One month had passed since the Secret Realm completed its foundational stage.
During that time, the world inside the realm had continued evolving quietly.
Forests expanded.
Rivers deepened.
Elemental regions stabilized as natural circulation patterns formed beneath the land.
And at the center of the realm—
The young World Tree continued growing.
Its roots spread deep underground, intertwining with the elemental veins that Lin Huang had painstakingly created during the realm's earliest days.
Now those artificial veins were no longer the primary support of the world.
They had become something else.
A foundation.
Something the realm had already begun surpassing.
Inside the central formation hall of the Lin Clan estate, a large projection floated above the circular array.
The projection displayed a constantly updating image of the Secret Realm.
Energy circulation patterns moved across the map like glowing rivers of light.
Clusters of crystalline energy pulsed beneath forests and mountains.
New formations appeared naturally within the realm's structure.
Everything had begun functioning without external interference.
Lin Huang stood quietly in front of the projection.
Honghong rested lazily on his shoulder, her golden tails flicking slowly behind him.
Beside him stood Gu Yuena.
Several others were also present.
Ning Tian.
Ju Zi.
Bi Ji.
Tang Ya.
Xuedi.
Bingdi.
Even a few elders of the Lin Clan had gathered to observe the latest report.
Floating beside the projection was a list of numbers.
The production report for the previous month.
Basic Soul CrystalsHundreds of Millions
Intermediate Soul Crystals85,214
Advanced Soul Crystals5,318
The hall remained silent for several seconds.
Then Xiao Hongchen slowly spoke.
"…That's ridiculous."
Yuhao nodded.
"Even major empires don't produce resources like this in a month."
Chen Zifeng whistled quietly.
"Your training hall turned into a money printer."
Ning Tian adjusted her glasses as she studied the numbers carefully.
"This level of production means the realm has fully stabilized."
She pointed toward the projection.
"The ecosystem is now generating resources naturally."
Tang Ya looked impressed.
"That forest region alone produced most of the wood-type crystals."
Bi Ji nodded gently.
"The vitality circulation is extremely healthy."
Gu Yuena observed the map silently.
Her silver eyes traced the energy patterns flowing through the realm.
"The world has reached equilibrium."
She finally spoke calmly.
"The foundation stage is complete."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
"It no longer needs external support."
When the Secret Realm had first been created, enormous amounts of resources had been required to stabilize it.
Soul crystals.
Elemental veins.
Formation arrays.
Even spiritual herbs and vitality energy had been used to accelerate the world's growth.
At that time, the realm consumed far more resources than it produced.
But now—
Everything had changed.
The circulation of the elemental veins had reached perfect balance.
The World Tree stabilized the flow of energy across the realm.
Natural crystal veins had formed in several regions.
Elemental spirits had even begun appearing in some zones.
The realm was no longer something artificial.
It had become something far closer to a true world.
Gu Yuena continued studying the numbers.
"At this rate…"
She paused briefly.
"…the realm will produce more resources every year than several kingdoms combined."
One of the clan elders let out a quiet breath.
"This is beyond a territory."
Another elder nodded slowly.
"This is practically a treasury of heaven and earth."
Xiao Hongchen leaned back against a pillar.
"So the world you created is now paying you back."
Lin Huang shrugged slightly.
"That was always the plan."
Yuhao looked thoughtful.
"If this continues…"
"…you could support an entire empire's cultivation resources."
Ju Zi shook her head slightly.
"More than that."
She pointed toward the numbers.
"This kind of production could support multiple high-level cultivation factions."
Ning Tian nodded.
"The economic implications alone are terrifying."
Lin Huang did not respond.
Instead, his attention remained on the projection.
The Secret Realm had finally reached the stage he originally intended.
Self-sustaining growth.
The realm would now continue evolving on its own.
Every year it would produce more resources.
Every year its ecosystem would grow stronger.
Every year its internal laws would become clearer.
Eventually—
It might truly become a world.
Gu Yuena finally turned toward Lin Huang.
"…Your theory worked."
Lin Huang glanced at her.
"Which one?"
She gestured toward the projection.
"The world-axis structure."
"The elemental vein system."
"The learning capability of the realm."
Then she added calmly:
"And the seed of a world."
Lin Huang looked toward the center of the projection.
The young World Tree stood there, still small compared to what it would one day become.
But its presence had already changed the realm's entire structure.
For a moment, Lin Huang remained silent.
Then he spoke quietly.
"The next step begins today."
Gu Yuena's silver eyes narrowed slightly.
She already knew what he meant.
Today—
Lin Huang would rebuild the foundation of his cultivation.
And once that process began…
His path toward divinity
would truly start.
The courtyard of the Lin Clan estate remained lively even after the production report ended.
Although the elders had already begun discussing the implications of the Secret Realm's resource output, most of the younger cultivators were far more interested in what would happen next.
After all, Lin Huang had just announced something important.
Today—
He would rebuild the foundation of his cultivation.
Naturally, no one wanted to miss that.
Several formation platforms had already been prepared within the courtyard.
The central array connected directly to the Secret Realm.
Energy flowed quietly beneath the stone floor.
Xiao Hongchen stretched lazily.
"So this is really happening today?"
Lin Huang nodded.
"Yes."
