The turmoil surrounding the finals subsided. Though people discussing Lin Chen could still be seen throughout Heaven Dou City, its old order gradually returned. Yet the shadow cast by Spirit Hall still hung over everyone concerned for the safety of the Soul Master World.
Spiritual energy swirled inside Heaven Dou Royal Academy's private cultivation chamber, where dense soul power gathered into pale golden mist. This was the academy's finest cultivation site. Bolstered by formations, its soul power concentration was several times greater than outside, and it had been reserved for Lin Chen to heal and break through.
Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the jade bed at the center of the chamber, his eyes closed. Three-colored soul power flowed slowly around him, circulating steadily through his meridians like a murmuring stream. He had already refined the life spirit grass awarded by the tournament. Its gentle, rich life force coursed through his body, nourishing the internal injuries he had suffered while enduring a Titled Douluo's attacks head-on. His damaged meridians repaired themselves at a visible rate, becoming even tougher than before.
The Life Emperor Pendant lay quietly in his palm, occasionally releasing a trace of seven-colored light that entered his body and merged perfectly with the emperor grass origin, continually strengthening the foundation of his martial soul.
Tournament battles, Spirit Hall's pursuit, and his confrontation with Pope Bibi Dong—one brush with life and death after another had tempered Lin Chen's state of mind far beyond that of soul masters at his level. Even inside the chamber, his mind remained clear as he devoted himself entirely to cultivation.
His cultivation as a level-forty Soul Ancestor had long since stabilized. The soul power within him surged, full to bursting, constantly battering the barrier between levels. He was only one step away from the level-forty-three Soul Ancestor bottleneck.
He sank his awareness into his dantian and studied the life blue silver emperor grass, its leaves covered in icy patterns and wreathed in seven-colored radiance. Carefully, he absorbed the ancient cultivation methods and the profound principles of soul skills contained in his inherited memories.
The emperor grass martial soul chiefly cultivated life origin, drawing upon the vitality of heaven and earth and the energy of all living things to cultivate far faster than ordinary soul masters. Iceheart power specialized in purification and suppression, removing impurities from his soul power to make it purer and more condensed. The two complemented each other, allowing him to achieve twice the results with half the effort on his path of cultivation.
As time passed, the soul power inside the chamber grew increasingly dense and poured madly into Lin Chen's body. The emperor grass martial soul in his dantian swiftly unfurled, absorbing vast amounts of soul power. His soul rings trembled faintly in response, releasing waves of radiance.
Break!
Lin Chen gave a low shout in his mind, and the soul power surrounding him suddenly surged. The previously steady currents instantly turned violent, forming a soul power vortex inside the chamber.
Level forty-three, level forty-four, level forty-five!
His cultivation soared, only stopping once it settled firmly at the peak of level-forty-five Soul Ancestor!
The soul rings around him blazed with light. His four rings—two yellow, one purple, and one black—became increasingly condensed. The ten-thousand-year aura of his fourth soul ring grew heavier, and the power of his soul skills soared with it. Whether it was the suppressive strength of his Iceheart Domain, the attacking power of his emperor grass vines, or the healing strength of his life force, all underwent a qualitative leap.
His internal injuries healed completely, and his aura became steady and restrained. Though seemingly tranquil, it concealed strength far beyond what he had possessed before. Even if Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo joined forces against him again, he was confident he could confront them head-on rather than be left in such a sorry state.
After an unknown length of time, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes. Three-colored divine light flashed through them and vanished. He withdrew his aura, returning entirely to stillness.
He rose and stretched, his bones giving a series of crisp cracks. His entire body felt refreshed, brimming with inexhaustible strength.
"The peak of level-forty-five Soul Ancestor. I've finally broken through." A faint smile curved Lin Chen's lips. He knew that with his current strength, he was already unmatched among young soul masters. Even against an ordinary Soul Douluo, he could hold his own for a while.
But this did not make him complacent. Instead, his judgment became even clearer.
Against a peak Titled Douluo like Bibi Dong, or even the deeper powers hidden within Spirit Hall, this little strength was still nowhere near enough.
If he wanted to truly stand against Spirit Hall, gather all nine Emperor Grass Shards, and complete the emperor grass's ultimate awakening, he still had a long road ahead.
