Lin Yu sat quietly in the secluded meditation chamber of the Qingyun Sect, his entire body enveloped in a dense and violent surge of spiritual energy, making him feel as though he were adrift in an ocean of power. With his eyes tightly shut, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his expression was slightly distorted in pain as the spiritual energy inside him waged a turbulent, violent battle.
"I must succeed! For myself, and for my good brother, I have to break through!" Lin Yu shouted inwardly over and over. He circulated the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, frantically drawing upon and gathering the spiritual energy of his ninefold Spiritual Root. The energy rushed through his meridians like wild horses breaking free from their reins, desperately trying to shatter the barrier holding him back from a higher realm. At the same time, he forcefully fused the powers of the Ninefold Chaos Slash and the Underworld King Heavenly Suppression Art, causing the three formidable cultivation techniques to intertwine and collide, triggering a ferocious internal "storm."
Suddenly, Lin Yu felt an accidental trigger of some mysterious potential deep within his body, like a seed hidden in the depths that instantly sprouted and grew. An unprecedented strength erupted from within him, and cracks began to web across the previously rock-solid realm barrier. Then, with a deafening roar, the barrier collapsed completely. Lin Yu had successfully broken through, stepping into the Half-Step Golden Core Realm.
He slowly opened his eyes, which flashed with the brilliant light of excitement and surprise. Feeling the overwhelming, unprecedented vigor of the spiritual energy surging through his body, he clenched his fists, sensing that he was brimming with power and that all his bodily functions had been massively enhanced. He couldn't wait to find a place to properly test out this newly acquired strength.
Stepping out of the meditation chamber, Lin Yu happened to run into Senior Sister Su Yao, who had come to check on him. Catching sight of him, a flash of astonishment crossed Su Yao's eyes as she smiled and said, "Lin Yu, you've broken through? Your entire aura has completely changed."
Scratching his head with an embarrassed chuckle, Lin Yu replied, "Senior Sister, I just lucked out and broke through to the Half-Step Golden Core Realm."
A look of deep gratification filled Su Yao's eyes. "That's wonderful! Given your talent, your future achievements will be boundless."
Just as the two were talking, a sect disciple came running up in a rush, bringing news that took Lin Yu completely by surprise.
Chapter 122: The Invitation from Danzong Sect
"Senior Brother Lin Yu, the Danzong Sect has sent an invitation specifically naming you to participate in the Alchemist Emblem Assessment and, at once, take part in the once-in-a-decade Myriad Pill Convention!" the disciple reported, gasping for breath.
Lin Yu felt a jolt in his heart. The Danzong Sect was a renowned titan in the alchemy world, and the Myriad Pill Convention they hosted gathered alchemy masters from all over the realm. Moreover, the Alchemist Emblem Assessment was an opportunity countless alchemists dreamed of; once someone secured a high-grade alchemist emblem, their status in the alchemy world would skyrocket.
"This... Is this true?" Lin Yu could hardly believe his ears.
"Absolute truth, Senior Brother. Here is the invitation letter from the Danzong Sect." The disciple handed over a exquisitely crafted letter.
Lin Yu took the invitation, opened it, and read through the detailed descriptions of the assessment and the convention. What moved him even more was that the victor of the Myriad Pill Convention—the Pill Champion—could make any single request they wished of the Danzong Sect. Lin Yu instantly thought of his good brother, whose arm had never been properly healed. If he could leverage the power of the Danzong Sect, perhaps there was a turning point for him.
"Lin Yu, this is a rare opportunity. You must go," Su Yao encouraged from the side.
Lin Yu nodded, his gaze resolute. "Senior Sister, I've decided. I'm going to the Danzong Sect. Not only is this a chance to elevate my standing in alchemy, but it might also be the hope to save my brother."
Su Yao looked at him with a smile. "I believe you will shine brilliantly at the Danzong Sect. By the way, if you're heading there, you'd better prepare well; masters are as numerous as clouds, and the competition will certainly be fierce."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu began plotting out his preparations for the journey to the Danzong Sect in his mind. He knew this would be a journey fraught with challenges, but rather than feeling fear, he was filled with anticipation.
Chapter 123: Heading to the Danzong Sect
Lin Yu arrived at the sect leader's residence to bid farewell. Upon hearing that Lin Yu was heading to the Danzong Sect, a gratified smile graced the sect leader's face. "Lin Yu, the invitation from the Danzong Sect is both a recognition of your abilities and a stellar opportunity to better yourself. Go ahead with peace of mind; the sect will back you with all its might." With that, the sect leader produced an exquisite jade bottle and handed it to the young man. "This is the sect's treasured Return-to-Origin Pill. Take it if your spiritual energy is ever exhausted to quickly recover your reserves. It might come in handy on the road."
Gratefully accepting the jade bottle, Lin Yu said, "Thank you, Sect Leader. Lin Yu will definitely not let the sect down."
After bidding farewell, Lin Yu set off on the road to the Danzong Sect. Along the way, he stepped onto his flying sword, hurtling forward like a streak of wind and lightning. As he traveled, he continuously consolidated his newly broken-through Half-Step Golden Core realm while delving into the new alchemy knowledge he had acquired from the ancient texts in the Flame Mountain Range.
However, the peaceful journey did not last long. While passing through a stretch of wooded mountains, a band of bandits suddenly burst from the trees and surrounded him. The leader of the bandits was a burly man with a fierce, scarred face who wielded a broadsword and barked viciously, "Kid, seeing how you're rushing along, you must be carrying treasures. Hand over your storage pouch if you know what's good for you, and I'll spare your life!"
Frowning slightly, Lin Yu muttered to himself, "How unlucky, running into these blind bandits." The corners of his mouth hooked upward into a trace of a disdainful smile. "Just based on the likes of you, you want to rob me?"
With that, he circulated his internal spiritual energy, instantly releasing the aura of the Half-Step Golden Core. The formidable oppressive weight made the surrounding air tremble.
Seeing this, the bandits' complexions shifted dramatically, and some of the more cowardly ones even began to shiver. Yet the leader refused to back down, roaring, "Brothers, don't be scared! He's just one person! Charge together and take him down!" Swinging his broadsword, he lunged at Lin Yu first.
With a cold snort, Lin Yu unleashed the Ninefold Chaos Slash. A powerful sword Qi howled through the air, instantly snapping the bandit's broadsword in two. The residual power of the sword Qi did not stop, slamming the leader squarely and sending him flying to crash heavily into a large tree before passing out cold. Seeing this spectacle, the remaining bandits fled in all directions out of sheer terror. Lin Yu pulled back his spiritual energy, brushed some nonexistent dust off his clothes, and continued on his way to the Danzong Sect.
Chapter 124: First Impressions of the Danzong Sect
After several days of flight, Lin Yu finally arrived at the territory of the Danzong Sect. Looking from afar, towering, magnificent alchemy halls were scattered orderly amidst a ring of undulating mountain ranges. A rich fragrance of pills permeated the air, a scent that seemed to possess a magical quality capable of soothing both body and mind. The continuous roaring hum of operating alchemy furnaces sounded like they were playing a unique, mesmerizing movement.
As Lin Yu stepped through the mountain gates of the Danzong Sect, an enthusiastic reception disciple immediately hurried forward. "This must be Young Master Lin Yu. The Danzong Sect has been expecting you for quite some time. Please, follow me."
Guided by the disciple, Lin Yu began touring the Danzong Sect. Along the way, he saw numerous disciples busy at their respective posts—some carefully selecting spiritual plants, others intensely refining medicinal pills, and still others exchanging insights on the art of alchemy.
