To defeat his inner demons, he had to be better than his opponents in the comprehension and control of Star-Gather!
After racking his brain, this was the most direct way that Lin Xun could think of.
However, it was easier said than done. How would it be so easy to achieve that step?
Martial arts cultivation was divided into four realms: Inkling, Elemental, Precise and Perfect. Lin Xun’s grasp of Star-Gather was only at the Elemental Realm and he was only beginning to comprehend and appreciate the essence and mystery of Star-Gather. He was still a distance away from being able to control it.
On the other hand, his previous three opponents, experts from the Snake Spirit Clan, Demon Spirit Clan and the Blue Scale Clan, had all displayed power of the Star-Gather of at least the Precise Realm!
It would be very difficult for Lin Xun to grasp the Star-Gather to the same realm let alone surpass his opponents.
However, that seemed to be the only way. Otherwise…once the inner demons moved deeper into his mind, his mind could completely collapse!
This was the most terrifying thing. If he failed the third level, not only would he lose the chance to enter the Omega Secret Realm ever again, but an inner demon could also corrode his cultivation and mind!
No matter what, Lin Xun had to fight with everything he had.
Soon, a familiar buzz rang again in the arena. The fourth battle was about to begin. Lin Xun immediately calmed his thoughts and his heart was blazed with fierce fighting spirit once again.Since it was a battle and it tested the Star-Gather move that he was very familiar with, it was a perfect learning opportunity!
Given his opponent’s control of Star-Gather and their power, their attack would likely kill him every time. But at the same time, it allowed him to experience the true mystery and power of Star-Gather most directly and comprehensively!
If he could learn from his opponent’s strengths to combat his weakness, he perhaps would have a chance to reverse the situation.
……
While Lin Xun was battling and trying to pass the third level, the celebration in Stone Cauldron Alms was in full swing. As night fell, the celebrations were coming to an end.
However, none of the guests’ interest died down. On the contrary, as the celebration neared the end, they grew more and more excited.
This was because the legendary art cultivator Liu Qingyan would perform on stage as the finale!
This was the event that all guests were undoubtedly looking forward to the most.
Stone Cauldron Alms had arranged various exciting events for the celebration. For example, they had invited Liang Daqian, a descendant of one of the best puppet clans to perform a puppet battle show. Liang Daqian simultaneously controlled thousands of puppets of varying sizes and made them fight like a real war. Horses clattered, swords clashed and dust whirled in the air. Many people were mesmerized and couldn’t help but marvel at his remarkable skills.
Another example was the Hundred Birds Pay Homage to the Phoenix show performed by a beast tamer family. The beast tamer master miraculously attracted hundreds of various species of birds to dance and sing on the platform. The magical beast taming skills caused another sensation in the audience.
The scale and standard of the grand celebratory event were world-class. Even the powerful figures in the audience felt that their trip was worthwhile.
Only Ruan Lingdu felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten flies. Ever since the celebration started, he felt extremely uncomfortable like a thorn was in his back. He hated the fact that he couldn't skin Chu Feng alive when he saw him sitting in the distinguished guest seats.
However, he could only think about it. On such a grand occasion, he didn’t dare to make the slightest mistake.
It was easy to imagine how much fury and resentment accumulated in his heart since he had been suppressing them since the start of the celebration.
As for Chu Feng, he had been enjoying the celebration. Especially when he confirmed that Ruan Lingdu was standing behind him like a wooden statue.
However, when it was announced that Liu Qingyan was about to appear, both Ruan Lingdu, who was raging and bitter, and Chu Feng, who was relaxed and elated, discarded all distracting thoughts and focused their gaze on the stage.
It was as if Liu Qingyan could make them temporarily forget their hatred.
Not only that, all tens of thousands of people in the hall stopped what they were doing and paused all conversations. All gazes shifted to the stage.
Liu Qingyan was about to appear!
This was the charm of Liu Qingyan. The legendary art cultivator known throughout the world possessed too many dazzling rings of light around her. Now that she was about to appear before them, who wouldn’t feel excited?
Even the unusual imposing figures’ faces were alight with curiosity as if they wanted to know whether Liu Qingyan deserved her reputation.
The hall fell silent and the atmosphere was still.
Soon, wisps of mystical light rose on the white jade platform like mist, floating gently like a sea of clouds. At the same time, a clear and melodious melody resounded through the hall like a stream flowing through an empty valley.
The melody was beautiful and ethereal, like the cry of dancing cranes in the sky, bamboo leaves whispering as they swayed in the breeze, the melodious camel bells ringing in the desert, and the soothing waves of a sapphire ocean.
