Lin Tian slowly opened his eyes.
The endless darkness was gone.
The old man had disappeared.
He was back in the Black Mist Mountains.
The moon still hung high in the sky.
It was as if no time had passed at all.
Lin Tian slowly sat up.
His body still hurt from the Shadow Wolf’s attack, but something felt different.
His mind was clear.
His senses were sharper.
He could hear the leaves moving in the trees.
He could hear insects crawling beneath the rocks.
Even the gentle wind felt alive.
“So…” “It wasn’t a dream.” A calm voice echoed inside his mind.
“Of course it wasn’t.” Lin Tian jumped in surprise.
“Master?” The old man laughed.
“I now reside within the Heavenly Origin Pendant.” “You may speak to me with your thoughts.” Lin Tian looked around.
“No one else can hear you?” “No.” “Our conversations are known only to us.” Lin Tian let out a slow breath.
He still had countless questions.
But one mattered more than all the others.
“Can I really cultivate?” The old man answered without hesitation.
“You can.” “And you will surpass everyone who mocked you.” Hope filled Lin Tian’s heart.
“What should I do first?” “Cultivate.” The old man’s voice became serious.
“Sit down.” “Clear your mind.” “And circulate the Heaven-Devouring Eternal Art.” Lin Tian found a flat stone and sat cross-legged.
He closed his eyes.
The cultivation technique appeared in his mind as if it had always been there.
He followed the instructions carefully.
At first…
Nothing happened.
A few moments later…
A gentle stream of Spiritual Qi floated toward him.
Then another.
Then another.
Within seconds…
The surrounding Spiritual Qi rushed toward Lin Tian like rivers flowing into the sea.
The old man’s eyes widened.
“Interesting…” Lin Tian remained focused.
More and more Spiritual Qi entered his body.
It flowed through his meridians.
Instead of causing pain…
It felt warm.
Comfortable.
His Heaven-Forbidden Root greedily absorbed every strand of energy.
The Spiritual Qi became faster.
The trees around him began to sway.
Leaves circled his body.
Even the surrounding air trembled.
“What is happening?” Lin Tian asked.
The old man smiled.
“The Heaven-Forbidden Root…” “It doesn’t simply absorb Spiritual Qi.” “It devours it.” Boom!
A powerful wave of energy burst from Lin Tian’s body.
The ground beneath him cracked.
His aura became much stronger.
The old man nodded with satisfaction.
“You’ve broken through.” Lin Tian slowly opened his eyes.
“I…
I reached Body Tempering Second Stage?” The old man shook his head.
“Look again.” Lin Tian carefully examined his body.
His eyes widened.
“No way…” “I reached the Third Stage?” The old man laughed.
“You broke through three stages in a single night.” Lin Tian couldn’t believe it.
Other disciples needed months to achieve what he had done in only a few hours.
“So this is the Heaven-Forbidden Root…” The old man smiled.
“And this is only the beginning.” Just then…
A distant roar echoed through the mountains.
Several birds suddenly flew into the night sky.
The old man’s expression changed.
“Someone is coming.” Lin Tian immediately stood up.
“Who?” “I don’t know.” “But they’re strong.” Very strong.
A few moments later…
Voices echoed through the forest.
“Search everywhere!” “The strange Spiritual Qi explosion came from this direction!” “It must be a treasure!” Torchlight appeared between the trees.
Several cultivators wearing black robes quickly spread through the forest.
One of them stopped.
He looked directly toward Lin Tian’s hiding place.
“I found footprints.” Lin Tian held his breath.
The old man’s voice became cold.
“Do not fight.” “You are far too weak.” “Run.” Without another word…
Lin Tian turned and disappeared deeper into the Black Mist Mountains.
Behind him…
The mysterious black-robed cultivators began the chase.
End of Chapter 2