During this time, a tacit understanding had been cultivated among the four. With a single movement from Lin Chu, Su Jinlong and the other two immediately understood.
As the four continued forward, the highest grade of beasts they encountered was only third-tier. Thus, Lin Chu did not need to make a move along the way; Su Jinlong, Chen Desheng, and Chen Lingang handled all the battles.
With continuous combat, the cooperation between Chen Desheng and Chen Lingang became increasingly skilled. Even the more powerful second-tier beasts could not withstand them for more than ten moves.
Time gradually passed, and in the blink of an eye, a month had gone by.
Lin Chu and the other three had collected ninety-three beast cores in their hands.
At night, by the campfire.
"Senior Brother Lin Chu, we're almost done collecting beast cores. Can we head back now?" Chen Desheng asked, looking at Lin Chu.
Lin Chu glanced at Su Jinlong and the other two, nodding slightly.
Over the past month, Su Jinlong had progressed from struggling against third-tier beasts to no longer fearing them. His strength had also broken through from the early stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror to the middle stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror.
As for Chen Desheng and Chen Lingang, they had both entered the early stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror. It could be said that this trial had yielded immense gains for all four. Not only had their strength increased, but they had also mastered numerous combat techniques.
Moreover, with the breakthroughs of the four, Lin Chu knew that Su Jinlong, Chen Lingang, and Chen Desheng, unlike himself, needed to return to the sect to learn the next stage of their cultivation techniques. Coupled with being away for a month, Lin Chu also worried that Bai Yuwei might be concerned for his safety.
"A month has passed, and everyone has gained something. Continuing further might not yield such results. Therefore, we will depart for the Minor Sect tomorrow. We should be able to collect the remaining seven beast cores on our way back," Lin Chu said, thinking to himself.
"Alright." Su Jinlong and the other two nodded upon hearing this, then closed their eyes to meditate.
The next morning, as dewdrops fell, Lin Chu and the other three opened their eyes. After a simple pack-up, they set off along the path they had taken.
Along the way, they naturally encountered many second and third-tier beasts. Su Jinlong and the other two did not miss these opportunities, and within half a day, the mission to collect one hundred beast cores was successfully completed.
Two days later, the four felt a flicker of joy as they looked at their initial resting point. After two days of travel, they had emerged from the Vast Mountain Range.
"Let's continue our journey. A month has passed; I wonder how the situation is in the sect now," Lin Chu said, glancing behind him.
Su Jinlong and the other two nodded. They had already left the Vast Mountain Range, and the distance to the Minor Sect was significantly reduced.
One day later, on Shaoyin Mountain of the Minor Sect.
In the Mission Hall.
"Hmm, not bad. I didn't expect you to complete this trial mission so quickly." The Elder in charge of the hall showed a hint of surprise as he looked at the more than a hundred beast cores before him.
Among these beast cores were over twenty from third-tier beasts and more than ten from fourth-tier beasts. This meant that Lin Chu and his companions had killed more than twenty to thirty third and fourth-tier beasts.
With their strength at the middle stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror, only elite disciples of the sect could achieve this.
"It's all due to Senior Brother Lin Chu's excellent arrangements," Chen Lingang replied with a smile.
Since breaking through to the Initial Spirit Mirror, Chen Lingang had been exceptionally excited. He naturally held great admiration for Lin Chu. Chen Lingang knew that if he had cultivated in the Minor Sect, it would have taken at least three months to break through.
"If one's own strength is insufficient, even the most powerful leader would be of no avail. Very well, since you have completed the mission, these one hundred cultivation spirit stones are yours."
The Elder in charge smiled and waved his hand, causing the more than one hundred beast cores on the table to vanish. In their place appeared one hundred sparkling cultivation spirit stones.
"One hundred cultivation spirit stones, exactly twenty-five each for the four of us. Don't just stand there, accept them," Lin Chu said with a smile as he saw Su Jinlong and the other two looking at him.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin Chu." Chen Lingang and Chen Desheng bowed to Lin Chu.
They knew in their hearts that without Lin Chu taking the lead, they would not have made such progress. Moreover, in the Vast Mountain Range, although Lin Chu had not made a move against first and second-tier beasts, the third and fourth-tier beasts they encountered were almost all dealt with thanks to Lin Chu.
It could be said that Lin Chu's contribution was the greatest among the four. Yet, he was letting them divide the cultivation spirit stones equally. Their hearts were filled with gratitude.
"Stop being so sentimental, quickly accept them." Lin Chu smiled and waved his hand, dividing the one hundred cultivation spirit stones into four portions. He took one portion for himself and then looked at Su Jinlong and the other two.
As Lin Chu and his companions departed, the Elder in charge's eyes glinted with admiration. He murmured, "This Lin Chu is truly extraordinary."
