The cave entrance sealed behind Lin Feng as he stepped into the darkness, the ancient stone dragons' eyes glowing with protective energy before fading. The recording orb in his hand captured the precise moment the spatial formation reactivated, sealing the entrance once more. Lin Feng activated a spirit stone from his pouch, its soft white light illuminating the cavern ahead.
The cave interior was unlike anything Lin Feng had ever seen. The walls glowed with a soft, ethereal light, revealing intricate carvings that depicted the Void Emperor's life—from his humble beginnings as a rootless orphan to his ascension as a supreme expert who mastered all elements of the universe.
The air hummed with spiritual energy so dense it was almost tangible. Every breath Lin Feng took filled his lungs with power, causing his meridians to expand and his cultivation base to stabilize. He could feel the ambient Qi responding to his presence, swirling around him like curious spirits.
This place has been untouched for centuries, Lin Feng realized. The formations are still intact, the spiritual energy undisturbed. The Void Emperor truly was a supreme expert to create such a sanctuary.
Following the map's directions, Lin Feng navigated through a series of chambers, each more magnificent than the last. He passed through halls filled with spirit herbs that had grown to enormous sizes in the concentrated energy, their leaves shimmering with elemental power. He crossed bridges that spanned bottomless chasms, their surfaces inscribed with protective talismans that glowed when he stepped upon them.
In one chamber, he encountered a guardian formation—a complex array of spiritual energy that tested his comprehension of the Dao. The formation shifted and changed, presenting riddles that required deep understanding of cultivation principles to solve. Lin Feng spent hours meditating before the formation, drawing upon his knowledge from his previous life and the memories of his new body to unravel its mysteries.
The Void Emperor was testing his successors, Lin Feng realized. Only those with true understanding of the Dao could pass this trial.
When the formation finally dissolved, revealing the path forward, Lin Feng felt a profound sense of accomplishment. He had proven himself worthy, not through brute strength but through wisdom and comprehension.
At the heart of the cave, in a chamber that seemed to exist outside of normal space and time, Lin Feng found the Void Emperor's final resting place. A simple stone platform stood in the center of the room, upon which rested three items that glowed with inner light.
The first was a ring—not an ordinary piece of jewelry but a storage ring of incredible capacity. Unlike the common storage rings used by cultivators, this one pulsed with spiritual energy, its surface inscribed with ancient runes that spoke of space manipulation and soul cultivation.
The second item was a lotus flower, its petals shimmering with all the colors of the spectrum. Each petal represented a different element—fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, space, time, life, and death. The lotus floated a few inches above the platform, rotating slowly as if alive.
The third item was a small jade vial containing a liquid that glowed with a deep, crimson light. The vial itself was carved from dragon bone, its surface decorated with scenes of ancient dragons soaring through the heavens.
Lin Feng approached the platform reverently. He understood that these were not mere treasures but tools that could elevate a cultivator to unprecedented heights. The Void Emperor had left his inheritance to a worthy successor, and Lin Feng intended to prove himself that successor.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng extended his hand toward the storage ring. As his fingers touched its surface, the ring glowed brightly before shrinking to normal size and slipping onto his right index finger. A surge of spiritual energy flowed through him, connecting his consciousness to the ring's interior space.
This is extraordinary, Lin Feng marveled. The storage capacity is beyond anything I've ever heard of. And it nourishes the soul of its owner...this is a treasure worthy of emperors.
Lin Feng's spiritual sense extended into the ring's interior. Unlike ordinary storage rings that merely held objects, this one contained a miniature world—a realm of pure spiritual energy where time flowed differently. He marveled at the boundless space, capable of holding entire mountains and seas within its confines. The ring hummed with power, its very existence bending the laws of space around it.
Next, Lin Feng focused on the lotus flower. As he reached for it, the petals glowed brighter, each color intensifying until the entire chamber was bathed in multicolored light. The lotus floated toward him, its rotation speeding up until it became a blur of color.
Without hesitation, Lin Feng allowed the lotus to enter his body. It passed through his physical form and settled in the center of his consciousness, where it began to rotate slowly. He felt a strange sensation as if his very being was being remade, his meridians expanding and his comprehension of the elements deepening.
