Chapter7:make tremendous strides

The Black Dragon Gang, which had wreaked havoc in Canglan City for years, was completely wiped out by Lin Che!

After dealing with them, Lin Che immediately cleaned up the battlefield. He looted all the belongings from the Black Dragon Gang members before walking over to the black-clad beauty. "Miss, though I lent a hand, it was just a small effort. No need to thank me."

No need to thank him? Luo Rou didn't say a word, just stared at the young man before her.

Feeling somewhat awkward, Lin Che understood that the other party was a terrifyingly powerful individual. Being stared at by such a person made him feel uneasy. "How about...I share some of the spoils with you?"

"No need, you can keep them yourself..." The black-clad woman finally spoke, her voice somewhat cold.

"Since that's the case, I'll take my leave then. Farewell..." With these words, Lin Che turned and left without any hesitation.

He had known that this woman was a powerful figure but helped her not for any other reason but to create goodwill. However, he was also aware that with his current strength, it was impossible to have more interactions with her. Leaving a good impression was enough.

As she watched the young figure walking away, a gentle smile appeared in Luo Rou's previously expressionless eyes. "What an interesting young man..."

"Hall Master, I think that boy is just overestimating himself..." As Luo Rou's words fell, a fluctuation in the void not far away, followed by the appearance of a man in a silver robe. "With the Hall Master's strength, killing these people is a matter of moments. There's no need for that boy to intervene."

Luo Rou replied, "The key point is that he didn't know I could protect myself, yet he still acted righteously. This proves that his character is excellent..."

"Could it be that the Hall Master has taken a liking to his talent?"

Hearing this, Luo Rou shook her head. "I've long since stopped concerning myself with worldly matters and have no interest in nurturing juniors... However, I don't like owing favors either. Follow him and find an opportunity to repay this favor."

"Yes!" Hearing this order, the man in the silver robe bowed and then disappeared again.

...

At this time, Lin Che had already left the cliffside, walking along a mountain path.

"The Black Dragon Gang has been causing trouble around Canglan City for years. Today, I wiped out this evil force. Senior Celestial Maiden, do you think I'll receive good karma in the future?"

"Perhaps..." The mysterious woman's voice echoed in Lin Che's mind, her tone somewhat cold.

"Why do I feel that every time I talk to you, Senior Celestial Maiden, you're always so cold, like an iceberg... Even though my parents might have had some grudges with you, I'm innocent. You don't have to vent your anger on me."

The Celestial Maiden chose to remain silent.

Seeing this, Lin Che made a helpless expression. Then, he said somewhat cheekily, "To be honest, that black-clad beauty today was really stunning. If not for the incredible self-control I've developed through training, I might have had some improper thoughts..."

This finally piqued the Celestial Maiden's curiosity. "Your self-control from training?"

"That black-clad woman was indeed beautiful, but compared to your unparalleled beauty, Senior Celestial Maiden, she falls short. Following you in training has naturally strengthened my self-control..."

"By the way, I saved her today. Do you think she might have been impressed by my heroic deeds and secretly fallen for me?"

"I think you... are somewhat... shameless..." The mysterious woman's voice this time carried a hint of disdain.

Of course, any woman, especially a beautiful one, wouldn't mind being praised for her looks. Although the Celestial Maiden's tone was disdainful, a faint smile appeared on her face in the space of the divine jade that Lin Che couldn't see. A smile that could enchant the world.

"I don't know if you moved her at that moment, but I do know that your actions have brought some trouble upon yourself..." After a pause, the Celestial Maiden suddenly said.

Lin Che was taken aback. "What trouble?"

The Celestial Maiden didn't answer but said, "In the coming days, continue searching for rare herbs, but don't use your Qi Sea to devour them or casually display your cultivation method."

"Why?" Lin Che asked, even more puzzled.

"Because someone is following you..." The Celestial Maiden said nonchalantly.

"What!" Lin Che was shocked, becoming more cautious. He quickly spread his spiritual sense, but after a moment, he couldn't detect anything.

"His realm is far beyond yours; you can't sense him. However, he doesn't have any malicious intent, so there's no need to worry... Just listen to me."