"Young Master Lin, this is our Myriad Pill Hall. The Myriad Pill Convention will be held right here," the reception disciple said, pointing to a majestic palace.
Looking up, Lin Yu saw that the Myriad Pill Hall possessed a magnificent, imposing aura, with various exotic medicinal pill patterns vividly carved onto the doors. The reception disciple continued his introduction, "This Myriad Pill Convention can truly be called a gathering of clouds and masters; alchemy geniuses from all major sects have congregated here. Young Master Lin, you had better prepare yourself."
A blazing fighting spirit ignited within Lin Yu's heart. He clenched his fists tight. "I will certainly give it my all and showcase my strength at the convention."
Following that, the disciple gave Lin Yu a detailed introduction to the history of the Danzong Sect, the process of the Alchemist Emblem Assessment, and the rules of the Myriad Pill Convention. Listening very attentively, Lin Yu engraved every single detail into his memory. He knew full well that this trip to the Danzong Sect would be fraught with challenges, but he had already made thorough preparations to face everything headed his way.
Chapter 125: The Emblem Assessment
Lin Yu finally ushered in the long-awaited Alchemist Emblem Assessment, which was split into two parts: theory and practice.
Inside the theory examination room, the atmosphere was tense and solemn. Sitting at his desk and looking at the test paper before him, Lin Yu secretly rejoiced in his usual accumulation of alchemy knowledge. Picking up his brush, he answered the questions rapidly. For all matters concerning medicinal pill formulas, the properties of spiritual plants, and the mastery of alchemy heat, his answers flowed effortlessly. Examiners patrolled the aisles, and seeing Lin Yu's confident expression and rapid writing, they couldn't help but nod slightly.
Before long, the theory examination concluded, and Lin Yu passed smoothly. Immediately following that came the practical assessment. Various alchemy furnaces and rare spiritual plants were laid out across the practical test grounds. Lin Yu was assigned an extremely rare spiritual plant that radiated an exotic glow and possessed a unique spiritual energy fluctuation.
"Candidates must use this spiritual plant to refine high-quality medicinal pills within three hours," the examiner announced the rules.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu sprang into action. He carefully placed the spiritual plant into the alchemy furnace and circulated the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, precisely controlling his output of spiritual energy while adjusting the flame temperature inside the vessel. As time ticked away, whiffs of seductive fragrance began to waft from the furnace. Immersed entirely in focus and missing no detail, Lin Yu skillfully fused the various medicinal ingredients together.
At last, with a muffled "bang," the alchemy furnace flew open, and a round, smooth medicinal pill soared out. Its surface was covered in distinct medicinal patterns, and the rich fragrance was intoxicating. Seeing this, the examiners wore expressions of utter astonishment; they picked up the pill to inspect it closely before announcing, "Lin Yu has passed the assessment and earned a Junior Alchemist Emblem."
A wave of excitement surged through Lin Yu. He accepted the emblem, joy sparkling in his eyes. This emblem was not only recognition of his alchemy prowess, but also a crucial step forward on his path as an alchemist. He knew this was merely the beginning; the much more important Myriad Pill Convention was still waiting for him.
Chapter 126: The Eve of the Convention
On the eve of the Myriad Pill Convention, Lin Yu dared not slack off for even a second, seizing every minute and second to prepare. He wove through the bustling trading market of the Danzong Sect, his eyes scanning like a treasure-hunter in search of all sorts of rare medicinal materials.
"Boss, how much for this thousand-year blood ginseng?" Lin Yu asked, pointing to a spiritual plant radiating a red glow on a stall.
The vendor, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man, looked Lin Yu over and smiled. "Little brother, this is good stuff. It'll cost you at least a hundred mid-grade spiritual stones."
Lin Yu felt a start; the price certainly wasn't low, but he understood the vital importance of this thousand-year blood ginseng for refining his pills. He began bargaining with the vendor, and after a round of sharp tongue-sparring, the deal was finally struck at eighty mid-grade spiritual stones. Tucking the thousand-year blood ginseng carefully away in his storage pouch, Lin Yu continued his search for other necessary ingredients.
In the market, Lin Yu also made the acquaintance of disciples from other sects who were likewise participating in the convention. Among them, Feng Yichen possessed a hearty and forthright disposition; the moment they met, he pulled Lin Yu in to swear brotherhood. "Brother Lin, I heard you performed brilliantly in the emblem assessment—truly admirable. We'll definitely have to properly match skills in this Myriad Pill Convention."
Lin Yu responded with a smile, "Brother Feng flatters me. We're all here to learn from each other."
As for Li Yifang, he appeared amiable on the surface and always wore a smile, yet Lin Yu caught a trace of oddity in his gaze. Seeing that Lin Yu had purchased quite a few rare medicinal materials in the market, Li Yifang burned with jealousy and secretly plotted, "This Lin Yu is nothing more than a greenhorn upstart, yet he's soaking up all this glory. Let's see how I make a fool of you at the convention."
Completely oblivious to this, Lin Yu remained immersed in his anticipation for the Myriad Pill Convention, meticulously preparing every single ingredient in expectation of showcasing his utmost strength at the gathering.
Chapter 127: Opening of the Convention
Amidst the rapt attention of the masses, the Myriad Pill Convention grandly opened. The sect leader of the Danzong Sect graced the scene in person. Draped in gorgeous robes and exuding an extraordinary, otherworldly aura, he stood upon the high platform, overlooking the multitude of alchemists below as he spoke in a resounding voice:
"Elites of the alchemy world, welcome to the once-in-a-decade Myriad Pill Convention! Here, you will display your craft and contend for the position of Pill Champion. I hope everyone performs to the best of your abilities and brings a new brilliance to the world of alchemy!"
Warm applause erupted from the crowd. Standing among the throng, Lin Yu felt his heartbeat quicken involuntarily; he clenched his fists tight, his heart brimming with fighting spirit.
The first round of the convention was an elimination trial, with numerous alchemists simultaneously refining designated pills in a designated area. Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu forced himself to calm down. Selecting a suitable alchemy furnace, he placed his prepared ingredients in one by one. He executed a unique set of alchemy techniques—fluid and precise, resembling the execution of an artistic creation. As spiritual energy was injected and the flame intensity adjusted, a unique fragrance gradually emanated from the furnace.
Lin Yu's pills were not only superior in quality, round, and smooth in appearance, but their medicinal efficacy, through his meticulous blending, far surpassed ordinary pills. During their patrols, the judges of the Danzong Sect elder council were drawn by the aroma of Lin Yu's pill and stopped to inspect it. Full of praise for his creation, they smoothly advanced him to the next round.
Meanwhile, in order to advance, Li Yifang secretly used illicit drugs to assist his alchemy. Believing he had done so without a sound, he never imagined that the Danzong Sect enforcement elders, observing from the shadows, saw everything clearly and were simply withholding exposure until the right moment arrived.
Chapter 128: Sudden Changes in the Wind and Clouds
The rules for the second round were far more complex and challenging, requiring alchemists to research and develop new pills on the spot based on given mysterious spiritual objects. This tested not only the alchemists' skill, but even more so their innovative capacity and understanding of medicinal herbs.
Upon receiving his mysterious spiritual object, Lin Yu closely observed its properties and, drawing upon his rich alchemy knowledge and unique experiences in the Flame Mountain Range, began conceptualizing a method to refine a novel pill. Making a bold attempt, he combined multiple seemingly unrelated ingredients while cleverly utilizing the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula to adjust the fusion method of the spiritual energy.
During the process, Lin Yu successfully brewed a novel pill possessing powerful healing effects. When the pill took form, it radiated a five-colored glow that drew the sideways glances and awestruck gasps of surrounding alchemists.
