[Heaven Chosen Detected!]
The golden text flashed in Bai Zihan’s vision like a divine decree from the heavens.
His steps halted mid-way, eyes narrowing as another line followed.
[Scanning…]
[Heaven Chosen Profile Unlocked.]
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Name: Lin Xuan
Age: 17
Fate Grade: ★★★ (Three Stars)
Cultivation Base: Core Formation (Mid)
Destiny: Lin Xuan possesses an unnatural talent for learning that far surpasses the limits of ordinary mortals.
His mind is like a vast, open field that effortlessly absorbs knowledge, be it martial arts, alchemy, formation crafting, or the most ancient and profound secrets of the world.
In addition to his prodigious learning ability, Lin Xuan’s soul is immensely powerful, naturally resistant to any form of mental manipulation or illusion. His mind cannot be easily swayed or corrupted, and he is almost immune to mind attacks, spiritual coercion, and soul-damaging techniques.
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“Lin Xuan?”
Bai Zihan muttered his name under his breath.
He turned his head slightly, trying to remain subtle, but his eyes darted across the square, scanning the crowd like a hunter spotting his first prey.
(So the System could do this?)
Bai Zihan blinked, stunned for a moment. He hadn’t known the System possessed this functionality until now.
This was a game-changer.
He had always assumed he’d need to rely on instinct, caution, and careful maneuvering to avoid getting tangled with those protagonists.
That was also why he had never been afraid of people like Liu Tian or Shen Liang—individuals who flaunted their strength and ambition in an overt and flashy way.
That kind of behavior was too high-profile, too “loud” to be the style of a true protagonist.
But the unassuming ones—those who lurked in the shadows, unnoticed—that’s who he feared more.
And now… he didn’t need to rely on instincts alone.
Not anymore!
The System could detect Heaven Chosen and reveal their destinies.
Not only that—it told him what kind of protagonist they were.
This was huge.
Still, it was his first encounter with a confirmed protagonist. A part of him was wary.
Would this Lin Xuan suddenly fly into rage, assume he was an enemy, and try to fight him?
But… it didn’t seem like there was any hostility.
Bai Zihan’s gaze swept the training grounds once more. Disciples practiced sword forms, sparred, meditated.
Dozens of them, all in the same robes. Yet none stood out—at least, not at a glance.
But the name… the name was already etched into his memory.
Lin Xuan!
He repeated it silently, letting the System’s golden words echo again in his mind.
There was no divine aura, no shimmering glow, no destiny-mark hovering above his head.
The System didn’t highlight him with a red arrow or paint a target on his back.
Bai Zihan turned to Chu Ziyan, who was preparing to leave.
“Hey,” he said casually.
“Do you know anyone around here named Lin Xuan?”
Chu Ziyan blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question.
“Lin Xuan?”
She repeated, her brows furrowing slightly.
“Why are you asking about him?”
(Jackpot!)
Judging by her reaction, Chu Ziyan clearly knew who he was.
“Just overheard someone talking about him. Sounded interesting.”
Bai Zihan replied smoothly.
Chu Ziyan didn’t seem entirely convinced, but after a brief pause, she responded anyway.
After all, it wasn’t like it was some kind of secret and Bai Zihan could easily find the information from other disciples anyways.
“He’s… not someone you’d normally notice,” she said slowly.
“He’s not even an Outer Disciple. Officially, he’s just a servant. A handyman.”
That definitely caught Bai Zihan’s attention.
(Not even an Outer Disciple? Then what’s a Mid Core Formation cultivator doing as a servant?)
No wonder people used to call him a waste.
Even a handymanin the Heaven Sword Sect, had higher cultivation than he did before his memories returned.
Moreover, he had more resources, status, and connections than Lin Xuan—and yet, Lin Xuan’s cultivation is higher than his, before he had regained his memories.
Chu Ziyan continued.
“He was picked up by the Master about ten years ago during a sweep in the Eastern Front. A demonic cult attacked a small village. She arrived too late—everyone was dead. Except for him.”
(As expected of a protagonist.)
Even when powerless, doomed, and left to die, a protagonist survives. Their tragedies shape their destiny.
Otherwise, how is it not weird that a whole village is ruined but only one person remains alive.
Just from the backstory alone, Lin Xuan screamed “main character.”
And his current status as a servant?
Temporary for sure.
Bai Zihan was certain that soon enough, Lin Xuan would rise.
He’d be accepted as a disciple, then soar like a dragon and have his name spread throughout the Azure Sky Empire.