Chen Zifeng glanced toward the formation platform.
"You're about to rebuild your entire cultivation system."
Lin Huang shrugged slightly.
"That's one way to describe it."
Yuhao looked slightly nervous.
"…Is that safe?"
Before Lin Huang could answer—
A small voice suddenly echoed across the courtyard.
"Brother!"
A small figure ran across the garden.
Without slowing down.
Without hesitation.
Lin Yueqin launched herself directly at Lin Huang.
He caught her effortlessly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
She happily buried her face against his shoulder.
The scene was extremely familiar.
Everyone in the courtyard had seen it before.
Yueqin had developed a simple habit.
Whenever she saw Lin Huang—
She immediately attached herself to him.
Tang Ya laughed.
"She's glued to you again."
Xu Tianzhen nodded.
"She really is your shadow."
But this time something felt… different.
Earlier that morning, Yueqin had been playing in the courtyard.
At first, no one paid much attention.
After all, a child playing around was nothing unusual.
Then someone noticed what she was dragging behind her.
A training weight.
Not a small one.
A large stone weight normally used for strength training.
One of the elders frowned slightly.
"That weight belongs to the body cultivation platform."
Another elder looked confused.
"…Why is it here?"
Then Yueqin lifted it.
The courtyard fell silent.
The stone weight easily exceeded two thousand pounds.
Yet the small girl—
Not even three years old—
Lifted it with both hands.
And took several steps forward.
"…."
Xiao Hongchen stared.
"…What."
Yuhao blinked several times.
"…That shouldn't be possible."
Chen Zifeng slowly turned his head toward Lin Huang.
"…Explain."
Lin Huang simply looked at Yueqin calmly.
"…She's strong."
That explanation did not satisfy anyone.
Tang Ya covered her mouth.
"She's a toddler!"
Xu Tianzhen leaned closer to the stone weight.
"That thing is heavier than most soul masters can lift."
Right at that moment—
Yueqin lifted it again.
Wu Feng stopped speaking mid-sentence.
"…Okay."
"That's ridiculous."
Ma Xiaotao burst out laughing.
"Little monster!"
Tang Ya immediately agreed.
"Definitely a monster."
Xu Tianzhen added enthusiastically:
"Monster's little sister."
Yueqin looked extremely pleased with herself.
"Strong!"
She flexed her tiny arms proudly.
Several elders of the Lin Clan exchanged looks.
One of them spoke quietly.
"That child hasn't even started cultivation."
Another elder nodded slowly.
"And she already possesses that level of physical strength."
Lin Zhenyuan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"The foundation of her body…"
"…is extraordinary."
Lin Huang's mother smiled proudly.
"She was always healthy."
Xiao Hongchen pointed toward Lin Huang.
"No."
"She inherited his ridiculous constitution."
Chen Zifeng nodded.
"Monster family."
Yuhao looked slightly overwhelmed.
"…She's not even three."
Nearby, Gu Yuena observed the child silently.
Her silver eyes scanned Yueqin carefully.
"…Immaculate foundation."
The resources of the Secret Realm had refined the child's body naturally.
Vital herbs.
High-density energy.
Perfect environmental balance.
And before she had even begun formal cultivation—
Her body had already formed something extremely rare.
A Self-Condensed Soul Bone.
Even among geniuses, that was nearly unheard of.
Ning Tian adjusted her glasses slowly.
"That child's cultivation future is terrifying."
Ju Zi nodded calmly.
"She will likely surpass most people before adulthood."
Han Ruoruo smiled faintly.
"The next generation of monsters is already growing."
Meanwhile Yueqin had started trying to lift the weight again.
Lin Huang stopped her.
"…No."
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"But strong!"
Tang Ya laughed.
"Yes."
"Very strong."
Lin Huang placed her back on the ground.
She immediately hugged his leg instead.
Xiao Hongchen leaned back against a pillar.
"You know what this means."
Chen Zifeng nodded.
"The Lin Clan is doomed."
Yuhao looked confused.
"Doomed?"
Chen Zifeng pointed at Yueqin.
"In twenty years?"
"She'll probably dominate half the continent."
Yuhao thought for a moment.
"…Fair."
Lin Huang ignored them.
Instead he looked toward the sky.
Today marked something else.
He had turned sixteen.
On the Douluo Continent—
That meant adulthood.
It also meant something important for another reason.
The Resonance Technique had reached its next stage.
The Yin–Yang phase.
Although no one mentioned it directly—
Several of the girls clearly noticed.
Xu Tianzhen coughed awkwardly.
Tang Ya suddenly looked very interested in the sky.
Ma Xiaotao smirked slightly.
Lin Huang simply ignored all of them.
Today was not about that.
Today—
He would rebuild the foundation of his cultivation.
And everyone present knew.
The real event
was about to begin.
As the laughter in the courtyard slowly faded, the atmosphere gradually shifted.
Everyone present understood that the earlier moment with Yueqin had only been a brief distraction.
The real reason they had gathered here today was something far more important.
At the center of the courtyard stood a large formation platform.
Multiple formation arrays had been carved into the stone floor.
Several energy channels connected directly to the Secret Realm.
At the center of the platform, a circular seat had been placed.
That was where Lin Huang would begin his cultivation reconstruction.