Just at that moment, however, the situation abruptly turned. An eerie interfering force suddenly manifested across the competition grounds; the alchemy furnaces of several alchemists began to spiral out of control, their flames fluctuating wildly while strange noises echoed from within the vessels. Chaos erupted across the venue, and alchemists hurriedly halted their work, their faces stricken with terror.
Sensing something was amiss, Lin Yu tried his best to stabilize his own alchemy rhythm while operating his Immortal Eye in an attempt to trace the source of the interference. He discovered that in a corner of the grounds, several dark figures were secretly manipulating a small array formation—precisely the catalyst for the disturbing force. Burning with anger, Lin Yu decided to first investigate in secret, gather evidence, and then expose the conspiracy lurking behind the scenes.
Chapter 129: The Truth Gradually Emerges
Employing his Immortal Eye, Lin Yu closely watched every movement of those dark figures while quietly closing the distance using the stealth techniques of the Ninefold Chaos Slash. He discovered that these dark shadows were actually external forces colluded with by Li Yifang. In order to seize the crown at the Myriad Pill Convention, Li Yifang had stopped at nothing to use such despicable methods.
Without batting an eye, Lin Yu collected the evidence, committing the conversations of the shadows and the operation method of the array to memory. Meanwhile, the competition entered its white-hot stage; the remaining alchemists were formidable, and the competition grew increasingly fierce.
Mid-refinement, Lin Yu accidentally triggered a resonance between the mysterious power within his body and the Netherworld Fire Lotus obtained in the Flame Mountain Range. The power of the Netherworld Fire Lotus melted into the pill he was refining, causing its quality to experience yet another qualitative leap. The pill, already exceptional to begin with, now emanated a shocking aura that left his opponents far behind in the dust.
Over on Li Yifang's side, seeing how outstanding Lin Yu's pill was, he grew increasingly anxious. He incessantly urged those dark shadows to crank up the interference, completely unaware that his own conspiracy was on the verge of exposure. Watching Li Yifang's anxious demeanor, Lin Yu sneered inwardly; he was already prepared to drag Li Yifang's scheme out into the light at the critical moment and make him pay the price for his actions.
Chapter 130: The Peak Showdown
After multiple rounds of intense contention, Lin Yu successfully smashed into the finals, engaging in a peak showdown with another formidable alchemist, Su Miaoling. Clad in white and radiating a cold, pristine aura, Su Miaoling specialized in water-system alchemy arts, forming a stark contrast to Lin Yu's fire-system methodology.
In the finals arena, the atmosphere grew tense to the absolute extreme. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the outcome of this peak clash. Standing opposite each other, Lin Yu and Su Miaoling each selected a top-tier alchemy furnace and commenced their ultimate match.
Su Miaoling made the first move. Placing water-system spiritual plants into her furnace and employing her unique water-system spiritual energy, she gently cocooned the herbs much like a tender mother nurturing her child. A faint layer of mist gradually rose inside the furnace, exhaling a refreshing fragrance.
Not about to fall behind, Lin Yu displayed the essence of his fire-system alchemy, precisely infusing fire-type spiritual energy into his furnace while controlling the flame intensity and temperature fluctuations. His flames danced around the ingredients as if endowed with life, fully extracting the essence of the herbs.
Throughout the refinement, the pair showcased superb craftsmanship and a profound grasp of alchemy. The fragrance of pills permeated the entire venue, leaving the audience utterly intoxicated. Standing off to the side and watching Lin Yu, Li Yifang was consumed by jealousy and resentment. Seeing that Lin Yu was about to claim victory, he grew desperate, pulled out a pre-prepared destructive pill in secret, and attempted to hurl it into Lin Yu's furnace while the latter wasn't looking.
At the crucial instant, Lin Yu was already prepared. Executing the Ninefold Chaos Slash, a bolt of sword Qi instantly batted Li Yifang's destructive pill away. At the same time, he completed his pill refinement. A blindingly radiant medicinal pill soared from the furnace, its surface ripple patterns flashing with mysterious power, and its aroma making onlookers feel as though they had stepped into a celestial realm.
Ultimately, relying on this flawless pill, Lin Yu suppressed Su Miaoling to capture the crown of the Pill Champion. Thunderous applause and cheers erupted across the venue. Standing upon the stage with excitement glistening in his eyes, Lin Yu knew that his hard work and dedication had finally paid off.
Chapter 131: The Pill Champion's Request
As Lin Yu was crowned Pill Champion, the arena erupted into a frenzy, with everyone casting gazes of envy and admiration in his direction. The Danzong Sect leader stepped onto the stage in person, bestowed the emblem symbolizing the glory of the Pill Champion upon Lin Yu, and smiled as he said, "Lin Yu, your performance in the Myriad Pill Convention can only be described as stunning, adding incomparable brilliance to this gathering. Now, you may present your request to the Danzong Sect; whatever lies within our power, we will certainly fulfill."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu already had his answer ready in his heart. He bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Sect Leader, I hope the Danzong Sect can help me heal my good brother's severed arm. For my sake, he lost an arm, and I have always wanted to do something for him. The Danzong Sect possesses profound attainments in alchemy and medicine; I believe only you have the capability to cure him."
A trace of appreciation flashed through the Danzong Sect leader's eyes, deeply admiring Lin Yu's loyalty and sense of righteousness. He immediately nodded in agreement. "Lin Yu, your request is entirely reasonable, and the Danzong Sect will spare no effort. I shall dispatch our top apothecary right now to accompany you back to the Qingyun Sect and treat your brother's severed arm."
Chapter 132: The Rebirth of a Brother
Bringing the Danzong Sect apothecary along, Lin Yu hurried back to the Qingyun Sect, heading straight for Li Shubao's quarters. At that moment, although Li Shubao forced an appearance of calm on the surface, a trace of nervous suspense regarding the unknown still flickered faintly in his eyes. Clad in a clean white robe and holding a medicine chest, the apothecary walked over to Li Shubao with a focused expression. Gently lifting the severed arm, he carefully examined the meridians and bones at the stump. His brow knitted slightly before smoothing out again, as though he had already devised a cure in his mind.
"Young Master Lin, although your brother's injury is severe, it is not incurable. Our Danzong Sect possesses a technique called 'Flesh-Regenerating and Bone-Mending Art.' Paired with our sect's special 'Spiritual Bone Regeneration Pill' and several rare spiritual plants, we can coax his severed arm into regrowing," the apothecary stated steadily.
A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Lin Yu's eyes as he quickly cupped his fists. "Many thanks, Master! If you can cure my brother, Lin Yu will heavily reward you!"
Waving a hand to indicate that formalities were unnecessary, the apothecary set to work. First extracting an alchemy pill that emitted a soft green glow from his medicine chest, he had Li Shubao swallow it, then produced several odd-looking spiritual plants, squeezing their juices directly onto the stump. Immediately afterward, the apothecary rapidly formed seals with both hands, chanted incantations under his breath, and guided a mysterious surge of spiritual energy slowly into Li Shubao's arm.
Watching nervously from the side, Lin Yu didn't even dare to breathe heavily. Second by second ticked by; first, a layer of delicate granulation tissue sprouted at Li Shubao's stump, and then those granules grew and fused at a visible rate, gradually forming the rudimentary outline of an arm. Eyes wide with utter disbelief, Li Shubao could distinctly feel a wave of power surging through his stump—the strength he had lost for so long was finally returning.
"It is done!" The apothecary let out a long breath, a gratified smile blooming on his face.
Li Shubao tried moving his newly regenerated arm, finding it nimble and completely natural. With eyes reddening with emotion, he pulled Lin Yu into a hug. "Brother, thanks to you!"
