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Chapter 4: Breakthrough and Bloodshed
I woke up in a secluded area.
Linfeng stood before me and said calmly,
"Stabilize your qi first."
I instinctively checked my body. Earlier, my injuries had been severe, yet now there was not even a trace of damage. I narrowed my eyes at the old man but quickly suppressed my thoughts and began stabilizing my qi.
Boom!
A surge of power spread through my body.
I had broken through to the Qi Pioneer realm.
I stared blankly, unable to hide my shock.
Linfeng spoke calmly,
"It's because you endured a heavenly tribulation. Your body has been strengthened, and you've gained resistance to Third-Grade thunder."
Only then did I realize—my physique was far stronger than before.
I asked cautiously,
"Old man, where did you get the medicine? And why are you helping me to this extent? Is it really just because of our deal involving the manual?"
Linfeng sighed.
"It seems I must reveal a little of my past. I was once a cultivator from Zhou Valley. I left in search of opportunities to break through my limits. When I saw you, I immediately recognized the ancient aura of that manual."
He paused before adding,
"But I am not a demonic cultivator who bullies the weak."
I nodded slowly.
"I apologize, senior. I've been exploited too many times. I can't help but doubt others."
Linfeng chuckled lightly.
"That's only natural. Doubt as much as you wish—just don't let it cloud your path."
Afterward, I checked my gains carefully.
The most shocking discovery was that I could now store the manual inside my mind space, completely concealing its aura. No one would be able to sense it anymore.
I had also gained better qi control and a much larger qi capacity.
Then—
Two overwhelming auras descended from the sky.
Li Bingyin's pupils constricted.
"Brat, you actually broke through to the Qi Pioneer realm?"
Bai Bing's expression darkened.
"So it was you who triggered that tribulation."
I replied calmly,
"Yes. It was me."
Li Bingyin shouted coldly,
"Don't get arrogant just because you've entered our realm!"
Bai Bing sneered.
"If you had handed over the manual and joined my clan, you would've had a bright future. What a pity—we must kill such talent today."
The two of them released their qi simultaneously, suppressing me from both sides.
I calmly raised my hand to my glabella and summoned the manual's power.
Boom!
Their attacks were blocked.
Li Bingyin frowned.
"So it can even defend against us?"
They intensified their assault, techniques overlapping and pressure crashing down on me.
I spoke coldly,
"You old dogs chased me, hunted me, and tried to crush me at every turn. Today, we'll see who gets to live."
I activated the palm technique I had obtained long ago—my true trump card, one I had saved precisely for moments like this.
My killing intent surged.
Today… it's either them or me.
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