Chapter 58

Time passed day by day amidst the disputes, and the collapse of the Liyang Sect had become a reality.

Lin Xi, displaying his formidable strength, left no one daring to underestimate him.

At the summit of Wulei Mountain, white mist swirled.

Lin Xi stood atop the mountain, standing proudly as he gazed at the sky, like a king standing tall and majestic, exuding a fierce and dominant aura.

Around him, the primal energy of heaven and earth boiled, forming tangible mist that tightly enveloped him. This purest form of energy from the world seeped through his pores, continuously flowing into his body, nourishing his muscles, bones, and tendons.

Lin Xi felt that within his body, tiny beads of true energy were gradually forming between his bones. When he exerted his energy, he could hear the crackling sound of electricity.

This was a sign that he was about to enter the tenth level, the Thunderclap Stage.

When martial artists reach the tenth level, the energy they absorb from various sources converges in large quantities. First, a layer of energy accumulates on the surface of the body. As this energy continues to accumulate at the joints, it forms "Thunderclap Beads." When they move, these beads emit explosive sounds, like thunder.

This is why Thunderclap Stage experts are named as such.

However, Lin Xi was different from ordinary martial artists. He practiced internal boxing, and the energy did not accumulate in large quantities at his joints. Instead, it formed primitive true energy within several of his meridians.

Rumble!

Lin Xi closed his eyes and meditated, carefully sensing the situation within his body. He felt as if there were several large true energy dragons boiling inside him. The rumbling sound was inaudible to others, but to him, it was particularly loud.

"Roar!"

Lin Xi suddenly roared, his eyes opening with a bright light. He pushed his palm forward, and a thick "energy dragon" shot out, striking a boulder over thirty feet away. This boulder was as large as a water buffalo, made entirely of granite, and extremely hard.

However, when struck by the "energy dragon" that burst from Lin Xi's body, the boulder and the surrounding seven or eight large trees, each as thick as two men, exploded violently, easily creating a large crater in the ground.

"Truly formidable..."

Lin Xi walked over to the edge of the crater and stood there, slightly stunned.

Now he could see clearly that it was not just the force of the air, but genuine "true energy," a manifestation of the energy of heaven and earth. Despite just a simple push of his palm without using any techniques, the power was even greater than when he used "Embrace the Hundred Rivers."

More importantly, there were no fragments!

Lin Xi's palm did not shatter the boulder but completely "vibrated it away."

If he were to face a Thunderclap Stage expert now, Lin Xi was confident that this strike could easily penetrate the storm of energy generated by the opponent's punch, creating a chest-sized hole in the opponent's chest, just like slicing through tofu.

"No wonder the cultivators of the Qi Refinement Stage are so high and mighty, far beyond the reach of tenth-level martial artists. Just this move alone is beyond the tenth level."

Lin Xi muttered to himself.

He was not yet a cultivator of the Qi Refinement Stage, and this move was merely somewhat similar. If the opponent were a true cultivator of the Qi Refinement Stage, the power would be unimaginably vast.

Chirp!

With a thought, Lin Xi heard a clear sword chant from behind him. The magical sword he had taken from the Liyang Sect broke free from its sheath and hovered above his palm.

The characteristic of martial artists of the national arts is that every part of their body can be turned into a weapon. Similarly, Lin Xi could channel true energy not just through his hands but also through his back.

A steady stream of true energy continuously flowed from Lin Xi's body into the magical sword. The sword immediately hovered in the air, emitting a faint tremor. At its tip, a three-inch-long sword glow could be seen, which was the sword aura.

Swish!

Lin Xi waved his arm, and the magical sword flew out, slicing through a nearby bush. The bush was cut off silently from about a foot above the ground, with leaves and branches falling, raising a cloud of dust.

"Controlling the sword in mid-air, this move is already equivalent to the legendary immortal swords."

Lin Xi sighed inwardly.

In his previous life, he had sought this in vain, but in this life, he had obtained it unintentionally. However, Lin Xi was also aware that his current true energy could not sustain the sword control for long.

Moreover, compared to the most terrifying existence in true immortality, the ability to create and control life and death in the void, this was insignificant.

This world harbored too many hidden secrets.

Squish!

A sound of footsteps came from behind. Despite the distance, Lin Xi immediately became alert and stopped his practice.

His hearing was now extremely sensitive; he could hear a bee flying by.

Turning around, he soon saw a figure with white hair and a white head, walking over with his hands behind his back.

"Grand Elder!"

Lin Xi said.

He had already given orders that this area was strictly off-limits to ordinary disciples. No one except the Grand Elder could come here.

"Um. Today is the day of departure. After reaching the area where the Shenxiao Sect is located, on the 16th of August, all the immortal sects will recruit new disciples. If you miss this opportunity, you will have to wait another five or ten years. This is a rare chance, and you must not miss it."

The Grand Elder said earnestly.

The life of a mortal is ultimately limited, lasting no more than a hundred years at most.

Lin Xi was now seventeen, the prime of his life. In five or ten years, he would be around twenty-five, considered an older youth, and would not have much advantage in the immortal sects.