"Okay." Hearing this, Lin Che was still puzzled but didn't ask more.

In the following days, Lin Che continued searching for various spiritual herbs in the Shenfeng Mountains, inevitably engaging in bloody battles with various fierce beasts.

For martial artists, it's only through life-and-death combat that one can make rapid progress. Although his realm remained at Qi Gathering Stage Seven, Lin Che's combat instincts, skills, and experience were all advancing at a visible speed.

"Senior Celestial Maiden, when will I be able to refine these precious herbs..." Finally, after ten days, Lin Che couldn't help but ask.

In fact, in these ten days, he had found no fewer than thirty spiritual herbs. If he could refine them with his Qi Sea, his realm would once again soar.

However, during this period, the Celestial Maiden never mentioned allowing him to cultivate, giving him the feeling of guarding a treasure mountain but being unable to enter.

"Do you really want to break through?"

"Yes, there's less than seven days left until the Canglan City sect selection battle..." Lin Che said, clenching his fist.

Lin Che had cut ties with the Lin family this time. Given Lin Xionghai's ruthless nature, upon learning of his restored cultivation, he would certainly not leave Lin Che, the hidden danger, alive.

Therefore, Lin Che guessed that the outside world must now have the killing move arranged by Lin Xionghai, waiting for him to show up.

With his current strength, fighting against the entire Lin family would be like hitting a rock with an egg. He might not even be able to escape the boundaries of Canglan City.

He could only go into the tiger's den despite knowing the danger. The sect selection battle might be his only chance. As long as he could win the selection, he would have the opportunity to enter the Dao Cang Institute. At that time, even if Lin Xionghai wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have any chance.

"Well... then go into that cave and start refining these spiritual herbs..." After a moment of silence, the Celestial Maiden said.

Lin Che looked around and indeed found a naturally formed cave on a nearby cliffside.

Hearing the Celestial Maiden's words, Lin Che was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he climbed up the cliff and entered the cave.

The light suddenly dimmed. Lin Che sat cross-legged in a relatively dry spot in the cave, taking out a ring.

A spatial ring!

This was the spoils he gained after killing the Black Dragon Gang leader. Don't underestimate this ring; it was a luxury that only the heads or elders of some major families in Canglan City could possess. Even Lin Che, the former young master of the Lin family, didn't have the qualification to own one.

Over the past few days, Lin Che had already mastered the use of this spatial ring.

With a thought, thirty spiritual herbs he had collected over the past few days appeared out of thin air.

Then, Lin Che began to operate his Qi Sea, starting to devour the spiritual energy within these herbs...

Unbeknownst to Lin Che, not long after he entered the cave, the man in the silver robe appeared out of nowhere, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Strange, does this kid have something that shields his presence? How come I can't sense his aura anymore once he entered the cave?"

However, the previous order from Hall Master Luo was just to find an opportunity to repay a favor. So, even though the man in the silver robe found it strange, he had no interest in investigating further.

With a flash, his figure disappeared again.

...

One day later.

Inside the stone cave, the thirty spiritual herbs in front of Lin Che had all been refined.

The Qi Sea cultivation method was indeed too domineering. At this moment, Lin Che could clearly feel the abundant spiritual energy within the herbs rampaging within his body.

Such violent energy would have caused even a Spirit Martial Realm expert to explode dozens of times.

But under the guidance of the Qi Sea, this terrifying energy constantly tempered Lin Che's body, hammering every inch of his bones, flesh, and meridians...

"Boom—"

Finally, the martial barrier within Lin Che's body was broken once again, and his realm smoothly advanced to Qi Gathering Stage Eight.

Qi Gathering Stage Eight!

A strong sense of excitement appeared on Lin Che's face.

"A year ago, before my realm fell, I was at Qi Gathering Stage Eight... Now, I've rebuilt my foundation and returned to my peak again."

"Moreover, it took me only a month to go from Qi Gathering Stage One back to Qi Gathering Stage Eight!"

Lin Che could clearly sense that, although his realm was the same as a year ago, his true combat power was on a completely different level.

Now, with just a movement, a sound of exploding air came from within his body. This kind of formidable power was something he had never achieved before!

...