--(Night at Lin's Side)--
"System."
[Yes, host.]
"You have notifications from the day. View it first or continue."
"Oh well, give me the notifications."
[Changed world plot twice. Reward issued. Check yes/no.]
"One can be attributed to the deal being done, and the other may be the chocolate worked after all. System, give the reward."
[Martial skills issued to use your cultivation with max efficiency up to Nascent Soul realm.]
[Curse resistance up to Nascent Soul realm.]
"Not bad, not bad."
'Leaving these aside, I have yet to use all the skills from previous draws, and I don't even have any idea about those weapons I got. Tomorrow, I will go to the wilderness to test my full strength. It will be troubling to convince Leng Xue to let me go alone; I could slip, but that would worry everyone, so I will manage somehow.'
After that, he started practicing for about three hours and then slept, but not so deeply due to increased cultivation; the requirement for rest was reduced, so he only slept for about two hours.
Later, he went to the garden to cultivate and got completely immersed in the practice, with time passing by unnoticed. Around 4 am, he felt a sudden increase in his cultivation rate.
"Seems like this is the greatest time to cultivate," he thought.
Once again, he immersed himself in cultivation, but this time, a voice interrupted him.
"Young master, you have started meditating now. It's good," it was Leng Xue.
"Xue, you should also try it. It helps in dealing with stress."
"I will see. Well, enough about it. It's already 8 o'clock. Get ready for breakfast; everyone is almost there."
"Yes, yes," he replied, thinking that even though there was no real need to eat, the desire to taste food was still there, so he didn't see himself stopping eating anytime soon.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Lin family manor as they gathered in the dining hall for breakfast. Lin Biao sat at the table, with his father, mother, and grandfather seated alongside him. Leng Xue stood respectfully nearby, ready to attend to any need that may arise.
"Son, I read the deal with the Su Group, it was perfect. Well done!" Father Lin praised, a proud smile on his face. "You truly have the makings of a great businessman."
Lin Biao nodded, his expression a mix of humility and pride. "Thank you, Father. I couldn't have done it without the support of our family and the hard work of our team."
His mother chimed in, her voice filled with admiration, "Indeed, Biao. I've never seen you so determined and focused. You've grown into a fine young man, and I couldn't be prouder."
She further continued. "You have made wise decisions, my boy. This partnership with the Su Group holds great potential for your future endeavors. But remember, success comes with its challenges. Stay vigilant and prepared for any obstacles that may come your way."
Lin Biao listened attentively to his family's words of encouragement and advice. He had a feeling that he would soon meet these so-called obstacles.
"Your mother is right, Biao," Old Lin interjected. "With this deal, you've proven yourself as a capable leader. But don't let success blind you to the challenges that lie ahead. Always remain humble and willing to learn."
Lin Biao nodded, "I understand, Grandfather. I will stay grounded and continue to improve myself."
"Thank you all for your kind words," he added. "I promise to do my best and make our family proud."
As breakfast continued, they engaged in light-hearted conversation, sharing stories and laughter. It was a rare moment of peace and happiness, free from the pressures of the business world.
Amidst the chatter, his mother couldn't help but notice a subtle change in her son. There was a newfound sense of confidence and determination that shone through, making her heart swell with pride.
His mother smiled warmly, reaching out to pat his hand affectionately. "You've always been a diligent and compassionate young man. These traits will serve you well in both business and life."
They continued to enjoy their breakfast, and as the meal came to an end, Lin Biao rose from his seat. "I will leave first; I have some tasks scheduled today," he announced.
With that, he headed towards the exit, and Leng Xue followed close behind.
As he walked, thoughts about the recent events occupied Lin Biao's mind. 'It's been quite some time, and I already have the reward. The chocolate should have worked, so why is Su Jing not trying to reach out to me?', he pondered, contemplating his next steps and plans for the future as he made his way to the car.
Before getting into the car, Lin Biao turned towards Leng Xue and spoke, "Xue, I will not be going to the office today. I have some other business to attend to."
