17: Where did this stray dog come from!
After Azure Cloud Son left, the invitation from the Myriad Manifestations Academy was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples within the Lin Family.
“The Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering... gathering the Prodigies of Qingzhou...”
Lin Hao repeatedly chewed on these words, the longsword in his hand hummed softly, and the Battle Intent in his eyes was like fire.
He yearned to clash with stronger opponents and verify his own Sword Dao.
Ye Chen clenched his fists, his knuckles cracked loudly, and his Qi and blood slightly boiled.
“Prodigies? Just the chance to see if my fists are hard enough!”
The Ancient Desolate Sacred Body brought not only strength but also an arrogance stemming from his Bloodline that feared no challenge.
Lin Yun silently sensed the flow of the Starry Sky Annihilation Pupil power between his brows, murmuring softly:
“Myriad Manifestations Academy... perhaps I can find more records about Pupil Techniques...” His eyes were clear and firm.
Without Lin Dao needing to say more, the three had already deemed this grand gathering a goal they must strive for with all their might.
The entire Lin Family consequently entered a more intense state of preparation for battle.
Resources were further allocated, and their Cultivation became even more arduous, especially for Lin Hao and the other two, who practically lived beside the Family Dao Stele and the Heart Refining Road.
Lin Dao presided over the Quiet Room, but his mind was synchronized with the entire Family.
He could sense that the pale purple Luck, due to this external pressure and expectation, surged and grew even more actively.
Every Breakthrough and every bit of progress made by the clansmen transformed into pure feedback, continuously accumulating within him. Although it couldn't immediately break through the Heavenly Soul Realm bottleneck, it solidified his Foundation to a terrifying degree, making his Life Soul shine like a great sun, almost bursting out of his Physical Body.
He was not eager to use the treasury resources to forcibly attack the Realm, but waited patiently for the moment when the Family's Luck and his own comprehension naturally reached fruition together.
At the same time, he split a wisp of Divine Thought, quietly covering Qingzhou, gathering more information about the Myriad Manifestations Academy and the Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering.
Time flew by rapidly amidst the frantic Cultivation.
One month later.
At the end of the Heart Refining Road, Lin Hao faced the dual trial of his Heart Demon and Sword Intent illusions. After three days of fierce fighting, he finally shattered the illusion with a single sword strike, achieving clear Sword Intent, and his cultivation violently Broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer!
His Sword Heart became even clearer, subtly touching the threshold of the next Realm.
[Ding! Destiny Member Lin Hao Broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer, solidifying the Sword Heart Clarity Realm! Triggering High Multiplier Critical Hit, feedback cultivation +450!]
On the same day, Ye Chen charged into the extreme environment set up by the Family, which simulated the Underground Fire Cavern. He used the Underground Fire Evil Qi for Body Tempering, enduring inhuman pain, pushing the Archaic Savage Bull Art to the Minor Achievement Realm, his Qi and blood transformed again, and his cultivation stepped into the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer!
Every move he made carried the momentum of wind and thunder, and the strength of his Physical Body subtly exceeded the scope of the Spirit Sea Realm.
[Ding! Destiny Member Ye Chen Broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer, Physical Body strength greatly increased! Triggering High Multiplier Critical Hit, feedback cultivation +420!]
Lin Yun's method of progress was more peculiar. He often sat alone on the rooftop at night, activating the Starry Sky Annihilation Pupil to absorb faint Star Power.
Although his cultivation progressed slightly slower, stabilizing at the Innate Perfection Realm, his control over Pupil Techniques became increasingly refined. Between the opening and closing of his eyes, starlight flowed, and he could already execute simple Star Illusions and Insight Techniques, greatly enhancing his life-saving abilities.
[Ding! Destiny Member Lin Yun's Starry Sky Annhilation Pupil control increased to 7%, acquiring the Innate skills 'Starlight Guardian' and 'Elementary Insight'! Triggering Critical Hit, feedback cultivation +200!]
The Breakthroughs of the three once again drew a powerful tide of feedback. The cultivation accumulated within Lin Dao had already reached a critical point, his Life Soul surging—all he lacked was a catalyst.
However, before this catalyst could arise internally, external disturbances quietly approached.
On this day, several uninvited guests arrived outside the Lin Family mansion gate.
Leading them was a Young Master dressed in luxurious silk robes with an arrogant expression, holding a folding fan. His cultivation had clearly reached the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh Layer. Behind him followed two Elders whose aura was profound and whose eyes shone brightly—they were actually masters of the Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer!
Further back, there were more than ten Cultivators dressed as guards, none of them weak.
This group made no attempt to hide their aura; the powerful pressure mixed with arrogance enveloped the Lin Family mansion gate, causing passersby and the Lin Family guards to look over anxiously.
“Hmph, the Lin Family of Qingfeng County? Is that the Family that got lucky and produced an old monster?”
The silk-robed Young Master lightly tapped his palm with his folding fan, his tone contemptuous. His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for those inside the gate to hear.
“I heard a few lads from your Family are going to attend the Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering? This Young Master is in a good mood today, so I specifically came to offer some guidance, letting you bumpkins open your eyes, lest you go there and embarrass our Qingzhou.”
