivation Style is only the most basic cultivation method. To go further, one must learn the cultivation method for Genetic Origin Energy. This is the only path for all high-level warriors."

"Genetic Origin Energy..." Luo Feng murmured. He had heard of this term. Genetic Origin Energy was the core of a warrior's cultivation and the key to transcending the limits of the human body. Only by mastering the cultivation method for Genetic Origin Energy could one truly step into the ranks of the strong. And the methods for cultivating Genetic Origin Energy were held by the major dojos and factions.

"You mean, you have to officially join a dojo?"

"Right." Lin Yun nodded. "Only after passing the Quasi-Warrior assessment can one become an official warrior and be qualified to learn the cultivation method for Genetic Origin Energy."

Luo Feng looked at him thoughtfully. "Then what are you still hesitating about? With your current strength, isn't passing the Quasi-Warrior assessment an easy task?"

Lin Yun was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't want to expose myself too early."

"Afraid of bringing trouble?"

"Yeah." Lin Yun did not deny it. "A fifteen-year-old warrior—this talent is too shocking. If too many people know, I don't know what kind of eyes it will attract. It's fine within the Limit Dojo, but other factions..."

He didn't continue, but Luo Feng understood what he meant. In this world, there were too many cases of geniuses being stifled. Some factions, seeing a genius they couldn't recruit, would choose to destroy them. Lin Yun's worry was not without reason.

Luo Feng was silent for a while, then looked at him seriously. "Lin Yun, do you know why I've been able to progress so quickly?"

Lin Yun was slightly stunned.

"Because of you," Luo Feng said. "Since elementary school, you've been urging me and guiding me. Every time I feel I've worked hard enough, I look at you and know I'm still far behind. You're like a mirror, making me afraid to stop my steps."

He paused and continued, "But have you ever thought that you are also being held back by something?"

Lin Yun didn't speak.

"You're hiding," Luo Feng's gaze was very serious. "You've been like this since you were little. You're clearly very strong, yet you always hide and hold back, afraid of being discovered. I used to think this was caution, that it was right. But it's different now. We're fifteen; we're not children anymore. You're stronger than anyone, yet you're more afraid of standing out than anyone. If this continues, you'll always be spinning in your own comfort zone. How will you break through?"

Lin Yun was silent.

Luo Feng's words were like a key, opening a corner of his heart he had always avoided.

What was he afraid of? Afraid of being targeted by major factions after exposing his talent? Afraid of attracting the attention of the Radiant Church? Afraid of becoming a target for everyone?

These worries were all reasonable, but he had forgotten the most important thing—the strong are never made by hiding.

In the Coiling Dragon World, he could lie low in the academy and cultivate slowly because he had Delin's guidance, the inheritance of Necromancy, and enough time to grow. But the Swallowed Star World was different. This world was more cruel and more direct. Without strength, there was no voice. Without sufficient strength, he didn't even have the ability to protect his family.

And he had spent too much time on the word "hiding."

"Luo Feng, you're right." Lin Yun stood up and brushed the grass off his body. "It's time to make a change."

Luo Feng also stood up and looked at him. "You've decided?"

"Decided." Lin Yun's gaze became firm. "I'll go to the dojo tomorrow and sign up for the Quasi-Warrior assessment."

Luo Feng grinned. "That's the Lin Yun I know."

The two looked at each other and both smiled.

The setting sun dyed the horizon a golden red, and the phoenix trees on campus rustled in the evening breeze. On the distant playground, a few freshmen were still running, their sweat shimmering in the sunlight.

Lin Yun watched all of this, a sense of unprecedented determination rising in his heart. Starting tomorrow, he would no longer be the boy hiding in a corner, cultivating in silence. He would stand up and walk his own path.

The next morning, Lin Yun and Luo Feng went together to the Yi'an District Limit Dojo.

The facade of the dojo was even more impressive than it had been a few years ago. The tall porch, the polished marble floor, and the huge emblem hanging in the center of the main hall—a clenched fist, symbolizing strength and resilience. The guards at the entrance saw them and nodded, clearly already recognizing the two boys who often came to train.

Dojo Master Jiang Nian was in his office processing documents. Seeing Lin Yun and Luo Feng walk in, he put down his pen, looked up, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Lin Yun, Luo Feng? Why are you here?"

Lin Yun stepped forward and said calmly, "Dojo Master, I want to participate in the Quasi-Warrior assessment."

