140: Chapter 140 Special Training in the Cave Heaven

Night fell, and Luoxia City was enveloped in a heavy atmosphere.

Deep within the City Lord's mansion, Lin Yue stood alone in the center of the meditation room, eyes closed, sensing the Immortal Cave mark in his palm.

Inside the Immortal Cave, the voice of the World Tree, Haotian, came through clearly:

"Master, all preparations are complete. Seven temporary Immortal Caves have been opened by the Spirit River, with Spiritual Qi concentration adjusted to fifty times that of the outside world. Seven tributaries have been diverted from the dragon soul spirit spring, one for each Immortal Cave. Although the star fruits are not yet ripe, some petals have been picked and made into 'Starlight Mind-Concentrating Incense' to assist in Breakthroughs."

"Additionally, as per your request, I have selected seven Cultivation Techniques or secret arts from the Star Lord Inheritance that best suit their individual characteristics, and have recorded them onto Jade Slips."

"Excellent."

Lin Yue responded in his Sea of Consciousness:

"In one hour, I will bring them in. Remember, the existence of the Immortal Cave is top secret; any traces that might reveal its true nature must be erased."

"Understood. All structures have been disguised to look like ordinary Secret Realms. The difference in time flow will be explained as a 'spacetime Formation.' The World Tree's true form is hidden in the Void Realm layer, appearing only as the projected intelligence 'Senior Haotian.'"

Lin Yue opened his eyes and walked out of the meditation room.

Inside the mansion, the corridor was brightly lit.

Lin Cang, Lin Hu, Lin De, Lin Shi, and Lin Laosan were already waiting there.

They had received Lin Yue's urgent summons, requiring them to gather at midnight tonight for important arrangements.

"City Lord."

Seeing Lin Yue come out, the five of them bowed in unison.

Lin Yue's gaze swept over them as he said solemnly:

"Follow me."

He led the five through multiple courtyards to a seemingly ordinary side hall in the deepest part of the mansion.

The hall was empty, with only a complex teleportation Formation carved on the ground.

"This is..."

Lin Shi, as the head of the Artifact Refining Hall, immediately recognized the Formation's extraordinary nature:

"The spatial fluctuations are so stable; this is at least a fourth-rank teleportation Formation! City Lord, where does this lead?"

"To a Secret Realm."

Lin Yue explained briefly:

"One of the Opportunities I obtained in the Burial Dragon Abyss. Inside, time flows ten times faster, and Spiritual Qi concentration is dozens of times that of the outside world. For the next month, you will undergo closed-door special training there."

"Te... ten times faster time flow?!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

This meant that one month of Cultivation in the Secret Realm would be equivalent to nearly a year in the outside world!

Coupled with dozens of times the Spiritual Qi concentration... this was practically a Holy Land for Cultivation!

"Sect Master, such a treasure land, why would you..." Lin Cang hesitated.

"Because you are worthy."

Lin Yue looked at them with sincere eyes:

"Luoxia City's achievements today are the result of everyone's collective efforts. As the core members who followed me earliest, you deserve the best resources."

"Moreover..."

He changed his tone, speaking gravely:

"The White Bone Demon Venerable is coming, and we need more high-level combat power. Relying solely on me and a few external allies is far from enough."

"Therefore, in the next month, I want all of you—to Breakthrough to Golden Core!"

"All... Breakthrough to Golden Core?!"

Lin Hu's eyes widened.

He had been stuck at the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage for some time. Although his Cultivation had improved recently, he was still far from Golden Core.

Breakthrough in one month?

"Under normal circumstances, it would naturally be impossible."

Lin Yue took out six Jade Slips, distributing them to the five, keeping the last one in his hand:

"But with this, it becomes possible."

"These are Cultivation Techniques and secret arts I selected from the Star Lord Inheritance, each one most suitable for an individual. Combined with the Secret Realm's resources and my personal guidance—one month is enough for you to be completely transformed."

He paused before adding:

"Lin Yan will arrive shortly; he is also on the special training list."

Everyone took the Jade Slips and probed them with their Divine Sense.

The next moment, their expressions changed in unison.

"'Earthen Mountain Suppressing Art'... an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique!" Lin Cang's hands trembled.

He primarily Cultivated earth-attribute techniques and had long struggled without high-level Legacies. This 'Earthen Mountain Suppressing Art' pointed directly to Nascent Soul and perfectly matched his attributes!

"'Army-Breaking Seven Kills Secret Art'! This is an ancient battlefield killing technique!" Lin Hu breathed rapidly.

As the commander of the War Department, what he needed most was such explosive killing moves on the battlefield.

