Chapter 3: A Bold Declaration
The grand hall of the Lin Clan was an imposing structure, built from ancient jade stone and adorned with banners bearing the clan's insignia. Today, the air inside was thick with tension as the clan's elders, all powerful cultivators in their own right, gathered to discuss the future of their legacy. They sat in silence, waiting for the arrival of Lin Zheng, the clan leader, and Lin Tian, the so-called "disgrace" of the Lin Clan.
Whispers filled the room as the elders exchanged glances.
"Has Tian finally decided to face reality?" Elder Lin Huo, the most vocal critic of Lin Tian, muttered under his breath. His eyes glinted with disdain.
"The boy's been nothing but a disappointment," Elder Lin Yu replied, shaking his head. "Even if he's the clan leader's son, we cannot afford weakness. Especially not with the pressure from the Zhang Clan."
Their murmurs were cut short by the opening of the great wooden doors. Lin Zheng, the patriarch of the Lin Clan, entered with Lin Tian by his side. Behind them, Su Yueling walked gracefully, her cold beauty turning heads even as she remained distant.
Lin Zheng's face was as stern as ever, but his eyes held a new light as he glanced at his son. The elders noticed the subtle shift in their leader's demeanor, but none could fathom the cause.
Lin Tian stood tall, his once frail figure now exuding a quiet, yet overwhelming, strength. Gone were the days of slouching and weakness. He carried himself with the aura of someone who had seen the truth of the universe, who no longer needed to fear or bow before anyone.
"Elders," Lin Zheng began, his voice steady but firm, "we are here today to discuss the future of the Lin Clan. For years, my son, Lin Tian, has been viewed as a failure. But I ask you to reserve your judgment."
Lin Huo, a veteran of many battles and one of the strongest members of the clan, snorted. "With respect, Clan Leader, we have all seen the boy's condition. The future of the Lin Clan cannot rest on the shoulders of someone who—"
"Enough." Lin Tian's voice rang out, startling the elders. His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable authority, a command that made everyone fall silent. Lin Huo's eyes narrowed, surprised that the young master dared to speak so boldly.
Lin Tian stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the room. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel like the weakling they had always perceived him to be. Now, he was more powerful than they could ever imagine, and today, he would show them just how much he had changed.
"I understand your doubts," Lin Tian continued. "For years, you've watched me struggle with my cultivation, unable to meet the expectations placed upon me. But that ends today."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. Something about Lin Tian was different. His presence filled the room in a way that defied explanation. They had all known him to be weak, but now…
Lin Zheng nodded toward his son, stepping back to let him address the clan elders. Lin Tian raised his hand, summoning a pulse of his newly unlocked **Pure Ancient Dragon Bloodline**. A radiant golden aura exploded from his body, filling the room with an overwhelming pressure that sent shockwaves through the hall. The elders' eyes widened in shock as the powerful energy surged from Lin Tian, shaking the very foundations of the hall.
"What… what is this power?" Elder Lin Yu gasped, unable to hide his awe.
Lin Huo clenched his fists. "How did he…?"
"I've unlocked my true potential," Lin Tian declared, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "No longer am I the frail boy you all remember. Today, I stand before you as the future of the Lin Clan—and the world will soon know it."
Without hesitation, Lin Tian activated the **Omnipotence** function of his system. His cultivation surged instantly, rising from the **Nascent Soul Realm** to the **Divine Transformation Realm**, a leap that was normally impossible within a lifetime. The elders could barely comprehend what was happening. To them, this kind of power was the stuff of legends, something that took centuries of effort to achieve.
"You see?" Lin Tian said calmly, lowering his hand as the golden aura slowly dissipated. "I have surpassed all of you."
Lin Huo, ever prideful and resistant, stepped forward. "This is impossible! No one can rise through the cultivation realms this quickly. What trickery is this, Lin Tian?"
"It's no trick," Lin Tian replied, his gaze piercing through Lin Huo's pride. "This is power beyond your understanding. And it's just the beginning."
Lin Huo, unable to accept this, unsheathed his sword. "Then prove it, boy. If you truly are as strong as you claim, let's see how you fare in combat!"
The other elders looked on nervously. Lin Huo was one of the most powerful combatants in the clan, his cultivation at the peak of the **Soul Formation Realm**. But Lin Tian didn't even flinch.
Without drawing a weapon, Lin Tian simply raised a hand. A surge of energy condensed into a golden dragon, coiling around his arm. The power was so immense that the air in the hall crackled with electricity. Lin Huo charged forward, his sword blazing with spiritual energy. But before he could even get close, the golden dragon roared and shot forth, enveloping Lin Huo in an instant.
The clash was over in a heartbeat. Lin Huo was thrown backward, crashing into the wall of the hall, his sword shattered, and his body trembling with shock.
The room fell into a stunned silence. The elders, many of whom had cultivated for centuries, couldn't believe their eyes. Lin Tian had defeated Lin Huo without even breaking a sweat.
Lin Tian lowered his hand, his eyes calm and resolute. "This is the power I now wield. If the Lin Clan is to thrive, we must embrace the strength that I bring. Under my leadership, we will become invincible. No one will dare challenge us—not the Zhang Clan, not the royal families, and not even the heavens themselves."
The elders, still reeling from the display of power, slowly began to realize the truth. Lin Tian had transcended them. He was no longer the weak young master they had once dismissed. He was something far greater.
Lin Zheng stepped forward, his voice filled with pride. "I stand by my son. He is the future of the Lin Clan. With him, we will rise above all others."
The elders could only nod in agreement. What choice did they have? Lin Tian had demonstrated power beyond their comprehension. To defy him now would be foolish.
Su Yueling, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, stepped forward to stand beside Lin Tian. Her icy demeanor softened slightly as she looked at him with admiration and affection. "You've proven yourself, Tian-ge. No one will doubt you again."
Lin Tian smiled at her, then turned to face the elders once more. "From this day forward, the Lin Clan will begin its rise to eternal supremacy. No one will stand in our way. And I, Lin Tian, will lead us into a new era."
The elders bowed their heads in respect. The Lin Clan had a new leader—one who would take them to heights they had never dreamed of.