CHAPTER 80 — The Birth of a Living World
The Titan Vine's chamber shuddered violently.
Roots unwound from the ceiling like serpents retreating into the earth, and deep cracks tore across the floor.
Aurora snapped her head toward the exit tunnel.
"Lin—we need to leave now. The labyrinth is collapsing!"
Mu pulled Wen to her feet, while Sheng sheathed his sword and scanned the trembling walls.
Bai rushed to Lin's side.
"You got the fragment and the sapling?"
Lin nodded.
"Both."
As if sensing his confirmation, the emerald sapling pulsed in his palm with a warm, rhythmic glow.
The Titan Vine's last message burned like embers in Lin's mind:
> "OTHERS HAVE FELT YOUR TRIBULATION.
THEY COME FOR YOU."
Lin swallowed hard.
"Everyone, stay sharp. We're not out of danger yet."
---
1. Collapse of the Root Labyrinth
The moment they stepped out of the core chamber, the entire passage behind them caved in.
A wave of dust and debris rolled forward like a living tide.
BOOOOM—KRRAAAACK—!!
"Move!" Bai shouted.
Lin grabbed Mu's wrist, Sheng supported Wen, and they sprinted through the twisting corridors.
Thick roots snapped like whips as the structure tore itself apart.
Aurora flitted above the group, acting as their guide.
"Left! Then straight! Don't stop!"
A massive boulder slammed into the passage behind them, cutting off the route they'd just taken.
Sheng exhaled shakily.
"If we'd been one second slower…"
Mu snapped back in a trembling voice:
"Don't say it! Keep running!"
Finally, a pale light appeared ahead—
daylight.
Bai burst through the exit first, rolling onto the grass.
The others followed, stumbling out of the crumbling mountainside just as the entire labyrinth imploded behind them.
BOOOOOOOOM—!!!!!
Dust shot into the sky like a volcanic eruption.
Wen coughed.
"W-We made it…"
Lin exhaled deeply as the sapling pulsed again—almost… happily.
---
2. The Ambush Waiting Outside
Before they could catch their breath, killing intent swept over them like a winter storm.
A dozen figures stepped from the treeline.
Demonic cultivators.
All wearing the emblem of the Bloodfiend Sect.
Their leader—a gaunt man with crimson pupils—smiled thinly.
"Well.
So you were the ones causing all that noise."
Another cultivator sniffed the air.
"He carries it. The heart fragment."
Mu stiffened.
Wen froze.
Sheng placed a hand on his sword.
Lin stepped forward, eyes cold.
"You want the fragment? Then come take it."
The leader sneered.
"Very well."
---
3. Planting the Sapling — A Gamble of Worlds
Before the demonic cultivators could attack, Lin made a decision.
A reckless one.
A dangerous one.
But necessary.
He summoned the portal to his inner Earth.
"Everyone into my world!"
Wen blinked.
"Lin—what?!"
Mu gasped.
"You're pulling us in? Here?"
Aurora's eyes widened.
"Lin… you're going to plant it now?!"
Lin clenched his jaw.
"They'll swarm us.
If I plant the sapling, my Earth will defend itself."
He opened his hand.
The sapling glowed brilliantly—
as if eager.
Lin pressed it to the soil.
Light exploded.
WHOOOOOM—!!!
Reality rippled.
A vortex of green natural force burst outward.
The demonic cultivators stumbled back, shielding their eyes.
Sheng, Bai, Mu, and Wen vanished into Lin's world.
Lin stayed behind, facing the demonic cultivators alone.
---
4. The Sapling Takes Root
Inside the inner Earth—
the world trembled.
Aurora manifested beside the others.
"Oh…
Oh my heavens…"
The sapling did not simply plant.
It unfurled.
Roots shot into the ground.
Leaves unfurled into the sky.
A pulse spread outward—
like the heartbeat of a newborn universe.
The barren plains of the inner Earth changed:
Grass sprouted instantly
Streams burst to life
Clouds formed
Tiny spiritual sparks appeared in the air—proto-life
The ambient qi tripled
The laws of nature strengthened
Mu covered her mouth.
"It's creating… a life cycle."
Wen whispered:
"We're watching a world be born."
Bai simply stared, overwhelmed.
Aurora smirked faintly.
"This is why world beasts are feared.
Even their children can reshape reality."
---
5. Outside — Lin Faces the First Wave
Back outside, Lin tightened his grip on his spear.
The demonic cultivators recovered.
"You dare hide your companions in a pocket realm?" the leader snarled.
"You think that will save you?"
Lin's eyes flashed with lightning.
"No.
It'll save you."
The demonic cultivator frowned.
"What?"
Lin raised his spear.
"If my companions were here, I wouldn't need to hold back."
He lunged.
Lightning burst from his body—
CRACK—BOOOOOOM—!!!
He tore through the first demonic cultivator, obliterating him in one strike.
The leader stumbled back.
"He's… already Golden Core? How?!"
Lin smiled faintly.
"You interrupted my breakthrough.
Now I get to test it."
---
6. Inside — Reactions to the New World
Inside the inner Earth, the sapling continued transforming the environment.
But then—
KR-THOOM—!!!
A streak of lightning split the sky of Lin's world.
Bai snapped his head up.
"Is that… Lin?! Fighting outside?!"
Mu's eyes filled with worry.
"We have to help!"
Aurora raised a hand sharply.
"No.
Lin deliberately left you here."
Wen frowned.
"But why?"
Aurora pointed at the sapling.
"Because a world in birth is fragile.
You must protect this place until it stabilizes."
Sheng nodded firmly.
"Then we protect it with our lives."
---
7. Outside — The Second Wave Arrives
Lin was panting lightly—
not from exhaustion,
but from exhilaration.
The demonic cultivators lay scattered around him.
But then—
the forest shook.
A new group emerged.
Stronger.
The leader this time had the aura of a Nascent Soul expert.
He cracked his neck.
"So you're the so-called prodigy.
The one the demonic alliance wants dead."
Lin pointed his spear at him.
"That's me."
"And your sect?"
Lin smirked, lightning flickering at the corner of his eyes.
"Safe.
Far from your reach."
The Nascent Soul expert snarled.
"Arrogant brat.
Let's see how long you last—"
A sudden quake ripped through the land.
The inner Earth stabilized.
The Titan Sapling's qi burst outward, empowering Lin through their spiritual connection.
The demonic elder's face drained of color.
"What… what is that aura?!"
Lin stepped forward, spear humming.
"My world just took its first breath."
He vanished—
BOOM!!!
---
8. Lin's First Kill as a World Master
In one motion, Lin appeared behind the Nascent Soul elder.
The demonic cultivator froze.
A thin red line appeared across his throat.
"You—"
He collapsed.
Lin exhaled, eyes glowing with solar and lightning duality.
"Next."
The remaining demonic cultivators fled in terror.
Lin didn't chase.
His world tugged at his consciousness.
The sapling was calling him home.
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