Lin Yu patted Li Shubao heavily on the back. "Between the two of us brothers, what's there to say about that?"
Through this rebirth of his severed arm, Li Shubao gained a deeper insight into cultivation. He resolved into secluded, bitter cultivation to integrate this newly birthed strength into his personal system. During his days in seclusion, Lin Yu frequently stood guard for him, supplying him with various cultivation resources. Finally, on a dark and windy night, a powerful wave of spiritual energy erupted from Li Shubao's chamber as he successfully broke through, entering the inner sect in one fell swoop.
Emerging from seclusion with vastly increased strength, Li Shubao sat with Lin Yu at the back mountain of the Qingyun Sect, painting visions of the future. "Brother, from now on we'll roam together and make those who looked down on us eat their words!" Li Shubao declared with heroic spirit. Lin Yu smiled and nodded, their bond growing even deeper in that moment, as though no power in the world could ever tear them apart.
Chapter 133: Lin Yu's Choice
As Lin Yu watched Li Shubao successfully break through into the inner sect, he felt both happy for him and somewhat wistful. For his part, in order to cross the Golden Core Realm threshold, he had practiced diligently day and night, yet he always found it hard to leap across that bottleneck that seemed so close at hand. Countless attempts had brought him nothing but repeated disappointments; the spiritual energy in his body seemed caught in a vicious dead loop, refusing to break through that layer of shackles no matter how hard he charged it.
"Could it be that I am truly useless?" Lin Yu sank into a deep wave of self-doubt. Sitting all alone in the Library Pavilion of the Qingyun Sect, he flipped through one ancient text after another, trying to find a way to break through his bottleneck. However, most of the ancient texts spoke only in broad generalities, offering no concrete or effective methods. Just as he was about to give up, an ancient text regarding auxiliary professions caught his attention. The book mentioned that when cultivators encountered a bottleneck in their primary profession, they might as well try practicing an auxiliary profession. Through deep study of the auxiliary profession, one could feed back into the primary profession, perhaps achieving unexpected results.
Lin Yu's eyes lit up, and he decided to give it a try. Among the many auxiliary professions, he developed a strong interest in artifact crafting. He knew very well that a powerful magical treasure could not only play a huge role in combat, but also complement his own cultivation. Thus, he sought out Senior Sister Su Yao to consult her on the Dao of artifact crafting.
Upon hearing Lin Yu's intentions, Senior Sister Su Yao was slightly startled, then broke into a radiant smile. "Lin Yu, I never expected you to be interested in artifact crafting. This path of artifact crafting is profound and vast, but with your talent, you will certainly make your mark."
Under the guidance of Senior Sister Su Yao, Lin Yu began his learning journey into artifact crafting. Senior Sister Su Yao started by explaining the most basic crafting materials, detailing the functions of various spiritual ores and plants in artifact crafting. Lin Yu listened with rapt attention, his hand continuously jotting down key points with a brush. Afterwards, Senior Sister Su Yao brought Lin Yu to the crafting room and personally demonstrated how to smelt materials and carve runes.
Following the example like scooping soup from a gourd, Lin Yu began attempting to craft his first magical treasure—a low-grade spiritual sword. He cautiously placed the spiritual ore into the furnace, used his spiritual energy to control the heat, and smelted the ore. However, his first attempt did not go smoothly; the spiritual ore suddenly exploded inside the furnace, nearly injuring Lin Yu. Yet he was not discouraged. Encouraged by Senior Sister Su Yao, he summarized his experience, adjusted his method, and tried again.
After multiple failures, Lin Yu finally succeeded in crafting his first spiritual sword. Although the quality of this spiritual sword could only be considered average, it was of extraordinary significance to Lin Yu. He picked up the spiritual sword, felt the spiritual energy contained within it, and his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment. More importantly, through this artifact crafting, he gained a deeper understanding of the manipulation of spiritual energy, which might just bring a glimmer of hope for him to break through to the Golden Core Realm.
Chapter 134: The Su Family's Invitation
News of Lin Yu's dedicated study of artifact crafting in the Qingyun Sect somehow reached the ears of the Su Family in the Dragon Soaring Continent. As a renowned family of artifact refiners in the Dragon Soaring Continent, the Su Family placed immense value on artifact-crafting talent. The patriarch of the Su Family personally penned a letter, dispatching someone to deliver it to the Qingyun Sect to invite Lin Yu to attend the upcoming artifact-crafting grand ceremony in the Dragon Soaring Continent.
"To the esteemed Young Master Lin Yu: Having long heard of your prodigious talent in the Dao of artifact crafting, the Su Family sincerely invites you to attend the artifact-crafting grand ceremony hosted by our clan. At that time, numerous artifact-crafting experts from across the continent will gather in one place to celebrate this grand event. Should you come, the Su Family is willing to provide precious crafting materials and impart our clan's unshared secret technique, the 'Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique.' We earnestly hope you will not decline."
Looking at the invitation letter in his hand, Lin Yu felt a tempest raging in his heart. This was not only an excellent opportunity to showcase his own artifact-crafting strength, but also a rare chance to elevate his crafting standards. The "Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique" sounded extraordinary by its name alone; if he could master it, his artifact-crafting skills would undoubtedly reach a higher level.
However, the journey to the Dragon Soaring Continent was long and fraught with unknown dangers. Lin Yu fell into a difficult dilemma. He found Senior Sister Su Yao and informed her of the matter. Senior Sister Su Yao furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes filled with worry. "Lin Yu, the journey to the Dragon Soaring Continent is perilous, and human hearts are complex. This trip is likely to have many variables. But this is indeed a rare opportunity to elevate your crafting skills, and Senior Sister respects your decision."
After a moment of contemplation, Lin Yu said firmly, "Senior Sister, I have decided to go. I cannot miss this opportunity to improve myself, and moreover, I wish to witness the strength of other artifact-crafting experts across the continent."
Senior Sister Su Yao sighed softly. "Since you have already decided, Senior Sister will support you. Be extremely careful on this journey, and if you encounter danger, send me a message immediately."
On the day of departure, Senior Sister Su Yao personally saw Lin Yu off. The two stood before the mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect, relative silence passing between them. After a long while, Senior Sister Su Yao drew an exquisite sachet from her bosom and handed it to Lin Yu. "I made this for you myself. Inside are some healing pills and communication talismans. Keep them on you for any unexpected needs."
Lin Yu accepted the sachet, a warm current welling up in his heart. Looking at Senior Sister Su Yao, he said passionately, "Senior Sister, wait for my return."
Lin Yu embarked on the journey to the Dragon Soaring Continent. Along the way, Senior Sister Su Yao's figure frequently surfaced in his mind. He knew that on this trip, not only must he achieve good results at the grand ceremony, but he also had to return safely to Senior Sister Su Yao's side.
Chapter 135: First Entry into the Dragon Soaring Continent
After several days of flight, Lin Yu finally arrived at the Dragon Soaring Continent. The moment he stepped onto this unfamiliar land, a dense surge of spiritual energy rushed toward him, instantly refreshing his spirit. Following the address on the invitation letter, he hastened toward the location of the Su Family.
The Su Family estate was magnificent and imposing, resembling a small city. The guards at the gate wore uniform armor and held long spears, looking majestic and stern. Lin Yu walked forward and handed over the invitation letter. After carefully inspecting it, a guard immediately said respectfully, "Please enter, Young Master Lin. The patriarch has been waiting for quite some time."
Lin Yu followed the guard into the Su Family estate. Along the way, he saw many Su Family disciples busy in the crafting rooms, the clanging sounds of hammering ringing out endlessly. The air was permeated with a unique metallic scent, emitted by various spiritual ores during smelting.
