The Secret of Haotian

Long Ao Tian looked at Lin, who had yet to use the martial soul awakened by the White Jade Core. Even if he had used it, Long Ao Tian still had some confidence; he might not necessarily lose to Lin.

He felt that Lin was hiding something.

However, Lin was only seven years old. At such a young age, his talent had already far surpassed his own.

With the title of Haotian Sect's eldest disciple falling to him, Long Ao Tian was convinced. Even if the other party appeared at Haotian Sect a year earlier—

As long as the other party did not harbor thoughts of harming Haotian Sect, Long Ao Tian would recognize Lin as the eldest disciple.

"Elder, I have no objections. With Junior Brother's strength, I willingly concede!"

Long Ao Tian spoke with a smile. Since it was not his, why not be generous and avoid seeming petty?

Poison Unkillable burst into hearty laughter. Such an outstanding youngster belonged to Haotian Sect. With the sect's disciples so harmonious, he no longer had any worries.

"Lin, later, I will announce that you have become a disciple. By then, you can show your face."

Poison Unkillable patted Lin on the shoulder. He was extremely satisfied with Lin's talent. With such gifts, the prosperity of Haotian Sect was within reach.

Lin smiled faintly and said, "Elder, I am still too weak. If I draw too much attention, I fear others may target me."

"Becoming a disciple is not urgent. I am not afraid either. How about announcing it once I have the ability to protect myself?"

Lin suggested this because he truly did not want to reveal himself now. Dark matters were impossible to guard against, so he had to take precautions.

This was no longer the peaceful fighting academy of his youth. The dangers he faced now were far greater than before.

Lin did not want to attract attention so quickly.

Poison Unkillable considered it and found Lin's words reasonable. "Fine, we will not mention becoming a disciple for now. Focus on cultivating properly."

Lin was Haotian Sect's hope, and Poison Unkillable did not want anything to happen to him. Moreover, Lin's reminder was not without reason.

In any case, the boy was in Haotian Sect. There was no rush to settle the matter of discipleship.

The elders all agreed. His talent was excellent, his strength was not bad, and his temperament was acceptable as well.

They grew increasingly curious about the existence of Lin's other six elders. Without those two elders, Lin would not have such abilities now.

Poison Unkillable took out a secret manual and handed it to Lin. "Lin, this is the Secret of Haotian. It can help your martial soul undergo its second awakening."

"Take it and study it first. When you are about to awaken, come find me."

Poison Unkillable believed that with him around, Lin's second awakening would certainly be the White Jade Core. Becoming a Dark Gold Core afterward would also be inevitable.

As long as he followed the steps, there would be no problem.

Lin accepted the Secret of Haotian. "Thank you, Elder."

"Elder, may I ask something? Can the Haotian martial soul awaken into a Golden Core during its second awakening?"

Lin's question was sincere, without the slightest hint that he was joking.

His words made the elders laugh. "Lin, let me tell you. It is difficult—especially difficult."

"Besides, the White Jade Core is already enough for you."

"The Dark Gold Core is powerful, but the price of using it is not small."

"When you break through the Soul Master realm, you may undergo a third awakening into a Golden Core."

Poison Unkillable did not leave anything unsaid. Under normal circumstances, even those with exceptional talent could only use the Haotian martial soul to awaken into a Dark Gold Core after breaking through the Soul Master realm.

The White Jade Core could increase attack power by one hundred percent, while the Dark Gold Core offered one to three times the attack power.

Such an increase was anything but minor.

The awakening of the Golden Core was even more terrifying, the strongest kind.

In the entire Haotian Sect—or rather, only Poison Unkillable at present—possessed a Golden Core awakening martial soul.

Lin nodded thoughtfully. If possible, he did not plan to go through the process step by step. He wondered whether the secret manuals Igor had given him contained a method for directly awakening the Dark Gold Core.

Lin was not certain, but after the elders and Igor had rested, perhaps he could look into it.

He simply did not know what price he would have to pay.

From what Lin understood, using a Golden Core awakening martial soul seemed to require life itself.

He did not understand it too clearly, only had a rough idea.

"Elder, does using the Golden Core cost one's life?"

Lin looked toward Poison Unkillable and asked in a low voice.

"More or less. When it is used, it may also damage the origin of the martial soul."

"It is powerful, but its shortcomings are obvious."

"So, awakening the White Jade Core is enough for you."

Poison Unkillable patted Lin's shoulder. His admonishing tone was meant to keep him from aiming too high.

Lin nodded. The cost of using the Dark Gold Core was indeed enormous—vitality and the martial soul's origin.

Which one of those was not something that would damage the foundation of a martial soul?

"Young man, now is not the time to think about these things. Cultivate properly and build a solid foundation. That is what you should do now."

Poison Unkillable looked at Lin seriously. Lin's inquisitive spirit was good, but sometimes knowing too much was not a good thing.

"Thank you, Elder!"

Lin spoke with sincere gratitude. He could see that Poison Unkillable valued him greatly.

Even without confirming his identity, Poison Unkillable had directly handed the Secret of Haotian to him. This showed both Poison Unkillable's courage and how highly he regarded Lin.

Poison Unkillable was confident that if Lin harbored any intention of harming Haotian Sect, he could directly act and eliminate him.

Daring to hand over the Secret of Haotian was also a source of Poison Unkillable's pride.

The other party's elders were formidable, but he was not weak either. How could he lack such confidence?

Soon, Long Ao Tian led Lin to his room. It was spacious, more like a small palace.

"Junior Brother, from now on, this will be your residence."

Long Ao Tian smiled as he introduced it to Lin. "My place is over there. If you need anything, just come find me."

"If there is anything you do not understand in the Secret of Haotian, you can ask me as well."

"I am truly looking forward to your martial soul's second awakening."

Lin smiled. "Senior Brother, when the time comes, please show mercy."

"Hahaha, don't worry. Next time, I will not be like I was today."

Long Ao Tian smiled faintly as well.

After bidding Long Ao Tian farewell, Lin pushed open the door and entered his room.

"Elder, no one is watching, right?"

Lin spoke softly toward the ring.

"Don't worry, boy. There is no one nearby."

Lao Yao's voice drifted out.

Lin nodded, then took out the small piece of Gold of Life. "Elder, let Igor recover first with this Gold of Life."

In the next moment, the Gold of Life flowed into the ring.

The instant the Gold of Life appeared within the ring, Igor became excited. "Gold of Life! You really are something, kid."

"What do you plan to do with this? You decide." Lao Yao sensed the immense life force contained in the Gold of Life. It truly was a good thing.

Although it was not very useful to him personally, it would be extremely useful in repairing injuries.

"Lao Yao, I cannot use that much. Let the kid store it up first. When the time comes, I can help him expand his Sea of Spirit."

"If there were more, I could expand the kid's Sea of Spirit by no less than three times."

Before Lao Yao could speak, Lin's voice sounded. "Igor, use it to recover first. Since opening the ring will not consume much, give it all to you."

"I know a place that has Gold of Life. When the time comes, we can explore it together."