Volume 1

Chapter 13: Core Land, Legacy Choice

The dust from the shattered War Spirit Puppet slowly settled, revealing the scene behind it.

It was a wide staircase extending downwards, made of solid black stone. The surface was smooth as a mirror but faintly revealed dark red veins, resembling solidified blood vessels. At the end of the staircase stood a massive, tightly shut bronze gate, five zhang high. Carved on the gate were magnificent murals of ancient ancestors battling wild beasts and channeling earth fire and heavenly thunder to temper themselves. Despite the passage of time, it still possessed an imposing Aura, exuding a desolate and ancient will.

In front of the bronze gate stood a wordless stone monument, pitch black and made of the same material as the staircase.

Everyone's gaze was eagerly focused on that massive bronze gate. With a War Spirit Puppet guarding this place, behind the gate must be the true core of the ruins! The ultimate Legacy and secret treasures of the ancient Body Cultivator might be inside!

However, no one dared to act rashly. The horror of the War Spirit Puppet was still fresh in their minds, and no one knew what other dangers were hidden in this core land.

Han Feiyu took a few Medicinal Pills and adjusted his breathing for a moment; his complexion improved slightly. He walked to the wordless stone monument to investigate carefully, then tried to touch the massive bronze gate with his Divine Sense, only to be blocked by a gentle yet incredibly resilient force.

"There are no obvious Restrictions on the gate, but this monument and the gate itself... seem to contain a certain screening at the level of will," Han Feiyu frowned and said. "I'm afraid it cannot be opened by brute force or ordinary methods."

Sun Miao also stepped forward to investigate and pondered, "Ancient Body Cultivators valued Heart-Nature, will, and the Foundation of the Physical Body. Since this is the core of the Legacy, perhaps specific conditions must be met, or... some kind of trial must be passed to open it."

The eyes of the crowd involuntarily fell upon Lin Xuan. He possessed the basic chapters of the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' and could channel Evil Qi. Just moments ago, he had pointed out the Puppet's weak point and decisively broken the deadlock. If anyone was most qualified to open this gate, it was him.

Lin Xuan had also recovered his breath by now, his [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] slowly restoring, and the minor injuries in his body caused by forcibly channeling Evil Qi for Body Tempering were healing rapidly. He walked to the wordless stone monument and reached out to touch it.

Cold. Hard.

But the moment he touched it, a change occurred!

On the surface of the wordless stone monument, ripples suddenly appeared like water, and lines of twisted, archaic dark gold ancient seal characters, radiating an Aura of iron and slaughter, flashed one by one:

[Strength breaks all laws, the Dao is within oneself.]

[Cultivate the path through martial arts, be steadfast and sincere.]

[Future generations, having arrived here, can see a glimpse of my Dao.]

[However, my Dao is arduous; only those with great perseverance, great courage, great wisdom, and great Opportunity can inherit it.]

[There are three trials behind the gate: one to question the heart, one to temper the body, and one to choose the Dao.]

[Those who pass can obtain the three core chapters of my 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' and a wisp of the 'Seed of Strength Origin'.]

[Those who fail will suffer damage to their Divine Soul at best, and death and the dissipation of their Dao at worst.]

[Be cautious! Be cautious!]

The ancient characters appeared for a moment, then slowly faded. The stone monument returned to being pitch black and wordless.

The entire place was silent. Everyone was shocked by the information revealed by the ancient characters.

The three core chapters of the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique'! And that "Seed of Strength Origin" which sounded extraordinary just by its name! This was definitely a massive Opportunity enough to make even Golden Core or Nascent Soul Cultivators tempted!

But following closely behind was the stern warning of the "three trials" and "death and dissipation of the Dao for those who fail." Questioning the heart, tempering the body, choosing the Dao... it sounded far from easy.

A sharp glint flashed in Han Feiyu's eyes, and his breathing became slightly rapid. He was an inner sect Prodigy, at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, and he considered his Heart-Nature, cultivation, and wisdom to be superior. He was tempted by this Legacy. However, he also knew that this Legacy was clearly biased towards Body Cultivators, he might not be the most suitable candidate, and the risk was too great.

