**Chapter Title: Mysteries and Revelations**
Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow. "During our travels, we've heard certain rumors. What exactly is going on here? Can you share with us?"
Lin Feng sighed deeply before replying, "To understand the source of these rumors, we need to go back to an event that happened some time ago."
"Something from a while ago?" Zhao Yan queried, puzzled.
"Zhao, don't you remember the Diamond Ape we encountered back then?" Lin Feng asked.
"Yes," Zhao Yan nodded.
"This Diamond Ape could be considered a celestial beast. Yet, it's unknown which major family raised it. Astonishingly, it cultivated a Golden Core and became exceptionally powerful, even mastering the use of magical artifacts!" Lin Feng explained.
"Magical artifacts? The Diamond Ape possessed such things?"
"Indeed, it did. The ape itself was formidable, but without its magical artifacts, it couldn't have stood against other spiritual beasts," Lin Feng elaborated.
"I see!" Zhao Yan nodded, understanding.
Lin Feng continued, "I've heard that the Diamond Ape even cultivated genuine essence. Hence, in this place, the ape is overwhelmingly powerful. We, the external disciples, stand no chance against it, and this isn't even our rightful training ground. Here, no one can surpass the late True God stage!"
"That is indeed curious!" Zhao Yan chuckled.
"Yes, it's ironic," Lin Feng said. "Out there, we are all at the late stage of True God, but here, we cannot exceed the mid-stage of True God."
While speaking, Zhao Yan glanced at Lin Feng, "So, Elder Brother Lin Feng, does this mean that cultivators beyond the late True God stage aren't allowed to train here?"
Lin Feng replied, "I hadn't really thought about that. When I was outside, my cultivation wasn't very strong, so these concerns never crossed my mind. However, it's true that we lack cultivation resources here, and the sect's strict rules don't help either."
"Rules, huh?" Zhao Yan scoffed internally.
"Since there are no cultivation resources, then we simply won't cultivate! It's not like anyone in the sect is going to check on us," Zhao Yan declared.
Lin Feng gave a wry smile upon hearing this.
Zhao Yan understood well. Here, the cultivation resources were strictly controlled by the Zhao Clan and were not meant for external disciples like them.
"However, when outside, the Sect Master strictly manages us to ensure we follow the sect's rules; and inside the sect, private fights and killing are forbidden, as is any breach of the sect's rules. Thus, the sect's martial arts manuals and secrets are extremely precious. If we squander resources here, the Sect Master might blame us," Lin Feng cautioned.
"That doesn't bother me; I never planned to cultivate here anyway," Zhao Yan replied lightly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's face brightened, "That's even better. Currently, our cultivation cannot progress here, so staying here is meaningless. This visit is merely for obtaining cultivation resources."
With that, he handed a jade slip to Zhao Yan.
"Junior Brother Zhao, this is the 'Heavenly Sword Technique' bestowed upon you by the Sect Master. Among the techniques available to us external disciples, this one suits you best, so please don't refuse it."
Zhao Yan examined it and saw it was a powerful sword technique, capable of slaying Golden Immortals, almost matching an early Great Saint cultivator in power.
"Elder Brother Lin Feng, I have no intention of refusing. Thank you," Zhao Yan said.
He then stored the technique away.
Lin Feng smiled.
"By the way, Junior Brother Zhao, we've all been assigned to a remote cave with no oversight. If we don't seize the time to cultivate, we might soon be eliminated!" Lin Feng remarked.
Zhao Yan gave Lin Feng a side glance and inwardly sneered.
Lin Feng might appear to be a straightforward and honest man, but his schemes ran deep.
To outsiders, Lin Feng's maneuvers might seem unsophisticated, but to cultivators, they posed a dangerous game.
If Lin Feng intended to pull any tricks here, Zhao Yan would indeed be hard-pressed to defend against them.
"Don't worry, Elder Brother Lin Feng, just cultivate according to the rules, and all will be well," Zhao Yan assured him.
Lin Feng nodded, choosing not to say more.
Afterward, Zhao Yan and Lin Feng chatted briefly before heading into the valley to start comprehending the Heavenly Sword Technique.
Lin Feng also sat down to meditate.
"I'll give it a try first!" Zhao Yan thought, delving into the jade slip to study the Heavenly Sword Technique to discover its unique traits.
His brow furrowed immediately.
"Something's not right?"
His face showed surprise.
He realized that not all the techniques in the Heavenly Sword Technique were cultivable! Some of the methods described couldn't absorb the spiritual qi from heaven and earth.
And this particular technique was limited to a single realm!
"How can this be?"
Zhao Yan was perplexed; the technique seemed unusable for absorbing spiritual qi, as if only those in a specific realm could cultivate it.
"It seems that this technique requires a very special constitution to be cultivated. My body possesses the Heavenly Fire constitution, which is quite rare in the outside world. If I cultivate this technique, it should be successful!" Zhao Yan thought to himself, somewhat excited.
Although he was just a novice in cultivation, possessing such a powerful technique could significantly enhance his power and save resources.
"Excellent!" Zhao Yan nodded in approval.
With that, he sat cross-legged, formed hand seals, and began to channel his Heavenly Fire essence, drawing in the surrounding spiritual qi.
As the various qi flowed into his body, entering his Heavenly Fire essence, it purified and strengthened his essence.
During this process, he also applied the Demonic Devouring Technique, absorbing the nearby spiritual qi and transforming it into higher quality Heavenly Fire essence.
This spectacle left Lin Feng watching in awe.
He knew Zhao Yan was a core external disciple with considerable cultivation resources, but he hadn't expected such impressive techniques from him.
Under Zhao Yan's refinement, the entire valley became filled with spiritual qi, forming streams that slowly flowed into his body.
As a result, his cultivation level skyrocketed.