The courtyard had become unusually crowded.
Not only the core members of Lin Huang's group were present.
Several elders of the Lin Clan stood around the edges of the courtyard.
Even Lin Huang's parents remained nearby.
Lin Zhenyuan stood calmly behind them, observing everything carefully.
Among the group were all the familiar figures.
Gu Yuena.
Xuedi.
Bingdi.
Bi Ji.
Tang Ya.
Zhang Lexuan.
Ma Xiaotao.
Ling Luochen.
Ning Tian.
Ju Zi.
Xu Tianzhen.
Wu Feng.
Jiang Nannan.
Han Ruoruo.
Chen Zifeng.
Ji Juechen.
Xiao Hongchen.
Huo Yuhao.
Standing beside Yuhao was another figure.
A woman with calm eyes that carried traces of deep wisdom.
Huo Yun'er.
Since receiving the Rank 9 Heaven Reforging Pill, her entire presence had changed.
Although her cultivation remained sealed while her foundation was being reforged, the aura around her was no longer that of an ordinary woman.
Her eyes seemed clearer.
Sharper.
Almost as if they could see deeper into the world itself.
Yuhao stood beside her quietly.
He looked both nervous and excited.
"…Mother," he whispered.
"This really isn't dangerous?"
Huo Yun'er smiled gently.
"With your brother?"
She glanced toward Lin Huang.
"It will be fine."
At the center of the courtyard, Lin Huang slowly stepped onto the formation platform.
Yueqin had already been gently handed to Lin Huang's mother, though the little girl continued staring at him curiously.
"Brother strong!"
Lin Huang sat down at the center of the formation.
Honghong lazily stretched across his shoulders, watching everything with mild interest.
"…This might actually be entertaining."
Gu Yuena stepped forward.
The moment she approached the formation, the atmosphere around the courtyard changed slightly.
Her presence alone carried a natural pressure.
Not oppressive.
But undeniable.
Several elders instinctively straightened.
Even Xuedi and Bingdi became slightly more focused.
Gu Yuena stood across from Lin Huang.
"You're ready?"
Lin Huang nodded calmly.
"Yes."
She glanced briefly at the formation array.
"This will not simply be a breakthrough."
Lin Huang answered calmly.
"I know."
What they were about to do was something extremely unusual.
Even dangerous.
Lin Huang already possessed three Soul Cores.
Dantian Core.
Lung Core.
Spiritual Core.
Most cultivators struggled just to form one.
Having three was already an anomaly.
Today, those cores would be reconstructed.
Gu Yuena raised her hand slightly.
A faint silver light appeared around her fingers.
Divine power.
Several people in the courtyard immediately noticed the difference.
The energy she used was fundamentally different from normal spiritual power.
It felt deeper.
Older.
More absolute.
Ning Tian whispered quietly.
"…That energy."
Ju Zi nodded.
"It's divine."
Xuedi watched silently.
Even she could feel the difference.
Gu Yuena spoke calmly.
"Once we begin, your energy source will change."
Lin Huang nodded.
"That's the goal."
Instead of merely strengthening his cultivation—
They would change its foundation.
His energy source would no longer be ordinary spiritual power.
It would become something closer to divine power.
Yuhao looked stunned.
"…That's possible?"
Chen Zifeng muttered quietly.
"With him?"
"…Probably."
Gu Yuena continued.
"Your soul cores will stabilize the transformation."
She glanced toward Lin Huang's chest.
"And you will create a new one."
Lin Huang nodded.
"In the heart."
The Heart Core.
A new center of circulation.
One that would distribute divine power throughout his entire body.
Several elders exchanged shocked looks.
A fourth Soul Core.
Lin Zhenyuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Bold."
Lin Huang closed his eyes slowly.
His breathing became calm.
Steady.
Around him, the formation arrays began activating.
Lines of light spread across the stone floor.
Energy from the Secret Realm flowed through the formation channels.
The air itself seemed to tremble slightly.
Gu Yuena raised her hand.
Silver divine power slowly gathered around her palm.
Then she spoke quietly.
"Let's begin."
At that moment—
The formation erupted with light.
As the formation began activating beneath Lin Huang, the air within the courtyard grew noticeably heavier.
Energy flowed through the formation channels connecting directly to the Secret Realm.
But before the true reconstruction began—
Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes again.
"Wait."
The formation lights paused.
Several people looked confused.
Gu Yuena raised an eyebrow.
"You're delaying the process?"
Lin Huang shook his head slightly.
"Something needs to be completed first."
He stood up from the formation seat.
Then looked toward two figures nearby.
Bi Ji.
Tang Ya.
"Come here."
Both of them stepped forward immediately.
They already knew what this was about.
Over the past months, the three of them had been working on something new.
A completely new professional path.
Lin Huang raised his hand slightly.
Green-gold energy appeared around his fingers.
Not ordinary healing energy.
But something deeper.
Vitality.
Life law.
Meridian circulation.
Spiritual repair.
Soul stabilization.
All combined into a single flowing technique.
Bi Ji stepped forward first.
Her emerald energy joined the flow.
Tang Ya followed.
Her control over life-based circulation and plant vitality stabilized the technique further.
A complex healing formation appeared in the air.
Energy flowed through multiple layers of circulation.
Lin Huang spoke calmly.