Arriving at the study of the Su Family patriarch, Lin Yu met this legendary grandmaster of artifact crafting. The patriarch appeared to be around fifty years old, with a kindly expression and a wisdom shining deep within his eyes. Seeing Lin Yu, he immediately stood up to welcome him. "Young Master Lin, you've had a tiring journey."
Lin Yu hurriedly cupped his fists in salute. "You are too kind, Patriarch. Being invited here is Lin Yu's honor."
The patriarch smiled and invited Lin Yu to take a seat, instructing servants to serve fine tea. After a few pleasantries, the patriarch cut straight to the point. "Young Master Lin, inviting you here this time serves two purposes: first, to have you participate in the artifact-crafting grand ceremony, and second, to impart our Su Family's 'Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique' to you. However, this technique is extremely profound and requires sufficient patience and comprehension on your part."
Lin Yu quickly replied, "Rest assured, Patriarch, Lin Yu will certainly strive to learn."
In the days that followed, the patriarch personally instructed Lin Yu in the "Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique." This technique emphasized that during the forging process, through thousands of hammer blows, spiritual energy was precisely infused into the materials, bringing about a qualitative leap in the quality of the magical treasure. Lin Yu practiced diligently day and night, every swing of his hammer strictly following the patriarch's teachings as he controlled his spiritual output.
Within the Su Family, Lin Yu also made the acquaintance of quite a few crafting geniuses from various places. Among them, Zhao Meng had a bold and uninhibited personality; upon their first meeting, he pulled Lin Yu in to become sworn brothers. "Brother Lin, I heard you already had quite a research interest in artifact crafting back at the Qingyun Sect. This time, we must have a good sparring match." Lin Yu responded with a smile, "You flatter me, Brother Zhao, and I look forward to your generous guidance."
On the other hand, Zhou Yi appeared genial and always wore a smile, yet Lin Yu vaguely felt something was amiss with this person. By chance, Lin Yu once overheard a conversation between Zhou Yi and his subordinates; it turned out that seeing Lin Yu valued by the Su Family, Zhou Yi burned with jealousy and was plotting how to make Lin Yu humiliate himself at the grand ceremony. Lin Yu inwardly heightened his vigilance while remaining outwardly calm. He knew that in this unfamiliar place, he had to be cautious to handle all kinds of sudden situations.
Chapter 136: The Eve of the Grand Ceremony
As the date of the artifact-crafting grand ceremony drew closer, Lin Yu secluded himself in the Su Family's crafting room for intensive practice, fusing the "Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique" with his previously acquired crafting knowledge in an attempt to forge his own crafting style. He constantly experimented with different combinations of materials, adjusting the heat and rhythm of the forging.
Finally, in one of his attempts, Lin Yu successfully crafted a magical treasure whose power far exceeded those of the same tier—a flying knife radiating a blue glow. During its crafting, this flying knife absorbed Lin Yu's unique spiritual fluctuations; not only was it incomparably sharp, but it also contained a powerful freezing force. Holding the flying knife, Lin Yu gave it a gentle swing, and a large boulder ahead was instantly frozen and then cleaved in half.
"It's done!" Lin Yu shouted excitedly, joy flashing in his eyes. He knew his efforts had not been in vain. The birth of this magical treasure filled him with confidence for the upcoming grand ceremony.
However, while Lin Yu was preparing for the ceremony, Zhou Yi was secretly intensifying his conspiracy. He colluded with an external artifact-crafting faction, spending a huge sum of money to have them set up a disruption array at the ceremony venue. Once activated, this array would disrupt the spiritual perception of the artifact refiners, causing them to make mistakes while crafting their magical treasures.
On the day of the ceremony, the weather was bright and sunny, and artifact refiners from the entire Dragon Soaring Continent gathered in the plaza specially built by the Su Family for the event. Various crafting furnaces were placed across the plaza, surrounded by a dense crowd of spectators. Clad in a black robe and holding his crafting tools, Lin Yu walked into the venue with full confidence. He was entirely unaware that a conspiracy targeting him was quietly closing in.
"Hmph, Lin Yu, today is your day of reckoning. I want to see how you still manage to show off in front of me," Zhou Yi muttered, standing in the crowd and looking at Lin Yu with a trace of viciousness in his eyes.
Lin Yu found a suitable spot and set up his crafting furnace. He took a deep breath, felt the enthusiastic atmosphere around him, and felt a fighting spirit surge in his heart. He knew the upcoming competition would be exceptionally fierce, but he was confident that with his own strength and hard work, he would stand out in this artifact-crafting feast.
Chapter 137: Storms Rise at the Grand Ceremony
As a resounding bell chimed, the artifact-crafting grand ceremony officially began. The Su Family patriarch stood upon the high platform and read out the competition rules: "This artifact-crafting grand ceremony requires all artifact refiners to craft a designated magical treasure within a limited time of three hours—the Spirit-Gathering Bracer. This bracer must possess the effects of gathering spiritual energy and enhancing the wearer's spiritual recovery speed. Judges will score based on the quality of the magical treasure, crafting speed, and degree of innovation."
Having heard the rules, Lin Yu already had a rough crafting plan in mind. He swiftly retrieved the required materials from his storage bag, placing several precious spiritual ores and plants before him. These materials had all been carefully selected from the Su Family, each imbued with unique spiritual attributes.
First, he placed the spiritual ore into the crafting furnace, using spiritual energy to control the heat and smelt the ore. During the smelting process, he executed the "Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold Steel Forging Technique," the hammer in his hand rhythmically striking the furnace walls, every strike infusing a thread of spiritual energy into the ore. Under the dual action of high temperature and spiritual energy, the ore gradually melted into a pool of multicolored glowing liquid.
Lin Yu then dropped the juices of the spiritual plants into the liquid. The spiritual energy of the plants and the ore fused with each other, emitting a peculiar fragrance. At this moment, the surrounding artifact refiners were also busily at work, the entire venue permeated with a tense and passionate atmosphere.
Yet, just as Lin Yu was preparing to shape the fused liquid, the external faction colluded with by Zhou Yi quietly activated the disruption array. An invisible force began to interfere with Lin Yu's spiritual perception; a trace of turbulence appeared in the spiritual energy in his hands, and the temperature inside the furnace began to fluctuate unstably. Shocked, Lin Yu immediately realized something was wrong. But after all, he had experienced countless battles and challenges, possessing an extremely strong psychological fortitude. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and circulated the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, attempting to stabilize his spiritual energy.
Under the influence of the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, Lin Yu gradually filtered out external interference and regained control over his spiritual energy. Adjusting his crafting rhythm, he cautiously shaped the liquid, slowly forging the outline of the bracer. By this time, one hour had already passed; many artifact refiners had experienced slow progress due to the disruption array, and some had even failed. Relying on his tenacious will and superb skills, however, Lin Yu successfully weathered the first major hurdle.
Chapter 138: Crisis and Turning Point
The impact of the disruption array grew increasingly intense. Lin Yu could feel the surrounding spiritual energy becoming chaotic, and anxiety and helplessness were evident on the faces of the other refiners. Yet Lin Yu did not give up; while struggling to stabilize the situation inside his furnace, he pondered countermeasures.
Suddenly, inspiration struck him, and the mysterious power within his body resonated with the materials in his hand. Ever since he embarked on the path of cultivation, this mysterious power had appeared from time to time, helping him turn danger into safety every time it surfaced. This time, sensing Lin Yu's plight, the mysterious power actively integrated with him.
