Breath Concealment, Core Formation Realm

In the blink of an eye, the usually quiet and deserted Scripture Repository gained another figure.

Every day, Little Anzi busily attended to everything, serving tea and water, sweeping the courtyard, and arranging Chen Lin's life in perfect order, allowing the old man to finally enjoy the taste of being waited upon.

That night, darkness was as black as ink.

As usual, Chen Lin slipped silently into the Scripture Repository in the dead of night.

This time, his target was clear—a Earth-tier Breath Concealment Technique.

After choosing the technique, Chen Lin's thoughts stirred, and he silently recited once more, "Extract!"

[Today's Great Perfection Earth-tier cultivation technique: Primordial Breath Concealment Art]

An Earth-tier breath concealment technique really was something else!

As long as someone's cultivation did not surpass his by more than two major realms, ordinary people would find it difficult to detect his true cultivation.

The instant the technique reached Great Perfection, Chen Lin left the Scripture Repository and lay back down in that comfortable Rocking Chair, intending to take a short nap.

Just then, a vast and surging power burst forth from within him like floodwaters crashing through a broken dam!

If not for the Primordial Breath Concealment Art concealing every abnormality, the entire Scripture Repository would likely have been alarmed.

In mere moments, Chen Lin felt warmth spreading through his body, as though a dormant volcano had completely awakened.

He could clearly feel it—he had broken through!

Core Formation First Layer!

The True Sun Fire that had been blazing fiercely within him had now condensed into a round Primordial Pill. What delighted him even more was that he could now freely release his Spiritual Sense!

All these changes happened in the flash of lightning and spark of flint, utterly silent. Only Chen Lin himself could savor the exhilaration of being reborn.

He lay there, his body like a bottomless abyss, automatically absorbing the Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth.

He felt wonderfully pleased, his cultivation automatically increasing.

However, when Chen Lin used the Core Formation Realm's unique ability—Spiritual Sense—

Only then did he discover, to his surprise, that Little Anzi was gone!

That little fellow had actually managed to evade his senses without a sound. It seemed he had some real skill and was no ordinary eunuch. No wonder he could serve under the Crown Prince.

Chen Lin silently praised him, but he did not dare extend his Spiritual Sense any farther, afraid of alerting other great powers.

One day—just one day—and he had leaped directly from his previous realm to the Core Formation First Layer!

Chen Lin's grin nearly reached his ears as he calculated, Tomorrow, I need to find a technique that can improve my root bone aptitude.

First, I'll set myself a small goal: reach the Cave Reality Realm! Chen Lin calculated. Only by reaching that level could his retirement life become safer and last longer.

However, in the stillness of the deep night, Chen Lin suddenly sensed a faint disturbance.

He opened his eyes and investigated with his Spiritual Sense.

Little Anzi had quietly slipped back. Moonlight spilled through the window onto him, yet it revealed a lingering scent of blood that could not be dispersed.

Chen Lin's Spiritual Sense immediately locked onto the other party's cultivation—Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.

Mm... Chen Lin assessed him inwardly. Not bad. As expected of someone under the Crown Prince.

Chen Lin did not ask further. Right now, he only wanted to cultivate in peace. As for everything else, he would ignore it if he could.

Little Anzi seemed to sense something as well. Through the half-open window, he saw Chen Lin still peacefully dozing in the Rocking Chair. Only then did he let out a long breath, the weight in his heart finally easing.

Good. Elder Lin is asleep.

He quietly approached the window, and a jade pendant appeared out of thin air in his hand. The character "Forbidden" was clearly carved upon it.

A complicated expression appeared on Little Anzi's face, filled with worry and helplessness. He sighed softly and murmured to himself, "Your Highness, I wonder... how the final victor and loser have turned out."

The moment his words fell, the jade pendant vanished without a trace.

The next day, Chen Lin slowly woke, the fragrance of food lingering beneath his nose.

Little Anzi had already prepared breakfast. It was steaming hot and looked exceptionally appetizing.

Chen Lin finished eating at an unhurried pace. Just as he set down his bowl and chopsticks, he sensed an unusual aura coming from outside the Scripture Repository.

It was a noble aura carrying sharp sword-like edges, like tangible sword intent that easily pierced through the doors and windows and struck directly at his senses.

Chen Lin's heart tightened. He immediately put down his chopsticks, and with a flicker of his body, arrived outside the building.

There stood a tall, slender figure in the courtyard. The man had sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a handsome face. An awe-inspiring pressure of the sword path permeated his entire body.

Though Chen Lin also cultivated sword techniques, he could sense the terrifying foundation of the sword path within the man, vast as an ocean, and could not help becoming wary.

The Fifth Prince, Ling Ji!

His mother was the daughter of the Sect Master of Lingzhou's Heaven Origin Sword Sect.

Born with a Sword Bone, he had cultivated the sword path as though aided by the gods since childhood. His current cultivation was already at the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer!

He could fight those at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer across realms—and could even kill them!

Moreover, the Heaven Origin Sword Sect standing behind him was a colossal force with a Dharma Aspect Realm expert overseeing it. In Lingzhou, its Forces were second only to the Governor.

At the same time, Ling Ji was one of the Princes favored by the current Imperial Lord.

That background and strength alone were enough to secure him a place among the Princes.

"Your Highness." Chen Lin bowed respectfully.

Little Anzi also hurried out from the room and stood beside Chen Lin, lowering his head as well. "Your Highness."

Ling Ji gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over Chen Lin before falling upon Little Anzi. His brows rose almost imperceptibly, but in the end, he said nothing.

"I need to enter the Seventh Floor." Ling Ji's voice was cold, without the slightest trace of warmth.

"Yes, Your Highness." Chen Lin answered, picked up the Record Book, and quickly made a note. "Please proceed, Your Highness."

Ling Ji said no more and walked straight toward the Scripture Repository.

However, as he passed Little Anzi, he suddenly stopped. A faint, indifferent smile curved his lips as he said, "Your master is not doing very well these days. An Divine Treasury Realm expert under his command died at the hands of the Nine Nether Sect yesterday."

After saying that, he did not look again at Little Anzi's stunned face. He turned and entered the Scripture Repository, leaving behind a back that sent chills down one's spine.

Little Anzi shuddered all over, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Chen Lin was also startled upon hearing this. "The Nine Nether Sect?"

This was the greatest demonic cult of the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty. Its signature Nine Nether Cold Fiend methods were sinister and vicious, and it was precisely this thing that had indirectly caused his family to rapidly decline.

With nothing to do, I might as well find some amusement.

He grabbed Little Anzi's trembling shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. "Don't panic. Your master is the Crown Prince. Though his position as heir apparent has encountered some small twists and turns, no one can shake his foundation."

"If they want to replace the Crown Prince, it will not be a minor disturbance. It will be a great upheaval that shakes the foundations of the entire Imperial Dynasty. In the long run, no one wants to see that happen. Rest easy."

Yet Chen Lin had another thought in mind: Perfect. I can watch a live version of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. A slacker like me is made for watching the spectacle, haha.

Though it was unlikely to happen with the Imperial Lord's strength—

But what if it did?

And by then, what level would my cultivation have reached? Who would dare harm me? I am—

I mixed up my lines.

I would not be affected by it anyway.

Little Anzi abruptly raised his head, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He seemed not to have expected Chen Lin to say such things.

This Elder Lin is not simple.

But Chen Lin did not care at all. He patted Little Anzi on the shoulder, turned around, and lay back down in the Rocking Chair. "Remember to clear away the food."

He looked entirely like someone to whom it had nothing to do, continuing on with his retirement life.