Sun Miao's gaze shifted back and forth between Lin Xuan and the massive bronze gate with a complex expression. He hoped Lin Xuan could go in and bring out the core Legacy for the Yunni Sect, but he was also worried that once Lin Xuan obtained the Legacy, he would become more powerful and even harder to control. He was even more afraid that Lin Xuan would fail and perish, losing an important "key" and a potential future combat force.

Su Qingyue pursed her lips tightly, looking at Lin Xuan's back, her heart filled with mixed feelings. Such an Opportunity, such danger...

Lin Xuan stared at the now ordinary stone monument, his eyes deep. Three trials? Questioning the heart, tempering the body, choosing the Dao? This was consistent with the style of ancient Body Cultivators. The risk was certainly high, but the three core chapters of the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' and the "Seed of Strength Origin" were undoubtedly a crucial complement and leap for his path of "Martial Dao Spirit Transformation"!

Fortune is sought in danger. The training in the million-year Martial Dao Tower had long made him fearless of any trial.

He turned around and looked at Han Feiyu and Sun Miao: "Senior Brother Han, Elder Sun, I intend to go in and give it a try."

Han Feiyu looked at him deeply and said in a low voice: "Junior Brother Lin, are you aware of the risks? This is no child's play."

"I am aware." Lin Xuan's tone was calm but carried unquestionable firmness.

Sun Miao sighed: "Little Friend Lin, act according to your ability. If it is impossible, retreat early to preserve yourself."

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder." Lin Xuan nodded slightly, then looked at Wang Mang and Li Dali, as well as the complex-eyed Su Qingyue. He nodded to them, then without further hesitation, stepped towards the massive bronze gate.

When he approached within three zhang of the massive gate, the murals on the gate seemed to come alive. The phantoms of the ancestors battling the giant beasts all turned their heads, their gazes like lightning, converging on Lin Xuan. A vast and ancient will descended, enveloping him.

The massive bronze gate opened inward silently, revealing a deep darkness. The Aura coming from inside the gate was ancient, heavy, and murderous, completely different from the outside world.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Behind him, the massive bronze gate slowly closed, completely cutting off the inside from the outside.

Inside the gate was not the hall or secret chamber he had imagined, but an endless dark Void Realm. There was only a winding path paved with starlight, wide enough for only one person, leading into the depths of the darkness.

[First Trial: Questioning the Heart.]

A grand, cold, and emotionless voice sounded directly in Lin Xuan's Sea of Consciousness.

Immediately after, the surrounding scenery changed. He seemed to have returned to the Qingshi Town martial arts arena. Su Qingyue was looking at him with cold and pitying eyes, Zhao Hu was arrogantly pointing at his nose, and there were countless mocking and contemptuous faces all around... The heart-wrenching humiliation from ten years ago instantly rushed to his heart, incredibly real!

"Trash!"

"Immortals and mortals are different!"

"Kneel!"

The voices were noisy, like demonic sounds filling his ears.

Was this to trigger his Heart Demon and test whether his state of mind was firm under extreme humiliation and denial?

Lin Xuan's eyes were calm without ripples, even carrying a hint of faint mockery. He had endured a million years of loneliness; did this dust of the past want to shake his mind? He did not stop, walking straight forward along the starlight path. Those illusions melted away like ice under the sun.

The scene changed again. He seemed to be in the endless Martial Dao Tower, day after day, year after year, punching, practicing steps, meditating... Loneliness, boredom, and self-doubt surged like a tide, as if to swallow him.

"Is it worth it?"

"Give up."

"You will never reach the end."

A cold sneer curled the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth. It was precisely this endless loneliness that had forged his steel-like will! Not only did he not stop, but he quickened his pace, his [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] circulating within, washing away all negative emotions!

Immediately after, the image turned into him obtaining the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' Legacy, holding secret treasures, standing at the pinnacle of the Yunni Sect. Han Feiyu, Sun Miao, and even countless Disciples and Elders were kowtowing to him, and power, beauty, and resources were within easy reach...

This was temptation, testing whether he would lose his original intent in the face of great achievement and temptation.

Lin Xuan's eyes were clear, unmoved. His goal had never been a mere Yunni Sect, nor these worldly desires. What he wanted was to break the shackles of rules, to walk his own path of "Martial Dao Spirit Transformation," and to see that supreme scenery! He stepped firmly, walking past these illusory glories.

