C1: The day the trash awakened

The metallic taste of blood filled Lin Xiao’s mouth as he lay sprawled on the cold, damp floor of the dilapidated rear courtyard. Pain radiated through every inch of his body—broken ribs, a fractured arm, and a face so swollen he could barely open his left eye. The evening wind carried the distant sounds of celebration from the main hall of the Lin Clan, where his cousin Lin Feng was likely boasting about how he had “taught the useless young master a lesson.”

Eighteen years.

For eighteen years, Lin Xiao had endured this. Son of the previous Clan Head, he should have been respected, even feared. Instead, after his father’s sudden “accident” three years ago, he became the clan’s favorite punching bag. His cultivation stagnated at the pathetic Body Refining 3rd Stage while others his age soared into the 7th or even 8th. Servants mocked him behind his back. Distant relatives openly ridiculed him. Even the dogs in the outer courtyard seemed to bare their teeth at him with more dignity than he possessed.

Today’s beating had been particularly vicious. All because Lin Feng desired the daughter of a small merchant family, and Lin Xiao had merely been seen speaking to her in the market. No flirtation. No challenge. Just conversation. Yet Lin Feng had dragged him into an alley and unleashed a storm of fists and kicks while his lackeys cheered.

“You think a piece of trash like you deserves to breathe the same air as me?” Lin Feng’s voice still echoed in his mind. “Stay in your gutter, cousin. Or next time I’ll cripple you for good.”

Lin Xiao coughed, spitting out another mouthful of blood onto the dirty wooden planks. His vision blurred. Death felt close—comforting, even. At least it would end the endless humiliation.

*Why was I born into this clan if only to suffer?* he thought bitterly. *If there is any justice in this world, let me…*

【Ding! Detecting suitable host in critical condition.】

A cold, mechanical voice suddenly exploded inside his mind, cutting through the haze of pain like a blade through silk.

【The Eternal Grind System has successfully bound to Host Lin Xiao!】

【Host vitality critically low. Activating Newbie Gift Package immediately.】

Lin Xiao’s one good eye snapped open. A translucent blue screen materialized in front of him, hovering in the air yet visible only to him. He stared at it in disbelief, wondering if the beating had finally driven him insane.

【Newbie Gift Package Opening…】

【Reward 1: 2000 System Points】
【Reward 2: God-tier Comprehension Talent (Permanent)】
【Reward 3: Primordial Chaos Breathing Method (Divine Grade – Sealed)]
【Reward 4: Beginner Plunder Module (Unlocked at Host’s first kill)]
【Main Quest Issued: Rise from the Ashes. Repay all humiliation tenfold. Reach the peak of Tianyuan Continent within 10 years. Reward upon completion: Immortal Ascension Ticket. Failure: System Shutdown + Soul Annihilation.】

A surge of warm energy flooded into Lin Xiao’s body. The Primordial Chaos Breathing Method unfolded in his mind like an ancient scroll unrolling at lightning speed. Thanks to the God-tier Comprehension, every meridian pathway, every circulation route, every hidden danger became crystal clear in an instant. What should have taken months or years to understand was mastered in mere seconds.

Lin Xiao forced himself into a cross-legged position despite the agony. He began circulating the new technique.

Boom!

Spiritual energy from the surroundings rushed into him like a raging river breaking through a dam. His damaged meridians repaired themselves at visible speed. Bones cracked back into place with sickening pops. Bruises faded. Swelling disappeared.

Body Refining 4th Stage.
Body Refining 5th Stage.
Body Refining 6th Stage…
Body Refining 8th Stage!

In under fifteen minutes, he had skyrocketed past the realm he had been stuck in for years. Power—real power—flooded his limbs. The constant weakness that had haunted him since childhood vanished completely.

Lin Xiao stood up slowly. He flexed his fingers, feeling the explosive strength contained within. A cold, ruthless light flashed in his previously dull eyes.

“Eighteen years of being stepped on,” he whispered, voice low and venomous. “Eighteen years of mockery, beatings, and humiliation. Lin Feng… Uncle… all of you who watched and laughed…”

He smiled. It was not a kind smile.

“No more mercy. No more forgiveness. From today, anyone who has ever looked down on me will pay with blood and tears.”

He opened the System Shop with a thought.

【System Shop – Level 1】
– Body Strengthening Pill (Low Grade): 80 points
– Sharp Iron Sword (Mortal Grade): 150 points
– Healing Talisman: 120 points
– Basic Movement Technique – Shadow Step: 300 points

Lin Xiao didn’t hesitate. He spent 800 points on ten Body Strengthening Pills and the Shadow Step technique. He swallowed the pills one after another right there in the courtyard. Each one sent another wave of power through his body, pushing him closer to the 9th Stage.

God-tier Comprehension made absorbing everything effortless.

A soft footstep sounded behind him. The maidservant Xiao Lan, who had often sneered at him and reported his movements to Lin Feng, stood at the courtyard entrance holding a tray of leftover food. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw him standing tall and uninjured.

“Y-Young Master? You… you were half-dead just hours ago! How is this possible?!”

Lin Xiao turned slowly. The old Lin Xiao might have thanked her for the food or ignored her mockery. The new Lin Xiao felt only cold indifference mixed with long-suppressed rage.

“Xiao Lan,” he said softly. “You enjoyed watching me suffer, didn’t you? Every time Lin Feng beat me, you laughed with the others.”

The maidservant’s face paled. She dropped the tray and tried to back away. “Y-Young Master, I was only following orders! Please spare me—”

Lin Xiao appeared in front of her in a blur. Shadow Step was already partially mastered. His hand clamped around her throat like an iron vice.

“Following orders?” he sneered. “Then die following them.”

Crack.

He snapped her neck without hesitation and tossed the body aside like garbage. No guilt. No regret. Only the satisfaction of finally striking back.

【First Kill Recorded. Plunder Module partially activated. Extracting minor life essence… +50 System Points.】

Lin Xiao looked down at the corpse with emotionless eyes. This was only the beginning.

He changed into clean black robes, took the iron sword from the shop, and hid it at his waist. Tonight, he would not sleep. Tonight, he would begin collecting interest on eighteen years of debt.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, the moon hung high in the sky, casting cold silver light over the Lin Clan estate. Servants and guards who saw him froze in confusion. The useless young master… looked different. Dangerous.

One outer disciple who had once tripped him in the dining hall muttered loudly, “Look at that trash trying to act tough after getting beaten again.”

Lin Xiao’s gaze locked onto him.

In a flash, he was there. The sword flashed once.

The disciple’s head rolled across the stone path before his body even realized it was dead.

Screams erupted.

Lin Xiao wiped the blood from his blade calmly.

“Anyone else want to call me trash tonight?”

The courtyard fell deathly silent. Those who had mocked him for years now trembled.

He continued walking toward the inner clan area where Lin Feng resided, his steps steady and filled with killing intent.

The Eternal Grind had begun.