Lin De received 'Stellar Alchemy Chapter,' Lin Shi received 'Heavenly Craft Artifact Refining Record,' Lin Laosan received 'Star Calculation Strategy Art'... each one was a treasure worthy of being a Sect's core Legacy!

"City Lord, this... this is too valuable!" Lin De's voice trembled with excitement.

"No matter how valuable, it cannot compare to your lives."

Lin Yue shook his head:

"Prepare yourselves; the Formation will activate shortly."

He walked to the center of the Formation, putting away the last Jade Slip—that was 'Star Forging Weapon-Crafting Art' reserved for Lin Yan... Half an hour later, Lin Yan hurriedly arrived.

"City Lord, this Disciple is late."

"Not late, stand in the Formation."

Lin Yue motioned for him to stand beside him.

The seven gathered.

Lin Yue formed hand seals with both hands, activating the teleportation Formation.

Light shone, spatial fluctuations occurred.

The next moment, the seven disappeared from the hall... Inside the Immortal Cave.

A valley shrouded in mist.

In the valley were seven Immortal Caves, built against the mountain, with spirit springs flowing before each door. The Spiritual Qi was so dense it almost materialized.

In the center of the valley, on a stone platform, floated a blurry phantom.

The phantom's face was unclear, but its aura was as vast as an abyss—it was the World Tree, Haotian, disguised as 'Senior Haotian.'

"Welcome to the 'Starfall Secret Realm.'"

The phantom spoke, its voice aged and authoritative:

"This old man is Haotian, tasked with guarding this Secret Realm. For the next month, I will guide your Cultivation."

Lin Yue stepped forward, bowing to the phantom:

"Thank you, Senior."

He turned to look at the six:

"This is Senior Haotian, the guardian of the Secret Realm. For the upcoming special training, follow all of Senior's arrangements."

Although puzzled, seeing Lin Yue's respect, the six also bowed:

"Greetings, Senior."

"Rise."

The phantom waved its hand, sending six beams of light into the foreheads of the six:

"These are the Secret Realm rules. First, do not leave the valley without permission. Second, if you have any questions during Cultivation, you may ask this old man at any time. Third..."

It paused:

"When Breaking Through to Golden Core, it must be done at the designated 'Tribulation Platform.' There, a Formation conceals it, preventing the Heavenly Tribulation from being triggered in the outside world."

"A Formation that conceals Heavenly Tribulation?"

Lin Shi was astonished.

Heavenly Tribulation was a Law of the Heavenly Dao; a Formation that could conceal it was unheard of!

"The Secret Realm is special; no need to ask further."

The phantom's tone was calm:

"Now, each of you enter your Immortal Caves and familiarize yourselves with your Cultivation Techniques. In three days, I will check your progress."

"Yes!"

The six dared not ask more and each walked toward their Immortal Cave.

Lin Yue remained in place, watching them leave.

"Master, everything is arranged."

Haotian's voice sounded in his Sea of Consciousness:

"Lin Cang's 'Earthen Mountain Suppressing Art' aligns with the Immortal Cave's earth Origin, allowing him to draw on earth vein power to assist his Breakthrough. Lin Hu's 'Army-Breaking Seven Kills Secret Art' requires battlefield Killing Intent; I have simulated an ancient battlefield illusion in a corner of the Immortal Cave."

"Lin De and Lin Shi's Legacies require extensive practice; spirit fields and Mineral Vein resources are open to them. Lin Laosan's 'Star Calculation Strategy Art' requires deduction and calculation; I have allocated part of my computing power to assist."

"As for Lin Yan's 'Star Forging Weapon-Crafting Art'... it requires starfire for forging, which the Immortal Cave cannot currently simulate. However, I have extracted a wisp of 'Starfire Essence' from starfall iron, sufficient for his initial Cultivation."

"Excellent."

Lin Yue nodded in satisfaction:

"This month, I will stay in the Immortal Cave, guiding them at all times. As for the outside world..."

"Master, rest assured. I have used an 'Illusion Puppet' to simulate your aura, stationed in the City Lord's mansion. Unless a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator investigates up close, no abnormalities will be detected."

"Good."

Lin Yue walked toward his Immortal Cave—the largest one deep in the valley.

For the next month, he would personally oversee, ensuring all six achieved Breakthrough... In the Immortal Cave, there was no sun or moon; Cultivation made time imperceptible.

In the blink of an eye, twenty days had passed in the Secret Realm.

On this day, unusual movements first came from Lin Cang's Immortal Cave.

Boom—!

The entire valley trembled slightly as earth power surged like a tide into Lin Cang's Immortal Cave.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Lin Cang sat cross-legged, earthy yellow light flowing around him.

