Chapter 1: Didn't Get the Stone Symbol, Ended Up Checking in with the Yao Chen Ring's?

Da Yan Dynasty, Qingyang Town.

Several months away from the Lin Family's clan comparison.

In order to stand out in the clan comparison and gain the family's attention, the younger generation within the clan was constantly immersed in intense cultivation.

In such a fast-paced cultivation environment...

But there was one young man who seemed completely out of place compared to his surroundings.

The youth's name was Lin Yan.

While the other younger generation members were diligently working within the family, he was wandering around with an amazed expression.

After wandering almost the entire Lin Family compound, Lin Yan finally stopped and muttered to himself.

"So, you're saying..."

"I really traveled through time!"

Lin Yan gazed at the sky with deep emotion, but then sighed deeply when he remembered his situation.

"However, my situation is really pathetic..."

"No background to speak of. Both parents deceased, and during their lives, they were just ordinary disciples of the Lin Family, leaving behind only a modest inheritance."

"No talent to speak of. Lin Shan of the same age has already reached the fourth level of tempering, and people like Lin Hong are already at the sixth level. But I'm only at the first level of tempering."

"This is quite troublesome..."

Lin Yan said with a hint of frustration.

Arriving in a world like the one in Martial Universe, where the weak are prey to the strong, strength is everything. Without strength, you're worth less than a piece of dog dung and will become a plaything for others to manipulate.

Lin Yan didn't want to be a powerless ant, and since he came to this martial world, he also hoped to carve out his own path. It would be even better if he could find a few close friends. So, he had to change his fate.

"Oh, the small stone pool in the back mountain!"

"The original protagonist, Lin Dong, obtained the stone symbol there. Perhaps I still have a chance..."

Thinking this, Lin Yan hesitated no more and immediately rushed toward the small stone pool in the back mountain of the Lin Family.

...

"Is this the small stone pool?"

"Let's search quickly."

After searching for a long time in the back mountain, Lin Yan finally found this somewhat hidden place.

He didn't hesitate much, stripped off his clothes, and jumped directly into the pool, searching for the stone symbol.

If he could find the stone symbol here, perhaps he could replicate the original protagonist Lin Dong's journey and replace him?

However, Lin Yan was clearly a little late.

After thoroughly searching the pool for several rounds, Lin Yan still hadn't discovered a trace of the stone symbol. Instead, due to soaking in the pool water, he absorbed the last bit of energy, successfully breaking through to the second level of tempering.

But Lin Yan couldn't feel happy at all.

"Just some residual energy is enough to elevate my realm."

"If only I could find the stone symbol..."

"Oh well."

Lin Yan couldn't help but sigh.

He had already searched the small stone pool thoroughly multiple times. If the stone symbol were still there, he would have found it long ago.

Now that he hadn't found the symbol, there was only one possibility: Lin Dong had already taken it.

Thinking this, Lin Yan's expression became even more regretful.

He knew just how powerful the stone symbol was, and that's why he felt so regretful.

Especially since he was in a dire situation. Besides the stone symbol, he couldn't think of anything else that could turn the tide for him.

"Wait, shouldn't time travelers have their own systems?"

"Where's my system?"

"System!"

Lin Yan couldn't help but call out a few times.

But all he received was a deathly silence.

Seeing this, Lin Yan could only laugh lightly at his own naiveté.

He was indeed too naive. Reality wasn't a novel, so it was impossible for him to have any kind of system. He wasn't Long Ao Tian. Someone like him, a modern person, wouldn't have it easy after transmigrating to this kind of world, right?

With a sigh, Lin Yan climbed out of the small stone pool and planned to return to practicing diligently.

But unexpectedly, in the next second, a strange voice suddenly rang out!

[Ding! Congratulations, host. The system has been successfully activated!]

[This system is the check-in system. When the host successfully arrives at specific areas, they can complete check-ins and receive rewards.]

[Currently, the host has arrived at a specific area: Lin Family's back mountain, the small stone pool.]

[Do you wish to check in?]

The emotionless voice sounded in Lin Yan's ears without warning.

Upon hearing the system's voice, Lin Yan's face immediately lit up with joy.

Life's ups and downs were never more apparent than this.

When he thought he might gain a great opportunity, he came up empty-handed.

When he thought it might be nothing special, he unlocked the system.

"What a playful system! It loves to startle people!"

Lin Yan couldn't help but curse, then addressed the system.

"Check in!"

[Check-in started!]

[Check-in complete!]

[Congratulations, host. You've successfully received a reward: Yao Chen Ring!]

The system remained devoid of emotion, unaffected even after Lin Yan's curse.

However, it promptly completed the check-in as per Lin Yan's instruction. Following that, a black ring appeared before Lin Yan.

"Yao Chen Ring?"

"The one from Battle Through the Heavens?"

After seeing the system's prompt, Lin Yan was momentarily taken aback.

This person was someone he was very familiar with.

Xiao Yan, the Flame Emperor's disciple!

Known as the Pill King, Yao Chen!

Xiao Yan had considerable abilities himself, of course.

But it couldn't be ignored that Xiao Yan was nurtured by Yao Chen.

Without him, Xiao Yan might not have become the Flame Emperor later on!

Therefore, after this brief moment of surprise, Lin Yan became excited.

If Yao Chen were to teach him, along with the system's assistance, could he also become another Flame Emperor in the future?

Or perhaps even surpass the Flame Emperor?

That seemed like a pretty good outcome as well.

After all, in Lin Yan's view, if he couldn't become a Martial Ancestor, being the Flame Emperor wasn't bad either.

However, the biggest issue now was whether Yao Chen would be willing to help him.

With apprehension in his heart, Lin Yan directly grabbed the black ring before him.

As he did so, the system's voice disappeared.

Afterward, a transcendent-looking old man enveloped in a faint white light suddenly appeared before Lin Yan.

"Young friend, thank you for saving me."

As soon as he appeared, Yao Chen cupped his hands in gratitude towards Lin Yan.

Ever since the day he was ambushed by Han Feng and injected his last trace of soul power into the ring, quite some time had passed.

However, Yao Chen ring had never been obtained by anyone, so he had been stuck inside the ring all along, watching his soul power continuously weaken, feeling that he was on the verge of running out of strength.

Perhaps after some time, the ring would be acquired by Xiao Yan's mother. However, before that happened, the system brought Yao Chen over ahead of time and also helped him restore his soul power. So, naturally, Yao Chen remembered this favor and attributed it to Lin Yan.