Rain poured endlessly over the city.

Neon lights reflected across the wet streets as twenty-three-year-old Kai Ren hurried home after another exhausting day. A quiet orphan with no family and no remarkable talent, he lived an ordinary life filled with endless work and forgotten dreams.

His greatest escape was reading cultivation novels.

He often laughed at the stories.

"If I were ever reborn in a cultivation world, I'd never waste a second."

Fate was listening.

As Kai crossed the street, a speeding truck lost control. The world slowed.

The roar of the engine.

The screams of strangers.

Then...

Darkness.

...

Kai expected nothingness.

Instead, he heard birds singing.

Warm sunlight touched his face.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying beneath a towering cherry blossom tree surrounded by mountains that reached into the heavens.

"This isn't Earth..."

Before he could stand, a flood of memories exploded into his mind.

His new name was Lin Tian.

Sixteen years old.

The youngest son of the declining Lin Clan.

Born with broken spiritual meridians, he was mocked as the clan's greatest disgrace.

Only yesterday he had been beaten nearly to death by disciples from the rival Zhao Clan.

The injuries had killed him.

Kai's soul had taken over the empty body.

"So... I really reincarnated."

As he struggled to his feet, an ancient voice echoed inside his mind.

Golden light filled his vision.

Host: Lin Tian

Age: 16

Cultivation: Mortal

Physique: Broken Spirit Veins

Bloodline: Dormant

Mission: Survive for 24 hours.

Reward: Heaven-Defying Cultivation Technique.

Failure: Permanent death.

Kai stared in disbelief.

"A cultivation system?"

Before he could celebrate, three figures stepped out from the forest.

"There he is."

The leader smirked.

"I can't believe the cripple survived."

The Zhao disciples slowly unsheathed their swords.

Kai clenched his fists.

Back on Earth, he had died powerless.

This time...

He refused to die again.

As the enemies charged, the system's voice rang once more.

"Beginner Gift Pack available."

Kai smiled.

"Open it."

A dazzling golden dragon erupted from the system, shaking the heavens.

Far above the clouds, ancient beings opened their eyes.

"The Supreme Dragon Emperor Technique..."

"It has appeared once again."

And across the Nine Heavens, countless hidden experts sensed that the balance of the cultivation world had begun to change.

The weakest boy in the world had taken his first step toward becoming the strongest immortal to ever exist.

Rebirth of the Infinite Sovereign

Chapter 2: The Beginner's Gift

The three Zhao Clan disciples surrounded Lin Tian with cruel smiles.

"So the cripple can still stand?" the leader sneered, pointing his sword at Lin Tian's throat. "You should have stayed dead."

Lin Tian took a slow breath. His heart pounded, but his mind remained calm.

I only have one chance.

The golden screen floated before his eyes.

Beginner Gift Pack: Ready to Open.

"Open it," he whispered.

A flash of golden light burst from his body, invisible to everyone else.

Congratulations!

- Heaven-Defying Dragon Emperor Art obtained.

- Divine Spirit Eyes awakened.

- One Healing Pill acquired.

- One Instant Breakthrough Token acquired.

Without hesitation, Lin Tian swallowed the Healing Pill.

Warm energy spread through every part of his body. His broken bones knit together, bruises faded, and the shattered meridians that had tormented him for sixteen years began to repair themselves.

"What...?"

The Zhao disciples frowned.

"He looks different."

Lin Tian smiled for the first time since arriving in this world.

"So this is cultivation..."

He activated the Instant Breakthrough Token.

Boom!

Spiritual energy rushed toward him from every direction. The ground trembled as a small whirlwind formed around his body.

Cultivation Realm: Mortal → Body Tempering First Stage!

The leader's expression darkened.

"Kill him now!"

All three disciples charged.

Lin Tian's newly awakened Divine Spirit Eyes slowed the world around him. Every sword strike became clear. Every movement was easy to read.

He stepped aside.

The first sword missed.

He grabbed the attacker's wrist, twisted it, and struck him with a powerful punch.

Crack!

The disciple flew backward, crashing into a tree.

The second attacker lunged.

