38: Chapter 38 The Grandmaster Returns

Walking out of the stone tower, Lin Wu felt the surging power within his body, his heart filled with heroic pride.

The Grandmaster Realm—he had finally reached it!

The Void Core rotated slowly in his Dantian, every rotation releasing majestic True Essence. Compared to the True Essence Condensation Realm, the True Essence of the Grandmaster Realm was not only denser but also purer, its power increasing several times over. Although it wasn't a true solid Golden Core yet, the Void Core could already autonomously absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, significantly increasing his cultivation speed.

"Is this the power of the Grandmaster Realm...?" Lin Wu clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him.

With a light punch, an explosive boom suddenly rang out in the air, and the wind from his fist shattered stones dozens of meters away.

"So strong!" Lin Wu was overjoyed.

The power of the Grandmaster Realm far exceeded his imagination. Now, he had the confidence to fight any expert in the Grandmaster Realm, and even against those in the Legendary Realm, he had the strength to put up a fight.

"It's time to go back..." Lin Wu looked toward the academy, his eyes flashing with anticipation.

He couldn't wait to tell everyone that he had broken through to the Grandmaster Realm.

...

After returning to the academy, Lin Wu's Breakthrough caused a huge sensation.

Eighteen years old and in the Grandmaster Realm—this was rare even in the entire ability world. Moreover, Lin Wu was a martial arts cultivator, walking an unprecedented path. Once the news spread, the entire academy was in an uproar, with countless students gathering in the square, wanting to catch a glimpse of the youngest Grandmaster in history.

"Lin Wu! Lin Wu is out!"

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd. Lin Wu stepped off the aircraft and looked at the enthusiastic classmates before him, a warm current welling up in his heart.

"Lin Wu, you kid are really incredible!" Fatty Chen was the first to rush up, excitedly slapping Lin Wu's shoulder, nearly making him stumble. "The Grandmaster Realm! A nineteen-year-old in the Grandmaster Realm! When will I ever reach it?"

"As long as you work hard, you definitely can," Lin Wu smiled, feeling moved as he looked at Fatty Chen's envious yet sincere eyes.

Fatty Chen was his best friend; he had been by Lin Wu's side since he awakened his martial arts inheritance. Although Fatty Chen's talent wasn't top-tier, Lin Wu had seen all his hard work and persistence.

"Lin Wu, congratulations." Su Qingxue also walked over, her face carrying sincere well-wishes, though a hint of complex emotion flashed in her eyes. "You've finally broken through to the Grandmaster Realm."

"Thank you," Lin Wu said. He could sense the sincerity in Su Qingxue's words, as well as the slight pressure hidden behind her blessing. "You're not bad either. I can sense your aura; you should be breaking through soon, right?"

"Mhm, I've been stable at the Peak of the Grandmaster Realm for a while now." Su Qingxue nodded, a hint of determination in her gaze. "I'm trying to break through to the Legendary Realm, but it will still take some time."

"Keep it up, I believe in you," Lin Wu said sincerely. "Your talent is better than mine; breaking through is only a matter of time."

Su Qingxue smiled slightly, a smile like a spring breeze that left the surrounding students dazed. "I will catch up to you. Lin Wu, once I break through to the Legendary Realm, let's have another match, shall we?"

"Mhm," Lin Wu laughed. "I'll be waiting for that day."

"Lin Wu."

A cold voice came from outside the crowd. Everyone automatically made way as Chu Tianjiao walked over slowly.

He looked at Lin Wu, a hint of complex emotion flashing in his eyes—there was surprise, respect, and also a trace of reluctance. As the leader of the Chu family's younger generation, Chu Tianjiao had always been proud and arrogant, but facing Lin Wu, he had no choice but to be impressed.

"The Grandmaster Realm... you're even faster than I expected," Chu Tianjiao said with a hint of bitterness in his tone, but mostly sincerity. "I originally thought I would be the first to break through to the Grandmaster Realm."

