108: Seven trials to temper the body and refine the mind

The First Trial Space.

Lin Yang felt as if he were at the center of a cosmic storm, surrounded by violently raging Chaos turbulence. Every current contained terrifying power capable of tearing apart Protective Aura and annihilating the Divine Soul.

What was even more terrifying was an invisible, immense pressure coming from all directions, crazily squeezing his Physical Body and Soul, attempting to grind him into dust!

"Testing strength and the Physical Body?" Lin Yang instantly realized. He immediately activated the newly mastered Divine Refining Art, while Chaos Gang Qi emanated from his body to form a protective shield.

Chi chi chi!

The Chaos turbulence constantly washed over the shield, emitting teeth-grinding sounds. The shield fluctuated violently, as if it might shatter at any moment. The immense pressure was pervasive, causing his bones to creak.

"Heaven Swallowing Art!" Lin Yang roared, operating his Cultivation Technique with all his might, simultaneously resisting and attempting to swallow and refine a wisp of the Chaos turbulence.

However, the Chaos energy here was a hundred times more violent and purer than that of the outside world. Swallowing it was exceptionally difficult, and his Meridians throbbed with a pain like cutting knives.

He gritted his teeth and held on tightly. He knew well that this was both a trial and a tempering! If he could persist here and gain some insight into the Divine Refining Art, both his Physical Body and Protective Aura would receive unimaginable refinement.

He did not know how much time had passed, but just as his Protective Aura was about to be exhausted and his Physical Body was on the verge of collapse, he finally had a glimmer of insight into operating the Divine Refining Art, and the efficiency of absorbing Chaos energy improved slightly. The pressure around him suddenly eased.

The First Trial, passed!

The Second Trial, Heart Demon Illusion.

Lin Yang found himself back in the Lin family's woodshed. The old servant, Uncle Liu, was being beaten to death by Luo Hu, while he himself could not move, helpless... The scene shifted; the Star Moon Sect Sect Master was entrusting him with his dying wish, his eyes earnest... It shifted again; his mother's blurry figure was calling from afar, yet he could not get close... Various scenes of his deepest fears, regrets, and obsessions played in turns, assaulting his Dao Heart.

Lin Yang's Dao Heart was firm; he knew this was an illusion. Yet, the emotional impact was incredibly real. He held onto a sliver of clarity in his mind, aided by the Clear Heart Art (inspired by Bai Wanqing), letting the illusion rise and fall while he remained unmoved. Finally, the illusion shattered.

The Second Trial, passed!

The Third Trial, Comprehension Ability test.

Countless incomplete Chaos runes appeared in the air. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he needed to deduce and complete a basic Chaos Spell from them. For Lin Yang, who possessed the chaos star core and had extremely high affinity for Chaos Laws, this was actually not the hardest part. He sank his consciousness into the star core and, with the aid of its deductive power, successfully completed it.

The Third Trial, passed!

The Fourth Trial, energy control.

He needed to precisely manipulate Chaos True Essence simultaneously to condense it into weapons, shields, and living creatures of different forms, and maintain their stability. This tested the ultimate control over power. Lin Yang's Soul power was strong, and with the assistance of the star core, although there were setbacks, he ultimately succeeded.

The Fourth Trial, passed!

The Fifth Trial, combat.

The opponent was a combat puppet condensed from Chaos energy. Its strength would adjust according to the challenger's cultivation level, but its combat instincts were extremely strong, and it was fearless of death. Lin Yang exhausted all his methods, using the Chaos Domain, Protective Aura manifestation, Calamity Finger, and Annihilation Fist alternately. After a bitter battle, he finally shattered the combat puppet, though he himself sustained significant injuries.

The Fifth Trial, passed!

The Sixth Trial, Law affinity.

He needed to sense and capture a sliver of a specific basic Law fragment (such as Strength, Speed, or Defense) within a void of Chaos. For Lin Yang, this was practically a freebie. The chaos star core vibrated slightly, and he easily captured it.

The Sixth Trial, passed!

Six consecutive trials, each incredibly difficult. Lin Yang had reached his limit many times and even suffered heavy injuries, but relying on his tenacious will, strong foundation, and the assistance of the chaos star core, he forcefully endured. His aura became more restrained and refined, his eyes deeper, the Divine Refining Art had initially reached a proficient level, and his Physical Body strength had greatly increased.

Now, only the final Seventh Trial remained!

He adjusted his breathing for a long time, restoring his state to the Peak, and resolutely pushed open the seventh giant door.

Behind the door, it was not the violent energy or powerful enemies he had imagined, but only an endless Chaos Void Realm. Floating in the void was a speck of faint light.

It was an aged, blurry figure composed of Chaos Qi. He slowly turned around, his gaze seemingly able to see through the ages, landing on Lin Yang.

"Latecomer, to be able to reach this place already proves that your Aptitude, Heart-Nature, and Comprehension Ability are all top-tier."

"However, the path of the Chaos Star Lord cannot be undertaken by one without great perseverance, great Opportunity, and great Karma."

"The final trial... withstand one strike from me... if you do not die... you shall receive the Legacy!"

Before his voice had even faded, the blurry figure slowly raised a finger and lightly pointed at Lin Yang.

In an instant, Lin Yang felt the power of the entire Chaos Universe crushing down upon him! That was an irresistible, unavoidable, and purely ultimate power of the Origin!

His pupils constricted sharply as he felt an unprecedented crisis of death!