146: Chapter 146 Profound Techniques, First Steps into the Black Abyss
Commander Zhang chatted with Lin Yuan a bit more about the competition before finally leaving Lin Yuan's barracks.
Lin Yuan finally had time to take out the rewards from the system mission: three Martial Arts Evolution Pills.
Currently, except for [Spatial Rend and Kill] which was an S-grade Martial Arts, his other Martial Arts were all SSS-grade, but Lin Yuan did not plan to upgrade [Spatial Rend and Kill].
Because now that he had [Space Folding] and [Void-Breaking Palm], Spatial Rend and Kill was basically no longer needed.
"Old Chu, is there a level higher than SSS-grade Martial Arts?" With a big shot from the starry sky present, it would be a waste not to ask.
"Of course there is. SSS-grade is only Mortal Realm Martial Arts. Once you advance to the Transcendent level, there will naturally be higher-level Martial Arts. However, higher-level skills are no longer called Martial Arts, but are collectively referred to as 'Secret Techniques'," Chu Yunfeng explained.
"I see."
Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction. He just didn't know if he could upgrade his Martial Arts into Secret Techniques since he hadn't reached the Transcendent realm yet; he'd find out after trying.
Lin Yuan swallowed a Martial Arts Evolution Pill and immediately chose to evolve [Space Dimensional Slash]...
[Ding! Congratulations host, the Martial Arts Space Dimensional Slash has evolved successfully. After evolution, it is the Profound Mystery Secret Technique — Profound Mystery Dimensional Slash.]
"It actually works! This is awesome! To think I possess a Transcendent Secret Technique already; wouldn't its power be ridiculously strong..."
Lin Yuan was overjoyed and unhesitatingly swallowed two more, choosing to evolve [Space Folding] and [Void-Breaking Palm].
[Ding! Congratulations host, you have obtained the Profound Mystery Secret Techniques — Profound Mystery Folding and Profound Mystery Void-Breaking Palm.]
"With these three Secret Techniques, entering the Black Abyss is even more guaranteed. With my current base combat strength at the Ninth Order initial stage, and the boost from these Secret Techniques, I should be able to suppress a Ninth Order middle stage even without activating Divine Powers," Lin Yuan calculated inwardly.
"Old Chu, what does 'Profound Mystery' mean?" Lin Yuan asked about his current confusion.
"You actually know about Profound Mystery... Profound Mystery is the first realm after advancing to Transcendent. After the Martial God level is the true beginning of comprehending Profound Mystery. Once you comprehend it, you can advance to the Profound Mystery Realm.
Once you reach the Profound Mystery Realm, you transcend the scope of mortals and begin your first life transition. Your life enters a higher level, and your lifespan will also be greatly increased," Chu Yunfeng introduced.
"I see," Lin Yuan nodded.
Afterward, Lin Yuan checked Black Soul's memories. From his memories, Lin Yuan grasped a lot of intelligence regarding the Reincarnation Cult.
Furthermore, Lin Yuan was shocked to discover that Black Soul had actually comprehended the Dark Profound Mystery. It was only because he lacked the proper method during his life transition that his physical body shattered, leaving him to exist only as a soul body.
Later, his soul was controlled by Tu Zhenxiong using a secret treasure, forcing him to be used by Tu Zhenxiong.
"No wonder Tang Tianhao was no match for Black Soul before; it turns out he was a Profound Mystery Realm soul body," Lin Yuan realized.
"He is of course in the Profound Mystery Realm; it's impossible for a soul body to possess consciousness without reaching the Profound Mystery Realm," Chu Yunfeng chimed in.
Lin Yuan recalled the three conscious soul bodies he had seen; indeed, they were all above the Profound Mystery Realm.
...
Over the next two days, Lin Yuan took the swimming dragon sword and the Dragon Flame Ore to the military department's workshop. The Great Xia's number one blacksmith was there, and Xiao Zhantian had specifically greeted the other party knowing Lin Yuan wanted to upgrade his weapon.
