The night gradually receded, and the first light of dawn emerged. Morning in the Green Peak Mountain Range carried a refreshing chill and the fragrance of grass and trees. Birds sang merrily upon the branches, while dew rolled across the leaves, reflecting crystalline light. Everything seemed tranquil and peaceful, as though last night's brief, bloody slaughter had never happened.
Lin Chen's figure clung nimbly to a steep cliff face like an ape. His movements were swift and silent, every point of leverage perfectly judged, displaying a maturity far beyond his years and flawless control over his own strength.
He was searching for a hiding place safe enough and hidden enough.
Last night's gains had been far too abundant, especially those two precious demonic cores. In particular, that seventh-grade dark-attribute demonic core contained such vast energy and such a unique attribute that he could hardly wait to refine and absorb it!
But he knew that refining demonic cores was not something accomplished overnight. High-grade demonic cores in particular contained more violent energy and more distinctive attributes. The refining process could cause quite a commotion and might even take a considerable amount of time.
He had to find a place that was absolutely safe and free from disturbance!
Although the outer regions of the Green Peak Mountain Range housed relatively lower-grade demonic beasts, that also meant human martial artists were more active there. Whether lone hunters or mercenary groups traveling in packs, all of them could pose a threat to him while he cultivated.
Therefore, he chose to press deeper in, exploring the inner regions where human traces were scarce and demonic beasts might be stronger.
Relying on the formidable strength and keen perception of the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer, he carefully avoided several obviously powerful demonic beast territories and detoured around areas that might bear signs of human activity.
At last, deep within a perilous gorge, he discovered a naturally formed hidden cave concealed by dense vines.
The cave entrance was narrow, allowing only one person to squeeze through sideways, but within lay another world. The interior was rather spacious, spanning more than ten zhang. It was dry and well ventilated, and the stone walls even bore traces of some unknown animal's activity, though there was no aura of any powerful demonic beast.
More importantly, the cave was extremely well hidden. It lay halfway up a sheer cliff, with a rushing river below and steep rock walls above. Unless someone searched carefully, it would be exceedingly difficult to find.
"This is the place!" Lin Chen's eyes lit up, and his heart settled.
He first carefully inspected the cave's interior and confirmed that no hidden danger lurked within. Then, near the entrance, he used loose stones and vines to set up some simple camouflage and warning measures. They were crude, but they could at least provide an extra measure of safety while he cultivated.
Only after finishing all this did he finally relax and sit cross-legged upon a relatively level stone surface deep inside the cave.
He did not immediately begin refining the demonic cores. Instead, he first took out some water and dry rations from his Storage Ring. He had prepared them beforehand just in case; though rough, they were enough to fill his stomach. A night of traveling and his earlier frantic cultivation had also left him slightly hungry and fatigued.
He silently ate the dry rations and drank the water, all while regulating his breathing and calming his mind.
Breaking through to the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer had caused his strength to soar, but it also required time to settle and adapt. Especially with a high-grade demonic core about to be refined, he needed to maintain his best possible mental state.
About half an hour later, Lin Chen felt that his essence, energy, and spirit had all returned to their peak condition.
His burning gaze fell upon the two demonic cores he had carefully taken out!
One was the size of a thumb, entirely cyan, and emitted faint fluctuations of wind-attribute energy: the Sixth-tier Green Wind Wolf King Demonic Core.
The other was the size of a longan, entirely black, with shifting gleams flowing over its surface. It radiated dense dark-attribute energy and vast, pure energy: the Seventh-tier Unicorn Black Panther Demonic Core!
"I'll start with this sixth-tier Wind Wolf demonic core." Lin Chen made his decision.
Although the Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core was more tempting, the energy it contained was also more violent, and its attribute was more unusual. Refining it recklessly was too risky. Better to use this sixth-tier Wind Wolf demonic core to practice first, familiarize himself with the process of refining demonic cores, and further increase his strength to gain more confidence.
He held the cyan Wind Wolf demonic core in his palm, sensing the nimble yet faintly sharp wind-attribute energy contained within.
With a thought, he connected to the Myriad Dao Furnace!
"Refine!"
Buzz!
The furnace erupted with deep black radiance! A devouring force more tyrannical and more intricate than when refining spirit stones instantly enveloped the demonic core in his palm!
Crack!
A faint, crisp sound rang out! A fine crack instantly appeared on the surface of the incomparably hard sixth-tier demonic core, which could withstand slashes from blades and swords!
Immediately after!
Strands of incomparably pure wind-attribute energy essence, like wisps of cyan smoke, along with even more vast, attribute-less origin energy, seemed drawn by an irresistible attraction. They were forcibly extracted from the demonic core and surged wildly into Lin Chen's body!
This energy was more than ten times purer than Low-grade Spirit Stones! It was even slightly superior to Mid-grade Spirit Stones! And it even contained a trace of the intent of wind?!
"What pure energy! And the rhythm of wind?!" Lin Chen was startled inwardly!
