58: The secret code of enlightenment changes into shadow, and the murderous intention is in the cave where the old man is.

The cave was deep and secluded, with gurgling undercurrents, and time seemed to lose its meaning here.

Lin Chen was completely immersed in the ancient, incomplete volume of the The Shadow Codex in his hand.

The patterns on the pages were twisted and abstract, the symbols obscure and difficult to understand, but with his enhanced Soul Power and deep understanding of Shadow Erosion Dou Qi, he was barely able to decipher some astonishing information from it.

This was not a specific Cultivation Technique, but rather seemed like an exploration log and hypothetical applications of the Origin of “shadow” power by a Senior expert.

Its bizarre concepts and unique perspective far surpassed the Dark Shadow Soul Binding Art!

The book regarded shadow as a unique dimensional power, independent of light and darkness, life and death.

It was not merely the absence of light, but the “backside of existence,” the “reflection of reality.”

Cultivating to a high Realm, one could even temporarily transform into a shadow, traversing the gaps of the so-called “Shadow Realm” to achieve an effect akin to instantaneous movement, or create “shadow images” that were indistinguishable from reality to confuse enemies.

Regarding the backlash problem that most troubled Lin Chen, the book also proposed several hypotheses: first, to seek and fuse with “Origin Fire,” a special type of primordial flame born between heaven and earth, using its Origin vitality to neutralize the deathly stillness; second, to absorb “Treasures of Vitality” from extreme environments, such as ten-thousand-year-old tree hearts or geo-core jade marrow; third… to steal “World Origin,” which involved attempting to steal a wisp of Origin power from other Small Worlds or spatial fragments with vastly different attributes to balance oneself.

This last method was the most dangerous and the most ethereal.

Lin Chen was utterly engrossed; the imaginative yet subtly Dao-aligned concepts in the book opened a whole new door for him.

Although he couldn't immediately grasp the profound content, some of the techniques regarding the application of basic shadow power greatly benefited him.

Combining his insights from Cultivating the Dark Shadow Soul Binding Art and the subtle changes brought by the lingering charm of the Wind Fury Dragon Flame, he began a new round of secluded Cultivation.

He was no longer content with mere devouring and concealment; he began to attempt more refined control.

He extended his right hand, and Dark Shadow Fighting Energy surged out, not condensing into a claw, but twisting and deforming like a living thing according to his will, sometimes transforming into a shadow shield as thin as a cicada's wing, other times becoming several flexible shadow tentacles, and even simulating simple weapon forms.

Although maintaining the form required more mental effort and its power was not as focused as a single form, its unpredictable nature would undoubtedly have miraculous effects in battle.

This was the more refined control over Shadow Erosion Dou Qi, inspired by the The Shadow Codex—the “Thousand Illusions Shadow Hand”!

He then attempted to create a “shadow image.”

Focusing his mind, he mobilized his Fighting Energy and Soul Power to condense a blurry black shadow beside him, similar in outline to himself but without substance.

The black shadow could only exist for a very short time and could not move, merely possessing its form, but it was sufficient to confuse an opponent's vision at critical moments.

This was the prototype of the “Dark Shadow Image.”

His greatest gain came from deepening his understanding of “Shadow Erosion · Body Fusion.”

He was no longer content with simply assimilating into the environment but attempted to perform ultra-short-distance “shadow leaps” while in the Body Fusion state.

That is, utilizing the continuity of shadows to achieve almost instantaneous movement between two shadows within his sensory range with virtually no interval!

This process was extremely difficult, requiring extremely high demands on Soul Power and Fighting Energy control, and each leap brought a considerable burden.

After countless failures and risks of almost being torn apart by spatial power, he finally managed to succeed once!

Inside the cave, his body suddenly blurred in one shadow, and the next instant, he had already appeared in another shadow three meters away, silently, as if he had been there all along!

Though the distance was short, its significance was immense!

This could be called a divine skill for self-preservation and assassination!

Lin Chen named it— “Shadow Leap”!

Just as he was immersed in the joy of his Cultivation Breakthrough, a very faint ripple suddenly came from the warning trap he had set at the cave entrance!

Someone had triggered the trap!

Moreover, the newcomer was extremely cautious, the ripple almost imperceptible; had his Soul Power not been strong, he would not have noticed it at all!

Lin Chen instantly awoke from his Cultivation state, his muscles tensed, all his aura instantly restrained to the extreme, “Shadow Erosion · Body Fusion” activated instantly, perfectly concealing him in the deepest shadows of the cave, his gaze sharp as he stared towards the entrance, his heart slightly pounding.

Had the Hall of Souls's pursuers found him? Or was it a Demonic Beast or a Cultivator passing by?

The footsteps were extremely light, growing closer, clearly indicating that the other party was cautiously exploring inside the cave.

