2: The Star Core Displays Its Power, First Hearing of the Sect

Power!

An unprecedented sense of power surged like a rushing river, whistling and coursing through Lin Yang's limbs and bones.

He lifted his hands in disbelief; his knuckles were slightly white from excessive force, yet he could clearly feel a scorching current of Qi swirling endlessly in his palms.

Deep within his Dantian, the True Essence that was once like a trickling stream had now transformed into a surging torrent. Every circulation brought a deafening roar, striking against the barriers of his Meridians, only to be gently supported by a warm, gentle force just before it was about to break through.

"The chaos star core... Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art..." Lin Yang muttered to himself, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

He slowly closed his eyes. Within his Sea of Consciousness, a gray-black crystal about the size of a thumb was rotating slowly, its surface flowing with a faint halo like a galaxy.

That was the chaos star core, which was currently emitting wisps of Chaos energy continuously, like the finest spring rain, permeating his Meridians, bones, and flesh, nourishing every place that was slightly fragile due to the Breakthrough.

Just half an hour ago, his cultivation was stagnant at the first level of the Acquired realm, suffering all kinds of cold eyes and ridicule.

Especially Lin Dongping, the son of the Grand Elder, who treated bullying him as a daily routine.

Just yesterday, in order to protect him, Uncle Liu, the old servant who had taken care of him since he was a child, was severely injured by Lin Dongping and eventually died from his wounds.

Thinking of Uncle Liu, Lin Yang's heart felt as if it were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, causing him so much pain he could barely breathe.

He still remembered when he had a high fever as a child, it was Uncle Liu who carried him on his back for dozens of miles through a rainstorm to seek medical help;

he remembered when he first Cultivated True Essence, Uncle Liu had smiled so hard his wrinkles bunched together, taking out the monthly wages he had saved for half a year to buy him a low-quality iron sword;

he remembered just yesterday, Uncle Liu had stood in front of him, only to be kicked in the chest by Lin Dongping, the blood he coughed up staining his washed-out gray cloth garment...

"Uncle Liu..." Lin Yang's fingernails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, but a brilliant light burst forth from his eyes.

The previous decadence and despair, like ice and snow scorched by the scorching sun, instantly melted away, replaced by a burning ambition and the fire of revenge.

He sat cross-legged abruptly, his hands forming the seal recorded in the Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art, and urged his Cultivation Technique with all his might.

The rotation speed of the chaos star core in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly increased, and the Chaos energy it emitted became much denser.

As soon as this energy came into contact with his True Essence, it was like boiling oil meeting a spark, instantly erupting with astonishing conversion efficiency.

The originally impure True Essence, nourished by the Chaos energy, became increasingly pure, and its color gradually shifted from pale white to a lustrous milky white.

"Third level of the Acquired realm..." Lin Yang felt the surging power within his body, and a cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth, "Lin Dongping, Lin Hongfeng... just you wait!"

But this excitement did not last long, and Lin Yang quickly forced himself to calm down.

He clearly knew that in this world where strength is respected, Heaven-Defying Opportunities like the chaos star core and the Chaos Swallowing Heaven Art were both his capital for revenge and the root cause that could lead to his utter destruction.

"The innocent man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." Lin Yang took a deep breath, his eyes becoming deep and firm, "Before I possess absolute self-preservation power, the secret of the chaos star core must never be known to anyone!"

He didn't even dare to imagine what consequences would follow if this secret were leaked.

Never mind those guys in the Lin family who were eyeing him like tigers, I am afraid that even those large Sects that only existed in rumors nearby, such as the Star Moon Sect that controlled the territory for a thousand miles, the Xuantian Sword Sect famous for its Sword Cultivators, and the mysterious Misty Immortal Palace, would all send experts to snatch it without hesitation.

At that time, not to mention revenge, whether he could even save his own life would be an unknown.

"Endure... must endure..." Lin Yang muttered in his heart, suppressing his surging emotions.

He needed to improve his strength as soon as possible, and the engulfing ability of the chaos star core might bring him unexpected surprises.

"demon core..." A flash of light flickered in Lin Yang's eyes.

