Breaking Through the Bottleneck, Lin Yue: Senior is Truly My Lucky Star

Deep within the Chaos cave, the Innate Spirit Spring gurgled, emitting a refreshing, cool aura. Lin Yue sat cross-legged on a bluestone by the spring, his eyes tightly shut. A faint aura of Chaos Qi swirled around him. Within his dantian, the deep cyan vortex that had troubled him for days was undergoing a monumental change.

Three days ago, under Pangu's guidance, he had integrated a Dao Rhyme Fragment into his cultivation. What was once a sluggish flow of energy suddenly became smooth. The profound laws contained within the fragment acted like an invisible guide, leading the Chaos energy in his body to circulate along a trajectory he had never attempted before. Initially, this circulation brought a subtle stinging sensation, as if countless fine needles were piercing his meridians. But as time passed, the stinging gradually subsided, replaced by an unprecedented sense of comfort—like a parched riverbed finally receiving a rushing torrent of fresh water, every inch of his meridians was scoured wider and tougher by the energy.

At this moment, Lin Yue's consciousness was completely immersed in his dantian. He could clearly "see" the deep cyan vortex being enveloped and permeated by countless golden specks of light. These specks originated from the essence of the Dao Rhyme Fragment, carrying the majesty of innate laws. Each pulse was stripping away the impurities from the vortex, leaving behind the purest energy. The cyan gradually faded, and gold spread from the edges toward the center, like the dawn's glow dyeing the sky.

"Buzz—"

A faint tremor spread from his dantian to his entire body. Lin Yue's body involuntarily trembled slightly, and the Chaos Qi around him began to spin at an accelerated rate, forming a visible energy vortex. He knew this was a sign of breakthrough. The barrier that had kept him at the peak of Mid-level Chaos was like ice softening in warm water, now emitting a "crackling" sound as it shattered. Countless tiny cracks spread across the barrier, needing only one final push to be completely broken.

Lin Yue didn't rush. Instead, he followed the breathing technique Pangu had taught him, slowly and steadily guiding the energy to impact the barrier. His breathing was perfectly synchronized with the pulse of the Chaos Qi. With each inhale and exhale, new energy flowed into his body from the Spirit Spring and the surrounding Chaos, aiding his breakthrough.

Half an hour later, with a soft sound that seemed to come from the depths of his soul, the barrier that had troubled him for so long completely disintegrated. The light golden vortex broke free from its constraints and began to spin joyfully within his dantian. Its energy fluctuations were several times stronger than before, carrying a more condensed and purer aura.

"High-level Chaos... I finally broke through!" Lin Yue abruptly opened his eyes, unconcealed ecstasy flashing within them. He instinctively raised his hand, and a ball of Chaos energy condensed in his palm, about the size of a pigeon's egg. The surface of the light sphere shimmered with a faint golden luster, more solid than the Mid-level energy spheres he had condensed before, and the pressure it emitted was noticeably stronger.

He attempted to control the light sphere. With a thought, it danced nimbly on his fingertips, weaving and even splitting into three smaller spheres. His control over energy had improved by more than one level simultaneously with his breakthrough.

"This is great..." Lin Yue clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, a warmth rising in his heart. He knew clearly that this breakthrough was by no means accidental. Without the Dao Rhyme Fragment gifted by Pangu, without the cultivation insights left by the Spirit Wood Daoist, and without the energy support from this Innate Spirit Spring, he didn't know how long he would have been stuck at the peak of Mid-level, or if he would ever have reached the threshold of High-level.

Thinking of this, he immediately stood up and bowed respectfully towards the majestic figure deep within the cave. "Thank you for your help, Senior! If not for Senior bestowing the Dao Rhyme Fragment, I fear I would still be struggling at the bottleneck. Senior is truly my lucky star!"

Pangu remained in his seated posture, his body as stable as mountains. Upon hearing Lin Yue, he merely nodded slightly, remaining silent. However, Lin Yue could feel Senior's gaze resting on him with a hint of quiet approval.

"Senior, with my current cultivation, can I help you more?" Lin Yue stepped closer, a hint of seeking praise on his face. "The rubble around the cave needs clearing, shall I move those troublesome stones? And that energy rock area to the east, I can collect more, perhaps you might need it."

He genuinely wanted to do something for Pangu. Ever since arriving in this deep Chaos, Pangu, though not one for many words, had always silently protected and guided him. He never forgot this kindness. Now that his cultivation had improved, he finally had the strength to repay it.

Pangu slowly shook his head, gesturing with his eyes that Lin Yue didn't need to be so formal. But Lin Yue noticed that Senior's gaze lingered on him slightly longer than usual, as if observing something.

Just then, Lin Yue suddenly felt a faint warmth emanating from his dantian. He looked inward and discovered that the Chaos Imprint Pangu had placed within him had lit up with a faint glow. The glow gently vibrated the light golden vortex before falling silent again.

"When I broke through just now, I didn't feel any damage to my foundation from the energy surge..." A thought suddenly flashed through Lin Yue's mind. He had heard from the Spirit Wood Daoist before that breakthroughs often caused minor damage to a cultivator's foundation, requiring time to nurture afterward. But during this breakthrough, not only did he not feel any damage, but his dantian felt even more stable than before.

Could it be the effect of this Chaos Imprint?

Lin Yue looked at Pangu. Seeing that Senior was still meditating with his eyes closed, he didn't ask further questions. But he became even more certain that this mysterious Senior had been silently protecting him all along.

"It seems that clinging to Senior is truly the most correct decision I've ever made," Lin Yue muttered to himself, a smile of relief appearing on his face. He didn't disturb Pangu any further and turned to pick up a stone pickaxe nearby, intending to start clearing the rubble around the cave—even if Senior hadn't said anything, he wanted to make the place more comfortable.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the cave roof, illuminating Lin Yue's busy figure and the majestic one beside him. One person and one divine being, in the silent Chaos cave, formed a wondrous and harmonious picture. Lin Yue knew that this breakthrough was just a new beginning, and there was a long road ahead. But as long as this Senior was by his side, he felt full of confidence.