"Before leaving, there's one final goal I need to accomplish breaking through my soul realm."
With a thought, several figures flew over from the distance and stopped before Lin Yuan. They were his shadow clones and Blood Soul, who had been continuously cultivating the Heavenly Heart Soul Art nearby over the past several days.
Looking at Blood Soul and his clones, especially the vast amount of spiritual energy they had accumulated, Lin Yuan smiled in satisfaction.
"My soul power has already grown tremendously through prolonged alchemy, cultivation, and the advancement of my cultivation. I'm only half a step away from the Peak of the Mortal Realm. The spiritual energy they've gathered is more than enough to help me complete the final transformation."
"It's time."
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed as his hand seals rapidly changed.
Moments later, one of the shadow clones trembled slightly before dissolving into a sphere of energy that enveloped the massive mass of spiritual energy, guiding it into the center of Lin Yuan's forehead.
As the spiritual energy entered his body, a refreshing coolness spread throughout him, and his soul power immediately began to rise.
The transformation had begun.
The next morning.
A ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and illuminated the secluded valley.
Seated upon the Green Lotus Seat, Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes, the corners of his lips lifting into a smile.
"So this is the power of a Peak Mortal Realm soul. It truly is formidable."
Relaxing his control over himself, he released his restraint.
A vast surge of soul power erupted from his body like a tidal wave.
Invisible ripples of soul force swept across everything, passing effortlessly through all physical matter as they surged in every direction.
Wherever the soul ripples spread, a faint yet unmistakable pressure descended upon the surroundings.
The magical beasts caught within its range all shuddered instinctively. An indescribable sense of oppression welled up from the depths of their souls, causing them to look toward the valley with instinctive awe.
Zi Yan, who had been sleeping soundly nearby, was abruptly awakened.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she looked toward Lin Yuan.
"Big Brother Lin Yuan, did something happen?"
Little Fairy Doctor closed the ancient book in her hands and stored it inside her Storage Ring before gazing solemnly toward the mountain where Lin Yuan was.
"He should have made another breakthrough during cultivation. It seems this secluded training session has yielded remarkable results. Zi Yan, let's go take a look."
"Okay!"
The two immediately flew toward the mountaintop.
When they arrived, they found Lin Yuan lazily stretching his body.
Soul power, so dense that it was nearly tangible, flowed around him, radiating an eerie pressure with every circulation.
Sensing their arrival, Lin Yuan turned around with a faint smile.
His black eyes were astonishingly bright.
Standing so close to him, even Little Fairy Doctor and Zi Yan could feel a subtle pressure weighing upon them.
It was a pressure that seemed to originate from the depths of one's soul itself, making it difficult to resist.
"Tsk..."
Zi Yan clicked her tongue.
"Big Brother Lin Yuan, you feel really scary right now!"
"Hm? Scary?"
Lin Yuan frowned slightly before understanding dawned on him.
"So that's it. My strength has increased too much all at once, and I haven't fully mastered it yet. Give me a moment."
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and slowly withdrew the soul power that had been radiating outward, quietly comprehending the changes within himself.
Half an hour later.
When Lin Yuan finally opened his eyes again, the overwhelming brilliance and oppressive aura within them had completely vanished, leaving only their usual profound depth.
"That should do it."
Little Fairy Doctor spoke from beside him.
"It seems you've gained quite a lot this time."
"I certainly have."
Lin Yuan laughed heartily.
"This secluded cultivation accomplished every goal I set. I'm not far from reaching the Ancestor realm anymore. By the way, you broke through to the Ancestor realm not long ago. Do you have any experience I can learn from?"
Little Fairy Doctor thought for a moment before answering seriously.
"Don't rush it. Advancing from Emperor to Ancestor isn't just about accumulating enough Dou Qi. You also need to seize a certain elusive opportunity."
