I have 3 systems: Divine Beast, Divine Sect, Divine Search

After two days of leisurely travel with brief rest breaks, they finally arrived at the location indicated by the system: a secluded clearing surrounded by towering trees. In the center of the clearing was a structure partially buried in the ground. It appeared to be the remains of an abandoned alchemical laboratory.

Lin Huang looked around cautiously while Yanluo observed the place curiously.

"Master… this looks very old," Yanluo commented in a low voice.

"It is," Lin Huang replied as he slowly approached the entrance of the structure. "Be careful. Places like this may contain traps or unexpected dangers."

They entered the structure cautiously, ready to face any challenges that might arise in search of the alchemical heritage left behind by the mysterious master of the past.

'System, are there any traps nearby?'

[Ding, No]

Lin Huang and Yanluo carefully advanced inside the ancient structure. The place looked abandoned for many years, with moss-covered walls and cracks that let the sunlight in in soft beams. However, there was a sense of calm in the air, as if the place had been waiting for their arrival.

In the center of the main room, they found a stone table. On it was a small wooden chest, already worn by time. Next to the chest lay an aged letter, its edges yellowed and brittle. Lin Huang walked over and carefully picked up the letter. He opened it and began reading aloud to Yanluo.

"If you found this place, then I am no longer in this world. My name is Wu Tianyi, a Grade 2 alchemist who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of perfection in alchemy. I have never had a sect or a backing, and everything I have learned has been the result of self-testing. Unfortunately, my journey was cut short by a poison I contracted during one of my experiments. This place was my refuge while I desperately tried to create a cure to save my life."

"Despite my best efforts, I failed. The poison was more powerful than anything I could have fought alone. Before I succumbed, I gathered here all the knowledge I had acquired throughout my life. This chest contains my inheritance: alchemical formulas, techniques, and notes on the path of alchemy."

"I have only one last request for whoever finds this place: bury my remains with dignity. My body is in the room at the back of this structure. May my soul finally rest in peace."

Lin Huang closed the letter slowly, feeling a mixture of respect and sadness for the story of the alchemist Wu Tianyi.

"Master… he was alone until the end," Yanluo said in a melancholic tone.

"Yes," Lin Huang replied calmly. "But he left behind something valuable, not only his alchemical inheritance, but also a lesson on perseverance in the face of adversity. Even after knowing that he was poisoned, he tried until the end."

Lin Huang opened the small wooden chest carefully. Inside were several well-preserved scrolls. He quickly scanned the contents and realized that the formulas were incredibly detailed, ranging from basic pills to rare elixirs that could be useful even to higher-level cultivators.

Wu Tianyi was a tier two alchemist. A very low tier in any sect, but he was a casual cultivator with no sect or support. That's why he was a person worthy of respect, because the effort for someone without a good background to become an alchemist was not easy. This Wu was probably very talented, if perhaps he had been born in a better place, he could have become a legendary alchemist. 

Lin Huang put the chest away in the system space while Yanluo looked around the room curiously. 

"Master, should we fulfill his request?" Yanluo asked.

"Yes," Lin Huang replied without hesitation.

"It's the least we can do for someone who has dedicated his life to alchemy."

They proceeded to the room at the back of the structure and found Wu Tianyi's remains in a quiet corner, wrapped in a simple but dignified robe. The way the bones were laid out suggested that he had died while still trying to refine something. 

Lin Huang and Yanluo worked together to dig a grave outside the structure, under the shade of a large ancient tree.

After placing the remains in the dirt and covering the grave, Lin Huang clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"May you rest in peace, Wu Tianyi," he murmured.

Yanluo imitated his master's gesture, learning not only about cultivation and alchemy, but also about respect for others.

He then broke the silence.

"Master… will I ever need to bury you like this?"

The question took Lin Huang by surprise, he slowly turned around, his face impassive, but his eyes softened as he met Yanluo's anxious gaze.

