035 : The Girl of Fate.

The next day at school, Lin Tian watched Su Yun more carefully.

She was popular, but not in the same way he was. Where people admired Lin Tian for his looks, they liked Su Yun because she was kind, warm, and always helping others.

But Lin Tian noticed something.

Sometimes, when no one was watching, her smile faded.

She would stare out the window, lost in thought, her fingers lightly tapping against the desk.

Lin Tian could tell—she was hiding something.

He had spent centuries reading people, understanding their motivations. And Su Yun… was not as happy as she appeared.

Then, during lunch, something unexpected happened.

Lin Tian had just finished eating when a group of students approached Su Yun.

"Su Yun, you should just stop trying," one of the girls sneered. "You're always pretending to be so nice, but we all know the truth."

Lin Tian's eyes narrowed.

Bullies.

Su Yun didn't react. She just smiled lightly. "I don't know what you mean."

One of the boys stepped closer. "You think because the teachers like you, you're better than us? That just makes you pathetic."

Lin Tian watched silently.

Su Yun wasn't weak—but she wasn't fighting back.

Why?

And then—he saw it.

For just a second, as she lowered her gaze, the same expression from his vision.

The look of someone who wanted to cry.

Lin Tian's fingers tightened into a fist.

This wasn't a war of cultivation.

This was something he had never faced before.

But one thing was certain—

He wasn't going to stand by and do nothing.

He stood up.

And for the first time—he chose to step into this world, not as a cultivator, but as a person.

"Time to see if I can handle this kind of battle."

The air in the classroom grew tense.

The group of students surrounding Su Yun smirked, their words laced with quiet cruelty. They weren't yelling, weren't making a scene—but their words carried venom, sharp and calculated.

And Su Yun—she just smiled.

Not because she was happy.

But because she didn't want to fight back.

Lin Tian's fingers twitched.

In his old life, things were simple. If an enemy stood in his way, he would erase them. If a sect conspired against him, he would devour their entire existence.

But here?

What was he supposed to do?

He had no Qi, no divine power—just words.

For the first time, Lin Tian faced a challenge that he did not immediately understand.

But one thing was clear—

He wouldn't just stand by.

He pushed his chair back and stood up.

The room fell silent.

Every pair of eyes turned toward him.

One of the bullies, a boy with slicked-back hair, scoffed. "What do you want, Lin Tian?"

Lin Tian stepped forward slowly, his golden eyes calm—but sharp.

"That's my question for you," he said, voice casual. "What do you want from her?"

The boy narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Lin Tian tilted his head. "You're here, wasting your time, talking to Su Yun like this. So tell me—what do you want?"

The bullies glanced at each other.

One of the girls frowned. "We don't want anything. We're just telling her the truth."

Lin Tian let out a short laugh. "Oh? The truth? Then say it to her directly."

The girl hesitated.

Lin Tian took another step forward. "If you're so sure about what you're saying, then say it straight to her face—without looking away."

The tension in the air shifted.

The group that had been mocking Su Yun so confidently a moment ago—now looked uncertain.

Lin Tian wasn't yelling.

He wasn't threatening them.

He was just standing there, looking them in the eye—and forcing them to face their own words.

The boy in front scoffed, crossing his arms. "Whatever. Let's go."

And just like that—they left.

The moment they walked away, the tension in the room disappeared.

Su Yun let out a quiet breath, but her face remained unreadable.

Lin Tian turned to her. "You let them talk to you like that often?"

Su Yun smiled faintly. "It's not a big deal."

Lin Tian frowned. Lying. He could see it in her eyes.

But before he could say anything—

She suddenly looked at him softly.

"Thank you, Lin Tian."

For a moment, something in his chest shifted.

It was… unfamiliar.

Not like gaining power. Not like winning a battle.

Something else.

Su Yun smiled again, then turned back to her desk.

Lin Tian stood there, staring at her for a long moment.

He still didn't understand this trial.

But something told him—he had taken the first step.

Later that day, Lin Tian walked home, hands in his pockets, his mind filled with thoughts.

The fight was over.

Yet he didn't feel like he had won.

Even after the bullies left, even after Su Yun smiled—he could still feel something was wrong.

"What am I supposed to do?"

In his old life, he knew the path forward. He would cultivate, grow stronger, fight stronger opponents, until he was at the peak.

But here?

What was he chasing?

What was the answer?

As he reached his apartment, he stopped in front of the door, staring at his hands.

No Qi. No power. No Devouring Core.

Just an ordinary life.

"What is my purpose here?"

And for the first time in centuries—he had no answer.

The next few days passed quietly.

Lin Tian observed Su Yun carefully.

She was always kind, always smiling, always helping others.

But sometimes, when she thought no one was watching—her smile disappeared.

Her eyes would turn distant, lost in thoughts she didn't share with anyone.

Lin Tian wasn't used to this.

In his old world, strength determined everything. If someone was weak, they had to grow stronger—or be left behind.

But here… strength didn't matter.

And somehow—Su Yun was still fighting something.

A battle he couldn't see.

One afternoon, as they walked home together again, Lin Tian finally asked.

"Su Yun."

She looked up at him, surprised. "Hmm?"

He hesitated. "Are you okay?"

Su Yun blinked. Then—she laughed softly.

"That's an odd question, coming from you."

Lin Tian frowned slightly. "Just answer."

Su Yun's smile lingered for a moment, but then—her expression softened.

"I'm fine, Lin Tian."

Lying.

He could see it again.

She was hiding something.

But unlike before, unlike battles he had fought in the past—he couldn't just force the answer out of her.

He had to be patient.

He had to understand.

And for the first time, Lin Tian realized—

This was the real trial.

Not finding power.

Not fighting enemies.

But understanding people.

And Su Yun…

She was the key to everything.

That night, Lin Tian sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Everything about this world, this life—was different.

There was no cultivation.

No divine power.

No immortality.

Just people.

And yet, for some reason—it felt even more difficult than the life he had before.

In his old world, the answer was always to grow stronger.

But here?

Strength wasn't enough.

For the first time, he had to find a different path.

And Su Yun—

She was the key.

Lin Tian closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.

"Five years."

That was his time limit.

And if he didn't find the truth—he would die.

His fists clenched.

"Then I will find it."

Even if he didn't understand love.

Even if he didn't understand emotions.

Even if this was the hardest battle of his life—

He would not fail.

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