11: Stone chips flying

Beneath Lin Ye's calm exterior, a torrent of power surged, threatening to burst forth.

The transformative feeling brought by the Minor Achievement Realm of Iron Sand Palm was so intense that he was constantly in a state of both excitement and torment.

He urgently wanted to know the limit of the strength in his hands!

"I must find a place to test it!"

This thought, like a wildfire across the plains, grew wildly in his heart and could no longer be suppressed.

Today's first task was to fetch water from the back mountain, which presented an excellent opportunity.

The path to the mountain stream inevitably passed by the Outer Sect testing grounds.

Lin Ye deliberately walked at the very back of the group, his steps gradually slowing, creating a distance between himself and the main contingent.

When the leading Disciple's figure vanished around the mountain path's bend, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he unhesitatingly turned, darting into the small path leading to the testing grounds!

He had to be fast! He needed to complete the test and catch up with the group before anyone noticed his absence!

This was an adventure for him, but to verify his power, he was willing to take the risk.

Soon, the familiar open flat ground appeared before his eyes.

The testing grounds were deserted in the early morning, with only the chilly mountain wind whistling through the equipment.

On the flat ground, various testing apparatus were scattered in an orderly fashion.

There were black iron stakes as thick as a bowl, covered with dense fist prints and marks from sword and axe strikes; there were also bluestones, varying in size and taller than a person, specifically used to test palm and fist strength.

At this moment, these cold instruments stood silently in the morning light, like a herd of silent behemoths.

Lin Ye looked around, confirming there were no signs of anyone; the entire world seemed to contain only himself and the gentle sound of the wind.

He walked to the center of the grounds, his gaze finally settling on a square bluestone, half a person's height and entirely grayish-blue.

This type of bluestone was incredibly hard; an ordinary strong man striking it fiercely with an iron hammer might not even leave a scratch.

In the Outer Sect, only those Disciples whose Cultivation had reached the third level of the Qi Refinement Stage or above, and who had Cultivated some offensive Martial Skill, could possibly leave a clear mark on it.

Lin Ye remembered that just half a month ago, he had personally watched Zhao Tian test himself before this bluestone.

Zhao Tian had used all his might, yet he had only left a shallow, almost imperceptible white fist print on the bluestone's surface, which nevertheless drew cheers from his few followers.

"This is it!"

Lin Ye took a deep breath and slowly walked up to the bluestone.

He extended his left hand, gently touching the cold, rough surface of the bluestone, a chill spreading from his fingertips.

He closed his eyes, shutting out all external distractions.

The daytime clamor, the snoring of his fellow Disciples, Zhao Tian's sneer... everything faded away at this moment.

His heart was like an ancient well, without a ripple.

In his mind, all the methods and Coiling Force routes of the Minor Achievement Realm of Iron Sand Palm clearly emerged.

The next moment, he suddenly opened his eyes!

A sharp glint flashed through his dark pupils!

He lowered his waist, stood firm, and slightly retracted his right arm.

The power within him was no longer a warm flow, but a scorching Coiling Force filled with explosive power!

Under the guidance of his will, this Coiling Force instantly surged from his Dantian, violently rushing along the Meridians of his arm towards his right palm!

"Om--"

At this instant, his right palm seemed to deepen in color by several shades, presenting a peculiar hue between bronze and dark red, and a branding-iron-like burning sensation came from its center.

"Hup!"

Lin Ye let out a low, suppressed roar!

He took a step forward, and all the power of his body—waist, hips, shoulders, arms—perfectly twisted into one!

His right hand, imbued with the full power of the Minor Achievement Realm of Iron Sand Palm, brought a fierce wind that tore through the air, without any embellishment, solidly and forcefully striking the cold bluestone!

"Bang!!!"

A dull, yet incredibly penetrating roar suddenly erupted in the silent night!

The moment his palm contacted the bluestone, Lin Ye felt a powerful force rebound from within the bluestone, numbing his entire arm.

But he didn't even take half a step back!

He stared intently ahead, his eyes almost popping out!

He saw that, centered on his palm, the hard bluestone surface rippled visibly, like a calm lake into which a stone had been thrown!

Immediately after—

"Crack... crackle..."

A teeth-grinding sound of shattering echoed!

Fine, spiderweb-like cracks furiously spread outwards from his palm!

Puff!

The next instant, countless stone chips and powder, as if detonated from within by a massive force, violently sprayed outwards!

Stone chips flew everywhere!

Lin Ye subconsciously raised his left hand to shield his face, allowing the tiny stones to patter against his body, causing a slight stinging sensation.

When all the dust settled, he slowly lowered his arm, looking at the bluestone in disbelief.

He was struck by lightning, completely frozen on the spot!

On the originally smooth surface of the bluestone, a palm print, half an inch deep and surrounded by cracks, had appeared!

The shape of the palm print was identical to his right hand, and even the lines of his palm were clearly visible!

"This... this was made by me...?"

Lin Ye's voice trembled.

He extended his still slightly numb right hand, then looked at the shocking palm print, feeling as if he were dreaming.

This power... was ten times stronger than he had imagined!

Zhao Tian's shallow white fist print was like a child's scribble compared to his half-inch deep palm print!

An indescribable ecstasy, like a mountain torrent, instantly broke through the dam of his reason, sweeping over his entire being!

He succeeded! He really succeeded!

Lin Ye gasped excitedly, his chest heaving violently, wishing he could let out a long howl to vent the excitement and thrill in his heart.

But his remaining reason made him suppress this impulse.

He suddenly turned his head, vigilantly scanning his surroundings, confirming that no one had been startled by the loud noise just now.

Fortunately, it was secluded enough here, and the sound wouldn't travel far.

After the immense surprise came a deep sense of lingering fear.

He realized that he had been somewhat impulsive just now; if this power were exposed, it would bring him not glory, but endless trouble, and even a deadly calamity!

He must be even more careful and cautious than before!

Lin Ye took one last deep look at the palm print, as if to forever engrave this fruit of victory in his heart.

Then, without any reluctance, he turned and swiftly departed.

But his heart was still pounding violently.

The taste of power was so... captivating!