He could clearly feel that as this wind-attribute energy essence entered his body, not only was his true qi rapidly increasing, but even his movement speed and reaction ability seemed to have improved by an imperceptible degree. It was as if his understanding of wind had deepened another layer!
The Myriad Dao Furnace could not only purify energy—it could actually refine and absorb the innate attributes and intents of demonic beasts?!
This discovery sent Lin Chen into wild ecstasy!
Didn't that mean that as long as he refined enough demonic cores of different attributes, he could master all kinds of attribute powers? Perhaps even comprehend all sorts of laws and intents?!
This... this was simply... dominating all attributes!
Lin Chen's heart pounded furiously! He felt as though a brand-new gate leading toward invincibility was slowly opening before him!
He forcefully suppressed his excitement and immediately devoted himself fully to refining!
The Myriad Dao Furnace spun at high speed! Bit by bit, without interruption, it extracted, purified, and converted the energy contained within that sixth-tier Wind Wolf demonic core!
As for Lin Chen, he greedily absorbed this pure energy and the trace of wind intent within it like a sponge drinking water!
His cultivation began advancing steadily once more at a pace visible to the naked eye!
Time slowly passed within the silent cave.
About two hours went by.
When the cyan demonic core in Lin Chen's palm completely lost its luster and turned into a gray-white ruined core like an ordinary pebble...
The true qi within Lin Chen's body finally reached another saturated critical point!
And it was a peak where his foundation was incomparably solid and his true qi condensed to the utmost extreme!
Not only that!
He could also clearly feel that his perception of wind had become sharper! When he used his movement technique, it seemed lighter and more nimble! It was as though he had merged with the wind itself!
Though this improvement was still extremely slight, it was an incomparably huge surprise!
"Just one sixth-tier Wind Wolf demonic core had such an effect. Then what about this Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core?!" An unprecedented fiery light erupted in Lin Chen's eyes as he stared intensely at the longan-sized, pitch-black demonic core lying quietly beside him!
Darkness attribute! A seventh-tier demonic beast!
The vastness of the energy it contained, the strangeness of its attribute, and the profundity of its intent absolutely surpassed the earlier Wind Wolf demonic core!
If he refined and absorbed it...
Lin Chen's heart began pounding violently beyond his control again!
But he did not begin immediately.
He knew that the stronger the energy, the greater the risk in refining it. A rare darkness attribute like this in particular was filled with the unknown and danger.
He had to make absolutely certain he was prepared!
He first spent about half an hour completely stabilizing the realm he had just broken through to, the peak of the sixth layer, and adjusted his condition.
Only then did he cautiously hold the Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core, which radiated an eerie chill, in his palm.
It was icy cold to the touch, yet seemed to contain an eerie power capable of swallowing light itself! It made even one's mind tremble!
"Come on! Let me see just how strong you are!" Lin Chen's gaze was firm as he took a deep breath!
The Myriad Dao Furnace! It was activated at full force once more!
"Refine!!!!!!"
Boom!!!!!!
This time, the devouring force unleashed by the furnace was more terrifying and more tyrannical than ever before!
Like a true cosmic black hole, it sought to completely devour and assimilate this demonic core containing the origin of darkness!
Crack! Crackle!!!
The surface of the Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core, far harder than a sixth-tier demonic core, was instantly covered in dense cracks!
Immediately after!
A vast darkness-attribute energy essence, thick as black ink and filled with negative auras such as icy cold, deathly stillness, devouring, and corrosion, together with even more boundless and pure origin energy, poured wildly from the demonic core like an abyssal demonic dragon gone out of control! It crashed viciously into Lin Chen's body!
"Urghah!!!!!!"
Though Lin Chen had been prepared, the sudden terrifying impact filled with negative energy still made him grunt in pain! His face instantly turned deathly pale!
He only felt a bone-piercing chill spread through his entire body in an instant! It seemed ready to freeze even his blood and drag his soul into a boundless abyss of darkness!
At the same time, the devouring and corrosive force contained within that dark energy was also crazily eroding his meridians! It attempted to assimilate and destroy him!
What terrifying dark energy!
No wonder darkness-attribute demonic beasts were so difficult to deal with and so feared!
If it had been any other Body Tempering Realm martial artist, even one at the peak of the seventh layer, the instant they came into contact with this energy, they would likely have been completely corroded and assimilated, ultimately becoming a mindless dark puppet!
But Lin Chen possessed the Myriad Dao Furnace!
"Suppress it for me! Refine it for me!!!" Lin Chen roared inwardly, mobilizing all his focus and will as he frantically drove the Myriad Dao Furnace!
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!!!!!
The Myriad Dao Furnace fused with the Nine-Orifice Dao Foundation erupted with unprecedented dazzling black radiance! Those nine mysterious apertures spun madly like nine vortices capable of devouring heaven and earth!
A boundless supreme power, as though capable of suppressing all Dao beneath the heavens and purifying every impurity, exploded forth!
In an instant, it forcibly suppressed and wrapped the dark energy raging through his body, filled with negative auras! Then, like a millstone, it gradually stripped away, purified, and erased its negative properties of icy cold, deathly stillness, devouring, corrosion, and more!