Lin Tian caught the blade with his bare hand. Golden spiritual energy coated his palm, stopping the sword.

"W-What?"

With one kick, he sent the disciple tumbling across the forest floor.

Only the leader remained.

Fear appeared in his eyes.

"You... you were supposed to be a cripple!"

"I was," Lin Tian replied calmly. "Not anymore."

The leader roared and unleashed his strongest technique.

"Mountain Breaking Slash!"

A wave of sword energy rushed toward Lin Tian.

Instead of retreating, Lin Tian raised a single finger.

Golden dragon energy wrapped around it.

He pointed forward.

The dragon-shaped aura shattered the sword energy and struck the leader in the chest.

Boom!

The Zhao disciple collapsed, unconscious.

Silence filled the forest.

At that moment, the system chimed.

Mission Complete: Survive for 24 Hours.

Rewards:

- 500 Cultivation Points

- Storage Ring

- Beginner Sword Technique

- New Mission Unlocked: Enter the Azure Cloud Sect and become an outer disciple.

Lin Tian looked toward the distant mountains where ancient palaces floated among the clouds.

"The real journey begins there."

Far above, hidden in the sky, an old man watched everything with narrowed eyes.

"A boy with dragon qi..."

He smiled.

"Interesting."

Little did Lin Tian know, he had already caught the attention of one of the strongest cultivators in the continent.

His path to becoming the Infinite Sovereign had only just begun.

Three days after defeating the Zhao Clan disciples, Lin Tian stood at the foot of Azure Cloud Mountain.

The mountain towered above the clouds like a pillar supporting the heavens. Ancient palaces floated in the sky, waterfalls flowed upward through the air, and countless cranes circled the peaks.

"So this is a true cultivation sect..."

Thousands of young cultivators had gathered from every corner of the Heavenly Sky Continent.

Some rode flying swords.

Some arrived atop spirit beasts.

Others wore luxurious robes embroidered with golden dragons and phoenixes.

Lin Tian, dressed in simple clothes, drew countless mocking glances.

"Look at that poor boy."

"He doesn't even have a spirit weapon."

"He'll fail the entrance exam."

Ignoring them, Lin Tian walked toward the enormous jade gate.

Just then, an elderly elder descended from the sky on a flying sword.

"I am Elder Mo," he announced. "Today, you will face three trials. Those who pass may become disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect."

A massive crystal stone rose from the ground.

"The first trial... the Spiritual Root Test."

One by one, the applicants placed their hands on the crystal.

"Earth Root... Pass."

"Fire Root... Excellent."

"Dual Roots... Inner disciple candidate!"

Cheers erupted as prodigies revealed their talents.

Then it was Lin Tian's turn.

The moment his hand touched the crystal, his Infinite Sovereign System spoke.

Warning!

The crystal can detect your true physique. If revealed, powerful forces may hunt you.

Would you like to conceal your talent?

Lin Tian answered silently.

"Yes."

Golden light from the system wrapped around his body.

The crystal glowed softly.

"Low-grade Wind Spiritual Root," Elder Mo announced.

The crowd burst into laughter.

"A low-grade root?"

"He has no chance."

Only Elder Mo frowned.

Strange... For a moment, I sensed an aura that made even my soul tremble.

Before he could investigate, the second trial began.

"The Spirit Beast Forest."

Every participant would enter the forest and retrieve a Spirit Crystal before sunset.

The forest was filled with dangerous beasts, hidden traps, and rival contestants.

As soon as the trial started, many powerful cultivators rushed ahead.

Lin Tian remained calm.

"The fastest path isn't always the safest."

Using his Divine Spirit Eyes, he noticed glowing threads of spiritual energy hidden between the trees.

The threads revealed secret paths invisible to ordinary cultivators.

Hours later, he reached a crystal cave.

Inside lay a brilliant blue Spirit Crystal.

But before he could take it, a deafening roar echoed through the cave.

A gigantic Crimson Flame Tiger emerged from the darkness.

Its fiery eyes locked onto Lin Tian.

Outside the cave, dozens of contestants heard the roar.

"A Second-Rank Spirit Beast!"

