The Supreme Eternal Prime God : 1000x System From Beginning

Chapter 14 – The Tournament’s Shadow

The sun had barely risen over Azure Dragon Academy, its golden light stretching across the vast courtyards and towering pagodas, yet the air was already filled with restless energy. Conversations overlapped, voices whispered in hushed urgency, and for the first time in years, the entire Outer Court trembled with anticipation.

The reason was clear.

The Outer Court Selection Tournament—the one event that could redefine the fate of any disciple, the only true path to the Inner Court, the battleground where names were forged into legend—had finally been announced.

And this year, there was only one name on everyone’s lips.

Xiao Lin.

His meteoric rise had thrown the entire academy into disarray. He had shattered the hierarchy, torn through the strongest Outer Court disciples like they were nothing, and now, standing at the edge of the Inner Court’s gates, he was poised to make the final step—one that no one had expected.

And that terrified them.

Because if Xiao Lin entered the Inner Court, then it meant one thing.

His path to true power had only just begun.

The Outer Court disciples gathered in the central courtyard, standing beneath the towering Tournament Notice Board, its vast stone surface now engraved with new inscriptions—rules, match structures, and most importantly, the list of participants.

At the very top, written in bold golden letters:

"All Outer Court disciples at or below the Ninth Level of Qi Gathering Realm are eligible to participate."

A simple rule. A simple statement.

And yet, beneath it, a list of names was steadily growing.

Disciples from every ranking tier. Known figures. Elite warriors. Those desperate for a chance to rise.

And in the center of it all, one name stood out among the rest.

Xiao Lin.

Silence followed the realization, the crowd shifting uneasily as whispers began to circulate.

"He’s really going for it."

"Of course he is. He climbed the rankings overnight—why wouldn’t he?"

"But… this is different. The tournament isn’t just about duels—it’s about endurance. It’s about strategy. Can he really take on everyone at once?"

"He doesn’t need to beat everyone. He just needs to place within the top ten to qualify for the Inner Court."

"Even so… the Inner Court Elders will be watching this time."

The murmurs carried a mixture of awe, disbelief, and quiet dread.

Because Xiao Lin wasn’t just another competitor.

He was the storm that no one had prepared for.

And storms did not simply pass—they changed everything in their path.

Meanwhile, deep within the restricted halls of the Outer Court’s private chambers…

The air inside the dimly lit room was thick with tension, the heavy scent of burning incense curling around the figures seated in a tight circle, their expressions grim.

This was not a casual gathering.

This was a war council.

At the head of the table sat Huang Xue

They were all here for one reason.

To discuss the threat that had shaken the very foundations of their power.

Xiao Lin.

"He has to be stopped," Wei Tong spat, his voice still hoarse from his humiliating defeat. "We can’t let him reach the Inner Court. If he does, he’ll be untouchable."

Huang Xue remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Shen Hong, still simmering with frustration from Xiao Lin’s public dismissal, exhaled sharply. "He won’t be easy to deal with. We all saw what he did to Wei Tong—he’s not normal."

"Tch," Wei Tong growled, his fists clenching. "He’s arrogant. That’s all. The only reason he’s gotten this far is because we underestimated him."

Huang Xue finally spoke, his voice calm, measured.

"No," he said simply. "That’s not why."

The others turned to him.

Huang Xue’s gaze was sharp, calculating. "We underestimated his strength, yes. But more importantly, we underestimated his conviction. He doesn’t just believe he’s above us—he knows it."

A heavy silence followed.

And that was the problem.

Xiao Lin wasn’t simply strong.

He was certain.

There was no hesitation in his actions, no doubt in his movements, no uncertainty in his presence.

And that made him far, far more dangerous than any of them had anticipated.

Huang Xue leaned forward, resting his chin against his hand. "We can’t attack him directly. The academy is watching. But in the tournament…"

His lips curved slightly.

"Accidents happen."

Back in his training courtyard, Xiao Lin remained undisturbed

He had already reached the Fifth Level of Qi Gathering Realm, but he was not content to remain there.@@novelbin@@

The tournament was fast approaching.

And he would not enter it as he was now.

If he wanted to dominate—if he wanted to prove that the Inner Court itself could not contain him—then he needed to be even stronger.

Qi Gathering Realm, Sixth Level.

He exhaled slowly, his Supreme Divine Dantian humming with untamed potential.

Unlike others, who needed time, effort, and luck to reach their next breakthrough, Xiao Lin’s path was absolute.

His physique, his bloodline, his cultivation technique—all of it ensured that his ascension was not a matter of "if," but "when."

And "when" was now.

[Qi Gathering Realm: Sixth Level Reached.]

The surge of power was immediate.

His muscles tightened, his meridians expanded, his Qi became denser, heavier, refined to a degree beyond mortal comprehension.

But most importantly—his control had reached another level.

He stood, his golden eyes flashing with quiet amusement as he stretched his fingers, feeling the newfound weight of his strength settle into his form.

The Outer Court Selection Tournament was no longer just a challenge.

It was an opportunity.

Because while the others were preparing to fight for a place in the Inner Court…

Xiao Lin was preparing to take the entire academy for himself.

And soon, they would all understand.

This was no longer just a tournament.

It was the next step in his path to absolute supremacy.