Everyone seemed to have been teleported to another world.
The sunlight and moonlight streamed through the rising mist.
The leaves of thousands-of-year-old cypress trees drooped from the rain. Thousands of bamboo formed a lush green wall.
Exotic flowers bloomed outside the gate, swaying plants by the bridge delicately perfumed the air by the bridge, and water flowed amongst moss-blanketed rocks and walls.
Occasionally, cries of cranes resonated through the air and the colorful divine feathers of a phoenix streaked across the sky…
The mysterious ape and white deer concealed themselves while the golden lion and jade elephant hid in plain sight.
Such a mysterious scene was like a paradise. Everyone was utterly mesmerized. They couldn't believe that a piece of music could produce such a beautiful spectacle.
As the music entered through the ear, the scene was formed from one’s thoughts and emotions. Although Liu Qingyan was nowhere to be seen, the melody alone was enough to amaze all the guests.
When Liu Qingyan appeared, everyone’s eyes blazed uncontrollably with admiration.
A slender, illusionary figure emerged from the colorful mist on the white jade platform.
At that moment, Liu Qingyan was dressed in a plain white dress and azure fabric shoes. She was completely different from when she was disguised as a man. Her hair flowed down past her slender waist, her eyes sparkled, and her soft and delicate skin glowed. Her stunning face had a unique detached indifference.
It was Liu Qingyan, the soul singer in the hearts of young people all over the world. Her unique heavenly voice was famous throughout the empire!
“Liu Qingyan!”
“Liu Qingyan!”
“Liu Qingyan!”
Excited cheers erupted from the hall. Most of which were from the youngsters of wealthy and powerful families. All of them screamed with excitement without caring about their image.
However, no one criticized them. Although the influential people didn’t say much, they were similarly stunned and moved.
One’s fame was always greater than what one deserved, but Liu Qingyan was indeed as stunning as rumored and lived up to her reputation!
Liu Qingyan didn’t say anything after she appeared. Her crystal clear eyes ran across the crowd and then she withdrew her gaze. No one noticed but she paused when she passed Chu Feng, and a trace of disappointment flashed across her eyes.
After that, she said in a clear voice, “Today is Stone Cauldron Alms's 100th-anniversary celebration. I am very fortunate to be able to participate in it. I have nothing except a song to express my congratulations.”
……
Hundred Battles Secret Realm
Die!
When another statue came to life, Lin Xun unhesitatingly brought his blade down in a slash.
Star-Gather!
At that moment, Lin Xun looked incomparably calm but with an unusual fierceness in his eyes. He gathered all his strength to that blade slash.
Boom!
Following an earth-shaking crash, Lin Xun was again killed on the spot.
However, he was soon resurrected with another shadow of death in him.
This was already his 27th failure, and every failure brought him endless pain and fear of death. The experience of constantly hovering between life and death was even more tormenting than hell.
However, Lin Xun gradually grasped some secrets to success.
He knew that the shadows of death would deepen and increase in his heart every time he failed. They would constantly attack his mind but if he circulated the Little Divine Meditation Art and focussed on visualizing the movement of stars, it had an amazing effect on suppressing the inner demons.
Of course, it was only suppression and not expulsion.
However, he could only apply that approach during the quarter of an hour of resting time after each death. The Little Divine Meditation Art had no effect in battle.
However, even so, it gave Lin Xun a chance to breathe.
Additionally, the many battles and repeated deaths allowed Lin Xun to comprehend and grasp many secrets and the true essence of Star-Gather. This could be considered progress.
Unhesitatingly, Lin Xun sat cross-legged on the ground and operated the Little Divine Meditation Art. In his clear mind-sea, he began to visualize the starry sky and suppress the inner demons tumbling in his mind.
Lin Xun had fallen into a very strange state. He constantly fought, constantly met death, constantly resurrected, and constantly activated the Little Divine Meditation Art to suppress the attacks of the inner demons.
It was like a cycle, except that his opponent was different each time and every opponent performed a different style of Star-Gather.
It was unknown how long had passed but Lin Xun suddenly frowned when the 47th battle was about to commence.
The shadows of death accumulated in his mind were too much and reached a limit. Without the suppression of the Little Divine Meditation Art, they would erupt like a volcano.
However, Lin Xun had already predicted that such a situation would happen and had made preparations.
Without any hesitation, he said directly, “I admit defeat, I give up on this opportunity to pass the level!”