As the sun set in the west, its golden afterglow draped the Lin Family training grounds in a warm, hazy halo.
The Family Test, which had lasted an entire day, finally drew to a slow close amid the crowd's attention and waves of discussion rising and falling one after another.
The final rankings came without any surprise. With the absolute strength of the Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Peak, Lin Yan sat firmly atop first place, unshakable by anyone. Lin Xue, with her Sixth Layer Early Stage cultivation, came in second.
But the greatest wild card was undoubtedly still Lin Chen!
Although he had performed terribly in the potential test and received only a gray evaluation representing the "lowest of the low," in the actual combat ranking battles, he had first "luckily" severely injured Lin Bao with a single punch. Then, because no one dared challenge him—mainly because they had been frightened by his ruthless methods and bizarre strength—he had miraculously squeezed into the top five of this test with a cultivation of merely the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer Early Stage!
This result once again left everyone dumbfounded, and it made the name Lin Chen into an existence among the Lin Family's younger generation that could no longer be ignored, one steeped in controversy and mystery!
Some still believed his potential was poor, that he had merely gotten lucky or used some wicked art, and that he was nothing to fear.
Others had been intimidated by his ruthless methods and the endless stream of "surprises" he produced, treating him with respect while keeping their distance.
Still others, especially the disciples from the lower ranks and collateral branches, could not help but feel something strange stir in their hearts when they saw Lin Chen, once a "waste," rise against the odds and even trample the lofty Lin Bao beneath his feet—perhaps a waste truly did not have to remain unable to rise forever?
The Lin Family's upper echelon had even more complicated thoughts.
Naturally, the people from Great Elder Lin Zhenhong's faction hated Lin Chen to the bone and wished they could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin! Yet due to the family head's clear stance and the bizarre strength Lin Chen had displayed, they could only endure for the moment and secretly seek opportunities for revenge.
After his initial disappointment, Family Head Lin Xiaotian's attitude toward Lin Chen had become even more subtle. Although the potential test result was baffling, the intelligence, methods, and combat power far beyond his realm that Lin Chen had displayed in actual combat could not be ignored! Lin Xiaotian vaguely felt that this youth must be hiding an enormous secret! This sense of "mystery" instead strengthened his resolve to protect and win over Lin Chen! Perhaps the Potential Stone could not represent everything after all?
Third Elder Lin Zhenyue did not hide his appreciation for Lin Chen in the slightest! In his view, potential was certainly important, but temperament, methods, and the ability to seize opportunities were equally crucial to becoming strong! Lin Chen undoubtedly possessed these qualities! Lin Zhenyue had even begun considering how to recruit Lin Chen into the Punishment Hall or Law Enforcement Squad under his charge for training.
Amid this strange and complicated atmosphere, the final stage of the test—the award ceremony—began.
According to the rankings, the top ten disciples went up on stage one after another to receive their rewards.
Lin Yan and Lin Xue received the most generous rewards. Not only did they receive large quantities of Mid-grade Spirit Stones and high-grade medicinal pills, they even had the chance to enter the second floor of the Lin Family's true core Scripture Repository to select cultivation arts and martial skills! Countless envious and jealous gazes gathered below the stage.
When it was Lin Chen's turn to go up and receive the reward for fifth place, he once again became the focus of the entire venue.
The one responsible for presenting the awards was still Family Head Lin Xiaotian.
He looked at the youth before him, whose face still carried a few traces of "nervousness" and "unease." His gaze was complicated. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice much gentler than before.
"Lin Chen, your performance today has once again surprised me." He weighed his words. "Although the result of your potential test was not ideal, the courage and wisdom you displayed in actual combat deserve recognition."
"This is the reward you deserve." Lin Xiaotian handed Lin Chen a storage pouch that was heavier and more exquisite than the brocade pouch from before. "Inside are three hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, ten Mid-grade Spirit Stones, five bottles of Body Tempering Pills, and the manual for a Yellow-grade Mid-tier Martial Skill, Surging Wave Palm."
Whoosh!
The moment the rewards were announced, the audience below erupted into another uproar!
The generosity of this reward had even surpassed that of the disciple ranked fourth, who was at the Body Tempering Realm Fifth Layer Early Stage! In particular, the ten Mid-grade Spirit Stones and the Yellow-grade Mid-tier Martial Skill, Surging Wave Palm, made countless people green with envy!
One Mid-grade Spirit Stone contained spiritual energy equivalent to one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones! And it was even purer! As for a Yellow-grade Mid-tier Martial Skill, only core inner disciples were qualified to cultivate one!