The demon core of a Yao Beast contained pure energy; if he could use the chaos star core to engulf and transform it, it might allow his cultivation to improve rapidly in a short time.

Thinking of this, Lin Yang immediately rummaged through the boxes and cabinets to find an old, tattered wooden box.

Opening the wooden box, inside lay a few crumpled banknotes and some scattered pieces of silver.

This was the money he had saved over the years by living frugally, plus the money Uncle Liu occasionally slipped to him secretly, adding up to only over four hundred taels of silver in total.

He carefully took out a one-hundred-tael banknote and hid it close to his body, then carefully put the rest away.

After doing all this, he forced his still-weak body to stand, pushed open the creaking wooden door, and walked out of the secluded courtyard that had been almost forgotten by the Lin family.

Outside the courtyard was a narrow stone path, with weeds growing along the roadside.

Lin Yang walked slowly along the stone path, the sunlight spilling onto him through the gaps in the leaves, warm and pleasant, yet it could not dispel the chill in his heart.

He could feel that the True Essence in his body was growing steadily under the nourishment of the chaos star core, and every step he took was more steady and powerful than before.

When passing by the Training Grounds, several collateral disciples who were practicing punches caught his attention.

These people were sturdy in build, their fist winds sharp, clearly possessing decent cultivation.

Lin Yang subconsciously stopped, wanting to see what their strength was like.

"Hey, have you heard? The Star Moon Sect's triennial grand ceremony for accepting disciples is about to start again!"

A tall disciple punched a wooden stake, emitting a dull thud, his face filled with excitement.

"Really?" Another short and chubby disciple's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Where is the selection location this time? When does it start?"

"At the beginning of next month, the location is at the town square."

The tall disciple tilted his chin proudly, "It is said that the one in charge of the selection for our Baiyang Town area this time is a stunning Saintess named Bai Wanqing. Tsk tsk, just thinking about being able to see the Saintess's beautiful face makes me so excited I can't sleep!"

"Pfft, stop dreaming." A thin-faced disciple next to him sneered, "What kind of place is the Star Moon Sect? That is a true great Sect of the Immortal Gate, and their standards for accepting disciples are extremely strict."

"Let alone us collateral disciples, even the Geniuses of the main family might not necessarily catch their eye. I think only Brother Lin Dongliu has a chance."

"Lin Dongliu..." Lin Yang's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this name.

Lin Dongliu was the eldest son of the Lin family's Grand Elder, and at only sixteen years old, he had already reached the seventh level of the Acquired realm. He was the most dazzling Genius of this generation in the Lin family and also Lin Dongping's elder brother.

"But having said that, if one could be selected into the Star Moon Sect, it would be a meteoric rise." The tall disciple said with a look of longing, "I heard that once you enter the Sect, not only can you learn top-tier Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill, but you can also receive massive amounts of cultivation resources. At that time, let alone in the Lin family, even in the entire Baiyang Town, you could walk sideways!"

"Alright, stop thinking about those unlikely things." The thin-faced disciple patted his shoulder, "Hurry up and practice your punches; even if you can't enter the Star Moon Sect, raising your strength will allow you to get more resources in the clan."

The discussion of the few gradually faded away, but Lin Yang stood where he was, lost in thought.

Star Moon Sect... Saintess Bai Wanqing...

These names were like pebbles thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in his heart.

In the past, these high-and-mighty Sects were like stars in the sky to him, unreachable.

But now, the appearance of the chaos star core allowed him to see a glimmer of possibility to touch the stars.

"Star Moon Sect, huh..." A meaningful smile curled at the corner of Lin Yang's mouth, "Perhaps, this will be the Opportunity for my rise."

He did not linger any longer, quickening his pace towards the market in the center of town.

He needed to buy a demon core as soon as possible to test the engulfing ability of the chaos star core, and then seize the time to improve his strength.

Whether for revenge or to seize this Opportunity that could change his destiny, he must become stronger as soon as possible.

Lin Yang's eyes became increasingly firm, and his footsteps became more hurried.

Sunlight spilled onto him, as if plating him with a layer of golden armor, signaling that a legend belonging to him was about to unfold.