A wave of joy washed over Lin Yu. Seizing the momentum, he guided this mysterious power, fusing it into the crafting process. A miracle occurred: under the harmonization of the mysterious power, the originally chaotic spiritual energy became orderly. Catching this opportunity, Lin Yu accelerated his crafting speed. Applying the techniques of the Ninefold Chaos Slash, he injected spiritual energy into the bracer in a unique manner, vastly elevating the quality of the bracer.
Meanwhile, seeing his conspiracy fail to fully succeed, Zhou Yi grew increasingly anxious. Unwilling to let Lin Yu complete the crafting smoothly, he dispatched subordinates to sneak into the venue amidst the chaos, attempting to directly sabotage Lin Yu's magical treasure.
While Lin Yu was wholly focused on crafting the bracer, he suddenly sensed a dangerous aura approaching. Raising his head, he saw a man in black wielding a dagger, rushing straight toward him. A flash of anger crossed Lin Yu's eyes as he executed the Ninefold Chaos Slash. A sword Qi slashed out instantly, knocking the dagger out of the black-clad man's hand. Realizing the situation was dire, the assassin turned to flee, but how could Lin Yu let him go? With a few strides forward, Lin Yu subdued the man.
"Speak! Who sent you?" Lin Yu asked coldly.
Pale-faced and daring not to conceal the truth, the assassin spilled Zhou Yi's conspiracy from beginning to end. Fury ignited in Lin Yu's heart—he never expected Zhou Yi to be so despicable. But he had no time to deal with Zhou Yi right now; he had to finish crafting his magical treasure as soon as possible.
Handing the assassin over to the Su Family guards, Lin Yu returned to his crafting furnace. With very little time remaining, he concentrated all his energy on completing the final steps. Finally, before the bell signaling the end of the competition rang, Lin Yu successfully crafted the Spirit-Gathering Bracer.
Chapter 139: Reaching the Summit of Glory
The Spirit-Gathering Bracer in Lin Yu's hand emitted a soft radiance, its surface covered in exquisite runes, every single rune containing powerful spiritual energy. He handed the bracer to the judges. Taking it, the judges inspected it closely, expressions of astonishment and praise appearing on their faces.
"This bracer not only perfectly meets the competition's requirements, but its quality far surpasses similar magical treasures. Even rarer is that the crafting process employed unique techniques and an innovative method of fusing spiritual energy—truly peerless!" praised one judge.
The other judges nodded in agreement one after another. Following a discussion, the judges unanimously rated Lin Yu as the first-place winner of the artifact-crafting grand ceremony.
The Su Family patriarch stepped forward to personally present Lin Yu with the trophy and certificate. Smiling, he said to Lin Yu, "Young Master Lin, you truly lived up to expectations, adding incomparable luster to this artifact-crafting grand ceremony. It is indeed a fortunate blessing for the Su Family to make the acquaintance of an artifact-crafting genius like you."
Accepting the trophy, Lin Yu's heart swelled with joy and pride. Standing on the podium and looking at the cheering crowd below, myriad emotions stirred within him. Along this journey, he had endured countless hardships and challenges, but through his own hard work and perseverance, he had finally achieved success.
Standing in the crowd and watching Lin Yu bask in boundless glory, Zhou Yi was consumed by jealousy and remorse. He knew his conspiracy had utterly failed, exposing his ugly nature into the bargain. Slinking away from the venue, he did not dare face the crowd any longer.
Under the arrangements of the Su Family, Lin Yu attended a grand celebration banquet. At the banquet, he exchanged insights with artifact-crafting experts from all sides, sharing his crafting experiences. Everyone praised his talent and character without reservation, and Lin Yu also learned a great deal of new knowledge from these exchanges.
Chapter 140: The Descent of Bad News
Immersed in the glory and joy of winning the championship at the Dragon Soaring Continent's artifact-crafting grand ceremony, Lin Yu clinked cups with the members of the Su Family amidst continuous laughter and merriment. However, an expedited letter from the Qingyun Sect struck like a heavyweight bomb, instantly blasting this wonderful atmosphere to pieces. The delivering disciple looked hurried and filled with anxiety. When Lin Yu took the letter and saw the word "URGENT" on it, an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
With trembling hands, he opened the letter to find only a few sparse lines: "Lin Yu, return immediately! Lin Batian has been captured by demons, and the Lin Family is in chaos." Lin Yu felt his vision go dark, and the wine cup in his hand dropped with a sharp crash, shattering into pieces. Seeing this, the surrounding Su Family members cast concerned glances, and the patriarch hurriedly asked, "Young Master Lin, what has happened?"
Suppressing his inner grief with all his might, Lin Yu said with a trembling voice, "My father... has been captured by demons. I must return to the Firmament Continent immediately." With that, ignoring everyone's attempts to persuade him to stay, he stood up to leave. Knowing the urgency of the matter, the Su Family patriarch did not stop him further, only saying, "Young Master Lin, if you need any help from the Su Family, just speak." Lin Yu nodded gratefully and turned to walk out of the Su Family estate.
As he flew on his spiritual sword back toward the Firmament Continent, tears swirled in his eyes. "Father, you must hold on! Your son is coming to save you!" Lin Yu shouted inwardly over and over. He recalled every little detail of his time with his father—his father's guidance and care—and now his father had suffered such a catastrophe. This filled Lin Yu with self-blame and fury. He wished he could instantly fly to his father's side and tear those demons into pieces. At this moment, only a single conviction remained in his heart: no matter the cost, he would rescue his father.
Chapter 141: The Lin Family Crisis
Hurrying back to the Lin Family with a burning anxiety, Lin Yu found the scene before him heartbreaking. The front gates of the Lin Family were shattered, the courtyards were in complete disarray, and clansmen hurried about with panicked expressions. Lin Yu rushed to grab a clansman and demanded, "What on earth happened? How is my father right now?" Seeing Lin Yu, the clansman looked as though he had found a savior, crying out, "Young Master! Demons suddenly attacked! They possessed immense strength, and we simply couldn't block them. To protect the clan's important texts and treasures, the Patriarch engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the demons before being captured by them. Several elders also sustained heavy injuries and are currently undergoing treatment."
Rage blazed in Lin Yu's heart. Entering the room of the injured elders, he saw them lying in bed with pale complexions and faint breaths. Stepping forward to examine their conditions, Lin Yu discovered that all of them had been injured by demonic arts, their wounds overflowing with baleful Demon Qi and proving quite tricky to handle. Lin Yu immediately retrieved precious healing pills from his storage bag, fed them to the elders, and used his own spiritual energy to clear away the demonic Qi for them. Through Lin Yu's efforts, the elders' conditions were temporarily brought under control.
Following this, Lin Yu summoned the remaining core members of the clan to discuss countermeasures. An elder stated, "Young Master, this demon attack had clear targets; they seemed to know everything about certain aspects of our Lin Family. Moreover, their strength far surpasses ours. If not for the Patriarch's desperate resistance, our losses would likely have been even more severe." Clenching his fists, Lin Yu declared, "No matter what conspiracy they have, I will not let them succeed. First, we will stabilize the morale within the clan and strengthen our defenses, while dispatching people to investigate the whereabouts of the demons. I refuse to believe they can take my father and hide to the ends of the earth."
Chapter 142: Mysterious Clues
After arranging the clan's affairs, Lin Yu personally led several clansmen to search for clues amidst the ruins of the Lin Family. Using his Immortal Eye to carefully inspect every trace, he missed not a single detail. Suddenly, in a corner, he discovered a broken jade pendant bearing demonic patterns. A stir rippled through Lin Yu's heart. Picking up the pendant and observing it with his Immortal Eye, he found a trace of peculiar spiritual fluctuations lingering upon it—fluctuations entirely distinct from any spiritual energy he had previously encountered, filled with evil and eeriness.