"This is the foundation of the profession we created."
Spiritual Doctor.
Several people in the courtyard watched carefully.
Ning Tian adjusted her glasses.
"Medical cultivation…"
Ju Zi nodded slowly.
"Not just healing injuries."
Lin Huang continued explaining.
"This profession focuses on repairing the fundamental systems of cultivation."
He pointed to the flowing formation.
"Meridians."
"Soul structures."
"Bloodline instability."
"Vitality depletion."
Tang Ya added calmly.
"It also stabilizes energy circulation."
Bi Ji nodded gently.
"And restores life force."
Lin Huang gestured toward the formation again.
"This technique is only the first stage."
He raised one finger.
"Spiritual Doctor Rank 1."
Several layers of the formation shifted.
More complex patterns appeared.
"Each rank requires mastery of new healing principles."
"From Rank 1 to Rank 9."
Ning Tian immediately understood the implication.
"…So advancement requires mastering the techniques."
Lin Huang nodded.
"Yes."
"It is not just a profession."
"It is a cultivation path."
Bi Ji smiled softly.
"And a path dedicated to life."
The formation slowly stabilized.
The healing technique continued circulating steadily in the air.
Anyone with sufficient talent could study it.
Learn it.
Practice it.
Most importantly—
It could be transmitted.
For several seconds, the courtyard remained silent.
Then suddenly—
A gentle light descended from the sky.
Everyone instinctively looked upward.
A soft green glow filled the courtyard.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Ancient.
A familiar voice echoed across the space.
The Goddess of Life.
"Divine Trial II complete."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Even the elders of the Lin Clan looked shocked.
The voice continued.
"Creation of a transmissible healing path."
"Establishment of a profession dedicated to life."
"Spiritual Doctor."
A small green mark appeared briefly on Lin Huang's chest.
The symbol of the divine trial.
"You have exceeded the requirements."
Bi Ji looked genuinely happy.
Tang Ya looked deeply satisfied.
Lin Huang simply nodded calmly.
The divine voice faded.
The green light slowly disappeared.
Gu Yuena crossed her arms slightly.
"…Efficient."
Lin Huang shrugged.
"Better to finish it first."
She glanced toward the formation platform again.
"Then we continue."
Lin Huang nodded.
"Yes."
He sat down once more at the center of the formation.
Now—
There was nothing left to delay the process.
Gu Yuena raised her hand again.
Silver divine power gathered around her palm.
The reconstruction of Lin Huang's cultivation
was about to begin.
The moment Gu Yuena prepared to begin the reconstruction—
The sky changed.
Dark clouds gathered rapidly above the Lin Clan estate.
Wind began swirling across the courtyard.
The temperature dropped.
A pressure descended upon the entire territory.
Several elders immediately looked up.
"…Heavenly Tribulation."
The clouds grew darker.
Lightning flickered deep within them.
Yuhao felt his chest tighten.
"…Now?"
Chen Zifeng frowned.
"He hasn't even begun the reconstruction yet."
Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes.
Then he looked toward the sky.
Completely calm.
He stood up from the formation seat.
Honghong lazily raised her head from his shoulder.
"…Ah."
"Here it comes."
Lightning flashed again.
The clouds above the estate churned violently.
The pressure intensified.
Yuhao stepped closer instinctively.
"Brother Lin…"
"Are you ready?"
Lin Huang glanced at him briefly.
Then said calmly:
"The more tribulations I face…"
"…the more certain I become of my path."
The lightning above the sky suddenly exploded.
A massive bolt tore across the clouds.
The entire courtyard trembled.
But something else appeared as well.
Not lightning.
Not thunder.
A presence.
The space around Lin Huang distorted slightly.
His consciousness was pulled into another layer of reality.
A spiritual domain.
The Mental Tribulation had begun.
A voice echoed through the void.
Cold.
Ancient.
Unforgiving.
"You cultivate too many laws."
"You grasp too many elements."
"Fire."
"Lightning."
"Space."
"Life."
"Creation."
"Destruction."
The voice grew heavier.
"You think you control them."
"But one day…"
"They will devour you."
Lin Huang remained completely silent.
The voice continued.
"You do not follow the natural path of heaven."
"You defy balance."
"You challenge the order of the world."
Outside the mental space—
The people watching the tribulation felt something strange.
They could hear fragments of the voice.
Echoing faintly across the courtyard.
Yuhao frowned.
"…Is that part of the tribulation?"
Xuedi's eyes narrowed.
"…Mental tribulation."
Inside the void, the voice continued speaking.
"You walk a path that does not exist."
"You are not following heaven's road."
Lin Huang slowly raised his head.
For a moment, a memory surfaced.
A fragment from his previous life.
Something he once read long ago.
From a novel called Martial World.
He spoke quietly.
But his voice echoed through the entire mental domain.
"As long as heaven has a path…"
"I will walk the path of heaven."
The voice fell silent.
Then Lin Huang continued.
"But if heaven no longer has a path…"
His eyes burned with absolute determination.
"Then I will create my own heaven."
The pressure of the mental tribulation suddenly surged.
The void trembled.
The voice roared again.
"Arrogance."
"You believe your will can dominate the laws of the world?"
Lin Huang finally smiled faintly.