Lin Chen calmed his mind and sorted through the clues concerning the Emperor Grass Shards in his inherited memories. His fingertips tapped lightly against the table as he analyzed them one by one:
Of the nine emperor grass shards, Spirit Hall controlled two. The remaining seven resided respectively within the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape deep in the Star Dou Great Forest, the soul beast at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in Sunset Forest, the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion in the Far North, and the Soul Beast Archipelago in the South Sea, the Desert Forbidden Zone of the Western Continent, and the Ancient Soul Beast Ruins.
Every one of those places was perilous beyond measure, teeming with powerful soul beasts. Some even had hidden Spirit Hall sentries guarding them. Obtaining the shards would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
The two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in Star Dou are on good terms with the Life Lord. I can head to Star Dou first and obtain the first shard, then go to Sunset Forest to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Not only is there an Emperor Grass Shard there, but there are also countless immortal herbs that can help me and those beside me improve our cultivation. Lin Chen swiftly laid out his plans, settling on the route for his next journey of training.
The strength of those beside him was equally crucial.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi's current cultivation had been enough for them to hold their ground in the tournament, but they were still far too weak against Spirit Hall's Titled Douluos. He had to improve their strength as quickly as possible and build a core team capable of standing against Spirit Hall.
Just then, a gentle knock came from outside the chamber, followed by Yue Huaxi's soft voice. "Lin Chen, have you finished your seclusion? Sect Master Ning and Senior Sword Douluo have come to visit. They're waiting in the front hall."
Lin Chen's gaze shifted slightly. The visitors from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had presumably come to discuss joining forces against Spirit Hall.
He straightened his clothes and opened the chamber door. Looking at Yue Huaxi's gentle expression and Su Qingyuan's concern-filled eyes, he smiled faintly. "I'm all right now. Sorry to have kept you both waiting. Let's go to the front hall and meet our guests."
They made their way to the front hall, where Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were already seated. At the sight of Lin Chen, a trace of surprise flashed through both men's eyes. They had clearly sensed the sharp rise in his cultivation.
"Young friend Lin Chen, you've broken through another bottleneck in just a few short days. Your talent is truly astonishing." Ning Fengzhi rose with a smile, his voice filled with admiration.
Lin Chen bowed slightly in greeting. "You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. Have you come to discuss an important matter?"
"Indeed." Ning Fengzhi's smile faded, and his expression grew solemn. "The incident at the finals fully exposed Spirit Hall's ambitions. Pope Bibi Dong will certainly not let the matter rest. After discussions with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wishes to form an official alliance with you and the Heaven Dou Empire to resist Spirit Hall together. What do you think?"
Lin Chen understood and immediately nodded, his voice firm. "I could ask for nothing better. Spirit Hall is the common enemy of the Soul Master World. Only by joining forces can we stand against it. I am willing to advance and retreat together with the two sects and the Heaven Dou Empire!"
The three-party alliance was settled then and there!
Ning Fengzhi then took out a confidential letter and handed it to Lin Chen. "This is information gathered by our sect's scouts. Spirit Hall has recently been mobilizing forces toward Sunset Forest. They seem to be searching for something. We suspect it has to do with the Emperor Grass Shards you mentioned."
Lin Chen took the confidential letter, and his gaze suddenly darkened.
Sunset Forest!
It seems Spirit Hall is also searching for the Emperor Grass Shards. They want to get there first and seize control of more emperor grass power!
"Thank you for informing me, Sect Master. I understand." Lin Chen tightened his grip on the letter, his decision already made. "I plan to set out for Sunset Forest in three days, both to search for the Emperor Grass Shard and to find immortal herbs to improve our strength."
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo immediately spoke. "Sunset Forest is extremely dangerous, and Spirit Hall's soul masters are active there as well. I'll accompany you and ensure your safety."
Warmth filled Lin Chen's heart, and he did not refuse. With a top-tier Titled Douluo like Sword Douluo accompanying him, this journey would undoubtedly be much safer.
Once their discussions ended, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo departed. Standing in the front hall, Lin Chen looked toward Sunset Forest, his gaze sharp and his fighting spirit rising.
Spirit Hall wants to seize the shard first? Not a chance!
In three days, we set out for Sunset Forest!
A new encounter with opportunity and danger was about to unfold in Sunset Forest. The struggle for the Emperor Grass Shards was officially raising its curtain!
Lin Chen turned to Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi, his voice firm. "This time, we'll set out together. I'll make you both stronger!"
The road ahead was long, with danger lurking on every side. But as long as they walked shoulder to shoulder, there was nothing to fear.
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