An Elder beside him added lightly:
“Our Young Master is the Young City Lord of Liuyun City. Liuyun City is a large city affiliated with the Myriad Manifestations Academy. Since our Young Master is kindly offering guidance, why don't you quickly call out your three so-called Geniuses to express their gratitude?”
His words were filled with condescending charity and arrogance, as if guiding the Lin Family was giving them immense Face.
Inside the mansion, Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun had already been alerted and came to the gate.
Hearing these words, Lin Hao frowned slightly, anger flashed in Ye Chen's eyes, while Lin Yun's gaze remained calm, the Starry Sky Annihilation Pupil power subtly revolving as he seemed to observe the opponent's true strength.
“Where did this stray dog come from, barking outside my Lin Family gate?”
Ye Chen, having the shortest temper, immediately retorted coldly.
“What did you say?!”
The Young City Lord of Liuyun City's Face instantly darkened,
“You ignorant fool seeking death! It seems if we don't teach you a lesson, you won't know the immensity of heaven and earth! Slap his mouth for me!”
Hearing this, a Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer Elder behind him flashed a cold light in his eyes, stepped out, and his withered palm, carrying fierce palm wind, struck towards Ye Chen's Face like lightning!
If this palm strike landed, it would be enough to severely injure an ordinary Spirit Sea Realm Cultivator!
However, just as the palm was about to touch Ye Chen—
Ye Chen did not dodge. Instead, he took a sharp breath, his chest swelling, and then let out an earth-shattering roar!
“Moooo—!!!”
Raging Bull Roar!
Innate Divine Ability activated!
A visible crimson sound wave mixed with majestic Qi and blood force erupted like a physical entity!
The attacking Elder bore the brunt of it, feeling his Divine Soul violently shake as if struck by a giant hammer. His Qi and blood instantly flowed backward, his rushing figure abruptly halted, his Face flushed red. He was actually shaken back several steps by the roar, his palm trembling, temporarily unable to exert any strength!
Meanwhile, the Young City Lord of Liuyun City, the other Elder, and the guards behind them were also shocked by this sudden terrifying sound wave, their Qi and blood churning and their eardrums buzzing, expressions of horror appearing on their Faces!
A Spirit Sea Realm Fourth Layer boy, with a single roar, actually forced back a Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer expert?!
“Seeking death!” The other Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer Elder was both shocked and enraged. He struck out fiercely, grabbing at Ye Chen with a claw, the power even greater than before!
But this time, before Ye Chen could exert force again, a clear sword light, like an immortal descending from the heavens, arrived later but struck first, precisely hitting the weak point of the Elder's claw wind!
*Chi!*
The sword light was sharp, carrying Sword Intent that tore through everything, directly shattering the claw wind!
Lin Hao stood beside Ye Chen, holding his longsword, his expression cold: “If you want to fight, I will accompany you.”
At the same time, Lin Yun silently stepped forward, a faint flash of starlight appearing in his eyes.
The Young City Lord of Liuyun City, who was about to pounce again, suddenly felt the scene before his eyes drastically change. He felt as if he was instantly placed within the endless starry sky, surrounded by rotating stars, losing all sense of direction, unable to even perceive where his opponents were!
Although this illusion only lasted for an instant before being broken by a protective Magic Treasure on his body, it was enough to make him break out in a cold sweat!
“Pupil Technique?!” He cried out in surprise, his arrogance finally replaced by shock and a hint of terror.
These three lads—one possessed boundless strength and a voice like thunder, one had sharp and precise Sword Intent, and one actually knew a strange Pupil Technique!
Could they really be cultivated by a small county-level Family?!
Although the clash at the gate was brief, it had alerted more people inside the mansion.
Lin Zhen appeared, bringing several Elders, looking displeased at the uninvited guests.
The Young City Lord of Liuyun City's Face alternated between green and white. Knowing he had kicked a steel plate today, staying any longer would truly cause him to lose all Face.
He glared fiercely at Lin Hao and the other two, saying with forced bravado: “Good! Very good! Lin Family! This Young Master has noted this down! At the Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering, there will be plenty of people to deal with you! Let's go!”
Having said that, he quickly left in disgrace, followed by his subordinates who were still filled with shock and doubt.
Peace returned outside the mansion gate.
Lin Hao sheathed his sword, and Ye Chen snorted, dissipating the Qi and blood around him.
The starlight in Lin Yun's eyes slowly faded as well.
The three looked at each other; far from being afraid, the Battle Intent in their eyes grew stronger.
“Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer, nothing more than that.” Ye Chen grinned.
“The opponents at the Grand Gathering will only be stronger.” Lin Hao's gaze was sharp.
“We must become stronger.” Lin Yun said softly.
This sudden disturbance, like a prelude, not only failed to dampen the Lin Family's spirit but further strengthened their resolve to attend the Grand Gathering, and also elevated the tacit understanding between the three of them.
In the Quiet Room, Lin Dao witnessed everything that happened outside the gate but did not intervene.
“Liuyun City... mere clowns.”
He commented lightly, “However, the Grand Gathering is a place where Dragons and Snakes Mingle; similar troubles will surely not be few.”
He slightly raised his gaze, as if piercing through layers of obstruction, seeing the distant Myriad Manifestations Academy.
“Very well, let this Grand Gathering become the stepping stone for my Lin Family to truly make a name for itself in Qingzhou.”