The family head was openly favoring him!
Everyone could see that the family head was determined to win over and train Lin Chen! Even if his potential test result had been gray!
The people from Lin Zhenhong's faction looked even uglier, but with the family head personally presenting the award, they did not dare say anything.
Lin Chen was slightly taken aback as well. He had not expected the reward to be so generous. It seemed his image as someone with "low potential but passable strength who knew how to play the pig to eat the tiger" had successfully stirred the family head's desire to cherish talent?
He sneered inwardly, but his face immediately showed an expression of being "flattered beyond measure" and "moved to tears." His hands "trembled" as he accepted the storage pouch, and he bowed deeply to Lin Xiaotian. "Many thanks for the family head's favor! This disciple... this disciple will certainly... certainly cultivate diligently and not fail the family head's expectations!"
"Mm." Lin Xiaotian nodded in satisfaction. "Go back and cultivate well. Remember, potential does not determine everything. Acquired effort and opportunities are equally important. The family will not abandon any disciple with potential."
His words carried profound meaning. He was encouraging Lin Chen, but he was also knocking certain people into line.
Lin Chen gave another "grateful" salute, then walked down from the platform beneath gazes filled with envy, jealousy, resentment, and scrutiny.
The award ceremony ended, and the Family Test officially came to a close.
The crowd gradually dispersed, but the discussions about Lin Chen were like a stone dropped into a lake, its ripples lingering without end. For a long time to come, he was destined to be the hottest topic throughout the Lin Family.
Lin Chen did not linger long at the training grounds. Right now, he only wanted to return to his small courtyard immediately, take stock of the bountiful harvest from this time, and continue cultivating!
With so many resources in hand, he was confident that his strength would surge forward again in a short time!
After returning to the familiar small courtyard, he shut the gate and cut off all outside disturbances. The "humility" and "gratitude" on Lin Chen's face vanished in an instant, replaced by icy calm and blazing anticipation.
He impatiently opened the storage pouch rewarded by the family head.
Three hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones! Ten Mid-grade Spirit Stones! Five bottles of Body Tempering Pills! And a slightly worn manual for Surging Wave Palm!
Added to what he had previously looted from Lin Bao—including the family head's first "private" gift—his Spirit Stone count had now reached an astonishing total of nearly nine hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones! As well as thirteen Mid-grade Spirit Stones!
As for medicinal pills, besides these five bottles of Body Tempering Pills, there were also the Rejuvenation Pills, Bone-mending Paste, Qi Gathering Powder, and a whole pile of other things he had seized before!
This was simply an enormous fortune that could make any Body Tempering Realm martial artist green-eyed with madness!
"Lin Xiaotian... he really was willing to spend." Lin Chen weighed the Mid-grade Spirit Stones in his hand, feeling the vast and pure energy contained within them, and a cold smile curled across his lips.
However, these gestures of goodwill and attempts to win him over were meaningless to him.
He would accept every resource offered!
But did they want Lin Chen to pledge loyalty? To bow his head and submit?
Dream on!
He carefully put away the Spirit Stones and medicinal pills, then picked up the manual for the Yellow-grade Mid-tier Martial Skill—Surging Wave Palm.
A Yellow-grade Mid-tier Martial Skill was already considered quite good within the Lin Family, its power far surpassing the basic fist and kicking techniques he had practiced before.
He casually flipped through several pages. Surging Wave Palm emphasized using deft force to control power, with palm force layered atop palm force like endless ocean waves, producing astonishing might. At higher levels, one could even strike with nine layers of hidden force in a single palm, shattering steles and splitting stones, with power comparable to certain Yellow-grade High-tier Martial Skills!
"Not bad." Lin Chen nodded. This palm technique could perfectly make up for the weakness of his currently limited attack methods.
However, he did not begin cultivating it immediately.
He had a better choice!
With a thought, he connected to the Myriad Dao Furnace!
"Refine Surging Wave Palm!"
Buzz!
The familiar scene appeared once more! The words in the manual turned into streams of light and poured into his Sea of Consciousness!
Under the Myriad Dao Furnace's heaven-defying ability to analyze and deduce, this Yellow-grade Mid-tier Surging Wave Palm began to be understood, absorbed, and even optimized at an unbelievable speed!
Only a moment passed!
A brand-new Furnace Version of Surging Wave Palm—simpler, more efficient, and with power faintly increased by a degree—was deeply branded into his soul! It was as though he had immersed himself in this palm technique for decades! Once used, it would come as naturally as moving a hand, without the slightest stagnation!