After a brief pause, she continued, "My case was rather unique. At the moment when the Nether Poison Flame caused my Woeful Poison Body to fully mature, I managed to grasp that opportunity. Without the Nether Poison Flame, even with the Woeful Poison Body, I probably would have needed another half year before breaking through."
"So an opportunity?"
Lin Yuan pondered for a moment before asking,
"Any more specific advice?"
Little Fairy Doctor gently rubbed her forehead.
"My experience isn't very representative because of my special constitution. But if I had to summarize it, I'd say you need the right opportunity, abundant energy, and an unwavering conviction."
"Also, if my guess is correct, comprehending some Space Power beforehand should make it easier for you to seize that opportunity."
"But regardless, your priority should still be tempering your Dou Qi to its absolute limit. That's the true foundation for breaking through."
"Opportunity, energy conviction, Space Power..."
Lin Yuan murmured the words to himself.
After thinking for a while, his eyes brightened.
"Thank you for the reminder, Little Fairy Doctor."
"No need to thank me."
She gently shook her head.
"Alright, alright."
Zi Yan rolled her eyes.
"We're family. Why are you two being so polite? Let's get moving! We've stayed here long enough. There's nothing valuable left nearby anyway!"
Over the past few days, she had thoroughly searched the surrounding hundred-mile area, leaving nothing worth collecting.
Lin Yuan and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged smiles.
"You're right. We've delayed long enough. Let's go."
The three of them transformed into streaks of light and sped toward the Luo Yan Empire.
Although the territory of the Luo Yan Empire was somewhat smaller than the Chu Yun Empire, it was no less expansive than the Jia Ma Empire.
After nearly four days of travel, Lin Yuan's group finally caught sight of the true center of the Luo Yan Empire, the Heavenly Goose Mountain Range.
At the center of the mountain range stood Golden Goose Mountain, home to the true overlord of the Luo Yan Empire, the Golden Goose Sect.
The Golden Goose Sect occupied the same position within the Luo Yan Empire that the Poison Sect held within the Chu Yun Empire.
Both completely controlled their respective nations.
Moreover, the Golden Goose Sect's Ancestor Master had broken through to the Ancestor realm two years ago, making the faction even more domineering.
The imperial Jin Clan of the Luo Yan Empire had effectively become puppets.
To curry favor with Yan Luo Tian, several imperial princesses had even become his concubines.
The imperial capital of the Luo Yan Empire formerly Luo Yan City was now known as Silver Goose City.
Standing atop the imperial palace with Little Fairy Doctor beside him, Lin Yuan gazed into the distance at the enormous mountain range faintly glowing with golden light.
At that moment, Zi Yan flew over from afar, looking rather dissatisfied.
"Big Brother, the Luo Yan Imperial Family is so poor! It's nowhere near as rich as the places we robbed before."
Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
"All the real treasures have already been moved over there."
He pointed toward Golden Goose Mountain.
"Really?"
Zi Yan's eyes lit up.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go take them!"
"This time, are we charging straight up the mountain?" Little Fairy Doctor asked.
"Not 'we.' Me."
Lin Yuan shook his head.
"My cultivation has advanced too quickly recently. I need plenty of real combat to fully temper my newfound strength. Yan Luo Tian only recently advanced to the Ancestor realm, making him an ideal sparring partner."
"I'll deal with him."
"You and Zi Yan handle everyone else in the Golden Goose Sect. If Yan Luo Tian tries to escape, intercept him together."
"Leave it to me."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded.
Lin Yuan then turned toward Zi Yan.
"Zi Yan, don't forget to use the Illusion Beast Skin Little Fairy Doctor had made whenever we go looting. Otherwise, if word gets back to the Grand Elder, he'll never stop lecturing us."
The Illusion Beast Skin was a special item produced in the Chu Yun Empire that could alter one's appearance and conceal one's aura to a certain extent.
Since Zi Yan and Lin Yuan often did things that attracted countless enemies, Little Fairy Doctor had specially ordered several top-grade Illusion Beast Skins for them.
