A month later.

Using a secret technique, Lin Xun refined and tempered his meridians and acupoints, ensuring that there were no flaws left within or outside his body. Only then did he decide to begin cultivating.

The True Martial Stage was divided into nine layers: Qi Drawing, Inner Strengthening, Organ Opening, Orifice Unlocking, Essence Refining, Blood Igniting, Little Cycle, Big Cycle and Aeth Transformation.

Each one brought significant changes to a cultivator’s strength.

In short, the True Martial Stage was the first door on the path of cultivation, and it was also the first step in establishing one’s great dao foundation.

Mighty oaks all grew from little acorns.

A nine-story tower started with a single layer of earth.

If Lin Xun wanted, given his abilities, he could easily reach the pinnacle of the True Martial Stage within a month.

However, with only one chance at nirvana rebirth and determined to rectify the flaws of his previous path, he would not prioritize speed in his training.

Two months later.

Sitting cross-legged, Lin Xun breathed rhythmically, qi surging within his body like a storm. The circulation of his qi was akin to firewood igniting, and his body blazed like a roaring furnace.

From his nostrils, streams of air flowed in and out like pythons—a sign of his qi reaching its utmost potential.

Hu—

When Lin Xun emerged from his meditation, he exhaled lightly, and his breath shot out like a sharp arrow, slicing through the air.

“Using the body as a furnace, drawing qi into oneself, and allowing it to flow unobstructed—like roaring flames or boiling water—one can ascend to the Supreme…”

Lin Xun quietly reflected and comprehended.

It took him an entire month to reach the first layer of the True Martial Stage, Qi Drawing.

“Stepping onto the Supreme Path is merely the first step. To attain an unprecedented dao, one must first build an unparalleled foundation, invincible among all at the same cultivation stage…”

Lin Xun was in no hurry.

The True Martial Stage might be the most basic first foundational stage, yet when faced with this stage, he nearly exhausted all his energy and methods.

His Great Dao Furnace Art could integrate thousands of daos and derive thousands of arts, making it perfectly suited for strengthening the foundation of the great dao.

Additionally, the various ultimate inheritances in his mind provided him with many references and insights to draw upon as he embarked on his cultivation path once again!

Dozens of inheritances were like dozens of extraordinary mentors guiding him along his cultivation path, helping him to lay an astonishing foundation as he stepped into the True Martial Stage once again.

During dinner, Qing Zhu occasionally cast furtive glances at Lin Xun with her bright eyes. After the meal was finished and the dishes were cleared, she couldn’t help but say, “Third Young Master, you...you’ve grown up so fast.”

Su Qinghan was only fourteen years old, a time when he was still growing.

However, Qing Zhu still didn’t expect him to grow so much taller in just two months. His youthful features had matured, his eyes were clear and bright like stars, and he exuded an aura of boundless energy.

Lin Xun smiled without explaining and instead said, “Qing Zhu, pack some stuff. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be staying at the manor on Yunhan Mountain outside the city for a while.”

“Okay!” Qing Zhu nodded.

In the Su Clan, although the Third Young Master couldn’t practice cultivation, he was the most favored. As long as his requests were not excessive, no one ever refused him.

Three months later.

In Yunhan Mountain, a cascading canyon waterfall flowed like a dragon.

A figure suddenly emerged from beneath the waterfall and gracefully landed on a rock. Bathed in the misty sunlight, his tall and imposing figure radiated a mysterious glow.

It was Su Qinghan, who was transformed by Lin Xun.

It had been three months since he started cultivating.

He finally reached the pinnacle of Qi Drawing, the first layer of the True Martial Stage!

“After this, it won’t be so troublesome.” Lin Xun revealed a satisfied smile.

Over the past three months, he had nearly exhausted every possible means to push the first step of cultivation to an unprecedented level.

As the saying went, all things were difficult at the beginning. Now that he had made that first step, future cultivation would progress smoothly without requiring as much effort and energy.

“Third Young Master, dinner is ready.” Qing Zhu’s energetic voice sounded from the distance.

Lin Xun picked up his clothes and left his secret training spot.

After dinner, Qing Zhu told him the latest news.

Second Young Master had successfully passed the third round of selection of the True Martial Contest and he was now heading to the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty.

What awaited him was the fourth round of selection. As long as he passed, he would qualify for the final selection in the Great Qian Dynasty.

Qing Zhu’s eyes sparkled with pride. “Second Young Master is indeed amazing. His name is now known throughout Dragon Abyss City, and many clans have even visited our Su Clan, hoping to form marriage alliances.”

Lin Xun listened with a smile while enjoying his meal.

In the years before entering the cycle of reincarnation, he had rarely experienced such a quiet and peaceful lifestyle.

However, this peaceful and contented way of life was soon disrupted.

That day, as Lin Xun returned from his training, he saw Qing Zhu running toward him in a panic, her pretty face as pale as paper.

“Third Young Master, it’s bad, Second Young Master...Second Young Master’s cultivation has been destroyed!” Qing Zhu’s voice quivered with sobs, her pretty face ashen with despair and her eyes were overflowing with sorrow.

