The Prodigies War

Lin Xun didn’t make a definite decision.

Whether or not to refine the physical body was related to his future path, and it was a decision that would completely change the course of his fate. Therefore, he had to be cautious.

Meanwhile, the big black bird and Toady had already given up on the idea of studying the Ancient Tablet of All because refining the physical body was contradictory to the path they were seeking.

On this day, Lin Xun’s group entered a seclusion on Flying Star Mountain, no longer paying attention to the outside world as they started honing their arts and cultivating their dao.

They no longer needed fortunes as what they were missing was a period of sieving and solidifying their cultivation.

Occasionally, they would gather and discuss their experiences and understandings over wine or tea. As a result, they learned a great deal from each other, and their cultivation improved in both strength and depths.

Whether it was Lin Xun, Toady, A’lu, or the big black bird, all of them had amazing accomplishments in their own paths and possessed unique inheritances.

They exchanged knowledge without holding back, helping each other in grasping the arts and perceiving the dao, thus reaping immeasurable benefits.

For instance, the big black bird knew many secrets and knowledge on the great dao, so when the group discussed this topic, its elaboration on the essence and mysteries could often dawn on Lin Xun, Toady, and A’lu with the purest enlightenment.

As for Toady, he had not only awakened his natural talent of the Three-Legged Golden Toad Lineage but also obtained the supreme inheritance of Burning Immortal Chen Linkong. His comprehension of the great dao could be said to be unique.

Meanwhile, A’lu followed the path of becoming a Saint with his flesh, so his ability to utilize the potential of the physical body to the fullest, including his energy, was not something that the other three could compare.

And finally, Lin Xun had accumulated such copious experience on his cultivation path that it made the other three look at him in disbelief.

Now that the four gathered to train together and exchanged knowledge without a care in the world, their cultivations unconsciously solidified.

In the ancient times, the sages had regarded the great dao as the will of Heaven, so they had often met up to chat and exchange their insights, thus bringing together a hundred schools of thought and creating splendid cultivation arts for the future generations.

Lin Xun’s group was doing exactly the same thing, from which they could learn from each other’s experiences. This unique way of cultivation was of great benefit to them all!

Occasionally, when they suddenly understood something, it was inevitable that they would spar to test it in reality. Such an outlet of energy was always a satisfying and refreshing break for everyone.

Sometimes, Little Silver would also participate, but most of the time it was only listening. As a descendant of the God Devourer Insects, it was technically a spirit cultivator.

However, whether it was A’lu, Toady, or the big black bird, none of them were willing to engage with Little Silver when it came to martial sparring.

This couldn’t be helped as Little Silver’s attack methods were too crafty and fatal. They aimed to kill with every strike and were hard to defend against, thus giving everyone a headache.

Little Silver didn’t care what they thought anyway. Whenever it learned something new, it would strike without warning and give them a fright. A’lu, Toady, and the big black bird would curse and complain every time, but there was nothing else they could do about it.

Every time this happened, Lin Xun would laugh with joy and pride for Little Silver.

Time flew by in isolated cultivation.

Lin Xun’s group forgot about the outside world as they strove to solidify their foundations in peace, but the outside world hadn’t forgotten about them.

The entire Mythic Fire Realm didn’t need long to know that Demon God Lin had taken up residence on Flying Star Mountain, and the news grasped the attention of many forces.

Almost every single day, there would be spies lurking around Flying Star Mountain to observe if there were any movements from him.

After all, Lin Xun had developed a nearly invincible prestige and fame through his many bloody battles over years.

Now that such a notorious character had decided to hole up on Flying Star Mountain, who wouldn’t be concerned?

But as time passed, they realized that he really only wanted to cultivate in seclusion without getting involved with the outside world. Many people were disappointed, while many were secretly glad.

Everyone knew that whenever Demon God Lin interfered in something, it was bound to result in great turmoil and a bloody storm.

So naturally, it was astonishing that such a ruthless person suddenly acted as if he had ‘retired’ and no longer cared about the strife in the outside world.

“The seal on the True Dragon’s Lair has been lifted! It’s rumored that apex giants such as Ye Mohe, Mi Hengzhen, and Wang Xuanyu are going there!”

“All parties have been keeping their eyes on this heaven-defying fortune. They say that many top rankers on the Genius Gold Rankings like Shao Hao, Fairy Ruowu, and Yuan Fatian have started moving as well.”

Soon, the news quickly spread throughout the Upper Nine Realms, creating a massive earthquake.

“What about Demon God Lin? Has he taken action?”

“No. He’s never left seclusion.”

Upon learning that Lin Xun hadn’t left Flying Star Mountain after the emergence of such an opportunistic fortune ground of the ages, many people couldn’t believe their ears.

But that was the reality!

“Don’t tell me Demon God Lin is scared? He doesn’t dare to compete with the other apex characters?”

Many people were skeptical, thinking that Lin Xun’s secluded cultivation was a kind of retreat, which was unusual as it didn’t align with his overbearing style.

“You’re all wrong. You think retreating when one is at the peak isn’t a kind of courage? Demon God Lin may miss out on some great fortunes by doing this, but he will only come out stronger than before after solidifying himself…” sighed a powerful character on the Genius Gold Rankings.