Hearing this, Zi Yan slapped her forehead.
"Uh... If you hadn't reminded me, I would've forgotten all about it."
She quickly took out the Illusion Beast Skin and put it on.
A completely different, but equally adorable little face appeared before Lin Yuan.
"Let's go."
With that, Lin Yuan shot forward, followed closely by Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor.
Before long, they arrived outside Golden Goose Mountain.
At the foot of Golden Goose Mountain.
"In broad daylight, and he's already having this much fun?"
After receiving the images transmitted by his soul perception, an amused smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
"What a carefree and romantic life."
"In that case, let me add a little excitement for you."
A green fireball, carrying bone-chilling killing intent and eerie soul power, suddenly exploded at the very moment Yan Luo Tian was enjoying himself the most, blasting directly into the palace where he was.
Moments later, overwhelming killing intent erupted from the Golden Goose Ancestor.
An enraged roar echoed throughout the mountains.
"Who dares?!"
Before the sentence was even finished, a brilliant golden figure burst through the green flames consuming the palace roof and shot into the sky before stopping in front of the figure wreathed in azure flames.
Yan Luo Tian fixed Lin Yuan with eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"So it was you, brat?"
His voice was filled with undisguised fury.
Facing the gloomy-faced Yan Luo Tian, Lin Yuan merely smiled calmly.
His gaze swept over the pair of golden goose wings behind Yan Luo Tian before he said with a cheerful smile,
"Greetings, Ancestor Master Yan. Were you satisfied with the little gift I just gave you?"
"Judging by your expression, I'd say it certainly livened things up quite a bit."
"Heh... heh... heh..."
"You brat, you're courting death!"
Enraged by Lin Yuan's mockery, Yan Luo Tian let out a furious roar. His hand immediately formed a blade as dazzling golden Dou Qi surged forth. His golden wings trembled, and his figure shot toward Lin Yuan like a bolt of lightning.
"I'll use your blood to quell this Ancestor Master's fury today!"
Seeing this, Lin Yuan gently spread his flame wings and drifted backward like the wind.
Yan Luo Tian had anticipated this. The instant Lin Yuan retreated, brilliant golden light burst from his back. His enormous golden goose-feather wings spread wide, and with a single flap, his speed exploded. In the blink of an eye, he appeared directly before Lin Yuan.
Golden blade-like Dou Qi wrapped around his hand as it slashed viciously toward Lin Yuan's neck.
At the critical moment, Lin Yuan calmly raised a hand wrapped in intertwining green flames and vigorous force, firmly blocking the attack.
The dense green force dispersed the golden energy, while emerald flames coiled up Yan Luo Tian's arm, surging toward his entire body.
The scorching flames instantly incinerated Yan Luo Tian's robes before beginning to burn his flesh.
Yan Luo Tian's eyes flashed with astonishment.
Not only had his supposedly unstoppable attack been blocked by a mere Dou Emperor, but the latter had immediately launched a counterattack.
However, as a seasoned veteran, his combat instincts were extraordinarily sharp.
Suppressing his surprise, dazzling golden light erupted from his body, instantly dispersing the invading green flames.
Yet at that very moment...
Lin Yuan's next attack had already arrived.
With a thought, he unleashed a technique he had not used for a long time.
Transforming Dou Qi into flames and condensing the flames into chains, three chains forged from Heavenly Flames instantly materialized, roaring through the air with deafening force.
"Triple Flame Chains!"
Under the control of his soul power, the three chains became emerald streaks, weaving across the battlefield and sealing off every possible escape route.
After receiving guidance from the Protectors of the Hall of Souls, Lin Yuan had already mastered the use of chain weapons to an exceptionally high level.
While his soul power controlled the chains of flame, his hands were far from idle.
He activated the Spiral Formula, spiraling his Dou Qi, Heavenly Flame, and vitality into his right fist, forming a terrifying fusion of emerald and crimson energy.