"Awesome!" Lin Chen could not help crying out softly!
The feeling of directly "downloading" knowledge and skills into his brain was simply too satisfying!
With this optimized version of Surging Wave Palm, his actual combat ability had undoubtedly risen another level!
After dealing with the martial skill manual, Lin Chen's gaze finally fell upon the mountain-like pile of Spirit Stones! And the four unused Crimson Sun Grass plants!
These were the key to his next surge in strength!
He was now at the Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Early-stage Peak, just a hair away from the Sixth Layer Mid Stage! The Sixth Layer Peak was not beyond reach either!
If he could absorb and refine all these resources...
What level would his cultivation reach?!
The Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer? Or even higher?!
Lin Chen's heart pounded violently at this mad thought!
The Body Tempering Realm had nine layers in total!
Layers one through three were the early stage, tempering the flesh and drawing qi into the body.
Layers four through six were the middle stage, transforming true qi into liquid and condensing it into something deep and robust.
Layers seven through nine were the late stage, projecting true qi and communicating with heaven and earth!
Once one entered the Seventh Layer, one could attack with true qi outside the body! One's strength would undergo another qualitative transformation! By then, forget Lin Bao—even geniuses like Lin Yan and Lin Xue might not be beyond his ability to contend with!
"Do it!"
Unprecedented resolve and madness erupted in Lin Chen's eyes!
He hesitated no longer! He immediately sat cross-legged! All the Spirit Stones and the remaining four Crimson Sun Grass plants were piled before him!
Myriad Dao Furnace! Full power!
The optimized Basic Qi Refining Art! Operated to its limit!
Devour! Refine! Absorb! Transform!
An even more terrifying and violent devouring of energy unfolded once more within this dilapidated little courtyard!
This time, he had more abundant "fuel" of even higher quality! A more powerful Myriad Dao Furnace! And a more perfect cultivation art!
Lin Chen's cultivation speed reached an unprecedented peak!
His aura shot upward wildly at a speed that would make anyone despair, as though he had boarded a rocket jet!
Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Mid Stage... breakthrough!
Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Late Stage... breakthrough!
Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Peak!
Only half a day had passed!
After consuming nearly three hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, five Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and one Crimson Sun Grass plant, Lin Chen's cultivation surged ahead like bamboo splitting beneath a blade, directly reaching the Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Peak!
Only the final barrier remained between him and the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer—and it was also the most difficult barrier in the entire Body Tempering Realm!
Feeling the vast liquid true qi within him, as boundless as a sea of mist and nearly overflowing, and feeling that incomparably solid Seventh Layer barrier, as though it separated two worlds, Lin Chen's eyes glinted with madness!
"Not enough! Keep going!"
He did not pause in the slightest! He activated the furnace again, drawing all the remaining Spirit Stones and three Crimson Sun Grass plants into its devouring range!
He would strike while the iron was hot! Break through this final shackle! Step into the late stage of the Body Tempering Realm!
Rumble rumble rumble!!!!!!!
Within the small courtyard, energy surged! Spiritual qi boiled! Even the surrounding air groaned under the unbearable burden of these terrifying energy fluctuations!
Lin Chen's body was like a bottomless black hole, crazily devouring all energy!
His aura continued to accumulate, compress, and condense in an incomparably terrifying manner! Again and again, it launched fierce assaults toward that final barrier!
Time seemed to lose all meaning in this extreme cultivation.
No one knew how long had passed.
Perhaps one day, perhaps two days...
When the light of the final Crimson Sun Grass plant on the table completely dimmed, when the final Mid-grade Spirit Stone turned to powder.
The energy accumulated within Lin Chen finally reached an unprecedented and terrifying apex!
That power seemed capable of tearing apart heaven and earth! It seemed capable of shaking the stars!
"Now!"
Lin Chen suddenly opened his eyes! Golden light burst from them like two resplendent suns!
"Break for me!!!!!!!"
Along with a furious roar from the depths of his soul!
That terrifying torrent of energy, accumulated to the utmost limit and condensed from all his will and strength, transformed into a golden divine dragon that opened heaven and split earth! It slammed viciously into the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer barrier that separated heaven and earth!
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
A terrifying explosion, as though it came from the dawn of the universe, impossible to describe in words and powerful enough to shake the entire Lin Family estate—though only a very few top experts could faintly sense it—erupted from deep within Lin Chen's Dantian Sea of Qi...
That indestructible Seventh Layer barrier, beneath the terrifying impact of this strike nearly divine in power...
Finally, like paper pasted together!
Shattered with a thunderous crash!!!
Before you continue