156: Chapter 156 Accelerated Training, Pavilion Master is Approaching

Time flew by, and two months passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside and outside the Luoxia Sect, a thriving atmosphere prevailed.

In the Sect's square, a "Grand Competition Arena" thirty zhang high rose from the ground, its Foundation made of starfall iron.

Its railings were of dragon pattern jade, its surface carved with reinforcement and protective Formations, capable of withstanding the residual shockwaves of Golden Core-level battles.

Around the arena, ten spectator stands were arranged in a ring, each capable of accommodating a thousand people.

Although the grand competition had not yet begun, Disciples had already come early to familiarize themselves with the venue and rehearse tactics.

The air was filled with a tense and excited atmosphere.

Everyone knew this Sect grand competition was of extraordinary significance—the top ten in each group would receive generous rewards.

And the first-place qualification for the "Secret Realm Special Training" made everyone's eyes turn red with envy.

That meant an opportunity for a complete transformation!

At this moment, deep within the council hall.

Lin Yue was listening to Lin Cang's report.

"...The second batch of Secret Realm Special Training ended yesterday."

Lin Cang's face bore unconcealable excitement:

"All ten Foundation Establishment Peak Disciples have broken through to Golden Core! Although their Foundations are slightly unstable, they have all successfully formed their cores and are currently consolidating their cultivation in the Secret Realm."

He nearly slipped up but managed to correct himself in time.

Lin Yue nodded, unsurprised.

With the tenfold time acceleration of the grotto-heaven time pool and ample resource supply, it would be strange if they couldn't break through.

"What about the three newly advanced Golden Core Disciples?"

"The three War Department Golden Core Disciples taught by Deputy Commander Lin Hu have mastered the fourth-tier secret technique 'Starfall Slash'. Although not yet fully proficient, the three of them working together can hold their own against a Middle Golden Core Stage opponent."

Lin Cang paused: "But Sect Master, this kind of batch cultivation consumes resources... it's truly staggering. Just this batch of special training used up thirty percent of the Sect's treasury reserves."

"Resources spent can be earned back."

Lin Yue waved his hand: "But time spent cannot be recovered."

He walked to the window, looking out at the Disciples diligently cultivating in the square:

"The collapse speed of the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal is accelerating, the Black Lotus Cult's infiltration is deeper than imagined, and the Central Region forces are watching covetously... We don't have the luxury of developing slowly."

"We must trade resources for time, and time for strength."

Lin Cang was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"This old man understands. But... Sect Master, with such haste, the Disciples' Foundations ultimately won't be solid enough. In the long run, it might affect their future Breakthroughs to higher Realms."

"Hence the focus of the third batch of special training will be adjusted."

Lin Yue had already planned: "The first batch sought Breakthroughs. The second batch sought combat power. The third batch... seeks Foundation."

He took out a Jade Slip and handed it to Lin Cang:

"This is the 'Starlight Body Tempering Technique' from the star lord secret record. Combined with the dragon soul spirit spring, it can repeatedly temper the Physical Body, Meridians, and Golden Core, solidifying the Foundation."

"Select candidates for the third batch from among the Disciples who have already broken through to Golden Core. There are two conditions: first, loyalty and reliability; second, the potential to impact the Nascent Soul stage."

"I want to use half a year (in the outside world) to have them complete at least three tempering sessions within the Secret Realm, building their Foundations to... be invincible among their peers."

Lin Cang took the Jade Slip, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and was immediately moved.

The profundity of this Body Tempering technique far surpassed any Body Refining Cultivation Technique he had ever seen.

If they could truly complete three tempering sessions, forget being invincible among peers, they might even be capable of cross-Realm combat!

"Sect Master, can this method... be popularized?"

"Not for now."

Lin Yue shook his head: "The Starlight Body Tempering requires pure Star Origin, and the consumption is immense. Currently, it can only be supplied to Core Disciples. Perhaps it can be opened up after the Secret Realm is further upgraded."