This process was far more difficult than refining wind-attribute energy! And far more painful!
Lin Chen felt as though his body had become a battlefield! On one side, cold and tyrannical dark energy was crazily corroding him! On the other, the furnace's even more tyrannical power was forcibly suppressing and purifying it!
The violent clash between the two forces subjected his meridians to unimaginable pressure! They seemed as though they could rupture at any moment! His consciousness also endured a tremendous impact, as if he were repeatedly struggling between boundless darkness and light!
But he gritted his teeth and held on desperately! His eyes were filled with unyielding madness!
He knew this was a crisis! But it was also a heaven-sent opportunity!
As long as he could successfully refine and absorb this dark energy completely, his strength would absolutely undergo another earthshaking transformation! He might even comprehend a trace of the origin mysteries of darkness!
Time seemed to become incomparably long at this moment.
No one knew how long had passed.
Perhaps an hour, perhaps two, or perhaps even longer...
When the Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core in Lin Chen's palm finally lost all its luster and became a dull, lightless piece of waste stone,
The thrilling energy war within his body finally came to an end!
The Myriad Dao Furnace had ultimately relied on its heaven-defying power to completely "tame" that vast and tyrannical dark energy! It purified away all of its negative properties and impurities!
In the end, only a stream of pure darkness-origin energy remained, pure to the utmost extreme, vast to the utmost extreme, deep and shadowed, yet seemingly containing endless mysteries and power!
Along with even more immense and purer attribute-less energy!
Rumble rumble rumble!!!!!!
When this unprecedented, terrifying torrent of energy flooded into Lin Chen's Dantian Sea of Qi, which had already reached the seventh layer, like world-ending floodwaters released through opened gates,
That sturdy and heavy barrier of the seventh layer could not even put up a proper resistance!
It was like paper mache!
It was instantly smashed apart! Pierced through!
Crashhhhh!!!!!!
True qi liquefied! Condensed like mercury! Communing with heaven and earth!
Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer Early Stage!
It happened as naturally as water flowing into a channel!
And!
This breakthrough was far from over!
That darkness-origin energy and vast attribute-less energy continued pouring in without end like a boundless ocean! They pushed his cultivation onward in a continued mad ascent!
Seventh Layer Early Stage Peak!
Seventh Layer Middle Stage!
Seventh Layer Middle Stage Peak!
Seventh Layer Late Stage!!!
Only after all the energy from the Seventh-grade Dark Panther Core had been completely absorbed and refined did Lin Chen's cultivation finally stabilize at the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer Late Stage!!!
He was only a single step away from the Body Tempering Realm Eighth Layer!
"Phew!!!"
Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air tinged with a faint dark aura.
His eyes had become deeper! Darker! As though capable of swallowing all light! Faint dark runes flowed within them!
The aura around him had also become stronger! More restrained! More dangerous!
Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer Late Stage!
In just a little over one day, he had crossed another major realm once again! And he had risen three minor layers in a row!
If such cultivation speed were made known, it would be enough to make all of Qingyang Town tremble!
"The power of darkness truly is formidable!" Lin Chen muttered. Feeling the utterly different dark true qi within him, filled with the aura of devouring and concealment—though converted by the furnace, it still retained a trace of darkness-origin characteristics—a gleam of excitement flashed through his eyes!
He even felt that he seemed to have truly comprehended a trace of the mysteries of darkness? Such as stealth? Concealment? Devouring?
With a thought, he attempted to circulate his dark true qi to its limit while activating his aura-concealing method.
Buzz...
An unbelievable scene occurred!
His figure actually began slowly fading where he stood! It was as though he were about to blend into the surrounding shadows! His aura became even more faint and indistinct, nearly impossible to detect!
"This... this is... Darkness Stealth?!" Lin Chen's heart shook violently!
This was absolutely not an effect that the crude aura-concealing method he had cultivated before could achieve! He had clearly comprehended some innate ability of the darkness attribute!
Could the Myriad Dao Furnace really allow him to obtain the innate abilities of demonic beasts by refining their demonic cores?!
Lin Chen's heart began pounding wildly once more at this heaven-defying discovery!
He hurriedly drew back his dark true qi, and his figure became clear again.
"It seems I'll need to hunt more demonic beasts with special innate abilities in the future!" A greedy gleam flickered in Lin Chen's eyes!
His surging strength once more, along with the unexpectedly acquired ability of "Darkness Stealth," filled Lin Chen with unprecedented confidence toward the trials ahead!
He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs, feeling explosive power coursing through his entire body!
It was time to leave this cave and explore a broader world!
But before leaving...
His gaze fell upon the mysterious Beast Hide Book he kept close to his body.
After this immense increase in strength and his trace of comprehension toward the mysteries of darkness, could he perhaps understand even a little of the profound movement technique recorded within it?
With a trace of anticipation, Lin Chen sat cross-legged once more, carefully took out the Beast Hide Book with its blank cover, and slowly opened to the first page...
Before you continue