The Supreme Eternal Prime God : 1000x System From Beginning

Chapter 12 – The Weight of a Name

The news spread faster than wildfire, a storm of whispers and gasps rippling through the halls of Azure Dragon Academy, traveling from the farthest reaches of the Outer Court to the towering pagodas of the Inner Court where only the most elite disciples resided, reaching even the ears of instructors and elder-level figures who had long since dismissed Xiao Lin as nothing more than a fallen genius unworthy of their attention.

By the time the first rays of dawn stretched across the sky, staining the horizon in hues of crimson and gold, the academy had already been reshaped by a single, undeniable truth—Xiao Lin had not only returned, but he had done so in a way that shattered every preconceived notion about his strength, his potential, and his place within the cultivation world.

Wei Tong, one of the most dominant forces in the Outer Court, a disciple ranked among the very best, had not just been defeated—he had been humiliated, crushed in a one-sided display of absolute superiority, left broken before the eyes of hundreds who had once believed him to be unbeatable within his level.

And now, as the academy adjusted to this unthinkable shift in power, as those who once ridiculed Xiao Lin were forced to reconsider their views, as the Outer Court’s ranking board prepared to reflect this new reality, a single, unshakable question loomed over them all.

Who was Xiao Lin now?

And more importantly—how far would he go?

The ranking board, an enormous stone monument carved into the heart of the Outer Court, stood tall beneath the rising sun, its smooth surface inscribed with the names of every disciple, carefully arranged by merit, strength, and prestige.

Normally, adjustments to the rankings were gradual, slow shifts that came only after months of duels, training, and accumulated achievements.

But today, for the first time in years, a single name had climbed in an instant, forcing its way up the ranks with the weight of an earth-shattering statement.

Outer Court Rankings – Updated

1st – Zhan Kanzi (9th Level Qi Gathering Realm)

Silence.

Disciples gathered in stunned disbelief, eyes scanning the ranking board over and over again as if expecting it to change, as if willing the words to shift back to the way things had always been.

But the names did not move.

And no matter how much they wished to deny it, Xiao Lin’s rise was now carved into the foundation of the academy itself.

"What… what does this mean?" one disciple whispered, voice uncertain.

"It means that despite only being at the Fourth Level of Qi Gathering Realm," another answered, his tone carrying an edge of unease, "Xiao Lin is now considered one of the strongest in the Outer Court."

"But that doesn’t make sense," a third muttered, shaking his head as if struggling to process the reality before him. "How can someone four levels lower than the top disciples be ranked among them? It’s impossible!"

A sharp laugh cut through the murmurs, and all eyes turned toward the source.

Zhou Bei.

The same disciple who had attempted to intimidate Xiao Lin the night before the duel, only to be dismissed like an insect unworthy of attention.

His arms were crossed, his smirk wide, but there was a sharpness to his gaze that betrayed the frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"Impossible?" he echoed, his voice dripping with amusement. "Tell that to Wei Tong, who’s probably still coughing up blood after that so-called ‘impossible’ fight."

The words struck hard, and the crowd fell into uneasy silence.

Because despite their doubts, despite their unwillingness to accept the reality before them, there was no denying it—Xiao Lin had forced his way into the top rankings through sheer, undeniable strength.

And that meant that whether they liked it or not, he had already become a force within the academy.

But not everyone was willing to acknowledge his rise.

Not yet.

And that’s why, as the crowd murmured in quiet speculation, another figure stepped forward, his aura carrying the faintest trace of hostility.

Shen Hong.

5th Level Qi Gathering Realm.

The sixth-ranked disciple of the Outer Court.

The very person who now found himself one step below Xiao Lin in the rankings.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the name etched into the stone, his lips pressing into a thin line before finally shifting his gaze toward the man responsible for his sudden demotion.

Xiao Lin.

Standing at the far edge of the courtyard, arms folded, his golden eyes unwavering as he met Shen Hong’s gaze with an expression of absolute indifference.

"You," Shen Hong said, his tone carefully neutral. "You’ve climbed the rankings overnight, but I have yet to see if you deserve the position you've been given."

A hush fell over the crowd.

The challenge was clear.

Xiao Lin regarded him for a long moment before tilting his head slightly, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

"And what exactly do you plan to do about it?"

Shen Hong’s fingers twitched.

The underlying arrogance in Xiao Lin’s tone was undeniable, and it set something inside him boiling with frustration.

"Fight me," Shen Hong said, his voice steady. "Right here. Right now."

The air thickened.

A second duel?@@novelbin@@

So soon after Xiao Lin had already humiliated Wei Tong?

Was this foolishness… or desperation?

But Xiao Lin merely exhaled, shaking his head slightly.

"I don’t fight insects," he said simply, turning away.

A ripple of shock swept through the gathered disciples.

Shen Hong’s expression darkened instantly.

"You—!"

But before he could lash out, before his anger could spill over into reckless action, Xiao Lin turned his head just slightly, his golden eyes flashing with something unreadable.

"If you truly want to challenge me," Xiao Lin murmured, his voice carrying through the silence, "then climb higher first. Because right now, you’re not even worth my time."

The words landed like a thunderclap.

And for the second time in two days, the power structure of the Outer Court shook beneath Xiao Lin’s feet.

He did not need to fight Shen Hong.

He had already won.

Because he had made it clear to everyone watching—he was already beyond them.

And soon, they would all understand just how high he intended to climb.

Xiao Lin had shattered expectations.

And now, he was setting his sights on the next step.

The Inner Court.