He nearly slipped up again.

The existence of the grotto-heaven was always the highest secret. Even to confidants like Lin Cang, it couldn't be fully revealed.

"This old man understands."

Lin Cang put away the Jade Slip: "The list of candidates for the third batch will be drafted within three days."

"Mm."

Lin Yue nodded, then asked: "What about that girl Little Star? The three-month deadline has arrived. How is her mastery of third-tier Formations?"

Mentioning Little Star, a smile appeared on Lin Cang's face: "This girl... is truly a monster."

"The third-tier Formation 'Seven Stars Trapping Dragon Formation', she mastered it in twenty-three days, then spent ten days improving it. Now her deployment speed is thirty percent faster than Fellow Daoist Star Radiance's."

"What's even more outrageous is that she created a 'Star Track Composite Formation', fusing three different attribute third-tier Formations, with power approaching the fourth tier."

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Lin Yue's eyes.

Twenty-three days to Revered Master a third-tier Formation, and she even created a composite Formation?

This talent was indeed terrifying.

"Call her to see me."

"Yes."

Half a quarter-hour later, Little Star hurriedly arrived.

The girl was still thin, but her eyes were bright as stars, faint starlight swirling around her. Her aura had clearly reached... Early Stage Foundation Establishment!

Three months, from Qi Refining ninth layer to Foundation Establishment.

This speed once again broke the Luoxia Sect's record.

"Disciple Little Star, pays respects to Revered Master."

Little Star bowed respectfully.

"Rise."

Lin Yue examined her, nodding with satisfaction: "Solid Foundation, condensed Spiritual Qi. It seems you didn't rush for quick success."

"Revered Master's teachings, this Disciple keeps in mind."

Little Star said earnestly: "Junior Martial Uncle Star Radiance said that Foundation Establishment is the Foundation of the great Dao. It's better to be a bit slower, but steadier."

"She is right."

Lin Yue took out an ancient-looking jade scroll: "This is the first volume of 'Star Lord Inheritance · Star Formation Chapter', containing the deployment methods for seventy-two fourth-tier Formations and nine fifth-tier Formations."

"Since you have talent in Formations, I pass it to you."

Little Star received it with both hands, her fingertips trembling with excitement.

Star Lord Inheritance!

This was Revered Master's very Foundation!

"However, there is a condition."

Lin Yue changed his tone: "Within three months, Revered Master three of the fourth-tier Formations within. If you can complete it, I will also pass the next volume to you."

"If you cannot..."

He paused: "It means although your talent is good, your Heart-Nature is insufficient. In the future, you can only be an ordinary Formation Master, not a Formation Grandmaster."

Little Star bit her lip, her gaze firm: "This Disciple... will definitely live up to Revered Master's expectations!"

"Good."

Lin Yue smiled: "Go, contemplate it well. If you don't understand something, you can ask Star Radiance, or come to me."

"Yes!"

Little Star held the jade scroll as if it were a treasure and withdrew.

Watching her departing back, a flicker of anticipation flashed in Lin Yue's eyes.

Star Spirit Body plus Formation Genius... This girl's future might truly become the Luoxia Sect's... pillar of Formations.

"Sect Master."

Outside the hall, Lin Laosan hurried in, his expression grave: "A message from the Seven Star Alliance."

"Speak."

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect... has had a major incident."

Lin Laosan lowered his voice:

"After Elder Jian Chen returned to the Central Region, he presented the Sword Intent evidence from the Evil Seed to the Sect Master. The Ten Thousand Swords Sect immediately launched an internal investigation. The result... uncovered three Elders and seven Stewards who had secret dealings with the Black Lotus Cult."

"One of the Elders even directly admitted... that he had been parasitized by 'some kind of existence'."

Lin Yue's eyes sharpened: "Parasitized?"

"Yes."

Lin Laosan nodded: "According to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's disclosure, that Elder, during an outing thirty years ago, encountered a strange attack and suffered Divine Soul damage. After returning, his temperament changed drastically, but no one noticed anything abnormal at the time."

