“Hmph, the spiritual seed has only just formed. You’ve barely stepped past the threshold. You’re still far from truly mastering the Chaos Devouring Heaven Art.”
Xia Qingyue suppressed the shock in her heart and returned to her usual icy demeanor.
Lin Chen rose from the cauldron, water streaming down his now even more refined and hardened body. He glanced at her, his gaze calm yet deep, and said, “You’ve never truly fallen into the despair of endless darkness. You’ll never understand what even a single ray of light means.”
Xia Qingyue was momentarily stunned. For once, she fell silent.
The frost in her crystal-like eyes remained, yet something deep within seemed to stir faintly.
Lin Chen ignored her afterward and sank his consciousness into his spiritual seed.
The pale gray seed floated quietly within his dantian, simple and unremarkable.
Spiritual roots were divided into ranks one through nine.
Above the ninth rank was the heavenly-grade spiritual root.
On the Heavenly Sovereign Continent, a heavenly-grade spiritual root was one in ten thousand. No, even among millions, one might not appear.
In Luoyun City of Yunzhou, within the Eastern Extreme Region, even a fourth-rank spiritual root was already considered a rare genius.
Previously, Lin Chen possessed a heavenly-grade spiritual root and had stepped into the Spirit Realm at a young age.
His childhood sweetheart, now his mortal enemy, Zhao Wanling, possessed a fifth-rank spiritual root. After seizing his heavenly-grade spiritual root, she had been recommended by Li Qingyun of the Li Family in Leizhou and had already entered the Dragon Spring Academy in Leizhou to cultivate.
Now, the spiritual seed Lin Chen had reforged could not compare to his former heavenly-grade spiritual root, nor to Zhao Wanling’s fifth-rank spiritual root. It was not even comparable to an ordinary spiritual root.
Yet it was a ray of light within his endless darkness.
With it, everything was possible.
The wild joy in Lin Chen’s heart gradually cooled, replaced by an even fiercer flame.
The faces of Lin Hu, Lin Xu, Zhao Wanling, Li Qingyun, and the mysterious figure behind them surfaced one by one in his mind, like brands seared into his soul.
“Just wait. What I’ve lost, I will take back with my own hands. And what you owe me… you’ll repay with blood.”
This spiritual seed, which allowed him to cultivate again, was the first step of his revenge.
Next came devouring everything, increasing his cultivation, allowing this seed to take root and become a true spiritual root.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the essence of plants, the blood vitality of demonic beasts, medicinal pills, even the spiritual roots and cultivation of other cultivators, all would become his nourishment.
Without delay, he began circulating the Chaos Devouring Heaven Art and entered a state of cultivation.
…
Within the Chaos Space, 700 days passed, while only 7 days went by in the outside world.
Lin Chen opened his eyes once more, a sharp gleam flashing within them.
4th stage Spirit Realm.
Nearly two years of bitter cultivation had allowed him to recover to the 4th stage Spirit Realm.
“Too slow…” Find the original chapter at g.com.
Lin Chen muttered.
If he still possessed a heavenly-grade spiritual root, he would have at least reached the 1st stage Spirit Master Realm, perhaps even higher.
Now, the 4th stage Spirit Realm was already the limit of this spiritual seed’s cultivation speed.
If he wanted to accelerate further, there were only two methods, improve the spiritual seed itself or devour heavenly treasures.
At this moment, there were still eight days remaining before his life-and-death battle with Lin Hu.
If he stayed within the Chaos Space, he could cultivate for more than 800 days, reach the 7th stage Spirit Realm, and defeating and killing Lin Hu would not be a problem.
However, Lin Chen’s enemies were far more than just Lin Hu.
Zhao Wanling, Li Qingyun, and that mysterious mastermind… none of them would give him the luxury of slow cultivation.
“I must become stronger, faster…”
A resolute glint flashed in Lin Chen’s eyes. His figure flickered, leaving the Chaos Space and returning to his somewhat desolate courtyard within the Lin Family.
He planned to head to the Marketplace to purchase heavenly treasures and speed up his cultivation.