The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus, Lin Feng realized as knowledge flooded his mind. This is the ultimate cultivation treasure. It can absorb the luck of others and convert it into cultivation resources. With this, I can surpass even the heavens themselves.
The lotus pulsed within his soul, its nine petals representing the nine fundamental elements of the universe. As it rotated, Lin Feng felt his understanding of cultivation deepen to unprecedented levels. He could now perceive the spiritual energy that flowed through all living things, the connections between all elements, and the fundamental laws that governed existence itself.
The final item—the jade vial containing dragon blood essence—was the most potent of all. The Void Emperor's letter had explained its purpose: to strengthen the bloodline, increase lifespan, and enhance physical capabilities. But it also served another purpose—to strengthen the connection between the cultivator and his companions, sharing the benefits of the strengthened bloodline with those he deemed worthy.
Lin Feng carefully removed the stopper from the vial. The liquid within shimmered like molten rubies, radiating an ancient power that made the very air vibrate. He could feel the essence of dragon blood—pure, primordial energy that had existed since the dawn of time.
With reverence, Lin Feng drank the essence in one gulp. The liquid burned through his body like molten metal, searing his meridians and purifying his blood. He felt his muscles strengthening, his bones hardening, his senses sharpening. His vision changed, allowing him to see the luck that surrounded living beings like colorful auras.
With this dragon bloodline, I will live for thousands of years, Lin Feng thought as the transformation completed. I will gather beautiful companions, strong allies, and powerful treasures. And I will use the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus to steal the destinies of those like Long Tian, converting their heavenly fortune into my own strength.
As the transformation finished, Lin Feng felt a profound change within himself. He was no longer the rootless orphan who had graduated from the Azure Dragon Sect. He was Lin Feng, cultivator of the Void Emperor's inheritance, master of all elements, and thief of destinies.
His cultivation base had already broken through to the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and he could feel the potential for further advancement. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus rotated steadily in his consciousness, ready to absorb the luck of others and convert it into pure cultivation energy.
Lin Feng tested his new abilities. With a thought, he summoned fire in his palm, the flames dancing obediently at his command. He shifted his focus, and the fire transformed into water, then earth, then wind. Each element responded to his will as if it had always been a part of him. He could feel the space around him bending to his desires, time slowing at his command, life energy flowing through his fingertips.
I am no longer dependent on Long Tian's luck for survival, Lin Feng realized. I have forged my own path to power. Now, I must return to the city and continue my plan to steal his harem and destroy his protagonist aura.
But first, he needed to test the full extent of his new abilities. The Verdant Forest was filled with spirit beasts of various levels, perfect for testing his combat skills and elemental comprehension.
Lin Feng left the cave, the entrance sealing behind him as the spatial formation reactivated. The recording orb in his hand captured his triumphant expression as he stepped back into the sunlight.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens has truly begun, Lin Feng thought as he began his journey back to the city. And I will walk this path with my own two feet, without relying on any system or divine blessing.
His eyes gleamed with determination, already calculating his next move against Long Tian and his harem of beauties. The first strike had been landed—Xia Qingyue's downfall during the spider mission had weakened the protagonist's luck. Now, with the Void Emperor's inheritance, Lin Feng was ready to deliver the next blow.
Long Tian, you have no idea what awaits you, Lin Feng thought with a smile that would have chilled the bones of any who saw it. Your heavenly fortune will soon become my stepping stone to immortality. And your beautiful companions...they will call me master before this is over.
As Lin Feng traveled through the forest, his enhanced senses detected the presence of spirit beasts nearby. He could feel their cultivation levels, their elemental affinities, and even their emotions. This was the true power of the Void Emperor's inheritance—not just physical strength, but comprehensive understanding of the universe itself.
He encountered a group of Earth Wolves—spirit beasts equivalent to the third level of Qi Condensation. In the past, such creatures would have been a challenge for him. Now, with a mere thought, he commanded the earth beneath them to rise and bind them. With another thought, he summoned fire to purify their bloodlines, transforming them from savage beasts into loyal companions.