"It wasn't until this investigation that it was discovered a foreign object was parasitizing his body, having already eroded thirty percent of his Nascent Soul."

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect's Spirit Transformation Ancestor personally intervened to separate that foreign object. But after separation, the Elder's Nascent Soul was ruined, and his cultivation was completely lost."

Silence filled the hall.

A Nascent Soul Elder, parasitized for thirty years, undetected.

This was more chilling than the Heavenly Sword Sect's destruction.

"What is that foreign object...?"

Lin Yue asked solemnly.

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect didn't say, but the Seven Star Alliance's planted informant sent back a message—that thing was dark red all over, shaped like a heart, extremely similar to the Evil Seed, but more... alive."

Lin Laosan's voice trembled: "It's said that when separated, the thing was still beating, emitting an infant-like cry, making one's hair stand on end."

Dark red heart, infant cry... Lin Yue remembered the sealed Evil Seed.

Could that be... a juvenile Parasite?

"What is the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's current stance?"

"The entire Sect is under strict guard, all high-level members are being re-screened. Elder Jian Chen sent a message saying the Ten Thousand Swords Sect owes the Luoxia Sect a favor and will repay it in the future."

"Also..."

Lin Laosan paused: "The Ten Thousand Swords Sect Revered Master personally promised to fully support the Luoxia Sect in resisting the Black Lotus Cult. If needed, they can send three Nascent Soul Elders and a hundred Golden Core Disciples south to assist."

Three Nascent Souls, a hundred Golden Cores.

This scale was not insignificant.

"It seems that wisp of Sword Intent truly frightened them."

Lin Yue sneered.

The Ten Thousand Swords Sect wanted to atone for their crimes and clear suspicion.

"Tell them, assistance is not needed for now, but intelligence sharing must be strengthened. Especially regarding whether other Sects in the Central Region have been infiltrated, give us all the information they have."

"Yes."

Lin Laosan noted it down, then added: "One more thing. The Star Track Pavilion sent definite news—the Pavilion Revered Master has set out south and will arrive at the Luoxia Sect within five days."

"Finally coming."

A gleam flashed in Lin Yue's eyes.

The Star Track Pavilion Master, this mysterious existence, was finally going to show himself.

Regarding the Spirit Devouring Clan, regarding the Star Lord Inheritance, regarding the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal... he had too many questions to ask.

"Prepare the highest standard reception. Notify all Elders that when the Pavilion Revered Master arrives, they must be present."

"Yes!"

Lin Laosan accepted the order and withdrew.

In the hall, only Lin Yue remained once more.

He walked to that topographic map, his finger tracing over the Burial Dragon Abyss.

The Seal's cracks had extended another three inches compared to three months ago.

At this speed, forget a year and a half, it might not even last a year.

"Hao Tian."

"Here."

"How is the progress of creating the grotto-heaven spirit vein?"

"The fifth first-tier spirit vein has been created, implanted into the Sect's underground according to plan. It is estimated that the basic framework of the 'Heavenly Stem Earthly Branch Great Formation' can be completed within half a year."

"Accelerate."

Lin Yue said gravely: "Use the reserve energy. Within three months, complete the creation and implantation of twelve spirit veins."

"Revered Master, this will overdraft the grotto-heaven's Origin, affecting the operation of other functions."

"Can't worry about that now."

Lin Yue shook his head: "I need the Sect's Spiritual Qi concentration to increase to fifteen times that of the outside world within half a year to support more Disciples in rapid Breakthroughs."

"...Understood."

Hao Tian stopped persuading.

"Also, increase the candidates for the third batch of special training to fifteen people. Double the resource supply. I want them to all complete three tempering sessions within four months (outside world time)."

"Yes."

"And..."

Lin Yue took a deep breath: "From today, my true self will enter the grotto-heaven for closed-door cultivation. External affairs will be managed by Lin Cang."

"Revered Master is going to impact the Mid Nascent Soul Stage?"

