"Ancient Saint King Battle Technique!"
These five words, like a clap of thunder, resonated through Ling Chen's mind.
A slight curve touched Ling Chen's lips. A battle technique left by this Heavenly Mansion General... I don't even need to think about it; it must be an incredibly rare and powerful secret method!
After quickly reading through the secret manual, Ling Chen had a general understanding of its contents.
This Ancient Saint King Battle Technique was divided into three layers. Mastering the First Layer allowed one to temporarily increase their realm by one layer when using the technique. Mastering the Second Layer allowed an increase of two layers, and mastering the Third Layer allowed an increase of three layers.
This meant that if Ling Chen mastered all three layers, he could instantaneously reach the level of a Second Level Martial Artist.
This battle technique grew more terrifying the further one progressed. Moreover, the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique was clearly a notch above Xu Ruoyan's Ice Heart Divine Soul.
This is simply a heaven-defying secret method!
However, the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique had one drawback: a period of weakness after its use. This meant one had to either end the battle or escape before the technique's duration expired; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.
I shouldn't use this battle method lightly, only when absolutely necessary.
Yet, possessing this technique was undoubtedly like having an extra life-saving trump card.
Having memorized the contents of the secret manual, Ling Chen placed it back into the Heavenly Mansion Ring.
A glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes. If I had acquired this Ancient Saint King Battle Technique sooner, I wouldn't have ended up in such dire straits.
Without hesitation, Ling Chen immediately began cultivating the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique.
"The way to pacify the world is to be a sage within and a king without."
Ling Chen mumbled to himself as he began to practice the incantations of the battle technique.
With his talent, even though the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique was incredibly profound and difficult to grasp, it wasn't beyond him.
He was confident he could master the incantations for the First Layer.
Over the next few days, Ling Chen focused on cultivating the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique while also continuing to recover from his internal injuries.
「Five days later.」
Ling Chen finally succeeded in cultivating the First Layer of the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique.
At the same time, the injuries he had sustained previously had also mostly healed.
Liu Chuanxiong's traveling bags had contained numerous elixirs. Although Lv Meng had killed Liu Chuanxiong, he hadn't taken his belongings, likely because he had no use for them. Ling Chen took them all and, with the aid of these elixirs, managed to recover from his severe injuries so quickly.
The First Layer of this Ancient Saint King Battle Technique was the least difficult. From the Second Layer onward, however, the difficulty increased more than tenfold. The Third Layer, in particular, would require a great deal of time to master.
Currently, Ling Chen's abilities only allowed him to master the First Layer. As for when he might learn the Second Layer, that was hard to say.
Ling Chen's cultivation had also faintly reached the peak of the Eighth Level, bringing him very close to the Ninth Level Martial Artist Realm.
That was my previous realm.
It's time to go back.
Ling Chen rose from the ground. He had stayed here for some time. This tomb was heavy with Yin energy and isolated from the outside world. Lingering too long would affect not only his body but also his mind.
Before leaving, Ling Chen bowed three times towards the stone altar. If I'm guessing correctly, the ashes on the stone altar belong to the Heavenly Mansion General himself. I've received so many benefits here. This is, after all, someone else's tomb; a place I shouldn't have trespassed.
"Honorable Heavenly Mansion General, I have taken your legacy. I hope you don't blame me. These items would be wasted if left here. In my hands, I will ensure they display their proper brilliance. I trust you wouldn't wish to see these things decay completely in this place."
Every word Ling Chen spoke was sincere. Had it been anyone else, they would likely have snatched the items and fled. Few would show such respect and reverence for a predecessor as he did.
After paying his respects, Ling Chen turned and walked towards the passage he had come through.
At the cave entrance, Ling Chen moved several large stones from elsewhere to seal it. There was nothing of value left in the tomb, but he sealed it nonetheless, to prevent anyone else from finding it and disturbing the Heavenly Mansion General's spirit.
After bowing once more in the direction of the tomb, Ling Chen leaped onto his horse and galloped away, disappearing into the distance.
「Divine Intent Sect.」
On a small path not far from the main gate, a group of disciples had gathered, seemingly discussing something.
Among them was Yun Tianhe, an acquaintance of Ling Chen.
"Did you hear? Of the five who went on that 'Ten Miles Fragrance' mission a while ago, only Xu Ruoyan made it back. And she was critically injured, almost died!" one disciple whispered.
"I heard Ling Chen was in that group too. So he didn't return either?" another disciple asked.
"If Xu Ruoyan, a Second Level Martial Artist, ended up like that, could the others have survived? They're most likely dead," a third disciple chimed in.
"Dead? That's letting him off too easily."