This is the true path of cultivation, Lin Feng realized. Not just accumulating power, but understanding the fundamental nature of all things. With the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus, I can absorb the destinies of others and use their fortune to further my own cultivation.
As he continued his journey, Lin Feng reflected on the nature of luck and destiny. He had seen how Long Tian's golden aura of heavenly fortune protected him, guiding him through dangers and presenting him with opportunities. But now, with the Void Emperor's inheritance, Lin Feng understood that luck was not a fixed quantity—it could be stolen, redirected, and consumed.
The protagonist's halo is not divine blessing, Lin Feng thought. It is merely a concentration of favorable circumstances that can be dismantled piece by piece. And I will be the one to dismantle it.
By the time Lin Feng reached the city gates, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. His cultivation base had stabilized at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and he could feel the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus absorbing residual luck from the spirit beasts he had encountered along the way.
As he entered the city, Lin Feng felt a sudden surge of power. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus in his consciousness rotated faster, absorbing a significant amount of luck that seemed to be flowing toward him from the city itself. He realized that Xia Qingyue must have made her decision—she had chosen to follow him rather than remain with Long Tian.
The first piece of Long Tian's harem has fallen, Lin Feng thought with satisfaction. His luck has been weakened, and I have grown stronger without his knowledge.
Lin Feng returned to his secret residence, where Xia Qingyue was waiting. Her cyan hair was still slightly disheveled from their journey, but her eyes shone with a new determination. She had made her choice, and Lin Feng could see the change in her aura—the golden threads of luck that had once connected her to Long Tian were now flowing toward him instead.
"Welcome back," Xia Qingyue said, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her. "I have made my decision. I will follow you on this path of truth."
Lin Feng smiled, taking her hand in his. "You have made the right choice, Lady Xia Qingyue. Together, we will uncover the truth about Long Tian and forge our own destinies."
As they stood together in the fading light, Lin Feng felt the full weight of his new power. He was no longer a rootless orphan struggling to survive in a cultivation world. He was Lin Feng, inheritor of the Void Emperor's legacy, master of all elements, and thief of destinies.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens had truly begun, and Lin Feng would walk it with his own two feet, without relying on any cheat system or divine blessing.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The moon rose high in the sky as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue prepared for their return to the city center. The cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power.
Long Tian's luck has already begun to wane, Lin Feng thought as they walked through the moonlit streets. And with each piece of his harem that falls to me, his heavenly fortune will diminish further. Soon, he will be vulnerable—and I will be ready.
As they approached the Azure Dragon Sect's territory, Lin Feng could feel the spiritual energy of the city pulsing around him. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus in his consciousness rotated steadily, absorbing the ambient luck and converting it into pure cultivation energy. His meridians expanded further, his physical strength increased, and his comprehension of the Dao deepened.
I am no longer dependent on the protagonist's luck for survival, Lin Feng realized. I have forged my own path to power. Now, I must continue my plan to steal Long Tian's harem and destroy his protagonist aura.
The first piece—Xia Qingyue—had already fallen. The second piece—Su Wan'er—would soon follow. And the third piece—Bai Luoyan—would be the final blow to Long Tian's heavenly fortune.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens has truly begun, Lin Feng thought as they entered the city gates. And I will walk this path with my own two feet, without relying on any system or divine blessing.
His eyes gleamed with determination, already calculating his next move against Long Tian and his remaining companions. The cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The night was young, and Lin Feng's journey had only just begun. With the Void Emperor's inheritance, the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus, and the dragon bloodline flowing through his veins, he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.
Long Tian, you have no idea what awaits you, Lin Feng thought with a smile that would have chilled the bones of any who saw it. Your heavenly fortune will soon become my stepping stone to immortality. And your beautiful companions...they will call me master before this is over.
The moon was high in the sky as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue continued their journey toward the city center. The path ahead was long and dangerous, filled with powerful enemies and cunning opponents. But Lin Feng was no longer the same man who had arrived in this world with nothing but his wits and determination. He was now a cultivator with the inheritance of an emperor, the bloodline of a dragon, and the power to steal destinies.
And he would use all of it to reach the pinnacle of power.