“So… he was taken in out of pity?”
Bai Zihan asked, feigning casual interest.
Chu Ziyan nodded.
“Pretty much. He’s quiet. Keeps to himself. Does odd jobs around the sect. Cleans, delivers things, that sort of stuff.”
Bai Zihan glanced toward the far side of the courtyard.
“And you’re sure he’s not a disciple of Heaven Sword Sect?”
Chu Ziyan shot him a sideways glance.
“Not yet. He doesn’t have the talent or the backing, apparently. But a few elders have taken notice. There are rumors he might be brought in as a formal disciple if he passes the next examination.”
Bai Zihan stayed quiet for a moment, letting her words settle.
(So that’s how it begins…)
The cliché—so familiar, yet always dangerous. A tragic past. A humble servant. Looked down upon, stepped over.
But one day, he would rise from the mud, sword in hand, and shake the heavens.
That was his fate.
Bai Zihan’s lips curled into a slow, intrigued smirk.
(Interesting!)
Chu Ziyan, still eyeing him, narrowed her gaze slightly.
“Why do you care about him anyway?”
Bai Zihan turned to her with a calm expression and a faint smile.
“No reason,” he said softly.
“I’m just curious about all my… fellow sect members.”
She didn’t look convinced.
The rumors surrounding Bai Zihan—that he didn’t even treat his own servants as people—weren’t exactly baseless.
Though it can be argued that it wasn’t just limited to the servants and pretty much every person.
Anyways, this sudden curiosity which was out of nowhere made Chu Ziyan think about just how Lin Xuan caught Bai Zihan’s eyes.
Still, she didn’t press him.
“Don’t cause trouble for him,” she warned. “He’s already had a rough life.”
Bai Zihan let out a low chuckle, his gaze drifting toward the shadowed edges of the mountain path.
“Don’t worry,” he said quietly, voice unreadable.
“Perhaps… being noticed by me would be his fortune.”
Chu Ziyan frowned slightly, not understanding what he meant.
She turned and left for her residence.
Bai Zihan stood alone in the courtyard, his eyes locked on a figure in the distance.
***
Lin Xuan.
He was there, as expected. Performing the lowliest tasks around the outer courtyard.
A few disciples gathered nearby, clearly treating him as nothing more than a tool.
They tossed chores at him without a shred of respect.
And yet, Lin Xuan never resisted. He accepted each task in silence—whether it was mopping the floor, lifting heavy barrels of water, or scrubbing stone tiles.
His expression remained calm, stoic, and unreadable.
No resentment. No anger. Just quiet diligence.
Despite the grime covering his clothes and the dirt smudging his face, Bai Zihan noticed something strange.
Lin Xuan was handsome. Strikingly so.
Even covered in dust and sweat, he had refined features and a natural presence—his black hair matted against his forehead, his jaw sharp, his eyes steady and unwavering.
That must’ve been why some of the other male disciples treated him so harshly.
Envy!
They saw how some of the female disciples were kind to him—treating him gently, occasionally sparing him kind words or a smile.
The jealousy was clear in how they treated him worst than servants and even ordered him in harsh words.
Still, Lin Xuan never flinched. Never retaliated.
He just endured.
Bai Zihan observed silently, taking it all in.
Though Lin Xuan’s situation was pitiful, Bai Zihan couldn’t help but feel pleased—because his suffering meant there was a chance to offer help and bind him with a debt of gratitude.
(Right now… he’s vulnerable. Looked down on. Overlooked. If I approach him now, befriend him, show him kindness… I might be able to control him.)
It was a rare opportunity.
Without another thought, Bai Zihan began to walk across the courtyard.
He didn’t rush. His steps were slow, deliberate, and filled with silent authority.
The moment he began moving through the square, murmurs spread.
“Hey, look—it’s Bai Zihan.”
“Tch! Look at that arrogance. Thinks he’s something special just because he got accepted as an Inner Disciple with connections.”
“Hmph! I’d never respect someone like him.”
“Wait… is he heading toward Lin Xuan?”
“Yeah, he is! What’s going on? Did Lin Xuan offend him?”
Whispers spread like wildfire as Bai Zihan strode through the crowd.
Even Lin Xuan paused in his task, lifting his head slightly to watch the infamous Bai Zihan approach.
Everyone was watching.
Curious. Cautious. Anxious.
Bai Zihan finally came to a stop before Lin Xuan.
He said nothing.
He simply stood there, staring at him.