This was also why the Grand Elder had come to urge him early.

Ordinary people have no chance to encounter the path of immortality. Since they have met it, there is no reason to let it slip away.

"Grand Elder, rest assured. Even for Auntie, I have no reason to miss this opportunity."

Lin Xi said calmly.

"Um. The tests of the immortal sects are fraught with difficulties and dangers. You must be careful. — Zhao Ren, come here."

The Grand Elder clapped his hands, and soon a man in his thirties walked over from a distance.

"Ancestor!"

Zhao Ren obediently walked to the Grand Elder's side and bowed.

"Lin Xi, this is a nephew of mine from the secular world. He often travels far and wide for business and has experience in various aspects. You rarely travel far, and having him as a guide will make things much easier."

The Grand Elder pointed to the middle-aged man.

Lin Xi then took a closer look at this man named Zhao Ren. He had not expected that the Grand Elder would call his secular relative to guide him.

The Grand Elder had spent decades on Wulei Mountain and had never left before. The fact that he was now using his secular relatives showed how important this matter was.

It also indicated that the Grand Elder did not fully trust the disciples on the mountain.

"Grand Elder, thank you."

Lin Xi said sincerely.

"Zhao Ren, from now on, you will follow Lin Xi. You must absolutely obey his orders."

The Grand Elder pointed to Lin Xi.

"Zhao Ren greets the Sect Leader."

Zhao Ren walked over and respectfully said.

"Um. Since you are the Grand Elder's nephew, there is no need for formalities."

Lin Xi waved his hand and turned around.

"Then I will depart. I temporarily entrust the Wulei Sect to you, Grand Elder. Although I am not on the mountain, as long as I am not confirmed dead, no one in the sect will dare to act rashly."

"Um. You can rest assured."

The Grand Elder nodded and said earnestly:

"Those items, if not obtained by the Chilian Sect, were likely given by the Long Family. If you join the Shenxiao Sect, be very careful of the Long Family."

"I will be careful."

Lin Xi said calmly.

...

A short while later, a carriage was prepared and appeared at the foot of the mountain.

The news of Lin Xi leaving the Wulei Sect had been announced within the sect long ago. However, it was not said that he was going to seek out an immortal sect, but that he was going to the Beast Mountain Range for training.

The matter of the Shenxiao Sect was significant, and the two of them did not dare to let anyone know.

"Auntie, rest assured. Once I obtain the Immortal Liquid, I will definitely come back to save you."

Before departure, Lin Xi went to the place where Lin Ruyun's body was stored in the mountain's interior and took one last look at her. His eyes welled up with moisture, and then he left Wulei Mountain.

Rumble!

A short while later, the carriage set off, heading northwest. Besides Lin Xi and Zhao Ren, there was also Lin Ruyun's female disciple, Li Qingling, on the carriage.

When Lin Ruyun had an accident, Li Qingling was severely injured and traveled a thousand miles to find Lin Xi and tell him the news. This time, the Grand Elder sent her to serve Lin Xi.

The journey was long, and besides the guide, someone had to be responsible for Lin Xi's daily life and meals. This person also had to be trustworthy. After much consideration, Li Qingling was the most suitable.

The distance from the Wulei Sect to the area where the Shenxiao Sect was located was several thousand miles.

Neither Li Qingling nor Lin Xi had ever traveled such a long distance. They would pass through many different cities and dynasties, each with its own customs and human emotions, which opened their eyes.

The disciples of the sects were focused only on the highest realm of martial arts and usually stayed within the confines of their sects. They had never traveled such a long distance.

"Leader, look, there are so many people outside. It's shoulder to shoulder, and the carriage can't even pass. There are so many people in the cities around our Wulei Sect!"

"Leader, look, the people here wear silk and brocade, even richer than our sect. How can this dynasty be so prosperous!"

"Hmm? Such strange clothing, the Shenlong Sect? I've never heard of it before."

...

Li Qingling was not someone who lacked composure, but after passing through so many different dynasties and cities, she could not help but chatter like a young girl. This journey seemed to release many things that had been buried in her heart by martial arts.

In fact, not just Li Qingling, even Lin Xi was secretly amazed. However, he did not show his excitement like Li Qingling.

During the journey, besides practicing, Lin Xi also observed secretly.

From the area where the Wulei Sect was located to the central part of the continent, it seemed that the closer to the center of the world, the larger the cities, the more prosperous the dynasties, and the wealthier the people. The more peripheral areas, like where the Wulei Sect was located, were poorer and more backward.

Moreover, in the capitals of some dynasties, Lin Xi noticed the marks of sects on many guards, indicating that these dynasties were protected by powerful sects.

"No wonder they say that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. If not for this journey, I would never have known how vast this world is."

Lin Xi was deeply moved.

He had previously focused solely on cultivation and did not know so much.

In fact, if not for the need to cross so many regions to reach the area where the Shenxiao Sect was located to apply as a disciple, even if someone had told him these things, Lin Xi might not have paid much attention.

Time passed day by day, and they were about to reach the Shenxiao Mountains, the location of the Shenxiao Sect.