Yan Luo Tian's heart grew slightly cold.
"This relentless chain of attacks this brat isn't simple."
Although inwardly alarmed, his movements remained swift.
Golden Dou Qi rapidly gathered around his right fist until dazzling golden light erupted from it.
"Die!"
With a furious roar, Yan Luo Tian charged forward, throwing a punch directly at Lin Yuan.
As long as he crushed Lin Yuan head-on, the flame chains would lose their threat, and the entire offensive would collapse.
"A direct clash?"
Lin Yuan smiled.
"Just what I wanted."
"Heavenly Origin Eight Character Art—Break, Spiral, Pierce!"
He threw a punch without the slightest intention of retreating.
The two fists collided.
Boom!
The explosion resembled heavenly thunder.
Emerald-red force and golden Dou Qi collided violently in midair, sending an overwhelming shockwave sweeping across the surroundings. Even space itself seemed to twist beneath the terrifying impact.
After a brief stalemate, the true power of the Heavenly Origin Eight Character Art revealed itself.
The Spiral Formula dispersed force.
The Break Formula sought weaknesses.
The Pierce Formula disrupted the enemy's energy.
Under the combined assault of all three techniques, attacking both internally and externally, Yan Luo Tian's Dou Qi instantly fell into chaos.
His face turned deathly pale as Lin Yuan's monstrous physical strength blasted him backward.
As Yan Luo Tian struggled to regain his balance, the three Heavenly Flame chains seized the opportunity and shot toward his vital points.
He hurriedly beat his wings, barely blocking their attacks while trying to gather Dou Qi for a counterattack.
But he had already lost the initiative.
After narrowly avoiding several piercing strikes and destroying two of the chains, the final Heavenly Flame chain pierced through a point three inches below his abdomen.
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
A heart-wrenching scream echoed across the sky.
Even Lin Yuan, the one responsible, couldn't help feeling a trace of pity upon hearing such a miserable cry and temporarily eased his offensive.
Taking advantage of the brief respite, Yan Luo Tian endured the agonizing pain, flapped his wings, and retreated to widen the distance.
Turning around, hatred and fear intertwined in his icy gaze.
His eyes fell upon Lin Yuan, then onto the Heavenly Flame chain.
And finally onto the mangled piece of flesh skewered upon it.
Following his gaze, Lin Yuan also noticed the chunk of flesh.
Without hesitation, he instinctively raised the temperature of the green flame chain, reducing the flesh to complete ashes.
"AAAAAH! AAAAH! AAAAH!"
At that instant, Yan Luo Tian's killing intent completely exploded.
"Brat! I don't care who you are! Today, this Ancestor Master will reduce you to ashes!"
Lin Yuan nodded with a smile.
"Very good."
"That's exactly the determination you should have."
"Now show me the true strength of a Dou Ancestor."
"If Ancestor Master Yan can kill me, the medicinal pill inside my Storage Ring that regenerates severed limbs will be yours."
"A pill that regenerates severed limbs?"
Yan Luo Tian's eyes lit up before he asked through gritted teeth,
"Who exactly are you? And why have you come to make an enemy of this Ancestor Master?"
"Who am I? Why?"
Lin Yuan smiled indifferently.
Boundless green flames gathered in his hand, condensing into a long spear of emerald fire.
After flourishing the spear several times, he rested it diagonally behind him, its tip pointing toward Yan Luo Tian.
"I'm simply someone who enjoys challenging strong opponents."
"I'm causing you trouble, because I felt like it."
"That's all."
Hearing such an absurd answer, Yan Luo Tian was nearly driven to laughter by sheer rage.
"So I'm just entertainment for you?"
"Brat!"
"Today, I swear I'll make sure you die without a burial place!"
Despite his overwhelming fury, Yan Luo Tian did not allow his emotions to cloud his judgment.
He clenched his hand.