"Dominate?"
His aura exploded.
Even outside the mental space—
Everyone felt it.
A crushing will spread across the courtyard.
Not violent.
Not chaotic.
But absolute.
Lin Huang's voice echoed like thunder.
"It is not because you speak these words…"
"…that I will yield my will."
Lightning erupted across the sky.
The clouds roared.
But Lin Huang continued speaking.
"There will be no elemental laws…"
"No higher laws…"
"No force of heaven…"
"…that will make me retreat."
His will surged even stronger.
"All the laws I cultivate…"
"All the intentions I comprehend…"
His eyes burned like stars.
"They will be dominated."
"They will be surpassed."
His voice became absolute.
"By my will."
At that moment—
The mental tribulation shattered.
Outside the formation platform—
Everyone stared at Lin Huang in silence.
Yuhao swallowed.
"…That…"
"…was terrifying."
Xiao Hongchen shook his head slowly.
"…He sounds completely insane."
Chen Zifeng muttered quietly.
"…Or unbelievably confident."
Xuedi watched Lin Huang carefully.
"…That was not arrogance."
Bingdi crossed her arms.
"…That was domination."
Even Gu Yuena's silver eyes flickered slightly.
"…Interesting."
Above the sky—
The lightning tribulation finally descended.
And this time—
Lin Huang welcomed it.
The mental tribulation shattered.
But the true tribulation had only just begun.
Above the Lin Clan estate, the storm clouds roared like a living beast.
Lightning gathered within the sky, forming massive arcs of celestial energy.
The pressure became suffocating.
Even several elders of the Lin Clan stepped back instinctively.
Yuhao felt his breathing grow heavy.
"…That lightning…"
Chen Zifeng nodded slowly.
"…That's no ordinary tribulation."
The sky split open.
A pillar of lightning descended.
Straight toward Lin Huang.
BOOM.
The first bolt struck the formation platform.
Blinding light exploded across the courtyard.
Several people shielded their eyes.
When the light faded—
Lin Huang was still standing.
Completely unharmed.
Lightning continued flowing across his body.
But instead of resisting it—
He absorbed it.
Gu Yuena's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You're using the tribulation energy."
Lin Huang raised his hand.
The lightning flowing through his body began circulating under his control.
He spoke calmly.
"Heaven's lightning is still energy."
Another bolt fell.
Even stronger than the first.
The ground trembled.
But Lin Huang remained unmoved.
The lightning entered his body again.
This time the energy split.
Half of it vanished into the spatial formation connected to the Secret Realm.
The other half condensed around his cultivation core.
Tang Ya blinked.
"…Did he just redirect the tribulation?"
Bi Ji smiled softly.
"He's feeding the World Tree."
Indeed.
Inside the Secret Realm—
The young World Tree trembled slightly.
Lightning energy flowed into its roots.
The entire realm responded.
Energy circulation accelerated.
Elemental veins stabilized further.
The tree absorbed the celestial lightning like nourishment.
Back in the courtyard, another bolt descended.
This one was even larger.
But Lin Huang simply opened his palm.
Lightning spiraled into it.
Then disappeared.
Gu Yuena spoke calmly.
"You're storing the remaining energy."
Lin Huang nodded.
"For later use."
Chen Zifeng frowned.
"…Later use?"
Gu Yuena answered instead.
"He intends to refine it."
Lin Huang continued calmly.
"One day I will fuse heavenly energy with divine power."
Several people stared at him.
Xiao Hongchen shook his head.
"That sounds insane."
Lin Huang ignored him.
The storm above continued raging.
But something else had already changed.
The mental tribulation had not left him empty-handed.
Inside Lin Huang's consciousness—
His intentions had transformed.
His Artistic Intent had reached a completely new level.
No longer merely capable of conveying insight.
Now it carried something deeper.
A divine resonance.
Paintings created with it could become true vehicles of enlightenment.
His Physical Intent evolved as well.
The control over body, force, and structure surpassed the limits of mortal cultivation.
His Power Intent deepened.
No longer simply overwhelming force.
But an expression of absolute will.
His Spear Intent transformed dramatically.
The clarity of the spear path sharpened to a terrifying degree.
Every strike would now carry a trace of divine authority.
Even the Sword Intent he had cultivated long ago had changed.
Though the spear had become his primary weapon, the sword path had not vanished.
Instead—
It had refined itself.
Now carrying the same transcendent sharpness.
All of them had crossed the same threshold.
They had surpassed the mortal realm.
Divine Intent.
Xuedi suddenly spoke quietly.
"…His aura changed."
Bingdi nodded slowly.
"His intentions."
"They're different."
Ji Juechen's eyes sharpened.
"…Divine."
The storm above finally reached its peak.
A final bolt gathered in the clouds.
Larger than all the others combined.
The sky roared.
Lightning descended like a falling star.
BOOM.
The entire courtyard shook violently.
The ground cracked.
Formation lines glowed intensely.
Yet when the light faded—
Lin Huang stood calmly at the center of the platform.
Lightning still flowed around his body.
But it no longer resisted him.
It obeyed.
Lin Huang slowly exhaled.
Then the lightning faded.
The storm clouds above the estate began dispersing.
The tribulation had ended.
For a moment, the entire courtyard remained silent.
