First Trial of the Saint Realm

After leaving the Mist Canyon, Lin Qin did not head directly to the O'Brien Empire. He needed time to familiarize himself with and consolidate his Saint Power. He found a secluded valley deep within the Magic Beast Mountain Range and began his closed-door cultivation.

The Saint realm is a leap in the hierarchy of life compared to the mortal plane. The power within his body was no longer simple battle qi or magic, but a higher form of energy containing his own soul imprint and insights into the laws: "Saint Power." This power could strengthen his physical body, launch long-range attacks, and even manipulate the Earth Element in the world to form a domain-like suppression.

He first tested his strength. With a casual punch, a small hill in the distance exploded. His spiritual energy expanded, covering a range of a hundred miles with every detail clearly visible. His speed was even more astonishing, bordering on teleportation over short distances.

He began to systematically organize what he had learned. In terms of combat, he discarded the complex techniques he had previously studied and returned to the most essential movements: chopping, slashing, stabbing, and sweeping. Yet now, these basic movements in his hands contained the profound mysteries of the "Earth Element." Every sword strike invoked the power of the earth, heavy as a mountain, yet carrying the piercing nature of the laws. He integrated these, beginning to create his own Saint-level combat techniques.

The same applied to his magic. Low-level spells like Earth Spike Spear and Earth Wall Technique underwent a qualitative change under his Saint-level spiritual energy and insights into the laws. An Earth Spike Spear could instantly transform into a forest of stone, covering a vast area; an Earth Wall Technique could change shape at will, even briefly condensing earth element puppets with simple combat instincts. He no longer needed to chant incantations; where his will went, magic followed.

He focused his insights on the mysteries of the "Earth Element." This was the most fundamental yet core mystery within the Earth Laws, concerning the composition, stability, and cohesion of matter. He immersed himself in the exploration of this mystery, constantly deepening his understanding. The effect of "Heaven Rewards Diligence" was equally effective in his comprehension of the laws; as long as he invested time in thinking and experimenting, he could always gain new inspiration and progress.

A month later, Lin Qin had initially consolidated his realm and become proficient in the use of Saint Power. He decided to leave the valley.

He soared into the sky, his first true experience of flight. Feeling the airflow brush past his body and looking down at the vast mountain range below, a sense of pride that the world was within his grasp welled up, but he quickly suppressed it. The Saint realm was not invincible on the Yulan Continent.

He flew toward the north, his speed far exceeding that of a fine steed. Several days later, he had entered the territory of the O'Brien Empire.

The O'Brien Empire was known for its intense martial culture and rugged people. Warriors carrying weapons could be seen everywhere, and the air was permeated with a martial atmosphere. Lin Qin restrained most of his Saint aura, revealing only the fluctuations of a ninth-rank warrior, and landed in a major town in the southern part of the empire—Iron Rock City.

He intended to stay here for a while to understand the situation in the empire and replenish some supplies.

Iron Rock City was grand in scale, its walls built from massive Black Iron rocks, appearing exceptionally sturdy. The streets inside the city were wide, lined with weapon shops, armor stores, and training grounds. Walking down the street, Lin Qin could sense many powerful auras; seventh and eighth-rank warriors were not uncommon, and he could even occasionally detect one or two faint Saint-level auras.

He found a decent-looking weapon shop, hoping to see if there were suitable materials to reforge and upgrade his broadsword. His broadsword was made of ordinary materials and was no longer sufficient for Saint-level battles.

Just as he was selecting materials, a commotion broke out outside the shop. A young man dressed in luxurious clothing with an arrogant expression walked in, surrounded by a group of guards. The shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a fawning smile: "Young Master Kevin, why have you come in person? The armor you ordered is already finished."

The young man called Kevin nodded casually, his gaze sweeping across the shop and landing on Lin Qin, who was examining a piece of "Black Jade Stone." He sensed the "ninth-rank warrior" fluctuations on Lin Qin and a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes, but upon seeing the valuable Black Jade Stone in Lin Qin's hand, a look of greed appeared.

"I want that Black Jade Stone," Young Master Kevin said imperiously to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper looked troubled: "Young Master Kevin, this... this customer is currently looking at it..."

Young Master Kevin impatiently interrupted: "Make him give it up! I'll pay double!" The guards behind him stepped forward, subtly surrounding Lin Qin and locking onto him with their auras; they were all capable seventh and eighth-rank experts.

Lin Qin frowned slightly. He did not want to cause trouble, but he was not afraid of it either. He put down the Black Jade Stone and looked at Young Master Kevin calmly: "Everything has a first-come, first-served order."

Young Master Kevin laughed as if he had heard a joke: "First-come, first-served? In Iron Rock City, if the Basil Clan wants something, it's ours! If you know what's good for you, get lost!"

The Basil Clan? Lin Qin had heard a little about them on his way here; they were the dominant family in Iron Rock City, and it was said that a Saint-level expert sat in their ranks.

Seeing that Lin Qin remained unmoved, Young Master Kevin's face darkened: "If you won't drink the toast, you'll be forced to drink the forfeit! Take him down!"

Hearing this, several guards immediately lunged at Lin Qin, their battle qi shining as they struck with ruthless intent, clearly aiming to cripple him on the spot.

The surrounding people looked on with pity; having offended the Basil Clan, this outsider ninth-rank warrior was in for a miserable time.

However, the scene that followed left everyone dumbfounded.

Facing the siege of several high-rank warriors, Lin Qin did not even move his feet. He merely lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over the guards.

"Hum!"

An invisible, mountain-heavy pressure suddenly descended! The charging guards froze mid-motion as if they had fallen into an invisible quagmire; their faces instantly drained of color, their eyes filled with boundless terror! They felt as if a ten-thousand-foot-tall mountain was pressing down on their souls, unable to move even a finger, their internal battle qi completely suppressed, and even breathing became incredibly difficult!

"Thud!" "Thud!"

The guards collapsed to the ground in unison as if their bones had been removed, falling unconscious.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

Inside and outside the shop, there was dead silence.

The arrogance on Young Master Kevin's face froze, replaced by disbelief and a trace of panic. He himself was a seventh-rank expert, yet he hadn't even seen how the other party attacked! A single glance had rendered all his capable men powerless? This was definitely not something a ninth-rank warrior could do!

"Who... who exactly are you?!" Young Master Kevin asked with a trembling voice.

Lin Qin ignored him and turned his gaze to the ashen-faced shopkeeper: "I want this Black Jade Stone. How much?"

The shopkeeper was so frightened he jumped, stammering out a price. Lin Qin paid the money, took the Black Jade Stone, and walked straight out of the shop without even glancing at Young Master Kevin.

As he passed by Young Master Kevin, the invisible pressure swept over him again. Young Master Kevin's legs went weak, and he nearly knelt on the ground, drenched in cold sweat, watching Lin Qin leave without daring to utter a single threat.

Not until Lin Qin's figure disappeared at the end of the street did Young Master Kevin let out a breath as if he had been drained of all strength, his eyes filled with lingering fear and resentment. He gritted his teeth and hissed to a guard who was still conscious: "Go report to the family! A Saint-level expert has come to Iron Rock City and is an enemy of our Basil Clan!"

Lin Qin walked through the streets of Iron Rock City, unconcerned about the potential fallout behind him. The Saint realm had its own dignity; if the other party hadn't provoked him, he wouldn't have acted. But since he had acted, he had to make them realize the gap between them.

He found an inn to stay in, planning to leave Iron Rock City the next day and continue north toward the capital of the O'Brien Empire—Red Flame City. There were more experts there, and information was more accessible; perhaps he could learn about Linley or other information that would aid his cultivation.