Golden light condensed into an oddly shaped golden sword covered with razor-sharp goose-feather spikes.
Pointing the sword at Lin Yuan, he said coldly,
"A mere Dou Emperor. I was simply careless earlier."
"Now..."
"I'll show you the true power of a Dou Ancestor."
As he spoke, Yan Luo Tian formed a profound hand seal with his left hand.
Brilliant golden light erupted across his body.
A suit of golden goose-feather armor materialized around him.
At the same time, dazzling golden radiance exploded from his back as an enormous pair of golden goose wings spanning nearly eighty feet unfurled.
"So the Heavenly Goose Nine Flight Wings have finally appeared."
Lin Yuan smiled as he looked at the magnificent wings.
"But that armor..."
His gaze lingered on the goose-feather armor.
"Although it's sustained by Dou Qi, it isn't merely condensed energy. It shares similarities with those wings."
"I hope it's exactly what I'm thinking."
A playful smile appeared in his eyes.
Suddenly, Yan Luo Tian felt an inexplicable sense of danger.
With a violent flap of his enormous wings, countless golden rays rained toward Lin Yuan like a storm.
Silver light flashed around Lin Yuan.
A residual image remained where he had stood and was instantly pierced through by the countless golden rays.
His true body had already appeared over a hundred meters away as though he had teleported.
Yet the instant he appeared, Yan Luo Tian was already there.
His goose-feather sword slashed directly toward Lin Yuan.
Twisting gracefully like a swimming dragon, Lin Yuan narrowly evaded the strike by the smallest margin.
Leaving behind another afterimage, he reappeared another hundred meters away.
"So we're competing in speed?"
Yan Luo Tian sneered.
With another flap of his wings, he shot forward again.
"Brat, your movement technique rivals my Goose Sky Flight."
"But my Heavenly Goose Nine Flight Wings possess far more than mere speed."
His wings beat once more.
In an instant, he appeared before Lin Yuan again.
The goose-feather sword vibrated.
Like a venomous serpent, the blade thrust forward as fierce sword Qi distorted the surrounding space.
Lin Yuan swung his arm.
The emerald flame spear spun forward, striking the tip of the goose-feather sword with pinpoint precision.
He thrust violently.
Strange force combined with overwhelming physical strength erupted through the spear, forcing Yan Luo Tian backward.
However, the streams of force were intercepted by the goose-feather armor, producing crisp metallic clangs.
Yan Luo Tian's eyes narrowed.
His massive wings suddenly swept outward.
Countless golden feathers shot toward Lin Yuan like razor-sharp arrows.
Yet they pierced nothing but another afterimage.
Lin Yuan's real body had already appeared a hundred meters away.
"So this is all a Dou Ancestor amounts to?"
Lin Yuan mocked.
Yan Luo Tian stared solemnly at him, recalling the previous exchanges.
"This brat is only a Dou Emperor, yet his combat skills are astonishing. His movement technique and physical strength are extraordinary."
"Has he cultivated a high-tier body-refining Dou Technique?"
"If so, it explains how he can contend with me for so long."
"But only contend. I refuse to believe a Dou Emperor can outlast a Dou Ancestor in a battle of attrition."
With that thought, golden Dou Qi erupted once again.
The goose-feather armor shone even brighter.
His wings spread wide as he charged toward Lin Yuan like a giant golden goose.
A playful smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
Silver light flickered around him as he met the charge with spear in hand.
Above the vast skies of the Golden Goose Ancestor. One golden streak and one silver streak continuously intertwined.
The emerald spear collided repeatedly against the golden sword.
Pure fire-attributed Dou Qi clashed violently against dense metal-attributed Dou Qi.
Shockwaves rolled endlessly while raging energy storms swept across the heavens.
Their fierce battle lasted for a full two hours.
When the two finally confronted each other once more in midair, the clouds had long since been blown away.
The battlefield below had become complete ruins, covered with sword scars and burns left behind by Heavenly Flames.