"Little Brother Chu, you're back? Huh, you've actually broken through?" Bai Yuwei had just emerged from her cultivation when she sensed a familiar aura in the courtyard. As soon as she appeared, she saw Lin Chu.
A brief glance caused her to exclaim in surprise. In just a month, Lin Chu had actually broken through.
Lin Chu stood up upon hearing her and smiled at Bai Yuwei, saying, "Sister."
"Little Brother Chu, did your breakthrough result from your trial in the Vast Mountain Range?" Bai Yuwei nodded and then asked.
"Yes. If not for this, I wouldn't have broken through so quickly. Sister, how have you been this past month?" Lin Chu asked with a smile.
"I'm fine. Little Brother Chu, with your current strength, the next step is to fully strive for the advanced stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror. Do you have any preparations? The cultivation spirit stones I prepared for you might not be enough for you to reach the advanced stage," Bai Yuwei said with a hint of helplessness and guilt in her eyes.
"Sister, I don't need cultivation spirit stones right now." A warm current flowed through Lin Chu's heart. He then told Bai Yuwei about practicing the Chaos Dragon Breath Art.
"Chaos Dragon Breath Art? A Heavenly Venerate level absorption technique? Little Brother Chu, show me a cycle of it," Bai Yuwei said with a slight frown, clearly not very familiar with the Chaos Dragon Breath Art.
"Alright!" Lin Chu nodded, and with a thought, the Chaos Dragon Breath Art was instantly activated.
"What a profound absorption technique!" As Bai Yuwei watched the spiritual energy rapidly gather around them, her eyes flickered with shock. This absorption speed was several times faster than her own.
"Little Brother Chu, this absorption technique is too precious. Do not teach it to anyone else." After witnessing Lin Chu's Chaos Dragon Breath Art, Bai Yuwei's expression became much more serious. A profound absorption technique would naturally allow for faster recovery in combat than an opponent.
This fact alone was enough to provoke envy in many.
"I know, Sister. I originally wanted to pass this Chaos Dragon Breath Art to you, but to cultivate the Chaos Dragon Breath Art, one needs to cultivate the Heavenly Venerate Heart Sutra first. So..." Lin Chu said, nodding.
Bai Yuwei smiled and said, "It's alright. Your intention is more than enough for me."
Lin Chu nodded and continued to chat with Bai Yuwei. He recounted some of the battles in the Vast Mountain Range. When she heard that Lin Chu had been hit by a fourth-tier rhinoceros beast, Bai Yuwei couldn't help but gasp.
The night passed quietly with their conversation.
The next day, after leaving Saintess Peak, Lin Chu returned to his residence and saw Chen Lingang just coming out of his room. Upon inquiring, he learned that Su Jinlong had invited Chen Lingang and Chen Desheng to the Scripture Pavilion to view the next stage of their cultivation techniques.
"Senior Brother Lin Chu, do you want to come with us?" Chen Lingang asked.
Lin Chu shook his head. "I won't be going. I'll likely be going into seclusion from now on, so I might see you less often."
"Senior Brother Lin Chu, since that's the case, I'll congratulate you in advance on breaking through to the Spirit Soul Realm soon!" Chen Lingang said, cupping his fists.
Chen Lingang knew that Lin Chu's path was different from his own from the very beginning. Although they lived together, the things Lin Chu displayed were beyond his ability to compare. This was evident from their trial in the Vast Mountain Range.
Lin Chu smiled and said, "You should also work hard. I hope to see your breakthroughs after I come out of seclusion. Alright, hurry up, don't keep them waiting."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Lin Chu, I will definitely work hard to keep up with your pace!" Chen Lingang nodded, cupped his fists in greeting to Lin Chu, and turned to head towards the Scripture Pavilion.
Returning to his room, Lin Chu adjusted himself slightly before sitting down to ponder.
Currently, apart from cultivating the Heavenly Venerate Heart Sutra, he seemed to have no other spare means. Although the power of the Floating Spirit Saint Burst was immense, its consumption was also not weak. As for life-saving techniques, apart from the Ethereal Step, he had nothing else.
Furthermore, he did not yet possess a spiritual weapon, something he had long admired.
According to Bai Yuwei's explanation, spiritual weapons were divided into Earth Spiritual Weapons, Profound Spiritual Weapons, Heaven Spiritual Weapons, Sect Spiritual Weapons, Immortal Artifact Weapons, Divine Artifact Weapons, and Emperor Sovereign Weapons. Among these, Sect Spiritual Weapons, Immortal Artifact Weapons, and Divine Artifact Weapons were divided into lower, middle, and upper grades. Emperor Sovereign Weapons were beings of the overlord level.
Not only that, but Immortal Artifact Weapons and above could develop sentience and bond with their wielder, while also increasing their combat power.
However, obtaining a spiritual weapon was difficult for ordinary people, unless they had deep foundations or wealthy families.
