Chapter 555

Breakthrough to the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm?

Lin Chen’s eyes held doubt—could this first Supreme Elder of the sect be on the verge of reaching the Divine Level?

“Lin Chen, with your current potential, you may one day enter the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm. The Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm is hailed as the pinnacle of the Yan Emperor Dynasty, yet even among Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm cultivators, there are distinctions of high and low.”

Ye Feiran saw Lin Chen’s confusion and explained: “You only need to know your Yin Shu-zu is at a critical juncture.”

Ye Feiran did not reveal much about the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm to Lin Chen; knowing too much might only confuse him while still in the Primordial Realm.

“I understand, so we don’t need to fight the Bahuang Sect outright—we just need to stall until Yin Shu-zu succeeds in his breakthrough.”

Lin Chen suddenly realized: the Bahuang Sect had launched this war out of fear that Yin Shu-zu would break through—they aimed to distract him and prevent his success.

This was why the sect was now willing to abandon its territory.

Do not fight for temporary victory or defeat; preserve your fighting strength. Once Yin Shu-zu breaks through, whatever is lost on the battlefield will naturally be reclaimed.

Yet after Lin Chen finished speaking, Ye Feiran and the other elder’s expressions turned grim.

Thud!

Seeing the expressions of the two Supreme Elders, Lin Chen felt a bad premonition.

“Brother Ye, bring Lin Chen to me.”

Before Ye Feiran could speak, a gentle voice suddenly echoed.

“I understand, brother.”

Ye Feiran responded across the distance, his gaze turning to Lin Chen: “Come with me—Big Brother wants to see you.”

…

…

Crossing the Canglan mist, Lin Chen walked silently behind Ye Feiran, finally halting before a bamboo grove.

The bamboo, once evergreen, now appeared withered—its surface yellowed, its branches and leaves sparse.

Ye Feiran gazed at the withered bamboo, his aged eyes filled with sorrow, yet he still led Lin Chen into the grove.

At the grove’s center stood a simple bamboo hut, where a middle-aged man sat on a bamboo chair, smiling at Lin Chen—his eyes radiating wisdom that seemed to pierce through all things.

“Disciple Lin Chen bows before the Supreme Elder.”

Though this man appeared younger than Ye Feiran, Lin Chen knew that upon entering the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm, one’s appearance could remain unchanged. The fact that Yin Supreme Elder bore a middle-aged form meant he had entered the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm at no more than seventy.

Primordial Realm cultivators, with their vigorous blood and qi, could retain a middle-aged appearance below seventy.

Facing this man, Lin Chen was deeply respectful—he felt this elder was no less formidable than Jiang Qian, the head of the Canglan Island Martial Garden.

“Relax.”

Yin Wushuang wore a serene smile: “You’re excellent—better than I imagined.”

“Disciple humbly bows.”

“At your age, your body is nearly perfected, your spiritual soul has reached Primordial Sixth Stage, and you even possess a Martial Soul. If you feel ashamed, then every martial genius in the Yan Emperor Dynasty ought to take their own life.”

Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed—he hadn’t expected Yin Supreme Elder to know so much about his strength.

“Feiran once told me your spiritual soul was unusual—he didn’t realize it was the embryonic form of a Martial Soul.”

Beside him, Ye Feiran showed no change in expression—he truly did not know what a Martial Soul was.

Since Big Brother emerged from seclusion, he had informed him of Lin Chen’s condition, but Big Brother offered no explanation—presumably… Big Brother was waiting for Lin Chen to return.

“Train diligently. The sect’s future rests on you young ones.”

Yin Wushuang gave Lin Chen an encouraging glance, then closed his eyes. Lin Chen froze—did Yin Shu-zu summon him just to say this one encouraging word?

He had expected guidance on martial cultivation, or perhaps some precious resources—but nothing came. It was as if the sole purpose of this meeting was to see him, and now that he had, the elder was satisfied.

“Disciple takes his leave.”

Though puzzled, Lin Chen still bowed respectfully and withdrew.

…

…

Returning to his quarters, Lin Chen felt loneliness for the first time.

The entire residence area for direct disciples was empty—no one remained but himself. Not only here, but even the inner disciple quarters had lost more than half their former population.

The next day.

Lin Chen received a letter from his Master—clearly his Master had received news from Big Brother and others, learning of his current strength. The letter expressed approval, but mostly urged him to stay safely within the sect.