Then Xiao Hongchen finally spoke.
"…Did he just rob heaven?"
Chen Zifeng rubbed his forehead.
"…I think he did."
Yuhao stared at Lin Huang in awe.
"…Brother Lin…"
"…you're terrifying."
Lin Huang simply sat back down at the center of the formation.
The lightning energy he had stored still circulated quietly within his body.
Waiting.
Gu Yuena stepped forward again.
Her silver eyes studied him carefully.
"…Your intentions advanced."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
"Yes."
She spoke calmly.
"Then we can begin."
Lin Huang closed his eyes.
Energy from the Secret Realm flowed through the formation.
Divine power gathered in Gu Yuena's hand.
Now that the tribulation had passed—
The true reconstruction
could finally begin.
The storm clouds slowly dispersed.
Silence returned to the Lin Clan courtyard.
But the atmosphere remained heavy.
Everyone present understood something important.
The tribulation had only been the beginning.
Lin Huang sat cross-legged once more at the center of the formation platform.
The lightning energy he had absorbed still circulated quietly within his body.
Not chaotic.
Not violent.
Perfectly controlled.
Gu Yuena stepped forward.
Silver divine light gathered around her palm.
The moment that energy appeared—
Everyone in the courtyard felt the difference.
It was not spiritual power.
Not elemental energy.
Not even soul power.
It was something deeper.
More absolute.
Divine power.
Ning Tian whispered quietly.
"…That energy…"
Ju Zi nodded slowly.
"It's fundamentally different."
Xuedi watched carefully.
Even she could feel the enormous difference between divine power and mortal cultivation energy.
Gu Yuena spoke calmly.
"Once we begin…"
"Your energy source will change."
Lin Huang nodded.
"That's the goal."
She continued.
"You currently possess three soul cores."
Her gaze moved briefly across his body.
"Dantian."
"Lungs."
"Spiritual Sea."
She paused slightly.
"But that structure was designed for mortal cultivation."
Lin Huang opened his eyes.
"That's why we're changing it."
Gu Yuena raised her hand.
The silver divine power slowly flowed toward Lin Huang.
The moment it touched him—
The formation arrays beneath the platform activated.
Lines of light spread across the stone floor.
Energy from the Secret Realm flowed through the formation channels.
The World Tree at the center of the realm responded faintly.
Inside Lin Huang's body—
The first change began.
His Dantian Soul Core trembled.
For years it had circulated spiritual power.
Now that energy began transforming.
The divine power entering his body merged with the existing energy.
Refining it.
Compressing it.
Changing its nature completely.
The same transformation occurred in the Lung Core.
Lightning energy from the tribulation flowed into it.
Divine power followed.
The core stabilized immediately.
The third core.
The Spiritual Core.
Located within his Spiritual Sea.
The moment divine power entered it—
His consciousness shook slightly.
The ocean of spiritual energy expanded violently.
Yuhao felt it immediately.
"…His spiritual pressure just increased."
Han Ruoruo nodded slowly.
"He's approaching the peak of mortal spiritual cultivation."
But the most important step had not yet happened.
Gu Yuena spoke quietly.
"Now."
Lin Huang inhaled deeply.
Then he guided all circulating energy toward his chest.
Toward his heart.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
A pulse.
BOOM.
A powerful vibration spread through his body.
Energy converged inside his chest.
Chen Zifeng frowned.
"…Is that safe?"
Xuedi answered calmly.
"Probably not."
Inside Lin Huang's body—
Energy compressed violently around his heart.
Spiritual energy.
Divine power.
Tribulation lightning.
Elemental laws.
All of them condensed into a single point.
Then suddenly—
The energy stabilized.
A new structure appeared.
The Heart Core.
The fourth Soul Core had formed.
Immediately, the circulation of energy throughout Lin Huang's body changed completely.
The heart core acted like a central engine.
Pumping divine energy through every meridian.
Every bone.
Every cell.
The effect was immediate.
Lin Huang's body trembled slightly.
His muscles tightened.
Bones cracked softly as his physical structure adapted.
Ma Xiaotao blinked.
"…His body just got stronger."
Wu Feng frowned.
"That's not normal growth."
Ji Juechen's eyes sharpened.
"…That's evolution."
Indeed.
Lin Huang's Body Cultivation surged upward.
The breakthrough came instantly.
Body Cultivation Rank 9.
But it was not an ordinary Rank 9.
Because the energy fueling it was no longer mortal.
His body had become dozens of times stronger than someone of the same cultivation level.
Gu Yuena observed the result calmly.
"The structure stabilized faster than expected."
Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes.
A faint divine glow flickered within them.
But the transformation was not finished.
Inside his body—
Something deeper had begun reacting.
His bloodlines.
And their evolution
was about to begin.
The moment the Heart Core stabilized—
The energy circulation inside Lin Huang's body changed completely.
Divine power flowed outward from the heart like a second pulse.
Each beat sent waves of energy through every meridian.
Through every bone.
Through every drop of blood.
Then the first reaction began.
His blood.
Deep within Lin Huang's body, the multiple bloodlines he had accumulated over the years started resonating with one another.
Golden light appeared first.
A powerful draconic aura erupted from his body.
Xiao Hongchen blinked.
"…Here we go again."