"Yanluo," he began, his voice firm but not harsh, "death is a companion to all cultivators. Even immortals can fall eventually." He leaned over, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, "But listen to me well: I don't plan on leaving you any time soon." Yanluo swallowed hard, "But... what if it happens? If you—" 

"*When it happens," Lin Huang interrupted, raising his head with determination, "you will be ready. Because I will teach you to be stronger than anyone." He lightly squeezed the disciple's shoulder, and for the first time, a flash of something that resembled pride shone in his eyes. "Wu Tianyi died alone, but you… you are not alone. Neither am I. You must understand that you are my first disciple. You will be the elder brother of many others, and just as I have a duty to protect you, you will also have a duty to protect them." 

"I… I don't want to bury anyone again," Yanluo whispered, his voice trembling like a dragonfly's wing.

Lin Huang let go of his shoulder and picked up the rusty shovel that was resting against the tree.

"A burial doesn't mean the end, Yanluo," he said, turning it so that the boy could see the signs of wear on the edges. "Sometimes to plant seeds. Wu Tianyi left us knowledge, not just sadness. The teaching he left behind has already served to teach you something. And you will carry this for the rest of your life and also pass it on to others. Even dead and alone, Wu Tianyu still taught us to persist until the end. And that is what you should focus on."

"Besides, Yan'er, I won't lie to you. You should know that on this journey you will inevitably have to bury people you love. You are a child, but when you grow up to be the size of your master, you will have friends, companions, disciples, important people who will need to be buried. In the end, the only thing you can do is be strong to ensure that they die a natural death and not at the hands of enemies."

Yanluo looked at the grave, then at the master's hands. "What if I am not strong enough to continue alone?"

Yanluo reflected on the times when he was on the street. Besides him, there were other children who had the same fate. He had often had to hunt for food next to some dead body. He didn't want to have to go back to that life, but from the little he had learned from his master, it was something he couldn't avoid.

Lin Huang smiled, a rare and almost imperceptible gesture. "You already are. You've survived the streets, faced despicable people, and carry a spark that not even fate can extinguish." He leaned down again, this time until he was at the boy's height. "But listen to this: strength isn't about not feeling fear. It's about moving forward *in spite* of it. And you… you already do that every day. You're already strong-minded, cultivation is something that will come with time."

Xiao Tian landed softly on a low branch, his golden gaze fixed on Yanluo. The hawk inclined its head, as if in agreement.

"Also," Lin Huang stood up, his posture as imposing as the ancient tree above them, "as long as I breathe, no harm will touch you. That is my promise."

"KIIIEH!" Xiao Tian let out a shout, his chest puffing out imposingly. His sharp gaze was as if to say, "And you can count on me too!"

Yanluo swallowed back the tears that were still coming and nodded firmly. The memories of the streets, hunger, and loneliness seemed to fade away in the wake of those words.

"Let's go. There is still one more place waiting for us. Now our next destination, Swordsman's Rest."

Yanluo nodded determinedly as the two prepared to leave the quiet place that had been Alchemist Master Wu Tianyi's last refuge.

After leaving Alchemist Master's Fall, Lin Huang and Yanluo headed towards Swordsman's Rest. The walk lasted another day, and along the way, Lin Huang decided to quietly strengthen his disciple. He took out a broken jade medallion, one of the smaller items he had collected earlier, from the system space and handed it to Yanluo.

"Use this," Lin Huang said casually. "It can bring you luck at critical moments."

Yanluo held the cracked medallion, examining it curiously. "Thank you, master! I will keep it safe."

[Ding! Broken jade medallion delivered to disciple detected. 5,000 times return activated. You have received: "Protective Triad Medallion". Blocks up to 3 fatal blows from Nascent Soul realm cultivators.] 

Within the system space, a flawless jade medallion appeared, engraved with ancient protective runes. Lin Huang remained calm, but inwardly he was surprised by the value of the reward. "This might save Yanluo's life in the future." He thought as he recalled the other items he had given Yanluo in the past few days. 

Lin Huang had handed over a small, damaged bronze bell to Yanluo, claiming it was a simple amulet.

While he was heading there, he took the opportunity to perform a few tests. The first one was the quickest. He handed over the block-in-the-blow medallion to Yanluo to see if he would receive any rewards. But to his disappointment, the system did not work with items that he had rewarded himself.

In addition, during his downtime, he was testing the system.

Lin Huang handed over a small, damaged bronze bell to Yanluo, claiming it was a simple amulet.