“If one sees nothing but fortunes, the fortunes will lead them by the nose, and they will lose more than they can ever gain. Lin Xun probably has seen through it all and knows what can be forsaken to focus on refining his own path,” commented Mi Hengzhen emotionally upon hearing about the news after his arrival at the True Dragon’s Lair.

He had previously sent Xiao Qinghe to invite Lin Xun to explore the True Dragon’s Lair together, but Lin Xun had turned down the offer.

It was only now did Mi Hengzhen have a vague realization on why Lin Xun had refused, and he couldn’t help but admire him for that.

To gain was difficult, but to forsake was even more so!

To be able to decide between the two was a kind of tempering of the heart and mind!

“You’re really giving it up just like that?” Ji Xingyao was sitting casually on a rock on Flying Star Mountain. Her clothes and hair fluttered in the wind, her figure ethereal as her beauty looked like something that came out of a painting.

“Aren’t you the same?” Lin Xun smiled as he idly handed her a cup of tea that he had just brewed.

Compared to the past, his aura was calm and plain, and his eyes were clear and tranquil. As he sat there casually, not a hint of sharpness was revealed.

But in Ji Xingyao’s eyes, Lin Xun had become even more unfathomable. His breath was close to the dao, which was invisible and indescribable!

Her eyes glazed over a little, and then she couldn’t help but sigh, “I’m not the same as you. You see the fortunes in the True Dragon’s Lair as inessential and have no desires for them. While I, on the other hand, know that there is bound to be extreme dangers and bloodshed, and that even if I go, I will likely end up empty-handed. That’s why I have to give it up.”

Speaking of this, Ji Xingyao’s lips curled up into a helpless curve. “This is the gap between us. I desire it, but my abilities are inadequate, so the only wise decision I can make is step back and remain in my safe zone.”

Lin Xun smiled. “The fight for the great dao can’t be settled overnight, Miss Ji. Since you are able to discern when to advance and retreat, you will definitely travel very far on your path.”

Ji Xingyao’s face bloomed with an unrestrained smile. She sipped on her tea and changed the topic, “The Supreme Realm is closing in less than a year, and the overlords in the Upper Nine Realms are scrambling to seek the final breakthrough. Do you have any plans about this, Brother Lin?”

Lin Xun thought for a moment and said, “Does killing Yun Qingbai count?”

He said it lightly and devoid of any emotions, as if it was something very casual and natural.

Ji Xingyao was stunned. Then, she nodded and commented, “No wonder you are isolating yourself here. So you’re nourishing your heart.”

“Nourishing my heart?” Lin Xun smiled. “I guess you can call it that.”

After seeing Ji Xingyao off, Lin Xun pondered over the phrase ‘nourishing the heart’ in silence, and his thoughts couldn’t help but wander off.

In the past, an uncontrollable killing intent would emerge within Lin Xun and affect his mind at the mention of Yun Qingbai.

But now, Yun Qingbai’s existence could no longer give him such a helpless urge to kill.

Is it because my attitude has changed?

No!

It’s because I’m now truly fearless!

Upon arriving at this conclusion, Lin Xun’s tranquil eyes flashed with realization, and on the spur of the moment, his finger drew a stroke in the air.

Swish!

A brilliant sword qi suddenly rose from Flying Star Mountain and tore through the eight thousand miles of the sky, overwriting the light of the sun and the moon!

This sword was called No Escape.

The only difference was that Lin Xun had achieved minor success in understanding its mysteries.

Half a month later.

The conflicts over the True Dragon’s Lair came to an end.

According to statistics, the number of casualties reached over a thousand. The amount of blood shed could form a river, yet only a few people ended up with something.

Among those few, Shao Hao had been outstanding, defeating many opponents at once and leaving with the biggest fortune.

Other than him, some ancient-era geniuses such as Ruowu from Vermillion Bird Lineage, Yuan Fatian from Snubbed-Nosed Monkey Lineage, and the Little Golden Winged Dapeng King, as well as many heaven prides and giants of the current generation like Ye Mohe, Mi Hengzhen, and Wang Xuanyu, all had their own gains.

It was worth mentioning that, like Lin Xun, Yun Qingbai had never shown up.

Strictly speaking, after being hunted down by Lin Xun two years ago in Stupa Brahma Land, Yun Qingbai had evaporated from the face of the earth. So far, there hadn’t been any news on him.

However, it was impossible to forget about such a godly sword cultivator!

Everyone had a feeling that when Yun Qingbai reappeared, the first person he would deal with would be Lin Xun!

They all knew that he had a personal feud with Lin Xun, who on top of that had killed a number of Omega Sword Sect disciples!

However, none of them knew that just as the event of the True Dragon’s Lair came to an end, Lin Xun welcomed his seventh longevity tribulation after cultivating on Flying Star Mountain for half a year.

The karmic tribulation!

Karma could be resulted from something as minor as every sip of drink and every bite of food. Like karmic obstacles and fate, it was vague and hard to grasp.

The karmic tribulation involved all kinds of restraints and shackles on the path of cultivation, and the power of the tribulation created from them was nothing but horrifying.

For Lin Xun, this tribulation was definitely the most dangerous one since the moment he had set foot on the path of longevity.

It was because he had too much karma entangling him!