Above his head, an earthy yellow pseudo-Golden Core slowly condensed, with mountain patterns appearing on its surface.

The 'Earthen Mountain Suppressing Art' operated at its peak, resonating with the Immortal Cave's earth veins.

"Now is the time!"

In the valley center, the Haotian phantom raised a hand and pointed.

A stream of pure earth-attribute Origin power shot into the Immortal Cave, merging into Lin Cang's body.

The pseudo-Golden Core suddenly solidified, transforming into a fist-sized earthy yellow Golden Core!

On the Golden Core's surface, nine mountain patterns were clearly visible, emitting a pressure as heavy as a mountain.

"Success!"

Lin Cang opened his eyes, brilliance shining within.

From Middle Foundation Establishment Stage, straight to Early Golden Core Stage!

Moreover, because the Cultivation Technique aligned with the Immortal Cave's earth veins, his Foundation was extremely solid, without any instability.

"Congratulations."

Lin Yue's voice came from outside the Immortal Cave.

He pushed the door open and entered, looking at Lin Cang, whose aura had greatly changed, and nodded in satisfaction:

"Golden Core achieved. After going out, suppress your aura and do not reveal it publicly. Wait until the battle to give the Black Lotus Cult a surprise."

"This subordinate understands!"

Lin Cang knelt excitedly:

"Thank you, Sect Master, for your nurturing!"

"Rise, go consolidate your Cultivation. Next, it will be the others' turn."

Lin Yue turned and left.

Over the next ten days, Breakthroughs occurred one after another.

Lin Hu fought in the ancient battlefield illusion for a hundred days, nourishing himself through battle. Ultimately, between life and death, he comprehended the first move of 'Army-Breaking Seven Kills Secret Art,' 'Army Breaker,' condensed a 'Killing Golden Core,' and achieved Breakthrough in one go.

Lin De refined a thousand furnaces of pills, using 'Stellar Alchemy Chapter' to refine a fourth-rank 'Starlight Barrier-Breaking Pill.' After consuming it, both his Alchemy and Cultivation achieved Breakthrough, forming a 'Danhuo Golden Core.'

Lin Shi forged a hundred artifacts, drawing on Heavenly Craft Profound Truth, entering the Dao through Artifact Refining, achieving a 'Craftsman's Heart Golden Core.'

Lin Laosan deduced ten thousand scenarios, mastering the Star Calculation Art. His Divine Soul first broke through to the Golden Core level, driving his Cultivation to advance, forming a 'Star Calculation Golden Core.'

Only Lin Yan's progress was slightly slower.

The 'Star Forging Weapon-Crafting Art' demanded too much, requiring starfire to forge a Lifebound Treasure while simultaneously nourishing oneself.

Only in the last three days did he finally activate that wisp of Starfire Essence, reforging the star-embracing sword to fourth-rank Low Grade, and using this to Breakthrough, forming a 'Star Forging Golden Core.'

Thus, all six had achieved Breakthrough!

One month in the Immortal Cave, three days in the outside world.

When Lin Yue brought the six back to the City Lord's mansion side hall, less than four hours had passed in the outside world.

The six restrained their auras, appearing no different on the surface from before they entered.

But whenever they wished, they could unleash Golden Core-level pressure at any time.

"Remember, the matter of Golden Core is temporarily confidential."

Lin Yue solemnly instructed:

"Aside from the seven of us, no one else must know. This includes reinforcements from the Seven Star Alliance and Star Track Pavilion."

"Yes!"

The six responded in unison.

They knew this was Lin Yue's hidden card.

At a critical moment, six suddenly appearing Golden Core Cultivators could change the course of the battle.

"Alright, each of you return and adapt to your newfound power. In three days, the Star Gazing Emissary from Star Track Pavilion should arrive."

Lin Yue waved his hand:

"At that time, the deployment of the Star Dragon Evil-Breaking Grand Array will still require your efforts."

"This subordinate takes leave."

The six departed one by one.

The last to leave was Lin Yan.

The youth reached the door, suddenly turned, and bowed deeply:

"Sect Master, great kindness need not be spoken. From now on, this Disciple's life belongs to the Sect."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Lin Yue looked at his back and smiled slightly.

With these six Golden Core Cultivators, plus reinforcements from the Seven Star Alliance and Star Track Pavilion... White Bone Demon Venerable, let me see how you plan to break my Luoxia City!

He walked to the window, looking out at the night sky.

Starlight dimmed, dark clouds obscured the moon.

The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains.

But this time, Luoxia City was fully prepared.

Just waiting... for the Demon Venerable's arrival!