Chapter 161 Dual Cultivation, Breakthrough to Golden Core

After an unknown amount of time, the light shield suddenly exploded, and Sword Intent and spiritual light poured down from the sky. The ancient swords within the Sword Tomb let out a deafening chime, as if celebrating this Heaven-Defying Breakthrough.

Lin Yue snapped his eyes open, cyan and golden light intertwining within his pupils. The pressure of the Early Golden Core Stage washed over the area, his surrounding spiritual power condensing into a liquid-like state. His Azure Profound Sword Intent was now under perfect control; with a mere lift of his hand, he could trigger a resonance from the ten thousand swords in the Sword Tomb.

In his arms, Ye Qingcheng also slowly opened her eyes. Blue light swirled in the depths of her gaze, her skin was as lustrous as jade, and her aura was steady and majestic. She had also reached the Early Golden Core Stage cultivation!

Her Silver-Armored Puppet floated beside her. Within the swirling cyan and blue spiritual light surrounding it, traces of the Sword Tomb's Sword Intent were faintly visible, causing its combat power to skyrocket several times over.

“I... I've broken through to the Golden Core?” Ye Qingcheng's voice trembled with disbelief. She raised her hand to feel the surging spiritual power within her body, then looked at Lin Yue, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise and shyness.

She could clearly perceive an invisible connection that had formed between her and Lin Yue. She could vaguely sense each other's aura, thoughts, and even the circulation of their cultivation.

Lin Yue tightened his arms, pulling her into a close embrace. His nose brushed against her temple as he spoke with irrepressible joy, “We both broke through.”

He could feel that Ye Qingcheng's Golden Core carried a unique aura of stars and Puppets, echoing with his own Golden Core. In future Dual Cultivation, their respective cultivations would be able to promote each other; this was a bond that far exceeded that of ordinary Dao Companions.

Ye Qingcheng snuggled into his arms, her cheek pressed against his burning chest. She could clearly hear his strong heartbeat, and the shyness in her heart gradually faded, replaced by a sense of complete reliance and sweetness.

She raised her hand to lightly stroke Lin Yue's shoulder. The burn there had long since healed, and the skin even appeared tougher than elsewhere. As her fingertips brushed over his lapel, she felt the spiritual power within him that shared the same source as her own, and a gentle smile curved her lips.

“The Sword Intent of the Sword Tomb... seems to have recognized us as masters.” Ye Qingcheng looked up at the vibrating ancient swords. Tens of thousands of ancient swords pointed toward the two of them simultaneously, the cold light on their blades carrying a sense of awe. The violent thunder power also circled the Sword Tomb submissively, forming a natural barrier.

Lin Yue lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his voice gentle yet firm: “With you here, why should I fear Lei Cang? Why should I fear the world?” He raised his hand to hold hers, their palms meeting. As their Golden Core powers merged, they actually triggered the Sword Tomb’s Sword Intent to form a sword rainbow that shot straight into the clouds.

Ye Qingcheng's cheeks flushed as she gripped his hand back, her eyes full of tenderness: “From now on, I will accompany you.” She leaned against Lin Yue's shoulder, feeling his steady aura. The unique scent of Sword Intent mixed with Grandmist Spiritual Qi lingered at the tip of her nose, filling her heart with a sense of peace.

Inside the Sword Tomb, ten thousand swords chimed in unison as thunder power swirled. The two figures embraced tightly, the halo of the Golden Core flowing around them. The bond of their souls was like intertwined silk threads, inseparable and deeply affectionate.

Their strength had increased greatly. Their future path of cultivation would surely shine even more brilliantly because of this fortuitous encounter of Dual Cultivation in the Sword Tomb.

The Lei Family had suffered heavy losses in this battle; Lei Mang was severely injured and the nine heavens thunder marsh mirror had been seized. They wouldn't dare to pursue recklessly in the short term, making this the best time to return.

Leaving the Sword Tomb, the two sped toward the direction of the Qingyun Sect. Although the thunder power in the outer regions of Falling Thunder Valley was still violent, it was no longer a threat to them.

Ye Qingcheng controlled the enhanced Silver-Armored Puppet to lead the way. The nine heavens thunder marsh mirror operated in her hands, channeling the surrounding thunder power to open a safe passage for them. Lin Yue followed closely behind, the zhensha divine staff at the ready, alert for any possible danger.

On the way, they indeed encountered a small group of Lei Family pursuers—about five people, all of whom were Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. They were clearly sent by Lei Cang to track them down.

“It's that kid and Ye Qingcheng! Capture them, the Sect Master will surely reward us handsomely!” Seeing the two, the lead Cultivator's eyes flashed with greed, and he immediately charged forward with his sword.

Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng exchanged a glance and launched a counterattack with perfect coordination.

Ye Qingcheng controlled the Silver-Armored Puppet, its Azure Peak Blades carrying the dual power of Sword Intent and Mechanism Art, instantly entangling three of the Cultivators. Lin Yue activated his Golden Core Dao Body, the red light of the zhensha divine staff exploding outward as his Azure Profound Sword Intent condensed into Sword Gang, lunging straight for the other two Cultivators.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The battle erupted instantly. The Silver-Armored Puppet's Azure Peak Blades were incredibly sharp, and with the assistance of the nine heavens thunder marsh mirror, it quickly subdued the three Cultivators. Lin Yue's offensive was even more rapid; as the zhensha divine staff smashed down, the protective spiritual light of the two Cultivators shattered instantly. They were sent flying back with screams, their Dantians struck by the divine staff, losing all combat capability.

In less than half the time it takes to burn an incense stick, this group of pursuers was easily dealt with, failing to cause them the slightest hindrance.

Having finished off this group of Foundation Establishment pursuers, the two did not linger. The spiritual light beneath their feet surged again as they sped toward the Qingyun Sect.

Ye Qingcheng controlled the Silver-Armored Puppet in front, but her peripheral vision couldn't help but constantly drift toward Lin Yue behind her. After the youth broke through to the Golden Core, his posture had become even more upright, and his condensed spiritual power carried a natural air of intimidation. The resolute way he swung his staff during the battle just now repeatedly played in her mind, causing her cheeks to flush unconsciously and her fingertips to feel slightly hot.

“What are you thinking about?” Lin Yue noticed her gaze and turned his head, the cyan light in his eyes softening a bit as he spoke with a smile.

Ye Qingcheng's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away, saying softly, “No—nothing, I just feel like after your Breakthrough, your strength has increased a lot.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt her tone was too soft and feminine. The tips of her ears instantly turned red, and she quickly turned to look ahead, not daring to meet his eyes again.

Seeing this, a gentle arc curved Lin Yue's lips. He didn't ask further, but simply gripped the zhensha divine staff a little tighter.

He could sense Ye Qingcheng's feelings, and he could also feel the invisible bond between them growing tighter. He would protect this sentiment with his entire life.

They sped along for about half an hour. When they passed through a valley filled with thunder mist, the Silver-Armored Puppet in front suddenly stopped. The cyan and blue spiritual light around it flashed urgently, clearly sensing a fatal threat.

“Not good!” Lin Yue's gaze suddenly became sharp. He lunged forward to shield Ye Qingcheng behind him, his Golden Core pressure releasing instantly.

Boom—!

With a loud explosion, the thunder power in the sky suddenly converged. Three figures stepped out from the thunder mist. The leader wore a purple thunder Daoist robe and had a sinister face. His Golden Core Middle Stage pressure poured down like Mount Tai, causing the surrounding air to stagnate.

“The Lei Family Law Enforcement Elder, Lei Hong!” Ye Qingcheng's expression changed slightly. She had seen this man's portrait in the Lei Family's records. This person was ruthless and powerful, a capable subordinate under Lei Cang.

Behind him followed two Early Golden Core Stage Lei Family Cultivators. The three spread out in a triangular formation, completely blocking the duo's path of retreat.

Lei Hong's gaze was like lightning as it swept over Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng, finally settling on Lin Yue. His eyes were filled with killing intent and greed: “Good kid, you certainly have luck to be able to break through to the Golden Core in the Sword Tomb! Not only did you injure my Lei Family disciples, but you also seized the nine heavens thunder marsh mirror. Today shall be the day you die!”

The two Golden Core Cultivators behind him also released their pressure, shouting harshly: “If you know what's good for you, surrender peacefully and hand over the nine heavens thunder marsh mirror. Perhaps we can leave your corpses intact!”

Ye Qingcheng tightly gripped the corner of Lin Yue's clothes. The Silver-Armored Puppet was already prepared for battle, and the nine heavens thunder marsh mirror operated quietly in her hand. As blue light swirled, she was silently accumulating power. She knew that the Middle Stage Golden Core Lei Hong was by no means comparable to the previous Foundation Establishment Cultivators; this battle would surely be extremely dangerous.

But just as she was about to open her mouth to warn Lin Yue to be careful, the youth in front of her suddenly moved.

Lin Yue lightly patted the back of her hand to signal her to be at ease, then slowly took a step forward.

As he took this step, the cyan light around him suddenly exploded. His liquid-like spiritual power instantly boiled, and the Azure Profound Sword Intent was no longer restrained. Instead, it swept out like a monstrous tidal wave. The residual power of the Sword Tomb's ten thousand swords chiming erupted at this moment, causing the surrounding thunder mist to dissipate.