[Return: 250x → "Bell of Spiritual Harmony". Earth-Grade Treasure (Low). [Protects the soul from external disturbances for 1 hour daily.]

This item was interesting because if Lin Huang had it against the demonic cultivator, he could easily avoid being possessed. But it was also given to Yanluo.

The child was full of gifts, so much so that the small storage bag he had was already full, after all it was one of the cheapest storage items in existence.

Luckily during one of the searches, Lin Huang had found a broken ring.

"Yan'er, take this ring here. It's damaged but it can also help you."

Yanluo then took the ring in his hands, it was so damaged that it could barely fit on a finger.

"Master, why do you always give me so many things? Some of them I can't even use?" He asked, not understanding. This ring was a clear example.

[Ding! You gifted your disciple Mo Yanluo a Damaged Storage Ring, receiving a return of 750x.]

[You received Storage Ring (50m2)]

Lin Huang really liked the item he received.

"If Yan'er doesn't like my gifts. Give them back, I'll give you a better one."

Lin Huang tried to change the subject as he couldn't find a good excuse at the moment. He reached out to take the damaged ring as his purpose had already been completed.

But Mo Yanluo stepped back and put the ring in his chest.

"No, master! I like the gifts. I just want to understand why."

Lin Huang laughed, he placed his hand on the child's head and replied,

"Don't think too much about it. If I give you an item, you just accept it." This is how masters should show care to their disciples''

''Hmm okay master''

''But you're right Yanluo, this ring doesn't have much use. Take this one, it's spacious and you can store a lot of things inside it''

Taking the ring handed to him, his eyes lit up, the space inside was much larger compared to the small bag.

''Master, it's sooo big inside. How is this done?''

Lin Huang had no idea, so he made up some nonsense that might make sense.

''This is done by powerful cultivators who have rare physiques. One day, I will introduce one to you.''

The duo then headed towards the defined location

Lin Huang also ran some tests on the system. He gifted Yanluo an ordinary stone, hoping that maybe he would get a rare thing, but despite having a 1000x return, he only received a larger stone. 

He also tried a dried leaf and what he received was a seedling of the plant that the leaf belonged to. This was a good result, because if at some point he found a rare leaf from a tree, he could replicate it and get a rare tree for himself.

After that, he could place it in the beast system space and then speed up time. It was a win-win situation 

He also performed two more tests, this time with fruits. First, he delivered a common fruit, a simple apple. He received a return of 1,500x, but this time instead of quality, he received quantity, 1,500 apples.

He tested it with a second fruit that the search system had suggested to him, and this time it was a different result.

[Ding, you have gifted your disciple Mo Yanluo the Red Peach, receiving a return of 700x.]

[You have received the item Peach of Vitality.

Description: A peach that has grown bathed in vitality. When consumed, it grants 50 years of life.]

When he saw this prompt, his eyes widened. Increasing one's lifespan was a very rare thing in the Qiankun Continent.

After all, an extra 50 years of lifespan is an opportunity to cultivate for longer, making it possible to surpass one's current realm and increase one's vitality even further. It was a resource that everyone wanted but few had access to. He carefully stored it in the system space. He had a few more peaches in his bag, and he wanted to test how long he could last. 

The journey continued.

Just before he arrived at the venue, Lin Huang continued on a forgotten topic.

"Yanluo, last time I only explained Qi Condensation to you, now I'll tell you about the levels above. You remember that in Qi Condensation, you're gathering Qi from the world and storing it in your dantian, right? It's like gathering water in a bucket for later use. But Foundation Establishment is different. It's like building a house. You can't just throw bricks on the ground and expect it to stand, right?"

Yanluo shook his head seriously. "No, master. Without a strong foundation, the house will crumble."

"Exactly!" Lin Huang smiled, satisfied with the answer. "In Foundation Establishment, you take all that Qi you've accumulated and start transforming it.

"Exactly!" Lin Huang smiled, satisfied with the answer.

"In Foundation Establishment, you take all that Qi you have accumulated and start transforming it into something more solid and stable. It's like creating the foundation of a house inside your body. These foundations are called spiritual pillars. They are made of pure Qi and are what will support all your power in the future."

