57: True Yuan

Time passed bit by bit.

The cave was filled with the smell of blood and a strange scent like metal quenching.

The bloody hue on Lin Mo's skin gradually faded, turning into a jade-like pallor, with faint golden patterns flashing beneath his skin.

The oozing blood had long since dried into dark red scabs.

His breathing became extremely slow and long. With every inhalation, the thin Spiritual Qi in the cave fluctuated slightly, drawn toward him; with every exhalation, a faint gray-black turbid air was expelled.

The frequency of the starlight flickering on the demon suppressing sword on his lap gradually synchronized with his breathing.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

With the help of Medicinal Pills and some rare medicinal herbs Lin Mo had previously distributed from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, the injuries of Liu Qingli and the others had mostly healed.

They took turns guarding the cave entrance, both alert for external enemies and worriedly watching the figure inside, who sat like a stone statue.

Late at night on the third day.

Lin Mo's tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open!

Deep within his pupils, a speck of pale golden starlight slowly rotated before vanishing.

He let out a long breath of turbid air; the breath was so long that it condensed into a white arrow of air in the atmosphere, shooting out three feet before dissipating.

Inside his body, the violent and clashing energy turbulence had already vanished.

In its place was a brand-new, condensed energy that resembled liquid silver.

It was no longer simple martial True Qi, nor was it orthodox immortal cultivation spiritual power.

It combined the majesty of True Qi with the transcendence of spiritual power, and even carried a hint of the demon suppressing sword's heavy sharpness and the cold, silent nature of the stars.

It flowed through Meridians that had widened several times over and glowed with a pale golden hue, gathering within the slowly rotating hidden acupoints.

In terms of total volume, it was about thirty percent less than his previous Peak.

But in terms of quality, there was a world of difference.

With a thought, a wisp of pale golden energy with starlight edges seeped from Lin Mo's fingertip.

He gave it a light flick.

Chiss!

Silently, a thumb-sized, bottomless hole appeared on the rock wall three zhang away; its edges were smooth as a mirror, without a single crack.

True Yuan.

In his heart, Lin Mo named this new type of energy unique to him. He took the foundation of "True" Qi and the meaning of "Yuan" (Origin).

His cultivation Realm was now difficult to measure by martial or immortal standards.

His Physical Body strength had reached a new level due to this breaking and then rebuilding, and the reinforcement of his hidden acupoints and Meridians far exceeded his imagination.

His current strength was enough to kill those in the Late Stage or even the Peak of Qi Refining.

He rose slowly, his bones emitting a series of crisp popping sounds, as if he had undergone a complete transformation.

Chen Feng, who was on watch, immediately turned back alertly. Seeing Lin Mo's calm face and deep eyes, he froze for a moment before sighing in relief and whispering, "Senior Brother Lin, you're awake?"

"Yes." Lin Mo nodded, his voice calm yet carrying a reassuring power. "You've worked hard these past few days. How is the situation outside?"

"It's very quiet. Leader Si sent word twice; Qinglan City seems calm on the surface, but there are surging undercurrents.

The City Lord's Manor seems to be conducting a massive secret search for anyone related to the Crimson Flame Mountain Range incident, especially those who took missions from the Martial Academy that day.

Steward Wu of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion also sent a message, saying the Boss wants to meet you."

Chen Feng reported quickly, "Also, regarding the Martial Academy, it seems Principal Sun sent people to look for you, but our people managed to lead them away."

Li Chongshan surely wouldn't let it go, but it was unknown how he would act in desperation now that he had lost Advisor Hu and his connection to the grasslands.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion Boss wanting to see him now... the timing was delicate. Principal Sun... the stance of this Hidden Dragon Academy Principal was even more ambiguous.

"This place is not safe to stay for long."

Lin Mo glanced at Liu Qingli and Lei Meng, who were still meditating. "Before dawn, we will withdraw to Qinglan City in batches.

I have things to do. You head back to the Martial Academy or the Escort Agency first. Keep a low profile and act as usual; wait for me to contact you."

"Senior Brother Lin, you're going to act alone?" Chen Feng asked.

"To verify a few things."

Lin Mo didn't say more and picked up the demon suppressing sword. As the longsword entered his hand, the starlight flowed obediently, resonating faintly with the True Yuan in his body, as if it were an extension of his arm.

"By the way, take these." Lin Mo took out several small jade bottles and handed them to Chen Feng.

"Inside are Crimson Sun Pills I tried to refine using three yang grass as the main ingredient, combined with several herbs from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. They have miraculous effects on healing and stabilizing blood Qi, and might even help you with your Breakthroughs.

I'll have someone tell you the specific dosage later."

Chen Feng took them; they felt warm to the touch. Knowing they were precious, he put them away solemnly.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the Crimson Flame Mountain Range was shrouded in a lead-gray mist.

Lin Mo left the cave silently, like a ghost blending into the morning mist.

He changed into an inconspicuous set of gray martial attire and carefully wrapped the demon suppressing sword in coarse cloth, carrying it on his back.

Target: the Far East, the Endless Sea Eye.

He wanted to see for himself what that "void rift"—marked by the Ancient Array Guardian as "certain death, or a sliver of opportunity"—actually was.

At the same time, he needed to move away from the center of the vortex to digest his gains, clear his thoughts, and observe the reactions of the various factions in Qinglan City after his "disappearance."

Following a faint intuition and the general direction, Lin Mo's figure vanished into the vast mountains and the rising sea breeze.

Qinglan City, deep within the Hidden Dragon Academy.

Principal Sun Changqing frowned after hearing his subordinate's report. "Still haven't found Lin Mo? What did Sikong Xuan from the Heavenly Supervision Department say about the Crimson Flame Mountain Range?"

"Lord Sikong only said the mission is over and casualties were heavy; he was unwilling to discuss details. Regarding Lin Mo, he said the boy is quick-witted, has already left on his own, and seems to have gained something."

"Gained something..." Sun Changqing's knuckles lightly tapped the table as he looked out the window.

"Li Chongshan has been making frequent moves lately, as if looking for something, or... silencing witnesses. That person from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is also getting restless..."

He pondered for a moment. "Have our people continue to keep a secret watch, but do not take the initiative to contact Lin Mo. This boy is no longer a fish in a shallow pond. This storm has likely only just begun."

City Lord's Manor, study.

Li Chongshan's face was as dark as water, and a shattered inkstone lay on the floor.

"Useless! A bunch of useless fools! Gray Harrier is dead, Advisor Hu is dead, the item wasn't retrieved, and we lost so many elites! That brat Lin Mo must die!"

Kill intent boiled in his eyes. "And the thing in the Seal... the key must be in his hands! Order the Shadow Guards to find him at all costs and retrieve the key! I want him found, dead or alive!"

"Yes!" a cold response came from the shadows.

Hundred Treasures Pavilion, top-floor secret room.

Steward Wu stood with his head bowed.

Behind a bead curtain, a blurry figure toyed with an ancient jade ring, their voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable power:

"He actually went in and came out... It seems he is the variable we've been waiting for. Continue to watch him and provide convenience where appropriate. Do not interfere with his choices before he takes the initiative to come to us."

"Yes, Boss."