Deep within the inheritance site, Lin Xian sat still as dark energy swirled around him. Shen Tian's lifeless body had already turned to ashes, and Lin Xian's body trembled as waves of power surged through his veins.
A loud crack echoed in the cave.
Lin Xian opened his eyes, glowing with golden and purple light. His body was radiating a terrifying aura.
"I've done it," he muttered. "I've devoured Shen Tian's bloodline… and broken through to a realm beyond Core Formation!"
The Shen Family bloodline had merged with his body, giving him incredible strength and mysterious abilities. His cultivation now stood at early stage of Nacent soul Realm, nearly at the peak. But the true power came from the Shen bloodline, which made his aura feel like that of a high noble from the heavens.
At the same time, elsewhere in the secret realm, Shen Yue and Lin Yuer had also found great opportunities.
Shen Yue discovered a mysterious ice lake filled with ancient spirit energy. After meditating there for ten days, her cultivation rose to the peak of the Core Formation Realm, and she awakened an Ice Phoenix Constitution hidden in her bloodline.
Lin Yuer entered a tomb belonging to an ancient sword saint. After passing several tests, she inherited a powerful sword technique and gained a Sword Spirit Constitution, pushing her to the peak of Core Formation Realm as well.
Both girls returned to Lin Xian, their faces glowing with happiness.
"We're back," Lin Yuer said with a smile. "We grew stronger, just like you said."
Shen Yue added, "We're ready now. Whatever your plan is… we'll help you."
Lin Xian looked at both of them and smiled. "Good. Because the secret realm is about to close… and we still have work to do."
He stood up, his eyes cold and sharp. "This secret realm is filled with young geniuses from powerful sects and noble families. Each of them carries a rare bloodline, physique, or powerful cultivation base. If I devour them all… I can reach the peak of this realm before we leave."
The girls nodded. They no longer questioned his decisions.
And so, the hunt began.
For the next several days, Lin Xian tracked down the strongest geniuses inside the secret realm — those with divine bodies, immortal bloodlines, or unique constitutions. He used traps, surprise attacks, and the help of Shen Yue and Lin Yuer to defeat them one by one.
Some begged for mercy.
Some tried to flee.
None escaped.
With each genius he devoured, Lin Xian's power soared. His aura became darker, more tyrannical, and filled with ancient majesty. His understanding of techniques, laws, and bloodline powers deepened beyond imagination.
By the time the secret realm began to shake, signaling its closure, Lin Xian stood at the peak of the Ncacent soul Realm, far more powerful than anyone at the same level. His body was filled with multiple bloodlines, rare physiques, and techniques that could crush sect-level experts.
Shen Yue and Lin Yuer stood beside him, now at the middle stage of the Nacent Soul Realm, their auras refined and battle-hardened.
"We did it," Shen Yue said. "But now… once we leave this place, the Crimson Sect will come after us."
"They think we betrayed them. We'll be hunted the moment we step out," Lin Yuer added.
Lin Xian nodded. "That's why we won't walk out as ourselves."
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out three jade slips.
"These are advanced Appearance Changing Talismans," he explained. "We'll disguise ourselves, then use the Teleportation Talisman to escape the encirclement."
The girls applied the talismans. Their features shifted — hair color, eye color, even their auras changed completely. Lin Xian's appearance changed as well. From a cold and handsome youth, he now looked like a rough and mysterious rogue cultivator.
With a flash of light, the three disappeared.
BOOM!
They reappeared hundreds of miles away from the secret realm exit. Behind them, the realm collapsed with a thunderous roar, and those who survived were spat out, confused and disoriented.
Inside the headquarters of the Crimson Sect, chaos erupted.
Elders demanded blood.
The sect leader roared for revenge.
"They dared to harm Shen Tian?! Find them! Kill them!"
But Lin Xian and his two companions had already vanished into the world — their new identities hidden from all eyes.
Far away, in a quiet forest near a small town, Lin Xian looked at the map in his hand.
"This is where we begin," he said.
"Begin what?" Lin Yuer asked.
Lin Xian's eyes turned dark.
"The destruction of the Crimson Sect."