"Okay, no problem," Leng Xue replied. She was about to enter the car when she was stopped by Lin Biao's voice.
"I did not mean that, I would be going alone, without any bodyguards and all," Lin Biao clarified.
Leng Xue looked at him, her expression showing a mixture of surprise and concern. "But Master, is it safe for you to go without protection?"
Lin Biao smiled reassuringly at his loyal companion. "Don't worry, Xue. I have my reasons. This is something I need to do on my own."
Leng Xue hesitated for a moment, wanting to protect her master but also respecting his decision. "If you insist, Master, then I will stay back. But please be careful," she said sincerely.
'That was easier than i thought, good for me I guess'
"I will," Lin Biao replied, grateful for her concern. "I promise to be cautious. I will be returning by night don't worry if I get late."
With that settled, Lin Biao entered the car and drove off, leaving the mansion behind. Due to his skills, he wasn't worried about anyone catching up.
His destination was a forest quite far away from the city. As there was no wilderness nearby, this forest would be perfect to test his new weapons and skills. Soon, he reached the place, left the car behind, and stepped into the dense forest.
Channeling all his qi and utilizing his strength as an 8th level Foundation Establishment cultivator, he sprinted deep into the forest while moving with the stealth of a cat, ensuring he wouldn't attract any animals or unwanted attention.
'The rewards are of high grade. I have never once used these martial skills, yet I can utilize them proficiently. It almost feels like cheating, but anyway, what can I do?' Lin Biao contemplated as he moved further into the forest.
Finally, he stopped, deeming it deep enough to not be easily noticed by humans.
"Let's start with the weapons first," he decided.
In the depths of the forest, Lin Biao took out his two formidable weapons—one D-grade and one A-grade.
First, he laid his eyes on the Shadow Blade Dagger. Its dark, obsidian blade seemed to absorb the very light around it. Intricate engravings adorned the hilt, giving it an air of ancient mystique. As he grasped the dagger, he could feel the faint hum of dark energy coursing through it, eager to be unleashed.
Next, he examined the A-grade weapon, the Blade of Eternal Flames. Its appearance was awe-inspiring, with flames etched along the entire length of the blade. The weapon emitted a faint warmth, even without activating its powers. Its hilt was adorned with exquisite ruby gemstones, pulsating with an inner fire that mirrored the eternal flames it controlled.
With the weapons in hand, Lin Biao set out to train in the forest, honing his skills and getting a feel for the weapons' unique abilities. He started by hunting animals, relying on his combat prowess and newfound weapon skills. He knew that testing these weapons' effects required real-life targets.
Lin Biao moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, the Shadow Blade Dagger becoming an extension of his arm. With each strike, the blade as it should absorbed the life force of the animals, enhancing his own strength and vitality. As he grew accustomed to the dagger's capabilities, he could feel its power amplifying.
Next, he turned his attention to the Blade of Eternal Flames. As he activated its powers, the blade erupted into a mesmerizing display of fiery brilliance. Lin Biao felt an affinity with the flames, as if he could command them at will. He experimented with different techniques, generating flames of varying intensities and manipulating their shapes.
Testing its storing ability, he channeled the flames into his body, absorbing their essence to replenish his Qi. With the Blade of Eternal Flames within him, he felt a connection to the very essence of fire itself, empowering him further.
Soon he could make the blade enter in his body effortlessly its space property was really handy, and deadly as a surprise element, it was stored somewhere in his chest area.
As hours passed, Lin Biao's familiarity over the weapons reached new heights, he was already max skilled, but this solidified his strength.
The allure of an A-grade fire weapon with spacial property was high, but he also couldn't ignore the dark allure of the Shadow Blade Dagger's life-draining effect. At first, he hesitated, but the thirst for power and curiosity drove him to venture further.
Having completed his weapon training, Lin Biao was eager to test the full power of his cultivation.