The scene of Su Qingfeng departing from the clan to participate in the True Martial Contest replayed vividly in Lin Xun’s mind—

The young man, elegant as jade and exuding a heroic air, confidently rode off on a white horse.

But now, why would his cultivation be destroyed?

“Don’t panic, come, let’s go and take a look together.”

Lin Xun stepped forward and patted Qing Zhu on the shoulder. That very day, they left Yunhan Mountain on a reddish-brown horse.

……

The Su Clan.

In a gloomy atmosphere. Su Yunhai, the head of the Su Clan, along with other important figures, gathered in the hall.

In the center of the hall was a stretcher on which Su Qingfeng lay. His face was pale, drained of all color, and he remained unconscious, showing no signs of waking.

The atmosphere was tense, and everyone was seething with anger.

An elderly doctor, after carefully examining Su Qingfeng’s condition, let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “It’s hopeless. His tendons and veins are completely destroyed, and his organs are severely damaged. Keeping him alive is going to be a challenge, as for his cultivation…”

Before he finished his words, everyone knew that Su Qingfeng had been crippled!

Suddenly, Su Yunhai, the head of the Su Clan, had reddened eyes and trembling lips.

Only after a long while did he inhale deeply and said aloud, “Even if Qingfeng is crippled, he is still my son. As long as I am alive, I won’t ever let him suffer!”

The others were just as furious.

“Father, I will avenge my second younger brother!”

Su Qingchou stepped forward, his face livid and his eyes bloodshot. He looked like a beast consumed by rage.

“Do you want to make things even worse?” Su Yunhai thundered, “From today on, you are not allowed to go out without my permission!”

His second son had already been crippled, so how could he just stand there and watch his eldest son go off to take revenge?

If he were to meet with disaster as well, who would lead the Su Clan in the future?

The sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came.

Lin Xun entered the hall, his gaze sweeping over everyone’s expression before landing on Su Qingfeng who was lying unconscious on the stretcher. He quickly pieced together what had happened.

Lin Xun’s appearance caught many people off guard. It had been some time since they last saw Third Young Master Su Qinghan, and he seemed like a completely different person. Not only had he grown taller, but his every movement exuded a calm confidence.

“Qinghan, why did you come here?” Su Yunhai frowned. He usually would not let Su Qinghan get involved in such clan affairs.

“I came to see my Second Elder Brother.” As Lin Xun responded, he crouched down on the ground and carefully examined Su Qingfeng’s condition.

In his mind, scenes from Su Qingfeng’s childhood replayed. Whenever his second elder brother had free time, he would come to spend time with him. Although he spoke very little, he would accompany him to eat and study.

Sometimes he would bring him delicious snacks and food...

These were Su Qinghan’s memories, and within them were his feelings toward his second elder brother—a deep brotherly bond.

In the Su Clan, Su Qinghan admired his eldest brother Su Qingchou the most, but he was closest with his second elder brother Su Qingfeng.

An indescribable anger surged in his heart, and Lin Xun knew it was the emotions of the real Su Qinghan.

He muttered, “Don’t worry, I will get revenge for this. As long as I am here, your second elder brother will not become crippled.”

Taking a deep breath, Lin Xun stood up and asked, “Who can tell me who did this?”

A calm voice broke the tense silence in the hall. When everyone turned to look at Su Qinghan, his expression carried an undeniable authority that commanded respect and made no one dare to underestimate him!

Everyone was stunned once again, as if they were meeting Su Qinghan for the first time.

“Third Younger Brother, everyone is as angry as you, but now is not the time to lose our temper.” Su Qingchou went over and said softly.

“I won’t lose my temper.” Lin Xun shook his head and marched out of the hall.

He suddenly realized that Su Qinghan, being unable to cultivate and still a teenager who had always lived a carefree life, had little say or authority in such clan affairs.

In that case, even if he explained his plan to them, it would take a great deal of effort to convince them.

“Third Younger Brother, where are you going?” asked Su Qingchou.

“To do something that I should.” Lin Xun answered without turning around.

It was indeed time to leave. The True Martial Contest between the three dynasties would commence in three months. If he didn’t secure the qualification to participate now, he would miss the opportunity entirely.

“Don’t…don’t tell me you are planning to avenge your second elder brother?” Su Qingchou’s face blanched.

“Why can’t I?” As Lin Xun said, he had already stepped out of the hall and quickly disappeared.

The hall fell into a shocked silence. In the entire Dragon Abyss City, who didn’t know that the third young master of their Su Clan was unable to practice cultivation?

Despite that, he planned to avenge Su Qingfeng?!

Had he lost his mind from anger?

“Third Younger Brother, you can’t bring more trouble to the clan now, come back here!” Su Qingchou ran after him.

At that moment, Lin Xun suddenly turned around, looked directly at Su Qingchou and said in a serious tone, “Eldest Brother, you can’t stop me. While I’m away, I’ll have to trouble you to take care of our parents. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in no more than half a year.”

Su Qingchou stared blankly at him.

It was the first time in his life that his third younger brother had spoken to him in such a tone. He wasn’t angry, but he somehow felt that his brother…

…had become another person.