Yanluo's eyes flashed with curiosity. "Spiritual pillars? How many can I make, master?"

"That depends on you, your talent, physique, and the technique you are using," Lin Huang explained patiently. "Some people can form three pillars, others six, and the most talented can form nine. The more pillars you have, the stronger your foundation will be and the greater your potential in the future."

Yanluo looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "But is it difficult to do that?"

Lin Huang nodded seriously. "Very difficult. This stage requires a lot of control over your Qi and your body. If you make a mistake or rush too much, you might end up destroying your foundation or even injuring your dantian. That's why it's so important to advance slowly and carefully." 

The young disciple frowned in worry. "What if I fail?" 

"If you fail," Lin Huang said calmly, placing a hand on Yanluo's shoulder, "you try again. But that's why I'm here to guide you. I'll make sure you're prepared when the time comes."

Yanluo took a deep breath and nodded with determination. "Understood, master! I'll work hard to build a strong foundation!" 

Lin Huang smiled faintly, pleased with his disciple's enthusiasm. "That's right, Yanluo. Remember: without a solid foundation, everything falls apart. But with a strong foundation... there is no limit to how high you can grow." Yanluo then asked curiously, "Master, how many pillars did you build?" 

Lin Huang looked inside himself and counted the amount before smiling. "''I've built this many.'' He then made the sign for 10 and opened and closed his hand 3 times.

''Wow, Master built 10? Doesn't that put you above the geniuses?" Yanluo was impressed by the amount. ''How many do you think I can master?'' 

Lin Huang wanted to say 30, but since Yanluo understood 10, so be it. Sometimes it's better not to know.

''It's still too early to think about it, we'll talk after you've passed qi condensation. Now let's pay attention.''

They had finally arrived at the place.

''Yan'er, Xiao Tian, ​​we're here.''

Swordsman's Rest was hidden in a cave.

"Stay behind me," Lin Huang ordered Yanluo as they entered the cave.

The three of them walked through the cave to the center where there was a small temple. As they got closer, Lin Huang felt a peculiar aura that grew stronger with each step, as if the place was alive and watching them.

Lin Huang, Yanluo, and Xiao Tian cautiously entered the cave. The atmosphere was heavy, and the aura emanating from the place seemed to be beating like a living heart. In the center of the cave, a small temple stood, simple and empty except for a single sword stuck into the ground. The golden blade emitted a soft yet oppressive glow, as if it were alive and watching for intruders.

"Yanluo, stay behind me," Lin Huang said calmly as he stepped towards the sword. Yanluo immediately complied, gripping his own blade tightly, even though he knew it would be of no use against something so powerful. Xiao Tian landed on a nearby rock, watching intently.

As soon as Lin Huang approached the sword stuck in the ground, the air in the room changed. A humanoid figure began to form in front of them. It was a spirit puppet, created to protect the heritage of the swordsman who once inhabited this place. The creature held a sword similar to the one stuck in the ground and emanated a pressure equivalent to the eighth level of the Golden Core realm.

"What a terrifying aura…" Yanluo muttered, instinctively retreating as he felt the weight of the puppet's presence. "Master… that's too strong!"

"It is strong, yes," Lin Huang replied in a calm but firm tone. He unsheathed his own sword and assumed a fighting stance. "But strength isn't everything. Pay close attention, Yanluo. Every move has a sword intent behind it and that's what you need to learn."

The duo had rare physiques, and even though Yanluo's was not activated, he still had an unusual comprehension, making it easier for him to learn techniques. It might take a while compared to Lin Huang who was complete, but it wasn't something to be discounted.

The puppet charged forward without hesitation, its sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Lin Huang dodged it with a quick sidestep, but the strike left a deep mark on the stone floor behind him.

"Watch this," Lin Huang said as he spun around to avoid another strike. "His technique is direct and efficient, no unnecessary movements. This is how you should fight to avoid showing any flaws or openings."

Yanluo watched intently as Lin Huang continued to dodge the puppet's attacks. Each strike from the creature was precise and relentless, as if it was trying to cut the very space around its master.

"But master," Yanluo asked as he retreated further to avoid being caught in the clash, "how can you beat something that looks so… perfect?" 

