The Elder looked at Lin Feng, a complex flash of emotion in his eyes, and slowly began to speak, "Kid, do you know that this world hides many untold secrets? The palace you saw in your dreams, as well as that ancient book, are both part of the legacy of the Chaos Power. The Chaos Power is a Mysterious Power that has existed since the dawn of heaven and earth, possessing the might to destroy the heavens and shatter the earth."
Shock washed over Lin Feng. Just hearing the term Chaos Power made it sound unfathomably mysterious and formidable. He hurried to ask, "Elder, what does this have to do with me? Why am I dreaming of these things?"
The Elder tilted his head back slightly, as if reminiscing about the past. "A thousand years ago, a chaotic catastrophe swept across the continent. Countless powerful figures fought bitterly over the Chaos Power, plunging the realm into misery. In the end, several peerless experts exhausted their lifelong cultivation to seal away the Chaos Power in various locations. What you encountered in your dream must be a sign that the seal is loosening and the Chaos Power is seeking its master."
Lin Feng furrowed his brow. "Then why me?"
The Elder smiled. "The ways of fate are hard to articulate. Perhaps you were always fated to be connected to the Chaos Power. But this is no blessing; since you have formed a tie with the Chaos Power, those factions coveting it will certainly not let you go."
A chill struck Lin Feng's heart. He thought of the group of men in black he had just encountered; it seemed trouble had already found its doorstep.
The Elder continued, "When I was young, I participated in the campaign to seal the Chaos Power, and I know some of its hidden secrets. Now, seeing that you possess a pure nature and considerable potential, I have decided to lend you a hand. In this Xingchen City, there is a ruin rumored to conceal cultivation insights and magical treasures left behind by ancient masters. It will be of immense help in mastering your own power."
Determination hardened in Lin Feng's eyes. "Elder, thank you for your guidance. I am willing to try."
The Elder nodded, pulled a token engraved with runes from his robe, and handed it to Lin Feng. "This token will ensure your unimpeded passage within the ruins. However, dangers abound inside, so you must exercise the utmost caution."
Lin Feng solemnly took the token and carefully tucked it away.
After bidding farewell to the Elder, Lin Feng followed his directions to a secluded corner of Xingchen City. Here lay an entrance concealed by a massive boulder, surrounded by an aura of mystery.
Lin Feng took a deep breath, shoved the boulder aside, and slowly entered the ruins. The interior was dim, with faint, glowing gemstones embedded in the walls.
Hardly had he walked far when a powerful wave of oppression bore down on him. A gigantic beast resembling a lion, its entire body wreathed in flames, appeared before him.
"Roar!" The beast let out an angry roar, its shockwave like a blade sweeping toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng quickly sidestepped to evade it, simultaneously channeling the power within his body that had been steadily growing due to his bizarre dream. Silently reciting the simple cultivation incantation he had learned from the Elder, he watched as a faint glow bloomed across his hands.
Seizing the right moment, Lin Feng lunged fiercely at the beast, throwing a punch that flashed with brilliant light. The beast was struck by the blow, its body trembling slightly, but it quickly bared its claws and lunged again.
Not daring to lower his guard, Lin Feng maneuvered around the beast. He noticed that while the beast was fast, its turning was somewhat sluggish. Spotting an opening as the beast turned, Lin Feng launched another attack, his fist landing heavily on the creature's neck.
Yelping in pain, the beast let out an agonized roar, whereupon the flames engulfing its body blazed even more fiercely. It charged at Lin Feng with heightened speed. Failing to dodge in time, Lin Feng was grazed on the arm by the flames, sending a sharp wave of pain through him.
Yet Lin Feng did not retreat. Clenching his teeth and focusing his mind, he replayed strategies for fighting the beast in his head. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and an idea formed.
Intentionally exposing a flaw, Lin Feng lured the beast into charging. Just as the creature was about to leap upon him, Lin Feng flashed aside, swiftly maneuvered behind the beast, and leapt with all his might onto its back.
Realizing someone was on its back, the beast flailed wildly, trying to throw Lin Feng off. Clinging desperately to the beast's neck, Lin Feng gathered all his strength and delivered another punch straight to its head.
This punch contained the entirety of Lin Feng's power. Accompanied by a flash of light, the beast took a direct hit to the head, staggered a few times, and finally collapsed with a crash, dissolving into a stream of light that vanished.
Lin Feng let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Through this battle, his control over his own strength had grown a bit more refined.
He continued deeper into the ruins. After walking for who knows how long, a massive stone door appeared ahead. The door was covered in various carvings, as if telling an ancient tale.
Lin Feng produced the token given by the Elder. The moment the token made contact with the stone door, it slowly swung open. Inside, a jade box emitting a soft glow rested quietly upon a stone pedestal.
Lin Feng stepped forward and had just reached for the jade box when the surrounding space suddenly warped. Several Black Shadows darted out from all directions, trapping him tightly in their midst...