Chapter Thirty-Five: One Thousand Strands Perfection, Breaking Through Like a Tide

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

Inside the Guest Elder Courtyard, all was silent, save for the rustling of the bamboo forest, like the whispers of time.

Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on a bluestone in the courtyard, his aura as still as deep water. Ever since Old Wu brought news in the afternoon, he had remained in this posture without moving an inch. Wang Mang and Li Dali, knowing he had reached a critical moment, had already retreated to the side rooms, not daring to disturb him.

Inside his body, the Ancient God Body Refining Technique and the Indestructible Body of the Martial God operated simultaneously. One was like fire tempering iron, the other like spring rain nourishing the earth; they complemented each other, jointly refining those nine hundred-plus strands of Source Martial Spiritual Energy.

The pressure brought by the Yunni Sect envoy during the day had instead become the best catalyst at this moment.

Lin Xuan could clearly feel the dark-gold vortex within his Dantian spinning at an unprecedented speed. Each strand of Source Martial Spiritual Energy was repeatedly compressed, purified, and condensed within the vortex. Impurities were stripped away bit by bit, while the essence was retained strand by strand. At the center of the vortex, that brilliant golden light grew brighter and more solid, like a star being nurtured.

Nine hundred and ten strands... nine hundred and twenty strands... nine hundred and thirty strands...

The speed of his Spiritual Qi's growth was several times faster than usual.

This was the result of long-term accumulation. The life-and-death trials in the Black Wind Ridge ruins, the dormant healing in the West Courtyard, the tense atmosphere during the public trial, and today's patient gathering of momentum—all of these transformed into invisible nutrients, nourishing the martial Dao Foundation within him.

Nine hundred and fifty strands... nine hundred and sixty strands... nine hundred and seventy strands...

The rotation of the vortex grew faster and faster, emitting a low hum that penetrated flesh and bone, seemingly resonating in a strange way with the faint surge of fire Qi deep within the earth's veins.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Lin Xuan's forehead. His brow furrowed slightly, not from pain, but because... the critical point was almost reached.

Nine hundred and eighty strands... nine hundred and ninety strands... nine hundred and ninety-five strands...

The moment the nine hundred and ninety-ninth strand of Source Martial Spiritual Energy took shape within the vortex—

“Boom!”

An indescribable roar exploded within Lin Xuan's body!

It wasn't a sound, but a tremor originating from life's instinct! In that instant, the dark-gold vortex in his Dantian seemed to be ignited, erupting with a brilliant, dazzling light! The nine hundred and ninety-nine strands of Spiritual Qi were like nine hundred and ninety-nine meteors, wildly spinning, colliding, and merging within the vortex!

Immediately after—

The one-thousandth strand!

The moment the final strand of Spiritual Qi was born in the vortex, the entire dark-gold vortex suddenly expanded and then instantly contracted! The force of that contraction was so strong it nearly sucked in Lin Xuan's Dantian! At this moment, the brilliant golden light at the center of the vortex transformed into a dark-gold “pill” the size of a grain of rice, yet as solid as if it were physical!

The pill spun rapidly; with every rotation, it breathed in the surrounding nine hundred and ninety-nine strands of Spiritual Qi, refining them to be even purer and more condensed!

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, Source Martial Spiritual Energy has broken through the thousand-strand mark!]

[“Spiritual Power Like a Tide” realm has officially reached Perfection!]

[Strength reassessment: Normal combat power is equivalent to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. During a brief outburst, it can touch the threshold of the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.]

[ Unlock new abilities： Spiritual energy taking form（Elementary）. Can briefly condense Source Martial Spiritual Energy into a physical form for attack or defense.]

[ Unlock new abilities：Internal Vision · Enhanced. Can more clearly perceive one's own and surrounding energy flows, with the range expanded to thirty zhang.]

The System's notification sounds rang out one after another, but Lin Xuan had no time to listen closely.

Because at this moment, an even greater change was occurring!

That dark-gold “pill” formed in the Dantian was not a true Golden Core, but the mark of the Perfection of the “Spiritual Power Like a Tide” realm—the Spiritual Qi Core. It was like a heart, slowly beating; with every beat, it pumped a strand of even purer Source Martial Spiritual Energy to the Meridians throughout his body!

His Meridians were expanding, becoming wider and tougher! His flesh and blood cheered, greedily absorbing that Spiritual Qi and undergoing a deeper level of tempering! Deep within his bones, the pale-gold marrow also seemed to become richer!

Even more astonishingly, the warm current originating from the Black Wind Ridge Legacy now produced a strange resonance with this Spiritual Qi Core! The warm current was no longer just passively repairing injuries, but actively surged into the core, merging with the Source Martial Spiritual Energy! The color of the core also shifted from pure dark-gold to a deeper, heavier dark-gold with a faint blood-red tint!

“This is...”