Lin Huang smiled faintly as he blocked a blow with his own sword, the impact echoing through the cave like the sound of a bell being rung. "Nothing is perfect, Yanluo. Every technique has a flaw and you just have to find it."

The puppet attacked again, this time with a rapid sequence of horizontal and vertical slashes. Lin Huang skillfully dodged the first few strikes and blocked the last few with his sword, but was pushed back a few steps by the force of the impact.

"What do you see?" Lin Huang asked between strikes.

Yanluo frowned as he watched the fight with renewed attention. "He's fast... but his movements are repetitive! He always attacks in similar patterns!"

"Exactly, it's because he's a puppet and not a normal person," Lin Huang said with a satisfied smile as he swung his sword to deflect another deadly blow. "Now watch how it rotates its shoulders before each attack and that reveals the direction of the next strike."

The puppet charged forward again, but this time Lin Huang was prepared. He skillfully dodged to the right side before the strike was even landed and counterattacked with a swift slash towards the creature's arm. Although it did not cause any visible damage, it was enough to momentarily halt the puppet's attack.

"Did you see that?" Lin Huang asked as he backed away to gain some space.

"Yes!" Yanluo exclaimed with growing excitement. "You predicted its attack before it even happened!"

"This is called anticipation," Lin Huang explained as he assumed his fighting stance again. "When you understand your enemy's patterns, you can act before they have a chance to hit you."

The puppet seemed to adjust to Lin Huang's strategy and started varying its attacks, making them less predictable. It seemed like this puppet was not so simple. The master cultivator frowned slightly as he blocked another powerful blow.

"He's learning…" Lin Huang muttered to himself.

"Master! What do we do now?" Yanluo asked worriedly.

Lin Huang glanced at his disciple for a brief moment before smiling confidently. "Now? Now we've learned too."

The spirit puppet adjusted its posture, as if it had understood Lin Huang's strategy. Its movements became more unpredictable, and the pace of its attacks increased. Each strike seemed faster and heavier, forcing Lin Huang to retreat momentarily.

"Yanluo," Lin Huang called as he dodged a thrust that left a trail of energy in the air. "Did you notice what changed?"

Yanluo, still watching intently, replied seriously, "He's not repeating the same patterns now. He's trying to catch you off guard!"

"Correct," Lin Huang said as he swung his sword to block a downward strike. The impact echoed through the cave, and he was knocked back a few steps. "That means he has some level of adaptation. And a good understanding of the sword. But even so, he's still limited."

As he fought, Lin Huang was also learning, every strike he made he refined, every defense he made was improved.

"Limited how?" Yanluo asked, trying to understand as his master dodged two more consecutive attacks.

"He has no creativity," Lin Huang explained, his voice firm despite the intensity of the battle. "He can vary his attacks, but everything he does is based on a fixed set of techniques. He can't improvise like us."

The puppet charged forward again, its sword glowing with golden energy as it unleashed a series of quick and precise strikes. Lin Huang blocked some and dodged others, but the pressure of the fight was increasing.

"Master!" Yanluo exclaimed worriedly as he saw a small drop of blood drip from Lin Huang's hand after a poorly placed block.

"I'm fine," Lin Huang replied with a calm smile. He took a deep breath and adjusted his posture. "Remember this, Yanluo: when you're in a tough fight, never let fear or pressure get the better of you. Use it to think more clearly."

The puppet delivered another powerful strike, aiming straight at Lin Huang's torso. This time, he did not try to block or dodge completely. Instead, he swung his sword in a circular motion to redirect the force of the attack.

"Look at this," Lin Huang said as he retreated again after the defensive move. "I used his strength against himself. Let's call it 'Circular Dodge'. It's something you should learn in the future."

Yanluo nodded enthusiastically, absorbing every word as he continued to observe the fight.

As the fight continued, Lin Huang began to notice something peculiar about the puppet's movements. Although its attacks were fast and precise, there was a slight hesitation before each powerful strike, as if the creature was accumulating energy before attacking.

"Yanluo," Lin Huang called out again as he dodged another deadly attack. "Did you notice anything about its strongest strikes?"

Yanluo frowned as he watched closely. After a few seconds, his eyes lit up. "Yes! It always pauses for a moment before attacking with full force!"