"Whoever entered that cave is finished!"

Inside, Lin Tian slowly drew the sword he had received from the system.

Golden dragon energy wrapped around the blade.

The tiger charged.

Lin Tian smiled.

"Perfect."

"I needed a real opponent."

The cave shook as man and beast collided, marking the beginning of Lin Tian's first true battle in the cultivation world.

To be continued...

The moment the Crimson Flame Tiger emerged from the shadows, the temperature inside the cave rose dramatically.

Its scarlet fur burned like living fire, illuminating the cavern with an eerie crimson glow. Each breath it exhaled sent waves of scorching heat across the rocky floor, while its golden eyes remained fixed on Lin Tian as though he were nothing more than prey.

The beast was nearly three meters tall and over five meters long. Every muscle beneath its blazing fur rippled with terrifying power. Even experienced Body Tempering cultivators would hesitate before facing such a monster alone.

Outside the cave, the distant sounds of frightened cultivators echoed through the forest.

"Someone is trapped!"

"That's a Second-Rank Crimson Flame Tiger!"

"Forget the Spirit Crystal—we're leaving!"

No one dared enter.

Inside the cave, however, Lin Tian stood perfectly still.

He slowly drew his sword.

Golden spiritual energy flowed through the blade like liquid sunlight.

The Infinite Sovereign System appeared before him.

Opponent Detected

Name: Crimson Flame Tiger

Rank: Second-Rank Spirit Beast

Weakness: A spiritual core located beneath the throat.

Success Reward: 300 Cultivation Points, Beast Core, Fire Spirit Blood.

Lin Tian smiled.

"So you're not just an obstacle..."

"You're an opportunity."

The tiger let out a thunderous roar.

BOOM!

Without warning, it lunged.

Its massive claws smashed into the ground where Lin Tian had stood only a heartbeat earlier, shattering stone into hundreds of fragments.

Using his Divine Spirit Eyes, Lin Tian saw every movement with astonishing clarity.

The beast was powerful...

But not fast enough.

He dodged left.

Then right.

Again and again, the tiger's claws missed by mere inches.

Each strike left deep scars in the cave walls.

The tiger grew increasingly furious.

Its flames intensified until its entire body became wrapped in blazing fire.

"So that's your true strength," Lin Tian muttered.

The beast opened its jaws.

A sphere of compressed flames formed inside its mouth.

The next instant—

A pillar of fire erupted toward Lin Tian.

He immediately activated the Heaven-Defying Dragon Emperor Art.

Golden dragon energy surged from his body, surrounding him like shimmering scales.

The fire struck.

BOOM!

Dust exploded throughout the cave.

When the smoke cleared, Lin Tian was breathing heavily.

His clothes were slightly burned, but he remained standing.

"I underestimated that attack."

The tiger roared triumphantly and charged again.

This time Lin Tian attacked first.

He poured spiritual energy into his sword.

The blade released a brilliant golden arc.

"Dragon Fang Slash!"

The sword energy flew through the air.

The tiger twisted its body.

Although it avoided a fatal strike, blood splashed across the cave floor as the attack cut deeply into its shoulder.

The beast screamed in pain.

Its fury became uncontrollable.

Instead of attacking immediately, it suddenly stopped moving.

Its body lowered.

Its flames began spinning around it like a fiery storm.

The System issued another warning.

Danger!

The Crimson Flame Tiger is evolving under extreme battle conditions.

Lin Tian's eyes widened.

"It can evolve?"

The beast's roar shook the mountain.

Its flames turned from crimson to deep violet.

The pressure filling the cave doubled.

Outside, every participant felt the terrifying aura.

"What is happening?"

"That beast is becoming stronger!"

Even Elder Mo, who was observing the trial from high above the forest, frowned.

"A Second-Rank beast shouldn't possess such pressure..."

He immediately flew toward the cave.

Back inside, Lin Tian realized there was no more time.

"If I let it complete its evolution..."

"I'll die."

He closed his eyes.

Instead of focusing on fear, he focused on the flow of spiritual energy around him.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he truly understood the Dragon Emperor Art.

