A terrifying roar suddenly erupted as an energy tide surged from the space-time node like raging waves. Bone-piercing cold accompanied the tide, invading Lin Zheyu's body. He felt as if even his soul was about to freeze. He quickly stopped and circulated his true origin to resist the formation's energy tide.

The energy tide has grown stronger again. Could this space-time node be losing control? Lin Zheyu felt a trace of concern in his heart.

During the more than two days he had stayed beside Lei Yunshu, terrifying energy tides had struck repeatedly, each stronger than the last. At first, he could handle them easily. Now, he had to stop and fully circulate his true origin to withstand them. If he stayed any longer, he felt that the energy tides alone might kill him. That was why he chose to leave.

Lei Yunshu intended to continue guarding the formation node until the formation activated, but Lin Zheyu had no desire to wait that long. The risk was too great. Otherwise, he would have been reluctant to part with those who had delivered themselves to him. Including his gains over the past two days, he now had eight storage pouches. There was also one from a Directorate of Celestial Observation youth that he did not dare carry openly. With that included, he would have nine.

Violence truly brings riches. When I get back, I need to cultivate spiritual sense first. Otherwise, I will have treasure I cannot use. I wonder if my spiritual form will be of any help...

The energy tide came suddenly and vanished just as quickly, lasting less than a minute. Meanwhile, the Baleful Yin force within the demon god barrier rose rapidly at a visible rate.

Once I improve my strength, I need to leave immediately. I cannot stay here any longer, Lin Zheyu thought. His figure moved as he rushed toward the demon river he remembered.

Compared to two days ago, the demon river had grown larger, and the energy within it had become even denser. Using his powerful Perception Domain, Lin Zheyu chose a tributary with few yaos. After patrolling the area and killing the few wandering ones, he returned to the riverbank.

As his legs stepped into the demon river, a piercing chill surged up. His true origin flowed through his meridians, expelling the invading Baleful Yin force and impure energy from his body.

"Let's begin!"

Lin Zheyu took a deep breath and sent out a thought.

Use 2 units of Origin Force to cultivate the Primordial Wuji True Technique.

As the vast mysterious energy took effect, his mind blurred and entered the consciousness space, beginning endless cultivation.

***

He cultivated with Origin Force a total of five times, each using 2 units of Origin Force. Lin Zheyu mostly exhausted his remaining 12 units, leaving only 2 in reserve.

His mind withdrew from the consciousness space as he let out a long breath.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 2]

[Skills: Phantom Flash Soul-Chasing Steps (Third Stage: 89%), Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art (Second Stage: 100%), Primordial Wuji True Technique (Third Stage: 78%)]

Lin Zheyu looked at the data in his mind. He had 2 units of Origin Force left, and the Primordial Wuji True Technique had only reached 78% of the third stage. He had previously spent too much Origin Force on the Phantom Flash Soul-Chasing Steps and the Sacred Evolution Spirit Nurturing Art, leaving him unable to push the Primordial Wuji True Technique to perfection. However, whether it was perfected or not did not significantly impact his strength. Improvements in speed, spirit, and perception contributed the most to his overall power.

It's time to leave. But before that, I should dig out the other Divine Power Crystal, Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

At first, he did not know what the Divine Power Crystal was or what it did, so he feared attracting unnecessary trouble and did not dare carry it. Now that he had learned from Lei Yunshu that it was used to replenish energy, he felt at ease. After leaving the demon river, Lin Zheyu soon arrived at the place where he had hidden the crystal.

With a soft thud, Lin Zheyu's right hand plunged into the tree trunk and pulled out a crystal clear gem. Over the past few days, the Divine Power Crystal had not changed at all.

A Divine Power Crystal... this is different from spirit stones. Its aura is somewhat similar to that of demon gods. Could this be faith-based divine power? Lin Zheyu speculated.

Even if he was wrong, he felt the two were closely related. He stored the Divine Power Crystal in a storage pouch. As for the other pouch, he did not plan to retrieve it yet. It was clearly extraordinary, far beyond the inferior storage pouches he currently had.

If he provoked the evil cults or the barbarians, he could still hide in a city. Their experts would never risk their lives to enter a city to hunt him down. But the Directorate of Celestial Observation was different. If they found out, hiding in a city would be useless.

***

A ray of sunlight fell upon Lin Zheyu's face. He took several deep breaths, enjoying the fresh air and warm sunlight. After spending so long in the demon god barrier, being outside felt incredibly refreshing.

Should I return to the sect first?

He had not returned for several days. Elder Yang and the others likely thought he was dead. But the aura around him was troublesome. His true origin was too strong, and his concealment technique could not fully suppress it.

I'll try the Ninefold Origin Lock Art. This technique is not just for martial artists below the Force Transformation realm. Even those at that level can use it.

It was time to go back. After returning to the sect, he would settle down and sort out his future path in martial cultivation. Once he had accumulated enough, he would head to the immortal market and formally step into the immortal cultivation world. With that decision made, Lin Zheyu began circulating the Ninefold Origin Lock Art, intending to seal his true origin within his acupoints. Once most of it was sealed, he could use his previous techniques to conceal his aura.