"Exactly," Lin Huang said with a satisfied smile as he blocked another strike with his sword. "This is the moment when it is most vulnerable. If you can strike in this interval, you can break its rhythm."

The puppet charged forward again, this time aiming straight at Lin Huang's head with a devastating vertical strike. Instead of retreating or blocking like before, Lin Huang took a step forward and swung his sword in a horizontal arc.

Lin Huang's blade met the puppet's wrist just as he was about to strike. The impact caused the creature's sword to be knocked aside, momentarily disarming it.

"Now!" Yanluo shouted instinctively.

Lin Huang took advantage of the opening and unleashed a rapid series of slashes aimed at the puppet's joints. Although they did not cause significant damage to the creature's structure, the strikes were enough to throw it off balance.

"You're learning fast," Lin Huang said as he stepped back again to catch his breath.

Yanluo smiled shyly upon hearing his master's praise.

However, the puppet did not stay still for long. He retrieved his sword and adjusted his posture again, this time emitting an even more oppressive aura.

"Master… is he getting stronger?" Yanluo asked worriedly.

Lin Huang gripped the hilt of his sword and took a deep breath. "It's not that he's getting stronger, it's that he's using all the potential he had saved up until now." He felt that whatever was fueling this puppet was now being consumed to increase its lethality.

The puppet charged forward again, this time at a terrifying speed. Its strikes were so fast that they left visible trails in the air, forcing Lin Huang to use all his skill just to avoid being hit. He wouldn't have a problem getting hit after all, the puppet couldn't harm his physique. But Lin Huang wanted to have a fair fight and win with his own effort. 

"Master!" Yanluo shouted as he saw his master being pressured more and more.

Lin Huang gritted his teeth as he blocked another powerful strike that almost made his sword slip out of his hands. He knew he needed to find a solution quickly or it would only be a matter of time before he would be morally defeated. 

Lin Huang took a few more steps back, adjusting his posture as he analyzed the puppet even more closely. Sweat was dripping down his forehead, but his eyes were shining with determination. He knew brute force would not be enough to win this battle and he needed something more. 

"Yanluo," he called out, dodging another deadly attack. "What do you think is missing in my fight?"

Yanluo, who had been watching every move with keen eyes, hesitated before replying. "Master... you are fighting well, but it seems like you are reacting instead of attacking. It is as if you are waiting for him to make a mistake."

Lin Huang smiled slightly upon hearing the answer. "Very well observed. Now tell me: what happens when you face someone or something that does not make mistakes?"

Yanluo frowned thoughtfully. "You… lose?"

"Exactly," Lin Huang replied as he blocked another powerful strike from the puppet. The impact made his legs tremble, but he stood his ground firmly. "That's why you need to create opportunities instead of waiting for them."

The puppet charged forward again, delivering a series of quick and precise slashes. Lin Huang dodged the first few strikes and blocked the last few with his sword, but each strike felt heavier than the last.

"Watch," Lin Huang said as he swung his sword to deflect a sideways attack. "He relies on strength and speed to overwhelm the opponent. But that means he also relies on stability to maintain his balance."

Yanluo tilted his head in confusion. "Stability?"

"Yes," Lin Huang replied as he sidestepped to avoid another deadly strike. "If you can break someone's foundation, whether physically or mentally, everything else falls apart."

He then began testing his theory. Instead of just blocking or deflecting the puppet's attacks, Lin Huang started directing his own strikes at the creature's legs and feet. Although they did not cause any visible damage, these attacks forced the puppet to constantly adjust its posture, making its movements less fluid.

"Watch this," Lin Huang said as he delivered another swift strike to the puppet's leg. "Even something as strong as it can be thrown off balance if you know where to hit."

Yanluo watched with growing admiration as his master began to gain ground against the puppet.

However, the puppet seemed to realize Lin Huang's strategy and adjusted its movements again. It started using wider and more powerful strikes, forcing Lin Huang to constantly retreat.

"Master!" Yanluo shouted as he saw his master being pressured again.

Lin Huang gritted his teeth as he blocked another devastating strike that almost knocked him to the ground. He knew he needed something more, a technique or strategy that could turn the tide in his favor.