"You're not bad either," Lin Wu said. He could sense the complex emotions in Chu Tianjiao's words. "You should also be close to breaking through to the Legendary Realm, right?"

"Still a bit short." Chu Tianjiao took a deep breath, the reluctance in his eyes gradually replaced by determination. "But I will catch up to you. Lin Wu, do you still remember our promise?"

"Of course I remember," Lin Wu said, recalling the promise between them. "When you break through to the Legendary Realm, we'll have a fair and square fight."

"It's a deal." Chu Tianjiao reached out his hand.

"It's a deal." Lin Wu shook his hand.

Their gazes met in the air, both seeing Battle Intent and respect in each other's eyes. They were friends, rivals, and each other's motivation to move forward.

"I'll be waiting for that day," Chu Tianjiao said before turning to leave, his back straight and determined.

Lin Wu looked at his back and nodded inwardly. Although Chu Tianjiao came from a prestigious family and possessed the arrogance of a noble son, his Heart-Nature was quite good. Not discouraged by defeat but instead working harder—such a person would surely achieve great things in the future.

...

That night, the moonlight was like water, spilling through the bamboo forest and casting mottled shadows.

Lin Wu came to the front of Gu Cangwu's bamboo hut, took a deep breath, and knocked gently on the door.

"Come in."

Lin Wu pushed open the door and entered, finding Gu Cangwu sitting on a prayer mat with a pot of clear tea and two teacups before him. The curling aroma of tea filled the room, involuntarily calming one's heart.

"Master."

"Did you break through?" Gu Cangwu poured a cup of tea for Lin Wu, a hint of expectation in his gaze.

"Yes, Master." Lin Wu took the teacup and recounted the details of his Breakthrough, including the battle with the Dao Pattern Tiger, condensing the Martial Dao Avatar, finding the heart of the grandmaster, the Tower Guardian's guidance, and the final Breakthrough process.

Gu Cangwu listened quietly, nodding from time to time. When he heard that Lin Wu had condensed Void Core Patterns, a hint of surprise and relief flashed in his eyes.

"Void Core Patterns..." Gu Cangwu set down his teacup and looked at Lin Wu with a complex gaze. "When I broke through to the Grandmaster Realm back then, I didn't condense Void Core Patterns either. Lin Wu, your talent far exceeds my imagination."

"Your Disciple was just lucky," Lin Wu said modestly.

"Luck is also a part of strength." Gu Cangwu shook his head. "But more important is your Heart-Nature. Being able to condense Void Core Patterns during your Breakthrough shows that your Martial Will is extremely firm—this is a quality more precious than talent."

"Thank you for the praise, Master," Lin Wu said respectfully.

Gu Cangwu was silent for a moment, his gaze turning toward the night sky outside the window, his expression becoming solemn. "Lin Wu, now that you've broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, you're qualified to know some things. Things... concerning the fate of this world."

Lin Wu's heart skipped a beat. He sensed that what Gu Cangwu was about to say next would definitely be of great importance.

"Please speak, Master."

Gu Cangwu turned his head and looked at Lin Wu with piercing eyes. "The truth about the Recovery of Spiritual Qi. And... the threat of the Outworlders."

"Outworlders?" Lin Wu frowned, remembering the "Catastrophe" mentioned by the Tower Guardian.

"Correct." Gu Cangwu nodded, his voice turning low. "The Recovery of Spiritual Qi is not just a change in the Earth itself, but also a precursor to the imminent invasion by the Outworlders."

"What?" Lin Wu's eyes widened, and the teacup in his hand almost fell.

"In ancient times, the reason the martial arts civilization declined was not just because of the depletion of Spiritual Qi." Gu Cangwu said slowly, a hint of reminiscence and sorrow flashing in his eyes. "It was also because of a tragic war—the invasion of the Outworlders."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bright moon in the night sky. "That was about five thousand years ago when a group of alien races from beyond the heavens suddenly descended upon Earth. They possessed powerful strength, eerie methods, and... a desire to devour everything."