The office was quiet for a moment.

Jiang Nian froze for a moment, then stood up abruptly, an expression of disbelief on his face. But soon, that expression turned into ecstasy.

"What did you say? The Quasi-Warrior assessment?" Jiang Nian's voice trembled slightly, and his eyes shone with excitement.

"Yes," Lin Yun said.

"Good! That's great!" Jiang Nian slapped the desk and burst into laughter. "You kid finally saw the light! I've been waiting for this day for three years!"

He stepped quickly from behind his desk, circled Lin Yun twice, and looked him up and down, his eyes full of admiration. Discovering a young genius was a major event for a Limit Dojo master that could earn him a massive amount of contribution points. Especially a peerless genius like Lin Yun, who had reached Advanced Trainee at only twelve years old.

"With your strength, the Quasi-Warrior assessment is nothing," Jiang Nian said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "As long as you pass the assessment and become an official warrior, you can learn the cultivation method for Genetic Origin Energy. By then, your strength will enter a period of rapid growth."

He took a form from his drawer, handed it to Lin Yun, and patted him on the shoulder. "Fill this out, and I'll register you. The assessment is scheduled for next month at the headquarters. Prepare well during this time, though with your level, you don't really need to prepare much."

Lin Yun took the form and nodded. "Thank you, Dojo Master."

"What are you thanking me for!" Jiang Nian grinned from ear to ear. "You're the genius I discovered; the stronger you are, the higher my contribution points. If anything, I should be thanking you!"

Luo Feng, watching from the side, couldn't help but smile.

As they walked out of the dojo's main gate, the sunlight spilled over them. Luo Feng looked at Lin Yun, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. "It's finally starting."

Lin Yun smiled. "Yeah, it's finally starting."

He looked up at the sky, his gaze piercing through the clouds as if he could see further away. There lay a vast world, stronger opponents, and the peaks he had to climb.

The journey in the Swallowed Star World officially began today.

While the sun of the Swallowed Star World hung high, the moon of the Coiling Dragon World was slowly rising.

In the small woods behind the Ernst Institute, Lin Yun sat cross-legged on a bluestone and slowly opened his eyes. He had just finished his daily meditation, and his Level 8 magic power flowed steadily and fully within him.

But at this moment, his mind was not on magic.

Linley had been gone for almost a month.

During this month, Lin Yun had been practicing in the back woods every day, training in Seven-Element Magic during the day and studying Necromancy at night. The days were peaceful, but he always felt something was missing. The courtyard lacked the sight of Linley practicing magic, his shoulders lacked the chattering of Bebe, and even the air felt much colder.

He stood up, walked to the edge of the woods, and looked toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Moonlight spilled over the mountains and forests, and the distant peaks loomed in the night.

"Big brother, don't push yourself," he said softly. "If you can't beat them, just run. No one in the Magic Beast Mountain Range will laugh at you."

The night wind blew, and the leaves rustled as if responding to his words.

Lin Yun smiled, turned around, and walked back to sit by the bluestone. He closed his eyes and continued his meditation.

He trusted Linley. He knew Linley's strength; as a Level 6 Mage, combined with a powerful partner like Bebe, there wouldn't be any major problems as long as he didn't go deep into the core area of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Moreover, Linley's personality was much more steady than his own; he wouldn't do anything without certainty.

But worry had nothing to do with logic.

"Come back soon," he murmured, then gathered his focus and concentrated on the magic power within his body.

His Level 8 cultivation was now completely stable. His mental strength was more solid than it had been two years ago, and his soul power was constantly growing through his study of Necromancy. Although his warrior cultivation was a bit slower, his strength at the peak of Level 5 would not be a weakness in close-quarters combat.

The night deepened.

The Ernst Institute was immersed in the tranquil moonlight. Lin Yun lay on his bed, closed his eyes, and his consciousness swayed gently between the two worlds.

In the Swallowed Star World, his other body was preparing for the Quasi-Warrior assessment in a low-rent apartment in Yangzhou City. Next month, he would take the assessment, become an official warrior, and embark on a new journey.

In the Coiling Dragon World, this body was consolidating his Level 8 cultivation at the Ernst Institute, waiting for Linley to return from the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

Two worlds, two bodies, both constantly growing stronger.

He opened his eyes and looked at the moonlight outside the window.

Fifteen years old, dual-world progression, Level 8 Mage, Quasi-Warrior.

The new journey had only just begun.