Questioning the Heart trial, broken!

In front of the starlight path appeared a furnace burning with dark red flames. Inside the furnace, it was not molten iron, but "Earth Core Fire Evil Qi" that was rolling, boiling, and emitting terrifying high temperatures and Evil Qi!

[Second Trial: Body Refining.]

The grand voice sounded again.

The requirement was simple: enter the furnace, use the Earth Core Fire Evil Qi to temper oneself, and persist for the time of one incense stick. During this time, one must not use any spiritual power or clever means, but only rely on the Physical Body to resist!

This was the most direct and cruel test of the Physical Body! The Earth Core Fire Evil Qi was more than ten times more domineering than ordinary Earth Vein Evil Qi, enough to burn through the protective Spiritual Qi of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator in an instant and reduce a flesh-and-blood body to ashes!

Lin Xuan looked at the rolling dark red fire evil, and instead of fear in his eyes, a raging Battle Intent ignited! In the basic chapters of the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique', there was a method to temper oneself with extreme Evil Qi, only lacking the suitable environment and quality of Evil Qi. This Earth Core Fire Evil Qi was simply a tailor-made treasure for Body Refining!

He took off his upper garment, revealing a body with smooth lines but containing explosive power. He took a step and stepped into the terrifying furnace without hesitation!

"Chhh—!"

It was like cold water dripping into boiling oil! Intense burning pain instantly spread throughout his body! His skin, muscles, bones, and even internal organs felt as if they had been thrown into magma to be burned and hammered! The Earth Core Fire Evil Qi was omnipresent, crazily drilling into every pore of his, burning his blood and vitality!

Lin Xuan gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging, but he did not make a sound. He fully operated the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' basic chapters, guiding the blood and [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] in his body to form an internal cycle, like the toughest fireproof material, wrapping around his core vital points, while actively guiding a portion of the relatively gentle Fire Evil to temper his bones and deep muscles according to a specific route.

This was an extremely painful and dangerous process; the slightest carelessness would result in the destruction of both body and soul. But Lin Xuan's control over his body had reached the realm of subtlety, and his will was unbreakable.

Time passed bit by bit. One incense stick of time in the outside world felt as long as ten thousand years in the furnace.

When the grand voice announced "Time is up," Lin Xuan stepped out of the furnace that was like Hell. His entire body was flushed red, like a boiled shrimp, and there were scorched marks in many places, looking extremely miserable. But if one looked closely, one could see that his eyes were sharper like knives, a dark gold luster flowed faintly under his skin, his bones seemed to have become heavier and more solid, and his entire Aura had become more condensed and heavy, like a divine weapon that had been tempered a thousand times!

Body Refining trial, broken! His Physical Body, under the tempering of the Earth Core Fire Evil Qi, had increased in strength by at least thirty percent! His resistance and affinity to Evil Qi had also increased significantly!

The starlight path continued to extend, and three diverging paths appeared ahead, with a phantom faintly emerging at the end of each, radiating different Dao rhymes.

On the left path, the phantom was like a glaring Vajra, possessing the power to pull up mountains, and the Dao rhyme was the ultimate "Power," one force overcoming ten techniques.

On the middle path, the phantom was like a clever ape, unpredictable, and the Dao rhyme was the ultimate "Technique," using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

On the right path, the phantom was like an ancient pine with deep roots, unmoving as a mountain, and the Dao rhyme was the ultimate "Defense," impenetrable by ten thousand laws.

[Third Trial: Choosing the Dao.]

The voice sounded.

[Ancient Body Cultivators have many schools, each with different focuses. Choose what your heart desires, where your Dao belongs, and you can obtain one corresponding core Legacy. However, the Dao has biases and also limitations. Choose carefully.]

The three paths represented three different tendencies of Body Cultivator paths. Choosing power might make it difficult to balance with ultimate technique and absolute defense. This was to let the successor clarify their core path.

Lin Xuan stood at the intersection, his gaze sweeping over the three paths.

Ultimate Power? He possessed the Origin of the Martial Dao extreme realm, and power was his strongest aspect, and the 'Three Mountain-Shaking Forms' also leaned towards this.