"They wanted to devour Earth's Spiritual Qi and turn Earth into a dead zone." Gu Cangwu's voice turned cold. "The experts of the martial arts civilization fought to the death; it was a war that lasted for hundreds of years. Ultimately, we repelled the Outworlders, but we also paid a heavy price."

"How many experts fell?" Lin Wu asked, his voice somewhat raspy.

"More than ninety percent." Gu Cangwu turned around, his gaze filled with deep sorrow. "Great Grandmasters, Martial Saints, and even experts of higher Realms—scarcely one in ten remained. From then on, the martial arts civilization declined, and Spiritual Qi gradually dried up until..."

"Until the Recovery of Spiritual Qi," Lin Wu added.

"Exactly." Gu Cangwu nodded. "The Recovery of Spiritual Qi is actually Earth accumulating strength, preparing for the upcoming war. After five thousand years of rest and recuperation, the Outworlders have also recovered their strength, and they are about to invade again."

"This..." Lin Wu was filled with shock.

He thought of the Tower Guardian's words, the trial of the Dao Pattern Tiger, and all the experiences he had along the way. It turned out that all of this was to prepare for the coming Catastrophe.

"Master, the Outworlders... how strong are they?" Lin Wu asked.

"Very strong," Gu Cangwu said gravely. "Experts in the Legendary Realm are nothing more than cannon fodder before them. Only by reaching the Martial Saint Realm are you qualified to face them head-on."

Lin Wu sucked in a breath of cold air. The Legendary Realm was already an unattainable existence in his eyes, yet it was merely cannon fodder before the Outworlders?

"Then do we... have a chance of winning?" Lin Wu asked.

"Yes." Gu Cangwu's gaze became firm. "Five thousand years ago, our ancestors were able to repel them, and five thousand years later, we can too. Moreover, this time, we have you."

"Me?" Lin Wu was stunned.

"Lin Wu, you are the inheritor of the martial arts inheritance, the hope for this world's future." Gu Cangwu walked up to Lin Wu, placed his hands on his shoulders, and looked at him with burning eyes. "The path of martial arts you walk is the most orthodox martial arts inheritance from ancient times. Your potential far exceeds that of ordinary people. I believe that as long as you are given enough time, you will surely reach the Martial Saint Realm, or even higher."

"Master..." Lin Wu felt a warm current in his heart, but at the same time, he felt a heavy pressure.

"I know this is very heavy for you." Gu Cangwu released his hands, his tone softening. "But you are not fighting alone. We will be with you, facing the coming war together."

"Your Disciple understands." Lin Wu stood up and looked at Gu Cangwu with a firm gaze. "No matter what enemy I face, I will not back down. I will improve my strength as quickly as possible to prepare for the coming war."

"Good!" Gu Cangwu laughed heartily, his eyes flashing with relief. "That's my, Gu Cangwu's, Disciple!"

He patted Lin Wu's shoulder. "Go on, go Cultivate, go become stronger. The road ahead is still very long. But remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, do not forget your original intention."

"Your Disciple will keep your teachings in mind, Master."

Lin Wu bowed respectfully and turned to leave the bamboo hut.

In the night sky, stars twinkled, and the moonlight was like water, spilling through the bamboo forest as if draping the entire world in a silver veil.

Lin Wu stood in the bamboo forest, looking at the distant sky, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Shock, pressure, worry, but more than anything—determination.

"Outworlders..." he murmured to himself, clenching his fists. "No matter how powerful you are, I will not back down."

"Because I am Lin Wu, I am the inheritor of the martial arts inheritance, I am—a Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

The night wind blew, and the bamboo leaves rustled as if responding to his vow.

In the distance, a red sun was rising from the horizon; a new day was about to begin.

And Lin Wu's martial arts path would also enter a brand-new chapter.