It was then that he glanced at Xiao Tian, ​​who was watching intently from atop a nearby rock. The light reflecting off the hawk's metallic feathers flashed for a moment, and an idea began to form in Lin Huang's mind.

"Yanluo," he called out as he dodged another deadly attack. "Do you know what my elemental affinities are?"

Yanluo thought for a moment before replying, "I don't know, master..."

"I'll tell you two, Air and Metal," Lin Huang said with a determined smile as he swung his sword in a wide arc to momentarily push the puppet away. "And what is the main characteristic of these elements?"

"Air is fast and unpredictable… and Metal is strong and sharp!" Yanluo quickly replied.

"Exactly," Lin Huang said as he adjusted his posture again. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on his connection with the two elements.

When he opened his eyes again, they shone with new determination. 

Lin Huang started moving his sword differently, his strikes were now as swift as the wind and as precise as a newly forged blade. Every movement seemed to flow naturally, as if he was dancing instead of fighting. He was imbuing his every move with the affinity he had received from Xiao Tian.

The puppet tried to counterattack, but his strikes were either dodged or redirected before they could even come close to hitting Lin Huang.

"Watch this, Yanluo," Lin Huang said as he delivered a rapid series of slashes to the puppet's torso. "I'm combining the characteristics of the two elements to create something new."

He swung his sword in a wide arc, creating a gust of sharp wind that struck straight at the puppet's arm, completely tearing it off.

Yanluo was left speechless as he watched his master begin to completely dominate the enemy.

"Master… this is amazing!" he exclaimed excitedly. 

"This is just the beginning," Lin Huang replied with a confident smile as he charged forward to finish the fight.

Lin Huang charged forward with renewed confidence, his sword now moving like an extension of his own body. He combined quick and precise slashes with gusts of sharp wind, each strike further destabilizing the spirit puppet. The creature, which had previously seemed invincible, was now retreating under the increasing pressure.

"Yanluo," Lin Huang called out as he dodged another attack from the puppet. "Do you see what I'm doing?"

"Yes, master!" Yanluo replied, his eyes shining with admiration. "You're using air to increase the speed of your attacks and metal to make them sharper!"

"Exactly," Lin Huang said with a satisfied smile. "That's the essence of combining elements. It's not just about strength or speed, it's about how you use what you have to create something greater."

The puppet tried to counterattack with a powerful thrust, but Lin Huang swung his sword in a circular motion, creating a barrier of wind that redirected the blow to the side. He then took advantage of the opening to deliver a horizontal slash across the creature's torso, leaving a visible crack.

"See, Yanluo," Lin Huang said as he stepped back momentarily to catch his breath. "Even something as tough as that can be broken if you know where to strike."

Yanluo nodded vigorously, absorbing every word from his master.

The spirit puppet did not give up. He adjusted his stance and began to deliver even faster and more unpredictable blows, forcing Lin Huang to retreat again. However, this time, Lin Huang was prepared. 

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on his connection with the elements around him. He could feel the flow of air in the cave and the metallic resistance of the sword in his hands. When he opened his eyes again, they shone with fierce determination.

"Now it's my turn," Lin Huang said as he charged forward with astonishing speed.

He unleashed a series of blows that seemed impossible to follow, each slash was accompanied by a gust of sharp wind that struck the puppet from different angles. The creature tried to block the attacks, but the combination of speed and precision was too much for it.

With a ferocious cry, Lin Huang focused all his energy into a single, final blow.

Utilizing the air element, his blade began to vibrate at extreme speed. Incorporating the metal element, the sword became heavier and sharper.

''This is my first technique ever.''

''Dual-edged Sword: First Move''

Then with a powerful vertical slash from bottom to top, the sword pierced the puppet's body completely. It tried to react, but it was too fast for it.

The creature paused for a moment, as if it was trying to process what had happened. Then, cracks began to spread all over its body before it finally crumbled into shiny pieces on the ground.

The sword Lin Huang was wielding also shattered, as if it couldn't withstand the power of the technique.

Yanluo's mouth fell open as he watched the fragments of the puppet and the sword fall to the ground. "Master… that was incredible! You defeated something so strong!"