The disciple who had spoken first looked at Yun Tianhe with a fawning expression, "Senior Brother Yun, you're now a First Layer Martial Artist! It was the perfect time to find Ling Chen and avenge your previous humiliation. Who'd have thought the brat would go and die somewhere else first?"
Hearing the words "avenge your previous humiliation," Yun Tianhe's face darkened. Losing to Ling Chen on the Life and Death Platform was a stain on his entire life.
Noticing Yun Tianhe's change in expression, another disciple quickly reprimanded the first, "What are you talking about? What humiliation? Senior Brother Yun Tianhe was just a bit careless and slipped up. That was no disgrace! If Ling Chen hadn't died, Senior Brother Yun would definitely have beaten him until his teeth were scattered all over the ground!"
"Exactly! Senior Brother Yun's strength has long been unrivaled among the younger generation," other disciples chimed in, eager to flatter.
"Hmph! It's a pity the brat sought his own death. Otherwise, I would have definitely made him kneel before me!" Yun Tianhe stated coldly.
Just as his words fell, a familiar figure of a young man in white walked past him.
"Isn't that Ling Chen?"
A sharp-eyed disciple cried out in surprise.
"So, the fellow didn't die after all," the other disciples said, equally astonished.
"It's perfect that he didn't die!"
Yun Tianhe felt a mix of joy and anger. This brat is infuriatingly hard to kill! But I'm glad he's alive so I can finally wash away the shame of losing to him with my own hands!
"Ling Chen, stop right there!"
Yun Tianhe flashed behind Ling Chen and roared.
Ling Chen's footsteps halted abruptly. He turned, his expression calm. "What can I do for you?"
"What can you do for me?" Yun Tianhe's eyes grew colder. "Last time, I only lost to you due to carelessness. This time, I'll make you kneel before me and lick the soles of my shoes!"
"Private duels are forbidden within the Sect. Are you planning to violate the rules?" Ling Chen asked impassively.
"We're just sparring! Enough talk. Today, you fight whether you want to or not!"
Yun Tianhe was eager to defeat Ling Chen and ruthlessly crush him underfoot. He had no more patience to wait, fearing that if Ling Chen delayed things for a few months, new complications would arise.
"Why bother? I have no interest in bullying someone I've already defeated."
A look of helplessness flickered across Ling Chen's face.
"Haha, what a joke! You? This time, it's not yet certain who will be crushing whom!"
Yun Tianhe's face was grim. Suddenly, his Long Sword was unsheathed. He stomped, cracking the ground beneath him, and shot towards Ling Chen like a bolt of lightning.
"Divine Gate Shadowless!"
While in mid-air, Yun Tianhe swung his Long Sword with both hands. His speed was so extreme that his arms seemed to vanish into the Void. Only crossing Sword Lights remained, covering the entire platform. They completely sealed Ling Chen's space, leaving him unable to advance, retreat, or dodge. He had only one choice: to resist directly.
"Excellent! Truly worthy of Senior Brother Yun Tianhe!"
"Ling Chen is finished! Just wait for him to lick Senior Brother Yun's shoes!"
A few disciples watched with eager anticipation, ready for the show.
"Look! Ling Chen and Yun Tianhe are fighting again!"
At this point, other disciples passing by also began to gather. Naturally, the area near the sect entrance had more foot traffic.
"Yun Tianhe seems to have come prepared this time. He's a First Layer Martial Artist now, while Ling Chen has only just reached the Eighth Level."
"Yeah, that's completely unfair. With such a gap in strength, it's not even a fight."
The spectating disciples also felt Ling Chen didn't stand a chance. The gap between a warrior and a Martial Artist was quite significant. Last time, Ling Chen had only managed to defeat Yun Tianhe by giving his all. This time, Ling Chen was most likely going to lose.
Little did they know, Ling Chen already had a record of slaying two Martial Artists with a single sword strike. To Ling Chen, this seemingly insurmountable gap meant nothing.
CLANG!
Yun Tianhe's Sword Lights were incredibly flashy, a dazzling and bewildering display. This time, I'll definitely be able to toy with Ling Chen as I please! he thought confidently. However, when his attack reached Ling Chen, it was easily parried by the sword scabbard. No matter how flashy his moves were, he couldn't advance an inch.
"How is that possible?"
His sword techniques easily parried, Yun Tianhe's expression darkened further. He pressed down hard on the sword hilt, attempting to overwhelm Ling Chen with his superior strength.
But how could he possibly have an advantage in strength against me?
"Get lost!"
Ling Chen shouted sharply. An astonishing power suddenly erupted from his sword scabbard. Faint ripples spread through the air. As Ling Chen's shout faded, Yun Tianhe was sent flying.