Chapter 536: Unexplored Regions (II)
Opening the first divine repository was straightforward, but the second posed a much greater challenge. As for the third, the spirit divine repository, only a handful ever succeeded. That was the case when cultivating a single technique. Practicing multiple techniques multiplied the difficulty by several fold. Under normal circumstances, one would open the divine repository after reaching perfection in the first stage.
However, Lin Zheyu had no plan to pursue that route. His goal was to establish an exceptionally deep foundation and develop the most powerful repositories. To master multiple techniques, once he reached perfection in the initial stage, he would have to employ secret methods to strengthen the repositories rather than opening new ones.
Only then could he proceed to cultivate a second technique. However, once reinforced, the difficulty of opening the repository would increase dramatically. Opening the first would become as difficult as opening the second under normal circumstances. Reinforcing it twice would make the difficulty even more terrifying. This was why Lin Zheyu was concerned that his accumulated Origin Force might not be enough.
"The secrets within the Divine Repository realm are so important that even someone like Senior Xia Ping values them highly. That alone shows how extraordinary this realm is. Even an ordinary martial artist, if they fully develop the potential of their repositories, may not necessarily be weaker than those in the Shackles realm.
"And I haven't even entered the Divine Repository realm yet, but already possess peak Foundation Establishment realm strength. Once I open even a single repository, I should be able to rival the experts in the Golden Core realm. If I can step into the hidden depths of the Divine Repository realm... perhaps I could even match those at the peak of the Golden Core realm, or even Nascent Soul realm..." Lin Zheyu murmured softly, confidence surging within him.
The immensely solid foundation he had built along his path was the source of his confidence and strength. Though Fan Hongwei was powerful, he had not reached the Nascent Soul realm. With Lin Zheyu's grasp of spatial laws, once his strength reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, even if he could not defeat him, he was confident he could escape.
Lin Zheyu let out a breath of turbid air and slowly stood up. His brow furrowed slightly, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes. With a flick of his hand, a token appeared. It was the one Fan Hongwei had given him. He did not know its purpose, but keeping it by his side felt like trouble.
"If I destroy it outright, it'll probably alert that old man immediately. It's better to just discard it somewhere," Lin Zheyu said softly as he turned the token in his hand.
Once the token was gone, he could finally focus on strengthening himself without restraint.
***
Leaving the courtyard, Lin Zheyu headed straight for the Profound Light Tower. He had accepted Han Ge's invitation yesterday, and it would be inappropriate to refuse now. On the way there, he made a brief detour to the Martial Hall.
The Martial Hall disciples on duty greeted him respectfully.
"Greetings, Vice Hall Master!"
"Vice Hall Master!"
"Vice Hall Master!"
Their gazes toward Lin Zheyu were filled with curiosity and admiration. News of his battle with Tian Yue had already spread, and nearly every martial artist in Yanwu City now knew that the Martial Alliance had gained an extraordinary newcomer, one said to be unmatched beneath the Shackles realm.
"Vice Hall Master, you were looking for me?" A handsome young man in black-and-white training attire bowed slightly. His name was Li Huan, a martial artist of notable talent whom Lin Zheyu had spoken with briefly the day before.
"Mhm. Get me a trained Silver-Templed Horned Eagle," Lin Zheyu said calmly.
Li Huan was in charge of managing the Martial Hall's spirit beasts. All such matters passed through him.
"Understood. Please wait a moment, Vice Hall Master." Li Huan nodded without asking further. It was not his place to question.
Before long, Li Huan returned with a fierce bird standing over half a meter tall, its silver temples glinting. This type of spirit beast was roughly at the second stage of the Qi Refining realm and not particularly strong. It was mainly used for scouting and reconnaissance.
Lin Zheyu handed over a mid-grade spirit stone and said, "I'll take this Silver-Templed Horned Eagle. Register it."
"Understood." Li Huan nodded.
Lin Zheyu left the Martial Hall with the eagle and soon exited Yanwu City.
"Go." Lin Zheyu patted the eagle and issued a command through his spiritual sense.
Screech!
The eagle let out a cry, spread its massive wings, and soared into the sky, vanishing from sight.
"That's one less problem," Lin Zheyu murmured softly as he watched the eagle disappear. Before long, he noticed several figures sneaking off in the same direction, following after it.
"Heh..."
Lin Zheyu's lips curved faintly as he let out a quiet chuckle.
There was no need to guess. These people were clearly sent by Woo Yixuan to monitor his movements. Lin Zheyu paid them no mind. He had placed Fan Hongwei's token on the eagle. Even if it was taken, it no longer mattered.
"Time to attend the banquet."
With the token's matter settled, Lin Zheyu felt much lighter. When he arrived at the Profound Light Tower, a maid was already waiting at the entrance and stepped forward respectfully upon seeing him.
"This way, sir," the maid said respectfully.
Lin Zheyu followed her up to the third floor. When the private room door opened, four young men and women were already seated inside.
The young man seated by the window laughed as he said, "Haha, this must be Fellow Xiao Yu. I've heard much about you. Come, please have a seat."
He was fair-skinned and refined in appearance, carrying an air of scholarly elegance.
"Greetings, Fellow Han." Lin Zheyu smiled and cupped his fists before taking a seat.
This refined young man was Han Ge of the Han Family. Lin Zheyu had looked into him beforehand and recognized him immediately.
"Several others haven't arrived yet, but they should be here soon. Let me introduce everyone. This is Fellow Xiao Yu, who recently joined the Martial Alliance. I heard that he defeated Tian Yue in a single strike yesterday. Some are already calling him unmatched beneath the Shackles realm," Han Ge introduced him with a smile.
"Pfft—" Suddenly, a scoff rang out. The burly young man sitting across from Lin Zheyu wore a look of disdain.
The burly man sneered. "What empty boasting. He only beat that wastrel, Tian Yue, and dares to claim he's the strongest beneath the Shackles realm. Does he think our three great families don't exist?"
Lin Zheyu frowned slightly. He glanced at the others but saw no reaction on their faces. Even Han Ge seemed to ignore it, maintaining his smile. However, he soon stepped in to smooth things over.
"Fellow Ning, stop joking. Those are just rumors spread by others in the Martial Alliance. It's not something Fellow Xiao himself claimed, so there's no need to take it seriously," Han Ge said with a smile, then turned to Lin Zheyu with a hint of apology. "Please don't take it to heart. Fellow Ning has a fiery temper. He means no harm."
"It's nothing," Lin Zheyu replied calmly, though a faint sense of discomfort stirred within him.
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