Chapter 34 The First Tests

Chapter 34: Chapter 34 The First Tests

The new Lin Clan territory was filled with excitement.

After arriving, everyone had quickly scattered throughout the various halls and cultivation facilities.

There was simply too much to explore.

Lin Hao stood quietly on the Main Peak, watching his family.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Their new home was finally beginning to come alive.

The Pill Pavilion

Inside the Pill Pavilion, Lin Ruyan stood before an enormous alchemy cauldron.

Beside her stood her master, Lin Yaochen.

Rows upon rows of pill ingredients filled the surrounding shelves.

There were also countless alchemy cauldrons of different grades.

Lin Ruyan looked around with curiosity.

Then her gaze settled on one of the pill recipes.

She recognized it immediately.

The knowledge Lin Hao had given her had already been deeply engraved in her mind.

She knew the properties of the ingredients.

She knew the required flame temperature.

She knew the refining process.

She knew the precise moment when each medicinal essence needed to be merged.

The pill itself was only a Level 1 pill .

But depending on the quality of the refinement, it could reach an astonishing grade.

Lin Ruyan smiled.

"I’ll refine this one."

Lin Yaochen looked at the ingredients she had selected.

"What pill?"

Lin Ruyan answered calmly.

" Spirit Replenishing Pill. "

Lin Yaochen nodded.

"A Level 1 pill?"

"Yes."

He smiled.

"Then go ahead."

Lin Ruyan placed the ingredients into the cauldron.

The flame rose.

The spiritual herbs slowly melted.

One medicinal essence after another separated from the ingredients.

Lin Ruyan’s movements were calm and precise.

She didn’t hesitate even once.

Lin Yaochen stood nearby, watching carefully.

At first, his expression was relaxed.

But as the refinement continued, his eyes gradually widened.

Ruyan’s control was simply too precise.

Every movement was perfectly calculated.

The medicinal essences began merging.

The cauldron trembled slightly.

Lin Ruyan remained calm.

She adjusted the flame.

Then—

BOOM!

A brilliant light burst from the cauldron.

A rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire Pill Pavilion.

A pill slowly rose from the cauldron.

Lin Ruyan reached out and caught it.

She looked at the pill.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Done."

Lin Yaochen walked over.

He examined the pill carefully.

His expression slowly changed.

"Ancient Grade..."

He looked at Ruyan.

"Level 1."

Lin Ruyan nodded.

"Yes."

The pill was a perfect Ancient Grade Level 1 Spirit Replenishing Pill .

Several nearby Lin Clan members had already gathered around.

One of them stared at the pill.

"She succeeded on her first attempt?"

Another laughed.

"Of course she did."

A third person shook his head with amusement.

"With the knowledge Ancestor gave her, it would be strange if she failed."

Lin Yaochen laughed.

He looked at his disciple.

"Ruyan, you really are making your master proud."

Lin Ruyan smiled.

"I’ll make another one later."

Lin Yaochen laughed again.

"Good."

He looked around the Pill Pavilion.

"With this place and the knowledge Ancestor gave you, your future in alchemy will be extraordinary."

Lin Ruyan nodded.

She looked toward the countless ingredients and cauldrons.

There was a faint excitement in her eyes.

She had only just begun.

The Battle Tower

Elsewhere.

Lin Chen stood before the Battle Tower.

Several members of the younger generation had gathered around him.

Lin Qing looked at him.

"What opponent are you choosing?"

Lin Chen smiled.

"Core Formation Realm Level 7."

The surrounding youths immediately became silent.

One person stared at him.

"You’re serious?"

Lin Chen nodded.

"My cultivation is Foundation Establishment Realm Level 4."

Another youth immediately said:

"That’s an entire major realm apart!"

"And three minor levels."

Lin Chen smiled.

"That’s why I want to try."

Lin Qing looked at him seriously.

"Don’t underestimate him."

"I won’t."

Lin Chen stepped into the Battle Tower.

The scenery changed instantly.

He appeared on an enormous battlefield.

The sky was dark.

Mountains surrounded the battlefield.

Across from him stood a middle-aged man.

His aura was overwhelming.

Core Formation Realm Level 7.

The man looked at Lin Chen.

Then he smiled.

"Foundation Establishment Realm Level 4?"

Lin Chen nodded.

"Yes."

The man laughed.

"You have courage."

Then—

BOOM!

The man disappeared.

Lin Chen’s expression changed.

He immediately moved.

A terrifying attack crashed into the ground where he had been standing.

BOOM!

The ground exploded.

Lin Chen’s eyes became serious.

Fast.

He drew his sword.

The Core Formation cultivator attacked again.

Lin Chen blocked.

CLANG!

The tremendous force pushed him backward.

His feet dug into the ground.

The difference in strength was enormous.

But Lin Chen didn’t panic.