The aura grew stronger.
Scales of golden energy flickered faintly across Lin Huang's skin.
The bloodline of the Golden Dragon King had awakened.
But it did not remain alone.
A second aura emerged immediately afterward.
Silver light.
Ancient.
Calm.
Endless.
The bloodline of the Silver Dragon King responded.
The two energies clashed instantly.
Golden and silver power spiraled violently around Lin Huang's body.
The pressure in the courtyard skyrocketed.
Several elders stepped back instinctively.
"That energy…"
One of them spoke in disbelief.
"…Dragon King bloodlines."
Yuhao swallowed.
"…Both of them?"
Gu Yuena watched the phenomenon calmly.
Her silver eyes showed no surprise.
Inside Lin Huang's body—
The two bloodlines collided again.
Golden lightning clashed with silver space energy.
For a moment, it looked as if they would tear his body apart.
Then the Heart Core intervened.
Divine power surged through the circulation network.
The heart core stabilized both bloodlines simultaneously.
The violent conflict slowly changed.
Instead of clashing—
The energies began merging.
Golden and silver power intertwined.
Their resonance deepened.
Then suddenly—
A new aura appeared.
Not golden.
Not silver.
But something far older.
Far more complete.
A faint draconic roar echoed through the courtyard.
Even the sky above seemed to tremble slightly.
Chen Zifeng stared.
"…What is that?"
Xuedi answered quietly.
"…A higher dragon bloodline."
The golden and silver energies fused completely.
The transformation finished.
A new bloodline was born.
Divine Dragon Bloodline.
It had not yet reached the level of the ancient Dragon God.
But it had already surpassed the original Dragon King bloodlines.
Lin Huang's body stabilized instantly.
The draconic aura around him became far deeper.
Far more terrifying.
But the transformation had not finished.
Another aura appeared.
Soft.
Elegant.
Ancient.
Foxfire.
Behind Lin Huang, a phantom image appeared briefly.
A fox.
But not an ordinary one.
Ten tails.
Each tail shimmered with celestial light.
Xu Tianzhen gasped.
"…Ten tails?"
Tang Ya nodded slowly.
"That's no ordinary fox bloodline."
The fox aura grew brighter.
The transformation completed.
Celestial Ten-Tail Kitsune Bloodline.
The fox aura faded slightly but remained present around Lin Huang.
More refined.
More mysterious.
Then another reaction followed.
A golden aura filled with harmony and fortune spread outward.
The Auspicious Beast Bloodline responded to the changes.
Although it did not transform as dramatically as the dragon or fox bloodlines—
It still evolved.
Its presence became deeper.
More refined.
Other bloodlines reacted as well.
Phoenix.
Ice.
Angel.
Moon.
Lightning.
These bloodlines also advanced.
Their quality increased.
Although they remained slightly below the primary bloodlines.
At that moment, Gu Yuena spoke calmly.
"…Your species changed."
Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes.
He could feel it too.
His existence itself had shifted.
He was no longer simply human.
Human → High Human.
A higher lifeform.
Closer to divine existence.
The changes continued spreading through his body.
Even his elemental affinities transformed.
Fire.
Lightning.
Wind.
Space.
Life.
All of them began evolving.
Their essence refined.
Their quality elevated.
Divine Elements.
Ji Juechen watched carefully.
"…His aura."
Bingdi nodded.
"It's completely different."
Even standing still—
Lin Huang now radiated a pressure that ordinary cultivators could barely withstand.
But the transformation had not yet finished.
Inside his Divine Sea—
Something new was beginning to form.
And that change
would shape his future path toward godhood.
Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes.
The transformation had finally stabilized.
Divine power flowed smoothly through his body.
Four Soul Cores circulated energy in perfect balance.
His bloodlines had evolved.
His Divine Sea had formed.
Even his intentions had crossed into the divine threshold.
His cultivation had advanced as well.
Soul Power:
Rank 74 → Rank 77
Body Cultivation:
Rank 9
His entire existence had changed.
Yet strangely—
Lin Huang's expression remained calm.
Almost casual.
He slowly stretched his arms.
Testing the new strength flowing through his body.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Well."
He looked toward the group.
"I suppose one advantage of becoming stronger…"
He paused briefly.
"…is that I probably won't suffer domestic violence from my dragon wife anymore."
The courtyard froze.
Xiao Hongchen slowly turned his head.
"…He actually said it."
Chen Zifeng covered his face.
"He's dead."
Several people instinctively looked in one direction.
Zi Ji.
The dragon woman's expression had darkened completely.
A terrifying draconic aura leaked from her body.
Her eyes narrowed.
Because she could feel it clearly.
Lin Huang's aura.
His bloodline.
His pressure.
It was no longer weaker than hers.
In fact—
If he wanted to—
He could even suppress her.
That realization made her expression even darker.
Zi Ji slowly turned her head.
Looking toward another figure.
Gu Yuena.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
But the meaning was obvious.
Zi Ji's gaze seemed to say only one thing.
Teach him a lesson.
Gu Yuena understood immediately.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Lin Huang suddenly had a bad feeling.
"…Wait."
Too late.
Gu Yuena stepped forward.
Her movement was almost invisible.
A moment later—
BOOM.
Lin Huang was sent flying across the courtyard.