Ultimate Technique? His combat instinct forged by the hundred-year Martial Dao Tower and his control over his body had long integrated technique into instinct.

Ultimate Defense? The 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique' already focused on Physical Body Tempering, and defense was not weak either.

But what he wanted was not to be biased. His path of "Martial Dao Spirit Transformation" pursued all-around strength, an "omnipotence" that breaks all Restrictions!

He suddenly remembered the words on the stone monument: "Strength breaks all laws, the Dao is within oneself."

He also remembered his own belief all along: My path, I walk it myself.

Why be restricted by the predetermined paths of ancient Body Cultivators?

A flash of realization crossed his eyes. He did not walk towards any of the diverging paths but sat cross-legged at the Origin point where the three paths intersected.

"My Dao is not power, not technique, not defense." Lin Xuan closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his body, [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] surging, the Martial Dao Origin resonating, and his voice echoed calmly and firmly in this space, "My Dao is 'Me'. With my will, I drive my power to derive ten thousand possibilities. Power can break technique, technique can deflect power, defense can protect the body, and the body can also be used for attack. Separate, it is biased; combined, it is complete. I want it all!"

This was his choice, and it was the declaration of his "Dao"!

As the voice fell, the phantoms at the end of the three diverging paths trembled simultaneously, seemingly touched by this "arrogant" yet essential declaration. Immediately after, the three paths and the phantoms slowly dissipated, turning into three light streams of different colors—the dark gold light stream representing power, the silver-white light stream representing technique, and the earthy yellow light stream representing defense—they did not merge directly into Lin Xuan's body, but after circling for a moment, they converged above his head, finally condensing into a dark gold seed phantom the size of a walnut, with Chaos Qi seemingly rotating inside and complex Dao patterns engraved on the surface!

[Seed of Strength Origin (Rudimentary Form)]!

At the same time, three more vast and profound Legacy messages pointing directly to the core essence of the 'Ancient God Body Refining Technique'—'Divine Power Chapter', 'Agility Chapter', 'Indestructible Chapter'—rushed into Lin Xuan's Sea of Consciousness like a torrent! These three chapters were not fragmented but complemented each other, together forming a complete core Legacy, only requiring the Cultivator to have a focus according to their own situation.

And that "Seed of Strength Origin (Rudimentary Form)" slowly sank, falling into Lin Xuan's Dantian, and slowly merged with the dark gold [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] vortex. Although it was only a rudimentary form, it caused a subtle transformation in the essence of his Spiritual Qi, making it more condensed, heavier, and his control and perception of power were also raised by a level!

Choosing the Dao trial, broken! And in a way that exceeded the preset of the ancient Body Cultivator, obtaining a more comprehensive and potential-filled Legacy and gift!

The surrounding darkness of the Void Realm began to recede, and at the end of the starlight path, a light gate appeared.

Lin Xuan stood up, feeling the rebirth-like changes in his body, especially the "Seed of Strength Origin (Rudimentary Form)" slowly rotating in his Dantian, as well as the three extremely profound core Legacies in his mind.

He strode towards the light gate.

The core Legacy of the ruins, he had already obtained.

Next, it was time to face the real world outside the gate.

(Volume 1, Chapter 13 Ends)

[Next Chapter Preview]: Core Land, Legacy Choice! Lin Xuan broke through three trials in a row, obtained the three core chapters and the "Seed of Strength Origin" rudimentary form, and his strength skyrocketed! When he stepped out of the massive bronze gate with the supreme Legacy, what kind of gaze would he face? Greed, shock, awe, or murderous intent? How would the high-level officials of the Yunni Sect react? How would the attitudes of Han Feiyu and Sun Miao change? How would Su Qingyue, who witnessed everything, calm the waves in her heart? And would the final hidden hand set by Zhao Long be launched at the moment of Lin Xuan's greatest triumph? The trip to the ruins is about to end, and a bigger storm is brewing outside Qingshi Town! Next Chapter: Bringing Treasure Out of the Ruins, Waves Rise Again! Lin Xuan: "I have taken the Legacy, I have chosen the path. Who approves? Who opposes?"