Several days passed quietly within the Lin Training Center.
Snow continued to blanket Cloud Mist Market in white, and the freezing winds outside only made the disciples spend more time cultivating indoors. For most trainees, these few days had become a period of intense pressure.
The gap between talents was slowly becoming visible.
Some disciples had only barely sensed internal energy.
Some had generated a strand or two.
Others were still struggling with Qi Blood circulation despite drinking Essence Nourishing Soup daily.
Inside Lin Sheng's room, he sat cross legged atop the meditation mat while faint currents of Qi Blood circulated rhythmically through his body.
The flow had become far smoother than before.
Each breath he took seemed perfectly synchronized with the movement of spiritual qi in the air.
His heartbeat slowed.
His muscles relaxed.
Yet beneath that calm surface, internal energy continuously gathered within his lower dantian.
Strand after strand.
Stable.
Pure.
Condensed.
If anyone observed carefully, they would notice that the rate at which Lin Sheng absorbed and guided internal energy had long surpassed ordinary martial trainees.
Even compared to most Grade A disciples, the difference was obvious.
Inside his mind, the chip interface flickered softly.
•[Basic Breathing Exercise v2.1 operating normally...]•
•[Internal Energy Generation Efficiency: Increased by 370%]•
•[Current Internal Energy Strands: 29]•
Lin Sheng slowly opened his eyes.
A faint stream of white breath exited his mouth.
Twenty nine strands.
Only one more remained before reaching what the martial path called the "peak of Third Rate."
Normally, reaching this stage required months or even years depending on talent and resources.
Even talented disciples needed time to accumulate enough internal energy.
But thanks to the chip's optimization abilities, his progress had become terrifyingly fast.
Ten strands per day.
Even Lin Sheng himself felt somewhat speechless when the chip first calculated it.
Still, he deliberately stopped at twenty nine.
Too much talent could easily become dangerous.
If he revealed everything too quickly, suspicion would naturally arise.
After all, no matter how monstrous one's talent was, there still had to be limits.
At least outwardly.
Lin Sheng exhaled quietly.
"Tomorrow should be enough."
According to Mentor Gu's previous estimates, a Grade A disciple reaching thirty strands around this period was still acceptable.
Fast, but not impossible.
While thinking this, Lin Sheng extended his mental field throughout the room.
Everything remained silent.
Then his attention shifted elsewhere.
During these past few days, the chip had finally completed deconstruction of Ghost's Hidden Breath Technique.
Compared to ordinary movement arts, this technique was incredibly useful.
It allowed one to reduce presence, breathing, heartbeat, and spiritual fluctuations to extremely low levels.
Perfect for ambushes.
Or survival.
Naturally, Lin Sheng had no intention of becoming an assassin, but the cultivation world was dangerous enough that concealment techniques could save lives.
Especially when combined with Eight Step Cicada Movement.
One concealed movement.
One explosive movement technique.
The combination possessed terrifying potential.
The chip had already begun integrating both arts.
•[Task: Integration of Hidden Breath Technique and Eight Step Cicada Movement]•
•[Estimated Completion: 63%]•
Lin Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Once completed, the movement art would probably become something entirely new.
Not merely speed.
But silent speed.
Even Innate experts might find it difficult to detect him immediately.
His gaze then shifted toward another matter.
The storage pouch.
Several days of experimentation had produced almost no progress.
Apparently, activating a spatial pouch required spiritual qi unique to immortal cultivators.
Internal energy and mental energy alone could not fully replicate it.
Still, the failed attempts were not meaningless.
Through repeatedly compressing mental energy into finer structures, Lin Sheng accidentally developed a completely new technique.
Spiral Thorns.
He slowly raised his hand.
A faint invisible fluctuation condensed above his fingertip.
The air distorted slightly.
Then—
The fluctuation spiraled sharply before dispersing silently.
Lin Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
This attack was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Unlike physical attacks, Spiral Thorns directly targeted consciousness.
Against weak minded opponents, it could instantly incapacitate them.
Against stronger cultivators, even a brief stun during battle could determine life or death.
Ghost himself would have died even faster if this technique had existed back then.
Cultivators relied heavily on concentration while casting spells.
Interrupting them for even a moment was enough.
Of course, the technique still possessed flaws.
The mental energy consumption remained high.
Accuracy required practice.
And stronger cultivators might resist it through stronger spiritual senses.
Still, its potential was enormous.
Lin Sheng silently memorized several improvements before standing up.
"It's time."
Today was the day he planned to reveal his cultivation progress.
Not too much.
Just enough.
—
The meditation hall remained as crowded as usual.
Dozens of trainees sat cross legged while Mentor Gu walked between rows inspecting their progress.
Compared to several days ago, the atmosphere had changed noticeably.
There was more confidence.
More excitement.
More competitiveness.
Many disciples had finally sensed internal energy.
Some had already generated strands successfully.
Naturally, discussions and comparisons became unavoidable.
"Three strands already?"
"That's impressive."
"I only generated one…"
"Did you hear? Lin Xiaolu already reached 16 strands."
"Lin Sheng is even more monstrous."
Whispers spread throughout the hall constantly.
Lin Sheng ignored them calmly.
Nearby, Lin Shou sat with slightly pale complexion.
His cultivation progress remained impressive, but he clearly trained too intensely.
Lin Sheng had warned him several times already.
Martial cultivation required balance between cultivation and nourishment.
Overexertion damaged foundations.
Unfortunately, Lin Shou's personality was stubborn.
Especially after hearing news regarding Su Yun and that so called young master.
Pressure pushed people forward.
But too much pressure could also destroy them.
At the front of the hall, Mentor Gu finished checking several disciples before speaking loudly.
"Those who have successfully generated internal energy may remain. The others are dismissed for today."
Many disappointed trainees stood up reluctantly and left.
The remaining disciples stayed behind.
Mentor Gu continued inspecting each disciple one by one.
"Two strands. Stable."
"Four strands. Not bad."
"Five strands. Excellent progress."
Eventually, he reached Lin Xiaolu.
After inspecting briefly, Mentor Gu nodded approvingly.
"18 strands already. Very good."
Lin Xiaolu simply nodded calmly.
No pride.
No excitement.
Just calmness.
Mentor Gu clearly appreciated that attitude.
Then his gaze moved toward Lin Sheng.
Lin Sheng stood and walked forward calmly.
"Mentor."
Mentor Gu placed two fingers near his lower dantian casually.
Then his expression froze.
A sharp pressure suddenly spread from his body before quickly retracting.
The surrounding disciples looked startled.
Mentor Gu stared directly at Lin Sheng.
"How many strands?"
"Twenty nine," Lin Sheng answered honestly.
Silence filled the hall instantly.
Several disciples widened their eyes in disbelief.
Even Lin Xiaolu's gaze changed slightly.
Lin Shou nearly stood up from shock.
Mentor Gu's expression turned serious.
"Did you consume pills?"
His voice became colder.
Foundational stages were extremely important.
Using stimulation pills recklessly at this stage could permanently damage future cultivation potential.
Lin Sheng shook his head calmly.
"No."
Mentor Gu narrowed his eyes.
"Open your dantian circulation."
Lin Sheng obeyed immediately.
Internal energy circulated naturally through his meridians.
Pure.
Stable.
Without signs of medicinal instability.
Mentor Gu inspected carefully for nearly half a minute before finally withdrawing his hand slowly.
Shock flashed within his eyes again.
No impurities.
No unstable foundation.
This meant those twenty nine strands were cultivated naturally.
The surrounding disciples stared at Lin Sheng like they were looking at a monster.
Mentor Gu remained silent for several moments before speaking calmly.
"Follow me."
Without waiting for response, he turned and walked away.
Lin Sheng followed behind while sensing countless gazes land on his back.
Some shocked.
Some envious.
Some jealous.
Even Zhao Feng looked speechless.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiaolu quietly watched Lin Sheng leave.
Her cold eyes flickered thoughtfully.
—
Lin Sheng followed Mentor Gu through several stone pathways deeper into the training center.
This was his first time entering the core courtyard.