Lin Yu brought the jade pendant back to the Lin Family and handed it to an elder skilled in rune research. Taking the pendant, the elder examined it closely, bringing out tools and ancient texts for comparative study. After considerable effort, the elder finally made a discovery: "Young Master, the demonic patterns on this pendant are extremely ancient and related to the legendary Demon Abyss. The Demon Abyss is the lair of the demons, a place of towering Demon Qi and grave perils. It is said that very few who enter the Demon Abyss ever return alive. Furthermore, the spiritual fluctuations remaining on this pendant seem to point toward a certain location deep within the Demon Abyss. Perhaps the Patriarch is imprisoned right there."
Hearing this, Lin Yu tightened his grip inwardly. He had heard tales of the dangers of the Demon Abyss, but to rescue his father, he did not shrink back in the slightest. "No matter how dangerous the Demon Abyss is, I must go," he said. "Father has given so much for the Lin Family; I cannot stand by and watch him fall into the hands of the demons." The other clansmen immediately expressed their willingness to accompany Lin Yu to the Demon Abyss. Looking at their resolute gazes, Lin Yu felt deeply moved, yet he knew this trip was far too perilous to let his people throw their lives away in vain. "This journey to the Demon Abyss holds life-or-death uncertainty," he stated. "I cannot let you all take risks with me. I will go ahead to scout the situation first, and if necessary, I will send back word."
Chapter 143: Gathering Allies
Lin Yu knew full well that relying solely on his own strength to rescue his father from the Demon Abyss was practically impossible. Therefore, he decided to gather allies to fight the demons together. First, he went to the Qingyun Sect to explain the situation to the sect master. Hearing the account, the sect master wore a grave expression, strongly condemned the actions of the demons, and immediately resolved to dispatch elite disciples of the Qingyun Sect to assist Lin Yu in rescuing Lin Batian.
Remembering his good friend Zhao Meng whom he had met in the Dragon Soaring Continent, Lin Yu sent a message to him right away. Upon receiving the message, Zhao Meng responded without the slightest hesitation, "Brother Lin, rest assured, I am gathering men right now to head out with you. Those demons are far too arrogant, actually daring to capture your father. We will definitely make them pay the price!"
Additionally, Lin Yu contacted other sects and factions with which he had friendly ties. Upon hearing the news, these sects and factions all expressed their willingness to lend a helping hand. With everyone's assistance, Lin Yu quickly assembled a rescue team. The team was filled with experts: martial cultivators skilled in close combat, spell cultivators proficient in arcane arts, and medical cultivators adept at healing. Looking at this spirited team, hope ignited in Lin Yu's heart. He believed that as long as everyone worked together with one heart, they would surely rescue his father.
Chapter 144: Preparing for the Expedition
Lin Yu and his allies discussed the rescue plan at the Lin Family estate. He shared the information about the Demon Abyss he had learned from the elders along with his own deductions, and everyone offered their opinions. After a fierce discussion, they finally formulated a detailed rescue plan.
First, they arranged for a group of disciples skilled in formations to repair the defensive grand array of the Lin Family to prevent another attack by the demons and ensure the safety of the family. At the same time, they had the medical cultivators prepare a large supply of healing elixirs for the upcoming battle. Lin Yu imparted his insights on alchemy to the medical cultivators to help them improve the quality of the elixirs.
In terms of equipment, Lin Yu used his mastery in weapon forging to craft some powerful magical treasures for everyone. He applied the "Thousand-Hammered Refined Gold and Steel Forging Technique" to the crafting process, greatly enhancing the quality of the treasures. Holding the treasures crafted by Lin Yu, everyone's confidence surged.
On the eve of the expedition, Lin Yu entered closed-door cultivation. He integrated his gains from the soaring dragon continent with his own techniques, attempting to break through his bottleneck in strength. During the closed-door cultivation, he continuously comprehended the operation of his spiritual energy, trying to fuse the essence of multiple techniques. After several days of hard work, Lin Yu finally achieved another breakthrough, raising his strength to the peak of Half-Step Golden Core, just a step away from the Golden Core Realm.
After coming out of seclusion, Lin Yu looked at his energetic allies, his heart filled with gratitude. Standing before everyone, he delivered a passionate pre-battle speech: "Everyone, this rescue operation is fraught with danger, but for justice, and to rescue my father, we must not back down! We will let those demons know that we are not to be trifled with! Do you all have confidence?" Everyone shouted in unison: "Yes!" Their voices shook the heavens and the earth, greatly boosting morale.
Chapter 145: Stepping into the Demon Abyss
Lin Yu led the rescue team into the Demon Abyss. The abyss was shrouded in thick Demon Qi, gloomy and terrifying, making one's hair stand on end. Dark clouds filled the sky, and lightning flashed from time to time, illuminating this dark world. On the ground, magma churned, emitting a pungent odor.
Lin Yu cast the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, forming a layer of spiritual energy shield around himself and his teammates to resist the erosion of the Demon Qi. Everyone proceeded cautiously, alert to all movement around them. Suddenly, a group of demonic shadows darted out from the darkness, lunging toward them. These demonic shadows were erratic and extremely fast, holding various demonic weapons and emitting piercing screeches.
Lin Yu shouted loudly, "Everyone be careful, form up to meet the enemy!" The crowd quickly took their positions according to the pre-arranged formation, cooperating with one another. The martial cultivators skilled in close combat rushed to the front, brandishing their weapons and engaging the demonic shadows in hand-to-hand combat; the magical cultivators cast spells from the rear, rays of light shooting from their hands to strike and repel the demonic shadows. Lin Yu unleashed the Ninefold Chaos Slash, sending powerful sword qi whistling out and instantly cutting several demonic shadows in half.
With the concerted efforts of everyone, this group of demonic shadows was soon repelled. However, they knew these were merely small fry in the Demon Abyss, and greater dangers lay ahead. They continued forward, encountering various traps and the obstruction of powerful demons along the way. Some traps were formed by powerful demonic arrays that, once triggered, released immense demonic power to devour people; other demons hid in the dark, waiting for them to walk right into a trap. Yet, relying on his sharp insight and formidable strength, Lin Yu led the crowd to resolve the crises one by one.
In a valley, they discovered traces suspected of being where Lin Batian was imprisoned. There were some messy footprints on the ground, along with some destroyed demonic weapons. Joy welled up in Lin Yu's heart; he knew they were getting closer and closer to his father. But at this moment, deep within the Demon Abyss, a powerful demonic aura slowly rose, seemingly issuing a challenge to them.
Chapter 146: Fierce Battle with Demons
Following the traces, Lin Yu and his group pushed deeper until suddenly, a large number of demons emerged from all directions, surrounding them tightly. These demons possessed formidable strength, exuding intense Demon Qi, and their eyes revealed ferocity and cruelty. At the lead was a tall demon wearing a black helmet and wielding a huge demonic axe, the blade flashing with cold light.
"You suicidal fools, daring to barge into the Demon Abyss—today will be your day of death!" the demon leader roared loudly.
Lin Yu showed no fear. Holding his saber, he said coldly, "Release my father, or you will all die!"
The demon leader laughed heartily: "Just based on you lot? Pure wishful thinking!" With that, he swung his demonic axe, hacking toward Lin Yu. The demonic axe carried immense demonic power, tearing the air apart in its wake. Lin Yu executed the Underworld King Suppression Heaven Technique, holding his saber horizontally in front of him to block the demon's attack. The powerful impact forced Lin Yu back several steps, but he quickly steadied his stance.
