CHAPTER 68 — Night Before Dawn
The sky above Cloudsky Sect was unusually clear that night—an expanse of stars so bright that even the mountain lanterns seemed dim in comparison. The air was cool, crisp, and deceptively calm. No howling winds. No ominous clouds. Just silence.
A silence that felt like a deliberate choice by the heavens…
a pause before the storm.
Lin Xuan and his group had been given temporary quarters near Danfeng Peak's alchemy gardens, a peaceful area where the scent of herbs lingered in the breeze. After dinner, they gathered in the wide courtyard—everyone except the sect was asleep or preparing for war, but for Lin's group, this night was a rare moment of breath.
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Strength Consolidation — A Leader's Guidance
Lin stood in the middle of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, watching Bai, Wen, and Mu steady their breathing as they cycled qi. They had all grown much stronger since the secret realm, but their foundations were still fresh.
"Let's start," Lin said softly.
Bai opened his eyes. "You're going to help us stabilize our breakthroughs?"
Lin nodded. "It's easier to strengthen the foundation now than repair it later."
Wen grumbled good-naturedly, "You could have told me that before I nearly cracked my meridians earlier."
Bai snickered. "Because you tried pushing for a realm increase during dinner. Don't blame Lin."
Wen jabbed him with an elbow. "I smelled the meat and got excited, that's all."
Mu sighed. "You two are hopeless."
Lin let them banter as he handed out small jade bottles—each holding two glowing pills.
"These will help stabilize your foundations," he said.
Bai popped one open. "Heaven-grade?"
Lin shook his head lightly. "Upgraded."
Wen nearly dropped his bottle. "UPGRADED?! Lin, at this point you're throwing celestial-tier resources at us like snacks!"
Bai smirked. "That's why he's our boss."
Wen muttered, "He's not my boss—I just follow him because he can beat me up."
Mu quietly took her pill, expression soft. "Thank you… Lin."
They each ingested a pill.
Instantly, their qi surged, thickened, stabilized.
Their breathing synchronized.
Their meridians tightened, strengthened, and glowed faintly.
Lin moved behind each of them, lightly tapping their backs and guiding their qi flows. His touch was gentle but precise—so much so that Wen blinked in shock.
"Since when did you become a body-refining master too?"
"I'm not," Lin said. "I just… understand the structure."
Bai smirked. "He's being modest again."
Mu quietly agreed. "His comprehension is terrifying."
Lin ignored them and continued adjusting their qi meridians. The courtyard hummed with growing strength.
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Showcasing Their New Powers
After their cycles smoothed, Bai stood up first, spear in hand.
"Watch this," he said, grinning like a child with a new toy.
He thrust once.
A shockwave exploded outward—clean, sharp, and deadly.
Wen whistled. "Your spear intent is already halfway to manifestation. When did that happen?"
Bai puffed proudly. "Secret realm, obviously."
Mu stepped forward next. She placed her cauldron down, summoned her newly awakened alchemy flame, and refined a complex pill in one fluid sequence—no stuttering, no mistakes. The flame danced like a living creature.
Lin nodded approvingly. "Your flame has stabilized. You can refine profound-grade pills now."
Mu's lips curved slightly. "Thanks to your help."
Wen cleared his throat and raised his sword.
He slashed.
A blade of intent carved the air, slicing the training post in half with clean precision.
Bai stared. "Since when could you do THAT—?!"
Wen grinned smugly. "Sword inheritance stone. It chose me. It likes me."
Bai scoffed. "No, it just didn't want to choose you."
Mu stifled a laugh.
Lin shook his head with genuine warmth.
They were growing quickly.
But he needed to know how far he had grown.
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Testing the Star Core
He stepped away from the group and began circulating qi.
Immediately—
His inner sun blazed.
His qi rotated in his meridians like lightning-infused molten gold.
Every circuit felt faster, cleaner, more powerful.
The solar system inside his consciousness rotated with perfect balance.
He clenched his fist.
The air rippled.
Mu turned.
"…That wasn't a normal ripple."
Wen swallowed.
"He didn't even move his arm."
Bai muttered, "…He's freaking terrifying."
Lin tested again.
He punched the air lightly.
A miniature sun flared in his palm before dissipating.
He exhaled slowly.
"The Star Core is more than I expected."
Bai asked quietly, "How strong are you now?"
Lin didn't answer immediately.
But the truth was undeniable.
Lin's Estimate
Raw power: Rivals early Nascent Soul cultivators
Qi output: Exceeds mid Nascent Soul
Spiritual sense: Near late Nascent Soul
Body: Nearly Spirit Severing tier due to tribulation tempering
Compared to other Golden Core cultivators…
he wasn't even in the same universe.
He flexed a hand thoughtfully.
"I'm… strong enough."
Mu tilted her head.
"Strong enough for what?"
Lin looked to the distant mountains, face calm.
"To attract disaster."
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Character Moments — Humor & Heart
Wen suddenly dropped to one knee dramatically.
"Lin Xuan! Mighty heaven-defying genius! Please accept me as your disciple!"
Lin blinked. "What are you doing?"
Wen clasped his hands. "I want to become OP too! Teach me your ways!"
Bai cracked up. "What ways? He does everything by accident!"
Lin frowned. "That's not—"
Wen pointed. "YOU formed a star in your dantian by accident."
Mu added, "You absorbed a secret realm by accident."
Bai lifted a finger. "You hatched a primordial dragon by accident."
Lin: "…That was one time."
Wen: "It was enough."
Mu laughed softly, the tension leaving her shoulders.
"Lin… thank you. For helping all of us."
Lin only nodded.
He didn't need gratitude.
He needed them alive.
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Danfeng Visits
A calm presence approached the courtyard.
Elder Danfeng stepped inside, robes fluttering in the moonlight, expression unreadable.
"So. You're back," he said.
Lin bowed. "Elder."
Danfeng studied each member of the group, nodding once.
"You've all improved significantly. Good. You'll need it."
Wen frowned. "Elder, is the situation… truly that bad?"
Danfeng sighed.
"Worse. But that's not your concern tonight."
Then he turned to Lin.
"Walk with me."
They stepped aside.
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A Warning Cloaked in Care
Under a lantern-lit tree, Danfeng lowered his voice.
"You're hiding your true breakthrough."
Lin didn't deny it.
Danfeng sighed heavily. "The demonic sect already wants the alchemist behind the heavenly pill. If they learn you have such a heaven-defying core… they'll send Void Transformation monsters after you."
Lin's expression didn't change.
Danfeng continued, "The Sect Master wants to see you when you return from your next mission. He says he owes you something."
Lin nodded slowly.
Danfeng placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"And Lin… don't show all your power in the next battle.
Not unless you must.
The continent is not ready for you."
Lin exhaled.
"I understand."
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Night Warning — The Coming Storm
Later that night…
The group cultivated quietly in different corners of the courtyard.
The moon hung high.
The wind stilled.
Then—
Lin's eyes snapped open.
His spiritual sense stretched far—miles upon miles until it brushed against something dark.
Something cold.
Something watching.
A gaze… heavy with bloodlust.
Wen jolted awake. "W-what is it?"
Mu froze. "Lin?"
Lin slowly rose to his feet, eyes narrowing as he stared into the mountains.
"Something is coming," he murmured.
"And dawn… won't be peaceful."
The wind howled suddenly.
The lanterns flickered.
Far away, something snarled.
The chapter closed with Lin turning fully toward the darkness—
ready.
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