“Hahaha, train him?” Elder So Un’s voice carried a mocking edge, echoing through the grand hall of the mountain palace. His eyes narrowed, studying Lin Jiang with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. “Yes, Elder,” Elder Phi An replied firmly. “Why not train him yourself? I can sense your strength. It is not lacking,” Elder So Un said, his tone sharp. “I have trained him, Elder. But there are things I cannot do,” Elder Phi An admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. “What things?” Elder So Un pressed. “I cannot perfect the foundations of this boy’s body,” Elder Phi An said gravely. “The foundations?” Elder So Un’s brows furrowed. “His bones, his pure blood, and his dantian remain incomplete,” Elder Phi An explained. “How is that possible?” Elder So Un muttered, seizing Lin Jiang’s wrist once more. His eyes widened as he felt the truth in Elder Phi An’s words. “How could he reach such heights with such flawed foundations?” Elder So Un said, disbelief etched across

At once, Elder So Un and Elder Shu turned their gazes upon Lin Jiang, their eyes sharp and expectant, demanding the truth from him. The air inside the palace grew heavy, the flickering torches casting long shadows across the marble floor. “I am indeed only a spirit,” Lin Jiang said quietly, his voice trembling yet resolute. “My body was left behind in the Middle World.” “That is enough to answer our questions, So Un,” Elder Shu said firmly. “So Lin Jiang’s foundations cannot be perfected, Shu?” Elder So Un asked, his tone filled with concern. “Hahaha! I am the All-Knowing One. Of course I know what must be done for Lin Jiang,” Elder Shu declared proudly, his voice echoing through the hall. Lin Jiang’s eyes brightened with hope. “So my foundations can be perfected, Uncle Shu?” “They can,” Elder Shu replied, his tone grave. “But you must work harder than anyone else.” “I will endure whatever it takes. Tell me, what must I do?” Lin Jiang asked, his voice steady though his h

Meanwhile, Lin Jiang descended the mountain by the sea without the slightest hesitation, determined to reach its base. The path was steep and jagged, the air thick with the briny scent of waves crashing against the cliffs below. His small feet pressed against the rough stones, and the cries of seabirds echoed overhead, mingling with the distant roar of the ocean. When he finally reached the foot of the mountain, his eyes widened at the sight before him. Countless stones lay scattered across the ground, some small and jagged, others massive and immovable like fragments of the earth itself. The sunlight glinted off their rough surfaces, casting sharp reflections that made them appear like sleeping beasts. “My master said I must carry the largest,” Lin Jiang muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief. “But surely he does not mean one the size of a hill!” His gaze lingered on a boulder so immense it seemed fused with the mountain itself, and he shook his head, sweat already forming

Lin Jiang lingered in silence, his gaze fixed upon Elder So Un, waiting for the promised explanation about the mysterious “bone quality” that had just been mentioned. The air in the training hall was heavy, filled with the faint scent of burning incense and the distant echo of wind brushing against the wooden beams. Shadows flickered across the walls as the lanterns swayed, casting long silhouettes that seemed to whisper secrets of the martial world.“Listen carefully to your master’s words,” Elder Shun commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority that reverberated through the chamber.“Yes, Master,” Lin Jiang replied, bowing his head with solemn respect, though his heart throbbed with anticipation.*****The martial world, vast and unyielding, was a realm where countless warriors sought ascension to its highest peaks. Paths to greatness were many: some devoted themselves to perfecting techniques, their movements honed until they resembled flowing rivers or crashing storms; o

“What is that boy doing?” Elder Shun muttered, his face twisted with irritation, his voice sharp enough to cut through the night air. “I cannot fathom what goes through his mind,” Elder So Un replied, his tone heavy with frustration. Their annoyance was clear. Half a month had passed, and Lin Jiang still lingered at the edge of the Demon Forest, refusing to step deeper inside. Instead, he devoted himself to practicing the Skull Sword techniques, his movements relentless, his sweat soaking the earth beneath him. What the two elders did not realize was that Lin Jiang had been perfecting every form taught to him by Elder Phi An, polishing them until they gleamed like steel under fire. “Haaaaa!” Lin Jiang’s cry rang out, his breath sharp as he channeled inner energy into the White Flame Sword. The blade pulsed with light, humming faintly as though alive. He launched into a new technique, one that demanded precision and strength beyond his current limits. This was no ordinary form