However, the moment he stepped into his room, his gaze froze.
Someone was in the courtyard.
Lin Chen was no longer the cripple who had lost his spiritual root. With his 4th stage Spirit Realm cultivation, his senses had become extremely sharp.
He immediately detected faint, stealthy footsteps outside the courtyard wall, creeping toward his room.
The visitor had ill intentions.
Lin Chen instantly concealed his aura completely. His body moved like a ghost, slipping into the shadows of the roof beam, merging with the darkness.
His gaze locked onto the door as he thought, was it someone sent by Lin Xu and Lin Hu, or from the Zhao Family?
Soon, the footsteps drew closer.
A man dressed entirely in black, his face covered, quietly pried open the door latch and slipped inside.
His eyes swept the room viciously before settling on Lin Chen’s bed. He lifted the blanket, only to find it empty.
Lin Chen felt that the man’s figure seemed somewhat familiar.
“Where is he?”
The man frowned.
The moment he spoke, Lin Chen immediately recognized him.
Lin Song.
Seven days ago, Lin Chen had defeated him in the Clan Hall, leaving him severely injured.
Now, not only had he recovered, his cultivation had even advanced to the 4th stage Spirit Realm. Most likely, Lin Xu and his father had provided him with resources to help him break through.
So what was Lin Song doing sneaking into his room?
Was he here to kill him?
Lin Song pulled down his black mask and cursed in a low voice, “Lucky you, you piece of trash, slipping away like that. Otherwise, I would’ve snapped every tendon in your hands and feet one by one.”
In the darkness, Lin Chen’s eyes instantly turned icy cold.
Failing to find Lin Chen, Lin Song turned to leave.
At that moment, a chilling voice sounded behind him, like it came from the depths of hell, “Lin Song, looking for me?”
Lin Song’s body trembled violently as he spun around in shock.
Lin Chen was already standing silently behind him, staring at him coldly.
“You… Lin Chen?!”
Startled, Lin Song took two steps back, creating distance between them.
“If not me, then who?” Lin Chen replied indifferently.
Lin Song looked him up and down. Seeing no visible fluctuation of spiritual energy from Lin Chen, a vicious expression immediately spread across his face.
“You useless young master, you’re about to die and still dare to scare me!”
Lin Chen frowned slightly, “About to die?”
Lin Song let out a cold snort. His aura as a 4th stage Spirit Realm cultivator erupted completely, his face filled with arrogance as he shouted, “Open your eyes and look carefully. I’m at the 4th stage Spirit Realm now! I can crush you with one hand!”
“Is that so?” Lin Chen sneered faintly, “Did you beg Lin Xu like a dog, wagging your tail for this 4th stage Spirit Realm cultivation?”
Lin Song’s expression instantly changed, rage blazing in his eyes, “You’re courting death!”
After being severely injured by Lin Chen, he had begged Lin Xu for healing pills and even swore eternal loyalty. Seeing his obedience, Lin Xu not only healed him but also helped him break through.
Now, he had come under Lin Xu’s orders.
His task was to cripple Lin Chen by severing the tendons in his hands and feet, ensuring that nothing would go wrong in Lin Hu’s life-and-death battle against him.
Lin Chen’s words had struck directly at his sore spot.
A vicious glint flashed in Lin Song’s eyes.
“Useless young master, I’ll show you the power of the 4th stage Spirit Realm!”
With a savage grin, spiritual energy surged within his body. His figure shot forward as his right hand formed a claw, tearing through the air with a sharp force aimed straight at Lin Chen’s throat.
It was a mid-grade Yellow-tier technique, Gale Rending Claw.
Seven days ago, Lin Chen’s displayed strength relied purely on physical power using the Mountain-Crushing Fist, reaching the force of the 3rd stage Spirit Realm.
That was his limit.
However, the 4th stage Spirit Realm was not something the 3rd stage could compare to.
Now, Lin Song was brimming with confidence. This strike would tear Lin Chen, whose spiritual root had been destroyed, into pieces.
Useless young master… die!