After leaving the ancient ruins, Lin Yuan's journey continued. His foundation had reached a perfected state, yet his path forward was not entirely clear. The orb pulsed gently within him, a steady reminder of the limitless potential he possessed. As he wandered through mist-shrouded forests and crossed treacherous mountains, a translucent orb interface occasionally appeared before his eyes, displaying his cultivation status and absorbed energies.
[Orb Interface Activated]
Cultivation: Foundation Realm (Perfected)
Physical Body: Celestial Stone Body (Intermediate)
Energy Absorbed: None
Special Abilities: Absorption, Spiritual Perception, Formation Insight, Lightning affinity.
Days turned into weeks, but Lin Yuan never wasted a moment. He meditated beneath ancient trees, absorbing the ambient spiritual energy. Each time he absorbed even a trace of energy, the orb interface updated.
[Energy Absorbed: 15 Units - Forest Essence]
Physical Strength +0.5%
Spiritual Perception +1%
His understanding of formations also deepened. The symbols he had glimpsed in the ruins continued to appear in his mind, their secrets slowly unraveling.
One evening, as Lin Yuan was practicing by a serene mountain stream, the orb within him stirred. A faint silver light shimmered across his skin.
[Orb Notification: Reaction Detected]
Direction: East
Potential Energy Source Detected
Following the orb's guidance, he navigated dense woods and steep cliffs until he stood before a forgotten altar nestled deep within the forest.
The altar was ancient, cracked with age, and covered in moss. Faint inscriptions, partially eroded, were barely visible, but his enhanced senses allowed him to decipher them. It spoke of an ancient beast once sealed here.
Suddenly, a surge of dark energy erupted from the altar, and a shadowy beast emerged—a spectral tiger wreathed in mist, its eyes blazing with malice.
"Who disturbs my slumber?" The beast's voice was a growl that shook the trees.
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed. The orb pulsed, and the interface updated.
[Enemy Identified: Spectral Tiger - Spirit Beast Remnant]
Threat Level: High
Weakness: Light, Pure Energy
Rather than fleeing, he stood firm. "I do not wish to disturb you," he said calmly. "But the energy here is something I must understand."
The beast roared, a wave of darkness crashing toward him. Lin Yuan reacted instantly, his body glowing with the Celestial Stone Body's earthen sheen.
Realizing the creature was a remnant spirit, he knew he couldn't defeat it through brute force. His orb pulsed, and a vortex of light formed around him, absorbing the beast's darkness.
[Dark Essence Absorbed: 40 Units]
Spiritual Perception +3%
Darkness Affinity +5%
The spectral tiger's roar weakened. With a final growl, it was absorbed into the orb. The interface flashed with a new notification.
[Achievement Unlocked: Spirit Subjugator]
Ability Gained: Spectral Force Control
Yet the most profound change was internal. His spiritual energy, already dense and liquid, began to compress. Lin Yuan realized he was at the edge of a breakthrough.
[Orb Notification: Breakthrough Condition Met]
Begin Compression: Liquid Spiritual Energy → Core formation.
He found a hidden cave, shielding himself. As his energy condensed, the sky darkened. Thunderclouds gathered above—heavenly tribulation.
Lightning crashed down, but Lin Yuan remained resolute. The orb absorbed the thunder, tempering his body. The pain was immense, but he endured.
[Heavenly Thunder Absorbed: 50 Units]
Body Tempering +10%
Heavenly Lightning Affinity Increased
Finally, his spiritual power solidified into a radiant, cloudy, and unstable golden core within his dantian—an early-stage Golden Core, still far from perfection.
[Breakthrough Achieved: Golden Core Realm (Early Stage)]
Spiritual Energy Density +50%
Control Enhanced
Heavenly Lightning Power Enhanced
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yuan steadied himself. His power was vast but stable, tempered by the orb's constant refinement. His journey continued, his strength ever-growing.
.....
Lin Yuan's journey led him deeper into the dense forest, where towering ancient trees whispered with the breeze, their shadows swaying under the dappled sunlight. His golden core, newly formed but cloudy and unstable, pulsed within him—a swirling vortex of power, raw and untamed. He could feel the might of the heavenly lightning he had absorbed, faint silver patterns tracing beneath his skin.