"Yes."

Starlight swirled in Lin Yue's eyes: "Time waits for no one. I must break through as soon as possible to deal with the coming... storm."

"Understood. I will adjust the grotto-heaven's time flow rate to gain more cultivation time for Revered Master."

"Mm."

Lin Yue said no more, his figure flashing, disappearing from the hall.

The next moment, he appeared under the World Tree in the grotto-heaven.

Beside the time pool, Hao Tian manifested a phantom: "Revered Master, with your current accumulation, impacting the Mid Nascent Soul Stage normally requires three years of arduous cultivation. But within the grotto-heaven, with the assistance of the time pool and World Tree Origin, the time can be compressed to... one year."

"One year in the outside world?"

"No, one year in grotto-heaven time."

Hao Tian explained: "If Revered Master enters the core of the time pool, I can adjust the time flow rate to the limit—one day outside, ten days in the pool."

"One month outside is three hundred days in the pool. Plus the assistance of the World Tree Origin, there is a seventy percent chance of Breakthrough."

Lin Yue sat cross-legged by the pool: "Then... let's begin."

He closed his eyes, the star dragon nascent soul left his body and sank into the time pool.

The pool water instantly boiled.

Countless fragments of the Law of Time surged like fireflies, merging into the Nascent Soul.

The World Tree's roots probed into the pool bottom, continuously injecting pure Origin power into Lin Yue's body.

Time began to accelerate.

One day outside, ten days in the pool.

And Lin Yue's cultivation was also rising at a speed visible to the naked eye...

Five days later.

Outside the Luoxia Sect's mountain gate, a beam of starlight descended from the sky.

The starlight dispersed, revealing a white-robed old man.

The old man had an ordinary face, his aura restrained, looking like an ordinary old man.

But when he raised his eyes to look over, those eyes were as deep as the starry river, as if they could see through past and future.

It was precisely the Star Track Pavilion Master.

Behind him, two others followed—Star Dust, and a Purple-robed Middle-aged Man never seen before.

"Junior Lin Cang, respectfully welcomes the Pavilion Revered Master."

Lin Cang led the Elders out to greet him, bowing respectfully.

"No need for formalities."

The Star Track Pavilion Master waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Luoxia Sect: "Such rich Power of the Stars, such exquisite City Protecting Great Formation... Young Friend Lin, truly extraordinary."

He paused: "Where is Young Friend Lin?"

"The Sect Master is in closed-door cultivation, impacting the Mid Nascent Soul Stage."

Lin Cang said truthfully: "If the Pavilion Revered Master has important matters, this Junior can relay them. Or please wait a few days, and the Sect Master will personally pay his respects after emerging from seclusion."

"Closed-door cultivation?"

A trace of surprise flashed in the Star Track Pavilion Master's eyes, then he smiled: "No matter, this old man can wait."

"Just as well, in these few days, let's see the Luoxia Sect's... atmosphere."

He looked up, gazing deep into the Sect.

His gaze penetrated layers of buildings, landing on a certain quiet room.

There, fluctuations of stars and Dragon Qi intertwined.

Although faint, their essence... moved even him.

"star dragon nascent soul..."

The Pavilion Revered Master murmured to himself: "Is this world finally going to produce... a true dragon?"

Behind him, that Purple-robed Middle-aged Man's eyes flashed with a strange light, but he didn't speak.

And in the distance, deep within the Burial Dragon Abyss.

That Black Shadow seemed to sense something, looking toward the Luoxia Sect's direction.

"The old fellow from the Star Track Pavilion has also come..."

"Interesting."

"Then let's see if your Star Gazing Technique is accurate, or this venerable's schemes... are deeper."

The Black Shadow raised a hand, sketching a complex rune in the void.

The rune took shape, turning into dark red light points that vanished into the Seal's fissure.

The fissure quietly widened a bit more.

A storm was brewing.

And Lin Yue's Breakthrough had also reached... the most critical moment.