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. He could feel that after merging with the Legacy's warm current, this Spiritual Qi Core seemed to have gained life; his connection with it was tighter, and it was... stronger!

He opened his eyes, and two beams of brilliant light flashed and vanished. Under the moonlight, dark-gold flames seemed to dance deep within his pupils.

He raised his hand and closed his fingers into a loose grip.

A strand of Source Martial Spiritual Energy surged from his palm, instantly condensing into an inch-long small sword according to his will! The small sword was dark-gold throughout, its edges faintly shimmering with blood-red light, as solid as a physical object!

“Spiritual Energy Manifestation... it really works.”

With another thought, the small sword dissipated and transformed back into Spiritual Qi, sinking into his palm.

Standing up, Lin Xuan felt the power surging within him. His injuries were ninety percent healed. His strength had increased by more than double compared to a few days ago.

He looked up at the bright moon in the night sky.

Yunni Sect, Zhao Yuanqing, Han Feiyu...

And those factions hiding in the shadows, eyeing the Legacy like tigers watching their prey...

“Come,” he whispered to himself, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. “It's the perfect time to test the mettle of this ‘Spiritual Power Like a Tide’ Perfection.”

...

Inside the side room.

Wang Mang lay by the window, nervously observing the movements in the courtyard through a gap. When he saw Lin Xuan stand up with his aura as steady as usual, he let out a long breath and sat back on the bed.

“Scared me to death... with that surge just now, I thought Brother Lin was going to suffer Qi Deviation.”

Li Dali also breathed a sigh of relief, but his eyes were filled more with shock: “Didn't you feel it? That aura from Brother Lin just now... it was more than twice as strong as before! Even from this far away, I felt like I couldn't breathe.”

Wang Mang scratched his head: “Really? I just felt my heart beating hard.”

Li Dali rolled his eyes at him: “You brute, what do you know? Brother Lin has broken through! And it's a major Breakthrough!”

“A major Breakthrough?” Wang Mang's eyes lit up. “Does that mean we'll be safer from now on?”

Li Dali thought for a moment and slowly nodded: “Probably... yes.”

He looked out the window at the tall figure in the courtyard, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

I followed the right person.

...

Meanwhile, deep within the villa, in that unremarkable stone room.

Ouyang Ye sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. The ancient bronze mirror before him reflected the scene in the Guest Elder Courtyard. When Lin Xuan stood up and condensed that dark-gold small sword in his palm, an unprecedented light suddenly erupted in Ouyang Ye's clouded old eyes!

“Spiritual Energy Manifestation... Spiritual Power Like a Tide Perfection...” he murmured to himself, his voice trembling slightly. “This kid is at least three months faster than I expected!”

He stared at the figure in the mirror for a long time, and finally, a complex smile appeared on his lips.

“Ancient Martial Dao... truly extraordinary.”

“I really didn't misjudge him.”

He reached out and wiped the bronze mirror; the image vanished.

The stone room returned to darkness.

After a long time, a low sigh sounded:

“Lie'er, oh Lie'er, do you have any idea what a massive Opportunity you've missed...”

...

The next morning.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo forest, spilling onto the bluestone floor of the Guest Elder Courtyard.

Lin Xuan was still sitting cross-legged in the courtyard, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing. After a night of consolidation, the Spiritual Qi Core in his Dantian had completely stabilized. The nine hundred and ninety-nine strands of Source Martial Spiritual Energy surrounded it, forming a perfect circulatory System.

The courtyard gate was gently pushed open.

Old Wu walked in carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming medicinal soup and a few plates of delicate side dishes. He placed the tray on the stone table, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan for a moment before he said raspily, “The Old Ancestor asked me to tell you that there might be guests coming today. He wants you to be prepared.”

Lin Xuan opened his eyes and looked at him: “Guests?”

Old Wu nodded: “From the north. The Old Ancestor didn't say specifically who. He only said... don't be in a hurry to refuse, and don't be in a hurry to agree. Just wait and see first.”

Lin Xuan Slightly frowning, then relaxed and nodded: “Thank you.”

Old Wu said no more and turned to leave.

Lin Xuan watched his retreating back and fell into deep thought.

Guests from the north?

Could it be people from the Yunni Sect? Or... other factions?

He picked up the medicinal soup, took a sip, his gaze deep.

No matter who it is, I will meet them as they come.

Now, he had enough confidence to face any challenge.

(End of Volume 2, Chapter 35)

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[Next Chapter Preview]: One Thousand Strands Perfection, Breaking Through Like a Tide! Lin Xuan's strength has greatly improved, and the “Spiritual Power Like a Tide” realm has been officially achieved. However, before the joy of the Breakthrough can dissipate, a new challenge has already arrived. Who exactly is the “guest” Old Wu spoke of? What news will the mysterious visitor from the north bring? Friend or foe? How will the undercurrents of Bailian Villa surge? Next Chapter: Mysterious Visitor, News from the North!