The translucent orb's interface shimmered faintly before his vision, a silent reminder of his unique ability.
[Orb Interface Activated]
Cultivation: Golden Core Realm (Early Stage, Unstable)
Physical Body: Celestial Stone Body (Intermediate)
Spiritual Energy: Unstable Golden Core (Cloudy)
Special Abilities: Absorption, Spiritual Perception, Formation Insight, Heavenly lightning(raw)
But power alone meant little without control. Lin Yuan knew this well. His core was a storm waiting to erupt. He needed stability, a way to refine the energy boiling within him. Yet his journey wasn't just about himself—it was about discovering the world, growing stronger, and leaving a mark that wouldn't stain his soul.
After days of wandering, he arrived at a secluded village nestled between two mountain ridges. The air smelled of fresh pine, and the villagers seemed peaceful, yet their eyes carried a lingering fear. He soon learned the cause—bandits had been plaguing them, led by a rogue cultivator who wielded a blade of dark energy.
Lin Yuan stayed in the village's small inn, listening quietly to the villagers' whispered fears.
"His sword can cleave through boulders... a demon in human skin."
"Anyone who resists vanishes… The fields have become his playground."
Lin Yuan's gaze remained calm, but his heart stirred. A rogue cultivator using his strength to bully the weak? Such actions were a stain upon the cultivation world. But he did not act impulsively. He spent the day observing, learning that the bandit leader was at the peak of the Foundation Realm, his minions nothing more than brutish thugs.
That night, dark clouds gathered above the mountains, and a distant rumble of thunder echoed through the valley. Lin Yuan stood beneath an old willow at the village's edge, the wind tugging at his robes. The storm was coming.
Soon, laughter echoed through the fields, torchlights bobbing like malicious will-o'-the-wisps. The bandits arrived, their scarred leader leading them, his black sword glowing faintly with a malevolent aura.
"Hand over your crops! Defy me, and I will burn this village to ash!" the leader roared.
Lin Yuan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "This is your last warning. Leave now, and you may keep your lives."
The leader's cruel smile widened. "Another fool come to die? Cut him down!"
Two bandits charged, their rusted blades slicing the air. But Lin Yuan's eyes barely shifted. A faint silver light flickered under his skin, and a crackling bolt of heavenly lightning arced from his palm, striking the first bandit. He crumpled to the ground, twitching.
The second attacker froze, fear paralyzing him.
"You… You're no ordinary cultivator!" the leader stammered, gripping his sword tighter.
Lin Yuan's calm expression didn't change. "I warned you."
The rogue leader howled, channeling his dark energy into his sword, which seemed to hum with a ghastly glow. He lunged, a wild arc aiming for Lin Yuan's head.
But Lin Yuan's body flickered with silver lightning. He sidestepped with a fluid grace, his hand darting out to catch the blade. The dark energy sizzled against his lightning-coated fingers before dissipating. The blade shattered under his grip.
The leader staggered back, disbelief and terror in his eyes.
"Impossible! You… you must be a core disciple of some great sect!"
Lin Yuan stepped closer, his voice cold. "Leave. Now."
The leader didn't need to be told twice. He turned and fled, his remaining followers scrambling after him, leaving behind their torches and weapons. The village erupted in cheers, but by the time they gathered to thank their savior, Lin Yuan was already gone, a shadow beneath the fading storm clouds.
As he continued his journey, his orb pulsed once more.
[Energy Absorbed: 30 Units - Negative Essence]
Spiritual Perception +2%
Lightning Affinity +3%
Lin Yuan reflected on the encounter. The lightning within him was still raw, but with each use, it became a part of him. More importantly, the encounter had shown him something—power was responsibility. If he turned away when the strong oppressed the weak, he would be no better than the bandits he despised.
The misty forest stretched ahead, its winding paths shrouded in mystery. His heart was calm, his steps steady, and somewhere in the distance, the next challenge awaited.