He carefully watched his opponent.

Another attack came.

Lin Chen dodged.

Another.

He blocked.

Another.

He retreated.

The Core Formation cultivator’s attacks were overwhelmingly powerful, but Lin Chen slowly began understanding his rhythm.

He suddenly stepped forward.

His sword flashed.

CLANG!

The Core Formation cultivator blocked the attack.

But Lin Chen didn’t stop.

He changed his angle.

Then attacked again.

The opponent’s expression changed slightly.

"So you can adapt."

Lin Chen didn’t answer.

He continued attacking.

He knew that he couldn’t win through brute force.

His opponent’s Spiritual Qi was several times greater.

His physical strength was stronger.

His techniques were more powerful.

Therefore—

Lin Chen relied on movement.

He relied on timing.

He relied on observation.

Every attack taught him something.

Every mistake became another lesson.

The Core Formation cultivator became increasingly serious.

The battle continued.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Thirty minutes.

Lin Chen’s clothes were already torn.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

But he remained standing.

Outside the Battle Tower, the spectators were stunned.

"He’s still fighting?"

"Foundation Establishment Realm Level 4 against Core Formation Realm Level 7..."

"That’s three minor levels and an entire major realm!"

"How is he lasting this long?"

Inside the battlefield—

The Core Formation cultivator suddenly released a terrifying aura.

"Enough."

A massive Spiritual Qi wave erupted.

Lin Chen’s expression became serious.

He immediately retreated.

But the attack followed him.

He raised his sword.

BOOM!

The collision sent him flying.

Lin Chen crashed into the ground.

He struggled to stand.

His opponent appeared before him.

Lin Chen looked at him.

Then smiled.

"I lost."

The battlefield disappeared.

Lin Chen opened his eyes inside the Battle Tower.

He was completely unharmed.

Lin Qing immediately walked toward him.

"How was it?"

Lin Chen breathed out.

"Strong."

"Did you win?"

"No."

Lin Qing smiled.

"But you lasted much longer than expected."

Lin Chen looked toward the Battle Tower.

"I learned a lot."

He took a breath.

Then—

"Again."

The surrounding youths burst into laughter.

Lin Qing shook her head.

"You’re really addicted."

Lin Chen smiled.

"Maybe."

The Beast Taming Hall

While Lin Chen continued challenging the Battle Tower, the three princesses had already reached the Beast Taming Hall.

Lin Xin.

Lin Wan’er.

Lin Shiyu.

The three girls walked happily through the enormous Beast Taming territory.

They had already seen the Ancient Beasts take human form before.

So seeing the various male and female Ancient Beasts walking around in human form didn’t surprise them at all.

Instead, they immediately began talking to them.

Lin Xin walked up to the tall young man who had once been the Ancient Golden Crow.

"Can you really fly that fast in your beast form?"

The Golden Crow smiled.

"Of course."

"How fast?"

He thought for a moment.

"Fast enough that most cultivators wouldn’t even see me."

Lin Xin’s eyes widened.

"Wow!"

Nearby, Lin Wan’er had already approached the Ancient Phoenix.

She looked at the beautiful woman dressed in red.

"Can you turn into a really big phoenix?"

The Phoenix smiled.

"Naturally."

"How big?"

The Phoenix raised her hand toward the sky.

"If I reveal my true body, I can cover the sky."

Lin Wan’er immediately became excited.

"Can I see it?"

The Phoenix laughed softly.

"Perhaps another time."

Lin Wan’er nodded.

"Okay."

Meanwhile, Lin Shiyu had walked over to the Ancient Qilin.

She looked up at him.

"Are you stronger than the other beasts?"

The Qilin glanced toward the surrounding Ancient Beasts.

"That’s difficult to say."

Lin Shiyu tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Because everyone has different abilities."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand."

The Qilin smiled.

"You are quite interesting, little girl."

Lin Shiyu smiled back.

"Thank you."

The three girls continued moving through the Beast Taming Hall.

They asked the Ancient Beasts countless questions.

Some were serious.

Some were completely random.

"What do you eat?"

"Where did you live before?"

"Can you swim?"

"Can you fly?"

"Which beast is the strongest?"

The Ancient Beasts answered patiently.

Some laughed.

Some shook their heads.

A few even began teasing the three girls.

The atmosphere became surprisingly lively.

Long Haoran stood nearby, watching the scene.

The enormous dragon from the Divine World had remained calm throughout.

But even he couldn’t help finding the three girls amusing.

Lin Xin suddenly ran toward him.

"Elder Long!"

Long Haoran looked down.

"Yes?"

"Which beast is the strongest here?"

Long Haoran glanced across the valley.

"That depends on the situation."

Lin Xin frowned.

"Why doesn’t anyone give a straight answer?"

Several Ancient Beasts laughed.

Long Haoran smiled.