At the same time, the other demons attacked Lin Yu's teammates. For a time, the sounds of battle shook the heavens as both sides engaged in fierce combat. Lin Yu's teammates displayed their various divine abilities, fighting side by side with the demons. Some martial cultivators executed exquisite sword techniques with flashing sword shadows to repel approaching demons; others unleashed powerful spells, with fireballs, ice spears, and lightning continuously released, driving the demons back step by step.
During the battle, Lin Yu noticed that these demons seemed to be intentionally buying time; their attacks appeared fierce, but lacked fatal killing moves. A sense of alarm arose in Lin Yu's heart, and while fighting, he kept an eye on his surroundings. Suddenly, he heard a faint sound coming from among the demons, as if someone was transmitting a certain signal. A thought stirred in Lin Yu. He deployed the Free and Unfettered Step, his figure flashing as he rushed toward the source of the sound.
Chapter 147: Crisis and Breakthrough
Lin Yu rushed toward the place where the sound originated and saw a small-statured demon holding a black token, seemingly transmitting information to a distance. Filled with rage, Lin Yu unleashed the Ninefold Chaos Slash, sending a beam of sword qi that instantly executed the demon. Just as he prepared to inspect the token, the demon leader discovered his intent and frantically rushed toward Lin Yu, brandishing his demonic axe.
"You want to ruin my plans? It won't be that easy!" the demon leader roared.
Lin Yu turned to engage the demon leader, and the two began a fierce duel. The demon leader's strength was indeed formidable, and every one of his attacks carried immense demonic power, making things somewhat strenuous for Lin Yu. However, relying on his indomitable will and rich combat experience, Lin Yu maneuvered around the demon leader.
As the battle progressed, Lin Yu gradually felt that his strength had reached a bottleneck; no matter how hard he tried, it was difficult to inflict a fatal injury on the demon leader. Just as he felt somewhat despairing, the mysterious power within his body surged once again. This mysterious power fused with his own spiritual energy, producing a marvelous change.
Seizing this opportunity, Lin Yu unleashed a brand-new move. He perfectly fused the power of the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, the Ninefold Chaos Slash, and the Underworld King Suppression Heaven Technique into a single, mighty force. With a loud shout, the saber in his hand carried this tremendous power and hacked toward the demon leader. Sensing a massive threat, the demon leader hurriedly raised his demonic axe to parry. However, Lin Yu's attack was simply too powerful. With a crisp "crack," the demonic axe was snapped in two, and the sword qi pressed forward, leaving a deep wound on the demon leader's body.
The demon leader let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground. Seeing this, Lin Yu's teammates felt their morale soar, and they seized the opportunity to attack, repelling all the remaining demons. Looking at the black token in his hand, Lin Yu was filled with doubts; he knew that hidden behind this token must be an important secret concerning his father's capture.
Chapter 148: Seeking the Truth
Lin Yu held the black token and examined it closely. The token was engraved with strange demonic runes and exuded a mysterious aura. Using his Immortal Eye to observe it, he discovered a certain special spiritual energy fluctuation on the token, which differed from the aura he had previously sensed in the Demon Abyss. Lin Yu guessed that this token might be an important token of identification within the Demon Abyss, related to the conspiracy of his father's capture.
He handed the token to a magical cultivator in the team who was well-versed in demonic rune research. After studying the token for a long time, the magical cultivator finally made a discovery: "This token is the insignia of a mysterious organization within the Demon Abyss, and this organization seems to be plotting a huge conspiracy. According to the information on the token, they captured Old Master Lin in order to use him to open a certain ancient ruin and acquire the powerful treasure hidden inside. That ancient ruin allegedly conceals a treasure capable of changing the landscape of the entire cultivation world. Once the demons obtain it, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Hearing this, Lin Yu was greatly shocked. He had not expected the demons' conspiracy to be so vast, with his father dragged into such a massive crisis. He decided to accelerate the rescue operation; under no circumstances could he let the demons succeed.
The group continued deeper into the Demon Abyss, exercising even greater caution along the way. Lin Yu remained constantly vigilant of his surroundings, not missing a single detail. Finally, they arrived in front of a huge cave. The cave exuded intense Demon Qi, and its entrance was guarded by several powerful demons. Lin Yu knew that his father was likely imprisoned within this very cave.
Chapter 149: The Rescue Operation
Lin Yu and his teammates formulated a detailed rescue plan. First, they had teammates skilled in concealment quietly infiltrate the cave and eliminate the guards at the entrance. Then, the others would rapidly enter the cave to search for Lin Batian's whereabouts.
The concealed teammates employed a unique movement technique, silently approaching the demons at the cave entrance. Wielding sharp daggers, they struck swiftly while the demons were caught off guard, taking out the guards one by one. Seeing this, Lin Yu led the rest forward to quickly enter the cave.
The cave was dark, damp, and filled with a pungent odor. Proceeding with extreme caution, they discovered that many demonic arrays had been deployed within the cave, which would be triggered by the slightest carelessness. Relying on his sharp insight and understanding of demonic arrays, Lin Yu led the team to skillfully bypass the traps one by one.
Finally, deep within the cave, they found the imprisoned Lin Batian. Lin Batian was chained to a huge stone pillar by iron shackles, covered in wounds, yet his gaze remained steadfast. Seeing Lin Yu and the others, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes: "Yu'er, you've come!"
Seeing his father's miserable state, a pang of intense pain struck Lin Yu's heart. He rushed forward swiftly and executed the Ninefold Chaos Slash, shattering the iron chains. At that very moment, an eerie laughter suddenly echoed through the cave: "Want to rescue someone? It's not that easy!" The demon leader appeared, leading a swarm of demons pouring in from all directions to surround them once again.
"Lin Yu, none of you will leave here alive today!" the demon leader said malevolently.
Shielding Lin Batian behind him, Lin Yu looked at the demon leader with eyes full of fury: "Today shall be your day of death!" With that, alongside his teammates, he engaged the demons in a final, decisive battle.
Chapter 150: Victorious Return
Lin Yu unleashed all his skills, pushing the power of the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, the Ninefold Chaos Slash, and the Underworld King Suppression Heaven Technique to their absolute limits. The saber in his hand moved like a roaring wind, every attack carrying immense power that beat back the approaching demons. His teammates were not to be outdone either, cooperating closely to engage the demons in a life-or-death struggle.
As the battle progressed, Lin Yu gradually gained the upper hand. Spotting an opening, he unleashed his ultimate combined technique, sending a powerful beam of sword qi slashing toward the demon leader. The demon leader's expression changed drastically; he hurried to parry, but was still struck by the sword qi and heavily injured. Seeing their leader wounded, the other demons fell into immediate panic.
Seizing the moment, Lin Yu launched an attack, leading his teammates to defeat all the remaining demons. He walked up to the demon leader and said coldly, "Your conspiracy will not succeed!" With a swift stroke of his blade, he executed the demon leader.
Carrying Lin Batian on his back, Lin Yu left the Demon Abyss alongside his teammates. Upon returning to the Lin Family, the clansmen cheered with joy at the sight of Lin Batian's safe return. Lin Yu settled Lin Batian down and summoned the finest medical cultivators to treat his injuries.
Through this ordeal, Lin Yu gained a profound awareness of his own shortcomings. He decided to rest and recuperate properly within the Lin Family, spending time with his family while continuing to enhance his strength. He knew that crises were omnipresent in the cultivation world, and only by continuously strengthening himself could he protect those around him. Moreover, the success of this rescue operation made his name resound throughout the cultivation world, turning him into a universally revered hero. Yet, deep in his heart, Lin Yu understood that this was merely a new starting point on his long path of cultivation, with many more challenges awaiting him in the future.