On the third day, the sect master, Ji Cangtian, arrived at Lin Chen’s courtyard.

“Disciple bows before the Sect Master.”

“This is from Yin Shu-zu for you.”

Ji Cangtian handed Lin Chen a jade slip. Lin Chen took it, puzzled—Yin Shu-zu gave this to him?

Was it a cultivation technique?

“I don’t know what’s inside the jade slip. Just look for yourself.”

Ji Cangtian did not linger long in Lin Chen’s courtyard—the battlefield situation changed constantly, and as sect master, he must constantly monitor and direct the war.

“What did Yin Shu-zu give me?”

Lin Chen poured his spiritual sense into the jade slip and discovered it resembled a journal.

Inside were Yin Shu-zu’s martial experiences.

【My original name was Yin An. I began martial training as a child, entered my master’s lineage at fifteen, ranked first-class at sixteen, defeated all my sect brothers not yet in the Primordial Realm with three punches. At eighteen, I entered the Primordial Realm. At nineteen, I ascended Mount Dengwudao as number one. The Sect Master bestowed upon me the name Wushuang…】

【For the next decade, I traveled and defeated the prodigies of many sects. In my eyes, all their prodigies were unworthy of notice—I refused to remember their names. I defeated twenty-four sect prodigies, and because I was invincible, I grew lonely. No one in the world could stand against me.】

Reading these two lines, Lin Chen not only learned of Yin Shu-zu’s glorious past, but also felt the aura of invincibility—a young, unbeaten warrior vividly appearing before him.

The words in this jade slip were not mere records—they carried Yin Shu-zu’s martial will.

A youth stood atop a mountain peak, behind him a host of defeated, resentful figures.

Winning twenty-four sects at the same level without a single loss—this arrogance stirred Lin Chen’s blood.

Yin Shu-zu’s title “Wushuang” was truly deserved.

【After ten years of warfare, I returned to the sect and secluded myself for ten more years, reaching Primordial Sixth Stage…】

Hiss!

Seeing this line, Lin Chen drew a sharp breath—secluding himself for twenty years to reach Primordial Sixth Stage? Yin Shu-zu’s age…

Lin Chen quickly calculated: Yin Shu-zu reached number one on Mount Dengwudao at nineteen, fought for ten years outside, then secluded himself for another ten—meaning he entered Primordial Sixth Stage at forty.

Few who understood the meaning of “number one on Mount Dengwudao” could reach Primordial Sixth Stage by forty.

【At forty, I reached the peak of Primordial Sixth Stage. In my heart, all martial cultivators were mere clay dogs and broken pots. Even so-called prodigies were no different. My Shu-zu summoned me and revealed the secrets of the Yan Emperor Dynasty—only then did I learn of ancient clans still existing…】

As Lin Chen read Yin Shu-zu’s words, he sensed no shock—only joy at the discovery of ancient clans.

Joy that his endless boredom had finally ended, and new battles could begin.

Yin Shu-zu possessed a pure warrior’s heart!

【Yet, in ten battles against the ancient clans, I lost all ten.】

Lin Chen: …

That line nearly made him stagger—ten losses in ten battles?

That shouldn’t be possible.

He had fought ancient clans before—even defeated several across boundaries. How could Yin Shu-zu, with his strength, possibly lose?

In talent and combat power, Yin Shu-zu surpassed him.

At least he himself would never claim he could defeat twenty-four sects undefeated.

【Ten losses in ten battles. My Shu-zu comforted me: ancient clans possess bloodline talents—their advantages grow stronger over time. Their Primordial Sixth Stage and Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm experts are stronger than those of any sect.】

Reading this, Lin Chen frowned in thought—he had only fought ancient clan cultivators of Primordial Third and Fourth Stage, and from those encounters, he hadn’t sensed anything particularly extraordinary. So it wasn’t that the ancient clans were weak—it was that their true strength lay ahead.

But in Lin Chen’s view, Yin Shu-zu would never accept defeat.

The next lines confirmed his judgment.

Yin Shu-zu did not surrender—he grew even more determined, continuing to challenge ancient clan elders, fighting each clan one by one, nearly dying several times, suffering terribly.

Yin Shu-zu did not defy heaven—he simply kept losing.

These ten years were unbearable to witness.

Once confident in his invincibility, he traveled to Zhongzhou, only to be beaten by a fishing old man with a fishing rod outside a city.

Entered the Northern Desert, was slapped into a rock crevice by a woman, unable to move for three days…