At this critical moment, however, the sword energy suddenly erupted violently.
Lin Ning'er was shocked. She desperately tried to control the energy, but found that it spiraled out of her control.
"Sister!"
Lin Chen's pupils constricted sharply as he dashed forward with alarming speed.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion reverberated through the air as the sword energy unleashed its fury.
Lin Ning'er was sent flying by the shockwave.
Lin Chen let out a furious roar, leaped after her, and caught her in his arms.
Her face was pale, her breathing was erratic, and there was a thin stream of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
"Sister, what's wrong with you?"
Lin Chen was filled with anxiety. He quickly channeled his spiritual energy into her body to investigate and discovered an unidentifiable force growing within her. It was this force that had seized her limbs and bones, preventing her from controlling the sword energy.
When the sword will is not controlled, it becomes violent!
"This power..."
Su Yuwei stepped forward and examined her, her face darkening. "The person who poisoned her has used a special technique to seal her meridians. Even if the poison is removed, she won't be able to fuse with the sword bones!"
"Buzz!"
At that instant, the sealing force within Lin Ning'er's body was activated.
A gloomy voice emerged from a white light that coalesced in the air.
"Who dares to touch my sword bones? I will kill their entire family!"
The chilling, murderous intent of these words was as if hell had been unleashed.
Lin Chen felt a crushing blow to his chest, and his face drained of color.
With a groan, he stumbled backward.
"Clang!"
Su Yuwei flicked her finger, shattering the white light. "The poisoner has placed a message within the seal. When the seal is activated, they will sense it too!"
"Creak."
Looking at Lin Ning'er's ashen face, Lin Chen's anger soared to the heavens!
Whoever did this, I will find them and tear them into a thousand pieces, no matter who they are!
"Xiaochen, am I...unable to cultivate anymore?"
Lin Ning'er opened her eyes with difficulty, her beautiful orbs filled with despair.
"Sister, you will definitely be able to cultivate. Give me two years, and I promise to guide you onto the path of cultivation!"
Lin Chen suppressed his anger and forced a smile.
"Alright."
Lin Ning'er closed her eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.
"She's just exhausted. The seal only hinders her cultivation and won't harm her body."
Su Yuwei whispered, "After all, the person who poisoned her still intends to use the sword bones within her to become an unparalleled genius. If anything happens to her, the sword bones will vanish as well!"
"What kind of vicious heart could do such a thing!"
Lin Chen growled in a low voice, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.
Unforgivable!
"Senior Sister, do you know who the poisoner is?"
Lin Chen's head snapped up as he stared at Su Yuwei. "You must know who it is. Tell me, and I will kill them!"
"Their status is too high. Neither you nor I can reach them yet."
Su Yuwei said calmly, "When you and I break free from these five nations, I will tell you their identity."
Lin Chen nodded.
In his heart, he vowed to one day tear the poisoner to shreds!
One day later.
Lin Chen carried Lin Ning'er on his back and moved into the inner sect.
The inner sect surpassed the outer sect in both cultivation environment and resources.
Lin Chen carried Lin Ning'er to her bed in her new room, settled her in, and gently closed the door as he exited.
Outside the courtyard, Elder Zhao happened to be passing by and locked gazes with Lin Chen.
"Swish!"
A beam of light shot out of Elder Zhao's eyes, his expression vicious, cold, and brimming with killing intent.
Elder Zhao extended a finger toward his neck.
Then, he uttered each word with icy precision, "Protect your sister closely. Don't give me an opening. Should she fall into my hands, I will subject her to every torment imaginable!"
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed like a dragon's. "You won't live to see that day."
Watching as Elder Zhao turned and left, Lin Chen's gaze turned contemplative.
Over the past month, he had learned of Elder Zhao's true strength.
Tenth stage Earth Spirit Realm!
He was but one step away from the Celestial Realm.
It would not be easy to kill him.
However, Lin Chen would not pass up any opportunity to improve himself.
Upon entering the inner sect, other disciples would receive daily instruction from the inner sect elders. Lin Chen, however, was an exception.
He secluded himself all day long, with no one privy to his practices.
Inside the practice room.
"Remember, the key to the Tablet Cracking Palm is the word 'crack.' The force of a single palm can shatter mountains and split stone monuments. No matter where it lands, it should break through all obstacles! Combined with the Long Jade Hand, it can achieve miraculous feats."
"Now, Lin Chen, let me show you!"
Tun Tun's eyes flashed, and he struck out with a palm. The Long Jade Hand combined with the Tablet Cracking Palm slammed into the void.
The power of this palm was enough to shatter nearly everything!
"Incredible!"
Lin Chen's eyes gleamed.
Martial arts techniques were what he lacked most at this moment!
With a sufficient arsenal of techniques, one's combat prowess would soar.
"Come, give it a try!"
Tun Tun stepped aside.
Lin Chen nodded and began to practice the movements Tun Tun had just demonstrated.
Taking a deep breath, he growled in a low voice, "Tablet Cracking Palm!"
Power surged into his palm, which he then thrust forward in a single strike!
"Boom!"
The palm strike created a deafening sound that seemed to tear through the heavens. Its boundless force was capable of annihilating a world.
As for the palm wind it unleashed, it was even more formidable than what Tun Tun had demonstrated!
"Lin Chen, your determination is too strong."
Tun Tun was taken aback. "The palm is executed properly, but it always gives me the impression of 'scorched earth tactics.' Either you die, or I do. Your unwavering forward momentum is indeed ruthless!"
"Isn't that what cultivation is about?"
Lin Chen smiled faintly. He had been pondering how to kill Elder Zhao.
Therefore, his cultivation naturally carried with it a murderous intent and an obsession!
As for the level of the Tablet Cracking Palm technique, it was beyond Tun Tun's recollection.
However, Lin Chen was well aware that it was certainly not as simple as it seemed!
It seemed that there were deeper secrets waiting to be unearthed.
Time passed quickly.
One morning, early in the morning.
Before Lin Chen had even risen, he heard a scream from outside.
He frowned, stood up, and walked out.
He found a severed human head placed in front of his courtyard.
It looked somewhat familiar.
"Boy, are these the heads of your family?"
Outside the courtyard stood Elder Zhao, a vengeful grin etched upon his face.
'Isn't this Lin Hongbin?'
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat at the realization.
He soon pieced together what had happened.
After Elder Zhao had discovered that he was from the Lin family of Da Cang Country, he had likely massacred the entire family.
'Perfect, he's saved me the trouble of going home and doing it myself.'
Lin Chen looked up at Elder Zhao, who was reveling in his twisted pleasure, and couldn't help but smirk.
He had actually done his dirty work for him.
What a good man!