He could hear the wind.

Feel the heartbeat of the mountain.

Sense every stream of spiritual energy flowing through the earth.

Golden light spread across his body.

Behind him, the faint outline of an ancient dragon appeared.

The dragon opened its eyes.

A pressure older than heaven itself descended upon the cave.

The Crimson Flame Tiger froze.

Its instincts screamed at it.

Kneel.

The tiger hesitated.

That single moment was enough.

Lin Tian moved.

His speed doubled.

Then tripled.

He appeared directly beneath the beast.

His sword glowed brighter than the sun.

"Dragon Emperor's First Art..."

"Heaven-Piercing Strike!"

The blade shot upward like a golden comet.

Slash!

Everything became silent.

The tiger stood motionless.

A thin line appeared beneath its throat.

Moments later...

Its enormous body collapsed.

BOOM!

The cave trembled violently.

The battle was over.

The System chimed.

Congratulations!

Mission Completed.

Rewards Received:

- 300 Cultivation Points

- Crimson Flame Beast Core

- Fire Spirit Blood Essence

- Dragon Scale Armor Blueprint

A warm current flowed into Lin Tian's body.

His cultivation advanced once more.

Body Tempering Realm: First Stage → Third Stage.

Power flooded every muscle.

His senses became sharper.

His body felt lighter than ever before.

He walked toward the Spirit Crystal resting at the center of the cave.

As he picked it up, something unexpected caught his attention.

Behind the tiger's corpse was a narrow stone passage hidden by centuries of dust.

"There wasn't supposed to be another chamber..."

Curiosity overcame caution.

Lin Tian entered.

The passage stretched deep beneath the mountain before opening into a magnificent underground palace.

Thousands of glowing crystals illuminated the chamber.

Ancient murals covered every wall.

One mural depicted a colossal golden dragon battling nine immortal kings beneath a shattered sky.

Another showed countless cultivators kneeling before a lone figure whose face had been mysteriously erased by time.

At the center of the palace rested a black stone altar.

Floating above it was a weathered bronze ring.

The moment Lin Tian approached, the ring began to vibrate.

An ancient voice echoed throughout the palace.

"Ten thousand years..."

"I have waited ten thousand years..."

Golden runes appeared across the altar.

The bronze ring slowly floated into the air before gently landing in Lin Tian's hand.

The instant his fingers touched it, an overwhelming torrent of memories flooded his mind.

He saw endless wars.

Ancient dragons.

Immortal emperors.

Broken heavens.

And finally...

A man dressed in white standing alone against an army of gods.

The man's face slowly turned toward him.

It was...

Lin Tian himself.

He staggered backward, his breathing uneven.

"What... was that?"

The Infinite Sovereign System appeared again, but this time its voice carried an emotion he had never heard before.

Hidden Legacy Detected.

Ancient Sovereign Ring Recognized.

Identity Verification...

...

...

Verification Failed.

Reason: Host is too weak.

Requirement: Reach the Spirit Sea Realm to unlock the truth.

Before Lin Tian could ask another question, the palace began to shake violently.

Cracks spread across the ceiling.

The ancient chamber was collapsing.

He quickly stored the ring and dashed toward the exit.

Massive rocks crashed down behind him.

Just as he escaped the cave, Elder Mo landed outside.

The old man looked at the destroyed cave, the lifeless body of the Crimson Flame Tiger, and the Spirit Crystal in Lin Tian's hand.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Finally, he smiled.

"Young man... tell me."

"Who exactly are you?"

Lin Tian simply bowed.

"I am only Lin Tian of the Lin Clan."

Elder Mo stared into the young man's calm eyes.

He knew the answer was incomplete.

But he also knew one thing with absolute certainty.

The Azure Cloud Sect had just accepted a disciple who would one day shake the entire cultivation world.

Far beyond the Heavenly Sky Continent, in a palace hidden among the stars, nine mysterious figures slowly opened their eyes at the same time.

"The Ancient Sovereign Ring..."

"It has awakened."

The long-forgotten prophecy had begun.

And destiny had finally found its chosen heir.

End of Chapter 4