Lin Zheyu let out a breath as the Ninefold Origin Lock Art began to circulate. One turn, two, three... As it continued, his face gradually flushed red. Sealing true origin was extremely difficult. Even with his current mental strength and control over his body, it was still a great strain.

Time passed minute by minute. Sweat beaded on his forehead and dripped onto the leaves. After more than ten minutes, Lin Zheyu stopped, breathing heavily.

"I can only reach the eighth turn, but that's enough," Lin Zheyu murmured.

Nearly 70% of his true origin had been sealed, leaving less than 30% flowing through his meridians. At the same time, he felt a swelling pain from the acupoints where his essence origin was sealed. The energy had reached the limit of those acupoints.

Divine repository... If I use the Ninefold Origin Lock Art to seal my life essence into the essence origin divine repository, would it work? Lin Zheyu thought again.

He had considered this long ago but never tried it. The true potential of his acupoints had yet to be revealed. Only when his true origin reached its limit, nourished and expanded his acupoints, and only when he broke those acupoints open with both true origin and powerful Grandmaster's will, could their full strength be displayed. He planned to test it when the time came. If it worked, he might truly be able to open the essence origin divine repository.

***

In Wuling City, at Azure Tide Pavilion sect grounds.

"Martial Uncle! It's Martial Uncle Lin! Quick, inform Elder Yang and the Pavilion Master! Tell them Martial Uncle Lin has returned!"

After returning to his original appearance, Lin Zheyu appeared outside the sect dressed in coarse cloth, his face slightly pale.

An inner sect disciple stepped forward and asked with concern, "Martial Uncle, are you alright?"

They had thought he had fallen in the recent turmoil. None expected Martial Uncle Lin to return alive.

"I'm fine." Lin Zheyu shook his head, with no intention of explaining. He entered the sect and went straight to Elder Yang.

"Disciple Lin Zheyu greets Elder Yang and greets Master." Lin Zheyu cupped his fists and bowed to Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong.

"You're back! Where have you been all this time? Why did you suddenly vanish without a trace?" Huang Baizhong asked with a frown.

Hearing that Lin Zheyu had returned, they were both shocked and delighted, yet also filled with questions.

"While carrying out a mission, I encountered danger and was dragged into that dark, hell-like region. I had no choice but to break through to the Force Transformation realm. With a bit of luck, I managed to escape alive," Lin Zheyu said slowly.

On the way back, he had already prepared this explanation, discarding his original story and placing the blame on the evil cult.

"Special destiny?"

Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong exchanged a glance, both frowning slightly. They had clearly heard of the term before.

"Yes. If not for a passing expert intervening, I might not have made it back."

A lingering fear showed on Lin Zheyu's face. His story was that the evil cult had captured him due to his special destiny. After entering the demon god barrier, an unknown expert happened to notice and saved him. However, that expert could not escort him out, so Lin Zheyu had to struggle and escape on his own, breaking through to the Force Transformation realm in the process.

"If that's the case, then it could be troublesome," Huang Baizhong said slowly. "For now, you should not go out. Wait until the matter of the space-time node is resolved and the nearby cult members are cleared out.

"As for breaking through to the Force Transformation realm, it's not a bad thing," Huang Baizhong added, offering reassurance.

He had already prepared himself for the loss of this talented disciple. Seeing Lin Zheyu return alive filled him with joy. Nothing mattered more than coming back alive.

"By the way, you haven't condensed the true intent of the Primordial Wuji True Technique, have you?" Elder Yang asked.

"Not yet. I only just grasped a hint of it before everything happened," Lin Zheyu said with a sigh.

"That's good, that's good. It's better that you didn't condense it. If you had only partially understood it, that would have been truly troublesome," Elder Yang said with a smile.

The Primordial Wuji True Technique contained eight powerful true intents that complemented each other, unlike independent intents. If not fully comprehended, the consequences were severe and could affect future advancement to the Grandmaster realm. That was why they had initially opposed Lin Zheyu cultivating it.

"You're still young. With only three true intents condensed, cultivating one more and switching to the Heaven Shattering Dominance Flash is not a bad option," Elder Yang said with a smile.

In his view, as long as Lin Zheyu did not continue with the Primordial Wuji True Technique, his natural talent and comprehension were enough for him to reach the Grandmaster realm and even the Martial Innate realm.

"Yes, I understand," Lin Zheyu replied.

"Alright, go back and rest. Don't leave the city for now. Stay inside for a while. Special destinies are rare, but the cult won't fixate on you forever. Lie low for a period, and it should be fine," Huang Baizhong said.

"Yes, I will take my leave," Lin Zheyu said, cupping his fists before turning to leave.

He let out a quiet breath, relieved to have gotten through it. He had expected Elder Yang and Huang Baizhong to put him through another Heart Questioning Trial and had already prepared his response. Fortunately, they did not, sparing him the trouble.

Next, I should settle down and refine myself. Right, I forgot to ask about the Martial Alliance. Never mind, I can ask next time, Lin Zheyu thought as he walked toward his residence at Azure Water Garden.

Along the way, the disciples were all stunned to see Lin Zheyu return, as if they had seen a ghost. Soon after, they hurriedly greeted him with respect.