In the marketplace, even a low-grade Earth Spiritual Weapon sold for five hundred thousand cultivation spirit stones. As for higher-grade Profound Spiritual Weapons, their prices were even higher.
As far as Lin Chu knew, even the Sect Master of the Minor Sect, Liu Feichen, only possessed a Profound Spiritual Weapon. As for Bai Yuwei, her spiritual weapon was merely an Earth Spiritual Weapon.
"I wonder when I'll be able to have my own spiritual weapon," Lin Chu sighed with a wry smile, then with a thought, he activated the Chaos Dragon Breath Art and began to cultivate.
An hour later, Lin Chu opened his eyes and frowned slightly, noticing that Chen Lingang had not yet returned. An hour was enough time to memorize the next stage of his cultivation technique, yet he had not returned. Could something have happened?
However, considering Su Jinlong was with him, this thought lessened considerably. With Su Jinlong's strength at the middle stage of the Initial Spirit Mirror, it was unlikely anyone would dare to trouble them.
"Immortal Spirit Body, second level, how can I cultivate it?" Suppressing his worries, Lin Chu couldn't help but think of himself. His Immortal Spirit Body was currently only at the first level, and he had no cultivation method, making it difficult to know where to start.
If only the Fire Spirit Heart were still here. Lin Chu shook his head, feeling the dilemma of having no one to guide him for the first time.
Never mind, since there was no cultivation technique for the Immortal Spirit Body, he would focus on improving his strength. A sharp glint appeared in Lin Chu's eyes, and with a thought, he stood up.
One day later, at the foot of the Vast Mountain Range, a figure slowly appeared.
After a brief pause, this figure tapped his toes and swiftly shot towards the Vast Mountain Range.
This figure was Lin Chu, who had left the Minor Sect once again.
Compared to cultivating in seclusion, Lin Chu felt that improving his strength through constant combat was faster. Therefore, after leaving a message, Lin Chu returned to the Vast Mountain Range.
"I'll start from here. I hope that in the next few months, I can break through to the Spirit Soul Realm!" Lin Chu, using the Ethereal Step, arrived at the place where he had previously killed the rhinoceros beast and slowly stopped. As soon as his voice fell, he plunged into the depths of the mountain range without hesitation.
Roar!
In the central region of the Vast Mountain Range, as the first ray of sunlight shone down, a roar echoed through the valley. Following the roar, several large beasts fled wildly into the distance. If someone were present, they would surely be shocked.
For these beasts, with their eyes filled with terror, seemed to have encountered their natural predator.
After all, among these beasts were several at the fourth-tier level. The fact that they could be so frightened indicated that a terrifying presence had appeared in the Vast Mountain Range.
As these beasts fled, a figure slowly emerged, with a hint of helplessness evident at the corner of his mouth.
"Two months have passed, and I didn't expect these fourth-tier beasts to fear me to such an extent. It seems I can only press on further into the depths." As the man spoke, he moved and instantly swept towards the depths of the Vast Mountain Range.
This person was Lin Chu, who had entered the Vast Mountain Range two months prior.
As Lin Chu continued to hunt third and fourth-tier beasts, a thick aura of blood gradually accumulated around him, causing these beasts, upon sensing his presence, to flee frantically.
The scene just moments ago was the commotion caused when Lin Chu first arrived in this valley.
Over these two months, through continuous combat with third and fourth-tier beasts, Lin Chu felt his combat skills becoming more and more perfected. While fighting these beasts, Lin Chu also refined his movement techniques and cultivation techniques to their best.
Although Lin Chu's strength had not yet broken through, it was significantly stronger than before. This was not something that could be achieved solely through increased power.
"This is it. We're almost at the depths of the Vast Mountain Range. If I proceed further, the beasts will not be so simple," Lin Chu said, looking around. The lush trees had long obscured the sky.
Occasionally, only a sliver of sunlight could be seen through the gaps in the leaves. The essence of the dense vegetation was extremely rich. This place was clearly more suitable for the survival of beasts than where Lin Chu had been previously.
Hiss.
Unbeknownst to Lin Chu, as his presence appeared, a pair of emerald green eyes in the dense foliage had locked onto him.
Huh?
Just as Lin Chu was about to move forward, a sense of alertness suddenly arose in his heart. This sense of alertness was something Lin Chu had developed through countless battles with beasts in the Vast Mountain Range.
Lin Chu immediately slowed his pace, his spiritual energy circulating instantly. However, on the surface, he appeared as if nothing were wrong, continuing to walk slowly.
Rustle.
As Lin Chu gradually moved forward, the creature hidden in the bushes with a pair of emerald green eyes moved swiftly and disappeared.
Boom!
As the sense of danger intensified in his heart, Lin Chu, with a thought, struck out with his palm to his left. A large swathe of bushes was knocked down, and a green snake, as thick as a waist, instantly appeared in Lin Chu's eyes.