The impact cracked the stone floor as he crashed into the ground.
Dust exploded everywhere.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Xiao Hongchen burst out laughing.
Chen Zifeng leaned against a pillar.
"I told you."
Yuhao tried very hard not to laugh.
A moment later, Lin Huang climbed out of the crater.
Completely unharmed.
But rubbing the back of his head slightly.
Gu Yuena crossed her arms calmly.
Her silver eyes looked down at him.
"You are stronger now."
She said.
Then she added calmly.
"But you still talk too much."
Behind her, Zi Ji snorted.
Clearly satisfied.
Lin Huang sighed.
"…I see."
He brushed dust off his clothes again.
"Different dragon."
"…same problem."
Xiao Hongchen nearly collapsed laughing.
Chen Zifeng shook his head.
"Your life is impressive."
Yuhao nodded seriously.
"…Very dangerous."
Lin Huang simply rubbed his temple.
Then looked toward Gu Yuena.
"…You hit harder than Zi Ji."
Gu Yuena's expression didn't change.
"That's because I was holding back."
The courtyard exploded in laughter again.
And despite everything that had changed—
One truth remained the same.
Lin Huang might now stand on the path toward divinity.
He might possess divine power.
He might even be able to suppress dragon bloodlines.
But apparently—
He was still destined to be beaten by dragon wives.
The courtyard slowly calmed after the brief chaos.
Dust settled across the cracked stone where Lin Huang had been sent flying moments earlier.
Several people were still laughing quietly.
Others were simply shaking their heads.
Lin Huang stepped back onto the formation platform.
Completely unharmed.
He brushed some dust from his clothes.
"…Noted."
He glanced briefly at Zi Ji.
"…Still dangerous."
Zi Ji snorted.
"You deserved it."
A few people laughed again.
But the atmosphere gradually shifted once more.
Something else was happening.
Lin Huang suddenly looked toward the sky.
Not the storm clouds from earlier.
Something deeper.
Something far beyond the courtyard.
Then he slowly closed his eyes.
Inside his Divine Sea, the newly formed ocean of spiritual power moved like a calm universe.
Divine energy flowed through it.
At its center, the small Divine Seed within his subconscious continued glowing faintly.
But Lin Huang's attention moved elsewhere.
Toward something larger.
Over the past years, he had not only cultivated.
He had created.
New systems.
New knowledge.
New paths.
He had developed the Soul Core system.
He had introduced the concept of elemental veins that could allow energy to circulate naturally within a territory.
He had created Bloodline Pills to refine and elevate inherited power.
He had researched bone inscriptions as a way for spirit beasts and humans to share power structures.
He had helped establish the profession of Spiritual Doctor.
And most importantly—
He had created a world.
The Secret Realm.
A small world.
But a real one.
A world capable of learning.
Growing.
Evolving.
Within his mind, Lin Huang organized everything he had learned.
The systems.
The theories.
The methods.
He was not simply remembering them.
He was recording them.
A spiritual imprint formed within his Divine Sea.
A record.
A guide.
A path.
A path that future cultivators might follow.
At that moment—
The entire world seemed to tremble faintly.
Not the courtyard.
Not the Lin Clan estate.
The world itself.
Gu Yuena's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"…The world will."
The sky above the courtyard shimmered slightly.
A presence descended.
Vast.
Ancient.
Unlike the Goddess of Life earlier.
This was something different.
Something larger.
The World Will.
Its presence did not speak with words.
But everyone present felt its meaning clearly.
Recognition.
Lin Huang's contributions had altered the future of cultivation.
They had given the world new possibilities.
New structures.
New paths.
Because of those contributions—
The world itself had begun evolving.
From a three-dimensional world
toward a four-dimensional one.
A world capable of sustaining divine beings.
Perhaps even creating them in the future.
The recognition did not last long.
But before the presence faded—
A small light descended from the sky.
It floated gently toward Lin Huang.
Then entered his body.
Inside the Divine Sea, the light condensed into a seed.
Unlike the earlier divine seed connected to his martial spirit.
This one carried something older.
More ancient.
More profound.
Gu Yuena immediately recognized it.
"…A sacred seed."
Lin Huang opened his eyes slowly.
Inside his Divine Sea—
The seed began growing.
Roots extended gently through the ocean of divine power.
They did not disrupt his cultivation.
Instead, they stabilized it.
Strengthened it.
Connected every part of his power together.
A faint tree began forming.
Small.
But unmistakable.
A Sacred Enlightenment Tree.
Its roots anchored themselves into the foundation of Lin Huang's cultivation.
Its branches reached toward the surface of the Divine Sea.
Its presence brought perfect balance to the ocean of divine power.
Gu Yuena watched quietly.
"…So that's your reward."
Lin Huang felt the tree stabilizing his entire system.
Soul Cores.
Divine Sea.
Bloodlines.
Intentions.
Everything.
He slowly exhaled.
"…Interesting."
Inside the Secret Realm—
The young World Tree at the center of the realm trembled slightly.
As if responding to something.
One tree in the world.
Another within him.
Two worlds.
Two foundations.
The path ahead had become clearer.
And far more dangerous.
Lin Huang looked toward the distant sky.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
His reconstruction was complete.
But his journey toward divinity
had only just begun.