Soon, a slender figure, using the faint light filtering in from the cave entrance, cautiously probed inside.

The newcomer was not wearing the black robes of the Hall of Souls, but rather a dark, form-fitting outfit suitable for movement, outlining her graceful curves.

Her face showed a hint of fatigue and travel weariness, but her eyes were bright and vigilant as she scanned the inside of the cave, clutching a short sword that emitted a faint green glow.

When he clearly saw the newcomer's face, Lin Chen, hidden in the shadows, was stunned, a flicker of unbelievable surprise flashing in his eyes!

It was actually her?!

Yao Qing!

The Young Miss of the Yao Family whom he had rescued from the Kui Wolf Gang in the outer Blackwind Mountains while she was escorting youying grass!

How did she find this place?

Countless questions and a sense of vigilance instantly flashed through Lin Chen's mind.

The Yao Family was just a Family in the Black Domain Grand Ridge; how could they track his whereabouts?

Was it a coincidence, or did she have another purpose?

Had she already seen the Hall of Souls's wanted poster?

Yao Qing seemed unaware of Lin Chen's presence.

She carefully inspected the cave, and only after confirming there was no danger did she slightly relax, leaning against the rock wall, taking out her waterskin for a drink.

Her brow was furrowed with an unresolvable worry and a hint of determination.

She murmured to herself, her voice tired yet resolute: “...The scent of the Soul Tracing Incense is strong here; he must have stayed nearby... I must find him... Only he might know what truly happened deep within the Blackwind Mountains that night, and only he can save Father...”

Soul Tracing Incense?

Lin Chen's heart tightened.

He immediately recalled that after he had rescued Yao Qing and the two others that day, the young man seemed to have excitedly touched his arm... Could it be that at that moment, he secretly planted this tracking item?

How could a local Family like the Yao Family possess such a thing?

Moreover, from her words, it seemed the Yao Family had suffered a change, related to her father?

And it also involved the great battle that night in the Blackwind Mountains?

Lin Chen's eyes flickered as he weighed his options.

Yao Qing's strength was probably at the Peak of the Dou Master Realm, posing no threat to him.

But from her words, it seemed the Yao Family had encountered trouble and wanted to learn about the Hall of Souls through him?

Was there some conspiracy behind this?

He remained still for now, continuing to observe in concealment.

Yao Qing rested for a moment, seemingly regaining some strength, and then began to search carefully inside the cave again, her gaze finally landing on the spot where Lin Chen had previously meditated and Cultivated—a trace of extremely faint, not yet completely dissipated Fighting Energy fluctuations and heat lingered there.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over, squatting down to sense carefully, a look of confirmation appearing on her face: “That's right, it's his residual aura... He was just here!”

She suddenly stood up, took a deep breath, and spoke loudly to the empty cave: “Your Excellency Lin Chen! I know you might be here! Please show yourself! Yao Qing has absolutely no ill intentions!

I swear by the name of the Yao Family ancestors that I have come this time due to unavoidable difficulties, and I earnestly request Your Excellency's help to save my father and save my Yao Family!

The entire Yao Family will be eternally grateful!”

Her voice echoed in the cave, filled with sincere urgency and a hint of pleading.

In the shadows, Lin Chen frowned slightly.

Yao Qing's demeanor did not seem feigned; that kind of desperate hope was hard to fake.

But he had experienced too much and knew well the unpredictability of human hearts.

Save her father?

What had the Yao Family encountered?

Why would they seek out him, a “Devil Head” wanted by the Hall of Souls?

This sudden plea for help—was it a trap, or an... unexpected opportunity?

He remained silent; only the gurgling of the undercurrents and Yao Qing's slightly hurried breathing could be heard in the cave.

After a long while, just as hope gradually faded in Yao Qing's eyes, and she thought Lin Chen had long since departed—

The shadow beside her rippled like water, and a pitch-black figure, without warning, silently emerged, standing mere inches in front of her.

A cold Fighting Energy, carrying a hint of sinister devouring aura, faintly enveloped her.

Yao Qing was so startled that she almost cried out, her short sword instinctively raised, but when she saw the pale yet young and indifferent face, she forcibly suppressed her fear, and her beautiful eyes instantly burst with light of pleasant surprise: “Your Excellency Lin Chen! You really are here!”

Lin Chen looked at her calmly, his voice hoarse and indifferent, devoid of any emotion: “Explain.

Start from the beginning.

If there is half a lie...” He did not finish, but the sudden drop in temperature around them and the faint murderous intent already made everything clear.

Yao Qing looked at the young man before her, who had once saved her, was now wanted by the Hall of Souls with a sky-high bounty, and whose aura had become even more unfathomable.

She dared not conceal anything, took a deep breath, and began to narrate.

(End of Chapter 59)