Yan Luo Tian looked at Lin Yuan.
Compared to before the battle, Lin Yuan appeared completely unchanged.
Deep fear gradually filled Yan Luo Tian's eyes.
In contrast, he himself was in a miserable state.
His body was covered with wounds and burns.
After two hours of combat, Yan Luo Tian had completely lost confidence in killing his opponent.
Throughout the entire battle, no matter what attack he used, Lin Yuan always neutralized it by the narrowest possible margin.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan's attacks repeatedly forced him into desperate situations.
Yan Luo Tian actually felt an enormous gap between himself and a mere Dou Emperor.
This was precisely what made Lin Yuan so terrifying.
His Dou Techniques, secret arts, and combat methods were all extraordinarily versatile.
His perception, speed, offense, defense, and endurance were all exceptional.
As long as an opponent lacked overwhelming strength to completely suppress him, fighting Lin Yuan became an incredibly difficult ordeal.
Sensing that Lin Yuan's aura remained completely stable, Yan Luo Tian felt increasingly powerless.
"His aura hasn't weakened at all."
"The cultivation technique he practices must be of an extremely high level."
"At this rate, there's no way I'll exhaust him."
"Damn it..."
"This isn't an opponent I can defeat."
"I'll just let this grudge go..."
Just as Yan Luo Tian was about to seek peace...
Lin Yuan's voice rang out.
"Ancestor Master Yan..."
"Thank you for serving as my sparring partner for so long."
"Farewell."
As his words fell, Lin Yuan opened his mouth slightly.
The Dou Qi he had long gathered within his throat erupted.
A world-shaking dragon's roar burst from his mouth.
The tangible soundwaves spread across the sky.
"Heavenly Dragon Eight Notes, Shock!"
The terrifying sonic wave, accompanied by overwhelming dragon might and the soul power of the Peak Mortal Realm, struck Yan Luo Tian instantly.
At the same moment blood Soul burst forth from the Soul Ring.
Caught completely off guard by the sudden attack and assaulted by soul power at the Peak Mortal Realm, Yan Luo Tian felt as though he had suffered a devastating blow.
He vaguely heard a cracking sound before his consciousness plunged into a brief state of dizziness.
When his vision finally cleared a mass of black mist churned before him.
Several black chains shot from within it, piercing straight through his body.
Black Qi flowed along the chains as eerie runes flickered across them.
Yan Luo Tian immediately felt his strength draining away.
Amid sinister laughter, he was dragged helplessly into the black mist.
"Heh... heh... heh..."
"A Dou Ancestor's soul..."
"This Protector shall gladly accept it."
The black mist trembled slightly before quickly returning to silence.
Space rippled gently as Little Fairy Doctor appeared beside Lin Yuan.
"It's over?"
She glanced between Lin Yuan and Blood Soul before asking curiously,
"Lin Yuan, I thought Blood Soul was controlled by you. Then why was he acting on his own just now..."
"Little Fairy Doctor."
"Have you finished dealing with the others?"
Realizing she was about to ask an extremely embarrassing question, Lin Yuan quickly changed the subject.
Seeing through his attempt, Little Fairy Doctor covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Don't worry. I've already dealt with every dangerous target."
"Zi Yan is searching the Golden Goose Ancestor's treasury now."
"What about you?"
"Did you accomplish your objective?"
Lin Yuan nodded with a smile.
"I did."
"As expected, nothing tempers Dou Qi better than a truly satisfying battle."
"I can already feel my improvement and now I have a much clearer understanding of my current strength."
As he spoke, he waved a strand of Dou Qi, drawing Yan Luo Tian's corpse over.
After removing his Storage Ring, he placed the corpse into a separate Storage Ring reserved specifically for bodies.
Tossing Yan Luo Tian's Storage Ring lightly in his hand, Lin Yuan smiled.
"Let's go."
"It's time to collect our spoils."
----
For additional chapter's
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu