At the bottom of the volcano.
Lin Xun was seated in the lotus position with his back straight and a look of serenity on his face.
Strands of pure sky-blue aeth qi swirled around his body, giving him a slightly otherworldly aura.
In his body, aeth qi surged powerfully like a great river. After being refined by the four aeth power vortexes, his aeth power became as clear as glass and gave off a faint azure glow. It also shimmered with a rare and unique spiritual quality.
This meant that Lin Xun’s aeth power quality had reached an astonishing level!
The more abundant and compact a person’s aeth power became the stronger the person’s foundations.
The higher the quality of a person’s aeth power, the greater the power unleashed in battle!
Rumble~~~
It felt as if mountains were colliding in Lin Xun’s body. This was the rumbling noise of aeth power that had reached the extremities of compactness and abundance. His channels, apertures, and organs were filled to the brim with surging aeth power.
The physical power in his flesh, blood, tendons and skin also formed a unique resonance that harmonized with his life force.Inner saint was to make qi the root.
Outer king was to use the body as the foundation.
Qi and body as one was the root foundation and the true essence of the Mystery Grotto Devour Wilderness Scripture――Inner Saint Outer King!
Submerged in his cultivation, Lin Xun did not notice the astonishing transformation that was occurring both inside and outside his body.
A transformation which began from his aeth power…
If described using the knowledge of cultivation realms, this transformation was known as aeth transformation!
……
Another two days soon passed.
The atmosphere in the vicinity of the volcano grew increasingly tense. Many more water tribe experts had rushed here over the past two days and took up positions around the volcano.
Meanwhile, many empire cultivators had also appeared and hid in various spots near the volcano. Likewise, experts from the other brute tribes had also heard of the commotion and arrived.
Strangely, no fights broke out despite having so many enemies gathered together.
The empire cultivators and the brute experts seemed to be waiting for something and no one wished to break the strange peace.
However, everyone understood that a storm was coming. Once the battle erupted, it would definitely be bigger than anyone could imagine!
Shui Zhi grew increasingly anxious, and his brows tightly furrowed together.
His injuries had fully healed and he had recovered to tip-top shape. However, Lin Xun’s refusal to appear and the increasingly tense atmosphere around the volcano deeply worried Shui Zhi.
He was unafraid of battle but worried that there would be too many variables in the operation to take back the Heavenly Water Sacred Bead!
“It doesn’t matter. If he doesn’t appear tomorrow, I will personally have a look around the bottom of the volcano!” Shui Zhi took a deep breath as resolve flashed in his whirlpool-like eyes.
……
“These brute bastards have stirred such a huge commotion. Why aren’t they doing anything?”
“They’re waiting. Some great treasure might be about to emerge from the volcano or there might be some important secret to the water tribe inside. Otherwise, they would not have gathered so many people.”
“Great treasure? Secret? That can’t be, right?”
“Could this be a trap? They could’ve purposely stirred up a fuss to draw us here and sweep us all up in one go.”
“It can’t be a trap. Take a look, these water tribe experts are guarding the volcano and even their fellow fire tribe, gold tribe, wood tribe, and earth tribe are unable to approach. How could it possibly be a trap?”
“Regardless, the truth will be revealed soon. At that time, there will probably be a crazy battle. Everyone should be extra careful, if it becomes too dangerous, it would be better to withdraw.”
Similar conversations were held in the many areas near the volcano where many empire cultivators, Blood Kill Camp students, and Black Wind soldiers were hiding.
No one could guess what the water tribe experts were up to, but everyone knew that a battle could erupt at any moment!
……
When evening arrived, Shui Zhi finally heard a piece of good news.
Shaman Ye Ling had sent over a set of cold frost armor. Cold frost brute runes had been carved onto the armor which could release a bone-chilling cold. When equipped, it would protect the wearer from lava.
However, the cold frost armor had been crafted in a hurry and according to Shaman Ye Ling, it would only last an hour in the lava.
“That’s enough. As long as that kid isn’t dead, it won’t even take me an hour to kill him!” Shui Zhi was in high spirits when he donned the cold frost armor.
He was already unable to wait any longer. Ever since he entered Demon Cloud Ridge, this was the first time that he had so greatly desired to kill a person.
“Be careful.” Shaman Ye Ling gruffly said. His gaunt and tan face had a slightly waxy pallor.
For the sake of crafting the cold frost armor, he had not slept a wink for several days. The arduous task had left him thoroughly exhausted.
“It’s been hard on you. I will bring back the Heavenly Water Sacred Bead for you!”
Shaman Ye Ling gritted his teeth and said, “Not only the bead, but you also must bring that human shitbag’s corpse back as well. I want to make his skull into a wine cup and drink his blood to quench the hatred in my heart!”
Shui Zhi chuckled and revealed his eerily white teeth, “I am of the same mind.”
“Is that so?” A voice suddenly sounded.
Shui Zhi and Shaman Ye Ling turned their heads and saw a slim figure appear at the edge of the volcano.
It was Lin Xun!
As the saying went, enemies would always see red when they met. Shaman Ye Ling’s eyes bulged from their sockets as a sinister smile crept upon his wrinkled face, “You little shit! You’ve finally appeared! Kill! Quickly kill him!”
How could he have imagined that the culprit who had hidden for many days would voluntarily jump out? This was far too exhilarating!
Shui Zhi drew his bronze shortblade with a shiing. Murder pulsed from his pretty-boy face as he said, “I will not give you any chance to escape this time!”
Boom!
His figure bolted forward like lightning as his blade cut through the air at an inconceivable speed and thrust towards Lin Xun’s throat.
However, Lin Xun’s figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.
Eh?
Shui Zhi’s heart jumped as he immediately jerked his head. Lin Xun had subdued Shaman Ye Ling and was grabbing him by the neck. His wrinkly face had turned purple and his eyes bulged as he desperately tried to gasp for air.
Crack!
Without wasting any time, Lin Xun broke Shaman Ye Ling’s neck with a light twist, causing his head to fall limply to the side before he could even scream.
His wrinkly face was filled with resentment.
It was too quick!
In the blink of an eye, Lin Xun had effortlessly dispatched Shaman Ye Ling as if he was a chicken. Shui Zhi did not even have a chance to save the latter.
“You’re asking for it!” Shui Zhi’s expression darkened as a wave of confusion arose in his mind.
Lin Xun seemed to have changed completely compared to a few days ago. His presence felt completely different and made Shui Zhi feel an invisible pressure.
Could he have had some kind of miraculous encounter over the past few days which allowed his cultivation to evolve?
While this thought flashed in Shui Zhi’s head, his body continued to move as he pounced toward Lin Xun again.
Clang!
Lin Xun simply swung his blade. A terrifying force was produced from the simple attack, causing Shui Zhi’s right arm to go numb from the impact as his entire body was swatted away. He staggered several steps backward before finally stopping himself.
“You!” Shui Zhi was horrified. How had Lin Xun’s battle power changed so much in a few days?
The last time Shui Zhi fought against Lin Xun, both of them had been roughly equal. But now…
Shui Zhi found this very hard to accept.
With a twirl of the blade, Lin Xun easily cut off the brute totem rune on Shaman Ye Ling’s chest.
Lin Xun asked, “Are you surprised?”
Shui Zhi’s expression turned ugly, “How did you do it?”
Lin Xun chuckled as he tossed Shaman Ye Ling’s corpse into the volcano as if it was garbage, “I have your water tribe’s sacred treasure to thank. It truly is an amazing treasure.”
The sacred treasure!
Shui Zhi’s heart was immediately overwhelmed by rage.
This despicable human trash has sullied the sacred treasure’s power. He should be put to death a thousand times over!
Boom!
His blade flashed like lightning as he channeled all of his anger into it, causing the bronze short blade to hum like a shrieking ghost.
Lin Xun also moved. A casual swing of the Defeat Army Blade unleashed torrential power which mercilessly crashed towards the opponent.
Sparks flew from the deafening clash. Shui Zhi coughed blood as his body was flung away and sent tumbling across the ground.
“You…you…” Shui Zhi’s handsome face twisted in disbelief and horror. Lin Xun’s battle power was far too astonishing, making it impossible for Shui Zhi to block even a single blow!
This is far too inconceivable!
The opponent had clearly yet to advance to the Spirit Dipper stage. So why was his battle power so terrifying?
Shui Zhi did not understand. Unrestrainable fear rose within him.
Swish!
Lin Xun had already arrived like a pouncing tiger.
“Someone come quickly. Kill him! Kill him!”
Shui Zhi did not dare to face the opponent head-on again. The situation was far too unfavorable for him. He immediately turned and ran to seek help.
He no longer cared about his pride as he fled like a dog that had lost its home. There was no trace of any elegance in his running figure.
He had no choice. The battle power Lin Xun had displayed was far too dreadful and felt unstoppable.
Shui Zhi had not lost the will to fight, but he knew that he no longer had the power to face Lin Xun.
He needed to find help!
That blasted shitbag had used the sacred treasure to raise his cultivation. He should be burnt to ashes!
Lin Xun did not give chase. He could already see waves of figures swiftly approaching from the foot of the mountain.
They were all water tribe experts. The short battle had evidently drawn their attention!
Lin Xun stood there as chilling killing intent surged in his heart. He had been chased all the way here and had nearly died.
Today, it was time for revenge!