''And what was that move? Master, you have to teach me that one.''

Lin Huang took a deep breath as he caught his breath. He looked at Yanluo with a tired but satisfied smile. "Remember this, Yanluo: strength alone does not win battles. It is comprehension and control that make the difference. I understood this technique while fighting just now and of course I will teach it to you later." He was also surprised by the sword that fell apart. From what he knew, an Earth-grade sword would not be enough to withstand Nascent Soul level techniques. 

He found it impressive that he had created a technique 2 realms higher than him. Yanluo nodded vigorously, clearly inspired by his master's words and eager to learn this powerful technique. He had learned some basic concepts during the fight and felt that even without affinity he could use this same technique as Lin Huang. Huang was very satisfied. As a Foundation Establishment, he had managed to defeat a Golden Core 8. Relying only on his comprehension of combat and his cultivation foundation. 30 Pillars was no joke. 

Of course, the opponent was not a living person. If it was a real cultivator, he would not dare to fight, but for him, it was still a remarkable achievement.

They then turned back to the puppet, which began to glow brightly and then dimmed.

When the glow ended, two things appeared in its place, a small scroll and a sword similar to the one the puppet used, but brighter and sharper in appearance.

Lin Huang walked towards the two items, he knew that it was the reward.

[Ding! You have obtained the Golden Core Level Inheritance.]

[Contents: Unknown grade sword technique "Innate Sword" + Golden Core Grade Spirit Sword (Damaged).]

Lin Huang held the scroll of the *"Inner Blade Art"* technique. As he opened it, an image appeared in his mind, an old man with a hunched back, hammering a rusty sword in a makeshift forge. His hands were shaking, but his eyes shone with the obsession of someone who had discovered a forbidden secret. So, just like the alchemist Wu, this swordsman also left a record of his life

*"To those who come here, know that my name was Li Feng, a blacksmith who never cultivated until he was 50 years old. In the last years of my life, I found a forgotten scroll in a barrel of grain. It was a basic sword technique. I had always been a blacksmith who made swords, but in my entire life before I found that technique, I had never thought of using one. The reason? Even in my death I did not know.

But after I found that technique, my curiosity grew and I discovered that I was very talented. In less than a day I was able to fully understand those basic movements. But to progress, stronger swords were needed, made with rare materials, and as a mortal and old man I would never have access to them.

Until one day, when I finished creating a sword, by accident I injured myself on the blade and my blood fell on it. And in a moment I had an epiphany. Why can't my blood feed the sword? If I have no resources to cultivate, then my body will become the resource.

So I created this technique called the ''Inner Blade Art''

It works through a symbiosis between the host and the sword. As one delivers blood and power, a sword forms in the dantian, modifying the form of cultivation and increasing through sword perception.

It was an innovative technique. Unfortunately, I was old and without resources, and in the end, it took its toll. I, who at 50 could live to 80 calmly, died at 52 after several blood sacrifices.

I leave this technique to whoever finds it. Know that it can save your life, but at the same time it can also mean your downfall. I speculate that it will be possible to nurture more than one sword, but unfortunately, I died before I knew. I hope that my creation will be pushed to the limit and reach glory.''*

Lin Huang felt shaken as he read it. Yet another brilliant person who failed due to lack of resources.

"What's wrong, master? Is the technique dangerous?"

"It's brilliant... and insane," Lin Huang replied, looking at his hands with a sense of inferiority. Wu Tianyi, and now this old man... How many tortured geniuses does this world hide?

They were just people whose levels were so low that in the major sects they might not even be accepted as outer disciples, but without any knowledge they grew up on their own. The world lost 2 geniuses who ultimately died unknown.

Lin Huang sighed regretfully. "Let's get out of here," he said after packing up the items. "We've already achieved what we came for."

With Xiao Tian sitting on Yanluo's head, they left.

As he left, he thought hard about what he wanted to do about his sect. The world had so many wasted geniuses who had never even been discovered. The encounter with these two served to give Lin Huang an idea of ​​what his sect should be like.

When they reached the exit, they had a surprise: a group of four people were passing by, but they stopped and looked back, noticing the trio and turned to Lin Huang with a not-so-friendly smile on their face.