Lin Yuan's swimming dragon sword was personally forged by the other party. By fusing the Dragon Flame Gold Essence refined from the Dragon Flame Ore into the swimming dragon sword, the swimming dragon sword immediately glowed with new brilliance, its grade directly rising to SSS-level.
Looking at the golden swimming dragon sword with hints of crimson in his hand, Lin Yuan gave it a few satisfied swings.
"Hmph, you kid finally have a decent weapon. Once that Huang kid finishes practicing the Sword Spirit Method, your sword can become even sharper," Chu Yunfeng said appreciatively.
Hearing this, Lin Yuan smiled slightly. It seemed that not devouring Huang Chaoran back then was indeed a very correct decision.
...
Today was the day to head to the Black Abyss. Lin Yuan set off from the military department and quickly arrived at the Yun City Airport. The other personnel going to the Black Abyss would all gather in Yun City.
After the Genius Hegemony Competition, the Mercenary Guild was completely wiped out. Their peripheral contestants had all been cleared out by Tang Tianhao, so their slots were filled by the subsequent contestants, making up a total of thirty people.
When these people saw Lin Yuan, their eyes were filled with awe. The scene of Lin Yuan powerfully crushing seven opponents at once was forever etched in their hearts...
Even when boarding, as long as Lin Yuan didn't board, no one else dared to move. Lin Yuan gave a helpless smile and had no choice but to be the first to board the plane under everyone's gaze.
The Black Abyss was located to the east of Great Xia, in the middle of a vast and boundless ocean, upon a massive island.
Calling it an island, it was actually larger than some smaller countries.
After the plane flew for three hours, Lin Yuan saw that massive island through the window. Four-fifths of the island's area was shrouded in a cylindrical black spatial barrier.
It seemed that inside the black barrier was the Black Abyss, the true center of the Blue Planet, a holy land where experts were as numerous as clouds and Grandmaster Experts walked everywhere.
After the plane landed, Lin Yuan and the others were led to the entrance of the Black Abyss by staff members specifically responsible for receiving them.
Looking at the magnificent, towering black barrier before him, a mysterious and oppressive aura rushed toward him.
Lin Yuan felt his blood starting to burn; this would be his last stop before marching into the starry sky.
Everyone lined up at the entrance for identity verification. Lin Yuan was the first; he simply swiped his crystal card, had his vital signs scanned, and smoothly entered the Black Abyss.
Once he entered the Black Abyss teleportation gate, he arrived at an ultra-modern metropolis. The technological products here were actually many years ahead of the outside world, making Lin Yuan click his tongue in wonder.
He had originally thought it would be bloody and cruel inside, and the environment would surely be dilapidated, but he hadn't expected it to be so clean and orderly.
While Lin Yuan was looking around, a staff member walked over with a crystal card hanging on his chest, which had the number "4" written on it.
The newcomer glanced at the card on Lin Yuan's chest and smiled slightly. "So you are this year's Level 3 crystal card holder. I am Chen Wenbin, a staff member of the Great Xia Alliance. Follow me."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly and followed behind him. "Alright, thank you."
"You look very young; it seems your talent is extremely high. Entering the Black Abyss for the first time, you must think it's different from what you imagined, right? Haha... you'll find out in a few days that it's exactly as you imagined. Don't be fooled by its appearance; this is a cruel world where the strong prey on the weak. Everything depends on whose fist is bigger!" Chen Wenbin advised.
"Yes, the Black Abyss wouldn't be simple; I won't let my guard down," Lin Yuan nodded.
Lin Yuan naturally wouldn't naively think this was a paradise on earth. Wherever there are people, there are conflicts, not to mention the people here were at minimum Grandmaster Experts. If it were truly that peaceful, it wouldn't be the Black Abyss.
Chaos wasn't scary; what was scary was if it wasn't chaotic. Lin Yuan was no saint.
Comparing whose fist is bigger? He had never feared anyone...