"Because strength isn’t everything."

Lin Xin nodded seriously.

"Then who is the strongest?"

Long Haoran looked at her.

"You’ll understand when you grow older."

Lin Xin puffed out her cheeks.

"That’s what adults always say."

The surrounding Ancient Beasts burst into laughter.

Even Long Haoran’s expression softened.

The three princesses continued playing with the Ancient Beasts.

Some of the beasts even allowed them to climb onto their backs and walk around the valley.

The three girls laughed happily.

For the first time, the Beast Taming Hall felt less like a place filled with terrifying Ancient Beasts...

And more like another part of the Lin Clan’s home.

The Rest of the Clan

Throughout the territory, the Lin Clan continued exploring.

Several younger cultivators entered the Technique Pavilion.

The Artifact Spirit examined them one after another.

"This technique suits you."

"This one is more compatible with your Spiritual Root."

"This technique will complement your Bloodline."

The cultivators were amazed.

They didn’t need to search through countless manuals.

The Pavilion selected suitable techniques for them automatically.

Others entered the Weapon Hall.

Some received swords.

Others chose sabers, spears, bows, or defensive treasures.

Several elders entered the Enlightenment Hall.

The moment they began cultivating, their minds became completely clear.

The chance of Enlightenment was 100% .

Meanwhile—

Lin Cangyuan entered the fourth floor of the Time Tower.

The moment he stepped inside, enormous amounts of Immortal Qi surged toward him.

His expression became serious.

As a Golden Immortal, he immediately understood how precious this environment was.

He sat down.

And began cultivating.

Above him—

The fifth floor remained silent.

Eventually, Long Haoran entered.

The moment he stepped inside, his expression changed slightly.

Divine Qi filled the entire floor.

He slowly closed his eyes.

For the first time in a very long time, he felt that the bottleneck preventing him from advancing might actually be broken.

Long Haoran sat down.

And began cultivating.

On the Main Peak—

Lin Hao watched everything quietly.

Lin Ruyan had successfully refined an Ancient Grade Level 1 Spirit Replenishing Pill on her first attempt.

Lin Chen had challenged a Core Formation Realm Level 7 opponent despite being only at Foundation Establishment Realm Level 4.

The three princesses were happily playing with Ancient Beasts.

The elders were cultivating.

The younger generation was receiving suitable techniques and entering Enlightenment.

Lin Cangyuan was cultivating with Immortal Qi.

Long Haoran was cultivating with Divine Qi.

The Lin Clan was finally beginning to grow.

Lin Hao smiled.

"Not bad."

The System appeared.

[Host.]

"What?"

[The Lin Clan is developing rapidly.]

Lin Hao nodded.

"That’s the idea."

Azure Cloud City

Far away from the Lin Clan—

The atmosphere inside the Azure Cloud Sect was completely different.

Inside the main hall, several elders stood around the Sect Master.

An elder stepped forward.

"Sect Master."

The Sect Master raised his head.

"What happened?"

"We’ve received another report from Azure River City."

The Sect Master’s expression became serious.

"The Lin Clan?"

"Yes."

The elder nodded.

"They have completely relocated from their former residence."

The Sect Master frowned.

"Where did they go?"

"We haven’t determined the exact location yet."

The elder continued.

"But according to the information sent by the City Lord of Azure River City, the Lin Clan has established an enormous territory somewhere outside the city."

Another elder spoke.

"More rumors have also begun spreading."

"Some cultivators claim they have seen Ancient Beasts in the area."

"Others claim the Spiritual Qi surrounding the region is extraordinary."

"The reports are inconsistent."

The Sect Master remained silent.

Then—

A calm voice came from the side of the hall.

"Wherever they have gone..."

Everyone turned.

A young man sat quietly nearby.

He wore the robes of the Azure Cloud Sect.

His expression was calm.

His identity was extraordinary.

He was Ye Tianchen .

The Saint of the Azure Cloud Sect.

And the former fiancé of Wang Yue.

Ye Tianchen’s eyes were cold.

He already knew how Wang Yue had died.

He already knew that the person who killed her was a seven-year-old girl from the Lin Clan.

Lin Shiyu.

He had not forgotten.

Nor had he forgotten the humiliation suffered by the Wang Family.

Ye Tianchen looked toward the elders.

"Have you confirmed the reports?"

The elder shook his head.

"Not completely."

Ye Tianchen’s expression remained calm.

"Then confirm them."

The Sect Master glanced toward him.

"Tianchen."

Ye Tianchen turned.

The Sect Master spoke calmly.

"Don’t act rashly."

Ye Tianchen remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"I understand."

But his eyes remained cold.

The Lin Clan had already attracted the attention of the Azure Cloud Sect.

And as the rumors continued spreading...

More and more eyes would soon turn toward that mysterious new territory.