He took a deep breath, centering himself, and unleashed the boundless energy within. As he expected, the display of strength was awe-inspiring, but what truly shocked him was the extent of the aftermath.
In a radius of 100 meters around him, the once-thriving forest had transformed into a desolate wilderness. The vibrant foliage had withered, and the lively chatter of animals was replaced by an eerie silence. It was as if the very essence of life had been drained from the surroundings.
Standing at the heart of this transformed landscape, Lin Biao couldn't help but feel a mix of wonder and concern. He knew that cultivators possessed immense power, but experiencing the impact firsthand was a humbling revelation.
"Hmm, grounds for future practice, perhaps," he mused to himself, trying to find a silver lining in the situation. While he had unintentionally created a barren patch in the forest, he also recognized that this presented an opportunity for further exploration and refinement of his abilities.
Although he knew the theory and was aware that, coupled with the martial skills, such feats were entirely possible, experiencing it firsthand had a profound impact on him. He could feel the raw power surging within him, and a new seed of ambition began to grow.
"If this is Foundation Establishment, what about Core Formation and beyond?" he mused to himself, his mind racing with possibilities.
After that, he quickly got used to it, and all the power was under his control. His efficiency was maximized, and he could perfectly control his strength, ranging from 0 to 100%, which was truly awe-inspiring.
His control over his Qi was so refined that he could execute the most delicate of moves with ease, manipulating the energy around him effortlessly. This mastery extended to his weapons as well, the Shadow Blade Dagger and the Blade of Eternal Flames. With these formidable weapons in hand, he was a force to be reckoned with. Ye Chen was just not a foe to be even considered at this point.
The more he practiced, the more he felt the boundless potential within him. He realized that his journey was not just about becoming powerful for power's sake, but about understanding the true essence of cultivation. After all he had the maybe rarest of cultivation technique.
With each step he took on this path of cultivation, Lin Biao's hunger for knowledge and power intensified. The glimpse he had into the potential of his abilities only served to ignite his desire for further advancement.
Returning to his car, Lin Biao felt a mix of emotions. Excitement, nervousness but overall powerfull.
As he drove back to the city, he contemplated the journey he had embarked on as a cultivator. Lin Biao felt a renewed sense of excitement for the path that lay ahead. He knew that the world of cultivation held endless possibilities, and he was ready to embrace them all with open arms.
The road ahead was filled with challenges and uncertainties, but he was determined to tread carefully.
When he was dashing towards the city, in the very patch of forest he had transformed, two hooded figures materialized out of thin air.
"There are still signs of qi usage, but no signs of battle," one of them remarked in a hushed voice.
The other figure nodded in agreement. "Yes, it seems like someone recently achieved a breakthrough in their cultivation. The aura of power lingers in this area."
"But this level of power feels even beyond that of a grandmaster," the first figure mused, his voice tinged with awe and intrigue.
The second figure's tone turned more cautious. "Perhaps it's a new grandmaster, or even someone beyond that. We shouldn't linger here; it would be unwise to offend such a mysterious and powerful senior."
"You're right. Let's leave quickly and report this to the council," the first figure said, and with that, they both vanished into the shadows, leaving behind an aura of enigma.
Unbeknownst to Lin Biao, these hooded figures had arrived in the wilderness after he had already left. The powerful energy he had unleashed during his cultivation had not gone unnoticed, and it had attracted the attention of these shadowy observers.
By now, he was 90% sure of encountering various protagonists. If the next one was someone like a regressed immortal king, his chance of survival would be really slim. So, hoping for the best, he soon reached his mansion.
As he stepped inside, he was met with a surprise. His family was there, engaged in conversation with a lady who seemed to be Su Jing's mother. 'This must be her mother,' he thought to himself, remembering that he only knew her through the novel. 'So, they decided to directly come here. Well, this also works,' he silently mused.
"Ah, you're finally back, son," his father warmly called out, and Leng Xue promptly took a position beside him with her usual grace.