Compared to the outer and inner courtyards, the atmosphere here felt entirely different.
Quiet.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
The disciples here were older, mostly between seventeen and thirty years old.
And every single one possessed powerful auras.
Innate Realm.
At minimum.
Some sat beneath trees meditating.
Some sparred silently in training grounds.
Some discussed martial theories calmly.
Yet beneath that calmness, Lin Sheng sensed frightening pressure from many of them.
These were not trainees anymore.
These were true martial cultivators.
Several people glanced toward Lin Sheng curiously as he passed.
A twelve year old entering the core courtyard naturally attracted attention.
Mentor Gu ignored all gazes and continued leading him deeper inside.
Eventually, they arrived before a large building.
Library Hall.
The structure resembled Old Liang's pavilion somewhat, though much larger and more imposing.
Ancient wooden shelves filled the interior while faint sandalwood incense drifted through the air.
Inside, a middle aged man slowly walked between bookshelves.
His robes were plain gray.
His footsteps steady.
His aura deeply restrained.
Yet the moment Lin Sheng's mental field brushed against him—
Danger.
Extreme danger.
The chip instantly reacted.
•[Warning!]•
•[Target threat assessment: Extremely Dangerous]•
•[Recommended Action: Avoid Hostility]•
Lin Sheng's pupils contracted slightly.
Peak Innate?
No…
Possibly Xuan Gang Realm.
The man stopped walking and slowly turned his head toward them.
His gaze landed briefly on Lin Sheng.
For a single moment, Lin Sheng felt as though his entire body had been seen through completely.
Fortunately, the feeling disappeared instantly.
Mentor Gu cupped his fists respectfully.
"Elder Xu."
The middle aged man nodded calmly.
"This is the child?"
"Yes."
Elder Xu's eyes studied Lin Sheng quietly.
Then suddenly—
"You cultivated thirty strands naturally?"
"Twenty nine," Lin Sheng corrected respectfully.
Elder Xu looked mildly surprised.
Then unexpectedly, he smiled faintly.
"Honest too."
The pressure in the room lessened slightly.
Mentor Gu finally relaxed somewhat.
Elder Xu slowly walked closer.
His eyes remained calm, yet impossibly sharp.
"Do you know why you were brought here?"
Lin Sheng paused briefly before answering carefully.
"Because my cultivation speed exceeded expectations."
Elder Xu nodded.
"Correct."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Martial cultivation values talent highly. But excessively abnormal talent attracts attention."
Lin Sheng's heart tightened slightly.
Elder Xu continued calmly.
"Fortunately, your foundation is stable. Otherwise, your meridians would have been sealed immediately for investigation."
The words sounded calm.
But the meaning behind them was cold.
Lin Sheng finally understood clearly.
Cultivation geniuses were valued.
But suspicious geniuses were feared.
Especially within large cultivation families.
Elder Xu stared at him silently for a few moments before suddenly asking—
"Who taught you your breathing adjustments?"
Lin Sheng's mind instantly sharpened.
Danger.
This question was dangerous.
The optimized breathing technique clearly differed from the original version.
Fortunately, he already prepared explanations mentally beforehand.
"I merely adjusted the rhythm according to how my body felt most comfortable," Lin Sheng answered calmly.
Elder Xu looked at him deeply.
Several seconds passed.
Then unexpectedly, he laughed softly.
"Interesting."
He turned toward Mentor Gu.
"Natural intuition toward qi circulation."
Mentor Gu nodded slowly, still appearing somewhat stunned.
Elder Xu then looked back at Lin Sheng.
"You may continue cultivating normally."
Lin Sheng remained silent.
Then Elder Xu added calmly—
"But from today onward, you will enter the observation list ."
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
Observation list; that meant resources
Status
Protection.
But also attention.
A double edged sword.
Elder Xu continued walking back toward the shelves.
Before leaving, he spoke one final sentence.
"Talent is valuable. Survival is more valuable."
Lin Sheng bowed respectfully.
"I understand."
Yet deep inside his mind, his thoughts became heavier.
The cultivation world was far more cautious than he initially expected.