Chapter 27: Mercilessly Obliterated

Lin Ming's intuition proved correct as there was, in fact, another exit within the underground relic, situated in a narrow rift valley in the opposite direction of the swamp.

A resounding rumble echoed through the once serene rift valley as a stone wall split open from its center, revealing a stone door that swung open. A figure burst forth with lightning-like speed, carrying a gigantic bronze cauldron. The wind howled as the figure moved, effortlessly wielding the enormous cauldron as if it were light as a feather. Every movement exuded an abnormal power, leaving spectators awe-struck by the display of strength and control.

As Lin Yang emerged from the exit, his gaze fell upon an abandoned bronze cauldron. Recognizing its potential as a weapon, he grasped its sturdy handles, feeling a surge of vitality awakening within him. His strength increased exponentially, allowing him to effortlessly wield the cauldron that weighed close to a thousand pounds.

With dusk approaching, Lin Yang decided against returning to the Lin Mountains. The abandoned small courtyard served as a reminder of the past, and he opted to leave it all behind. Exiting the rift valley, he was greeted by a lush and vibrant forest, with towering mountains and magnificent ridges stretching far and wide.

The setting sun cast a crimson glow on the horizon, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of blood. If all went well, he would be able to return the following day after a night's rest.

Walking through the forest, Lin Yang's expression grew cold as he contemplated the path that lay ahead. Despite his tremendous aptitude and the anticipated rapid pace of his cultivation, he knew it still was not enough. The impending era brought with it the emergence of terrifying beings and sealed geniuses, pushing him to accelerate his cultivation like never before.

"But with the aid of pills, the situation will be different. I possess a proficient understanding of Alchemy. Perhaps I should consider refining a batch of Spirit Tempering Pills," he mused.

A single Spirit Tempering Pill held a value equivalent to dozens of gold coins. In a large clan such as the Lin Clan, only the direct descendants would receive two of these precious pills per month. The value of the pill was self-evident.

Refining the Spirit Tempering Pill proved to be a relatively straightforward process. Its primary ingredient consisted of the bone marrow of an ominous beast. One simply needed to slay such a creature, skin it, remove its tendons, flesh, and bones in order to acquire the necessary materials for the refining process.

The only challenge lay in procuring the Earth Fire required for the pill furnace.

Just as Lin Yang pondered the issue of procuring the Earth Fire for the pill furnace, his attention was diverted by a shout that resonated from the depths of the forest. "Hey, there's movement here! Look over there, branches are shaking. Hurry, let's go and investigate!"

Concealing himself behind a towering tree, Lin Yang frowned, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. "How did they arrive so swiftly? Since when did the Sixth Young Master possess such a formidable force? This doesn't seem right. Could it be that Patriarch Lin Qingshan has been alerted?"

His face took on a solemn expression as various thoughts raced through his mind. In the midst of his contemplation, two individuals emerged from the forest, roughly a hundred paces away.

The pair surveyed their surroundings with sharp gazes, their voices hushed in conversation.

"Strange, there was definitely activity here just now. How did it vanish when I arrived?"

The other voice responded with a hint of disapproval. "You're being overly cautious. It could be some wild beast. This mountainous region is teeming with them. It might even be a gatherer of herbs. We cannot jump to conclusions so swiftly!"

In a low voice, the first voice retorted, "This time, the Young Masters have issued strict orders. Whatever it may be, if it is active within this area, we must capture it. We cannot afford to let it slip away!"

The second voice dismissed the suggestion, asserting, "I am certain it's not a wild beast. My family has been hunters in these woods for generations. We can distinguish between the footprints of wild beasts and the activities of humans. Look at those broken branches. There is certainly someone making their way here! They must be nearby!"

Lin Yang hid soundlessly behind the tree, overhearing their conversation. He glanced at the bronze cauldron positioned at his feet and a bitter smile graced his lips. "I never expected such misfortune. Merely unintentionally breaking a few branches while carrying this cauldron, and these individuals stumbled upon the clues!"

As he ruminated on his predicament, the two individuals continued to trace the trail, inching closer to the tree behind which Lin Yang hid.

In that moment, a cold smile etched itself onto Lin Yang's face as he firmly gripped one of the cauldron's feet with his hand. Since his presence had been discovered, the only resolution was to eliminate these men to silence them.

As the pair drew nearer, their distances dwindling to seven or eight paces, Lin Yang abruptly emerged from his hiding place, bronze cauldron in hand. Like a bear of immense strength, he brandished the cauldron overhead, his thunderous footsteps echoing through the air.

With a fierce determination, he unleashed a devastating blow, intending to pulverize the unsuspecting duo.

The exaggeratedly large bronze cauldron exhibited no weight in Lin Yang's hands. With a fluid motion, it ascended and positioned itself menacingly above the two individuals in an instant.

Startled and caught off guard, the veterans of countless battles attempted to raise their long sabers in defense against the colossal cauldron hurtling towards them.

Yet, these unfortunate individuals had hardly enough time to react, let alone scream. The cauldron mercilessly descended upon them, reducing them and their feeble sabers to nothing but flesh and bone paste.

The sight was horrifying, a gruesome display of their untimely demise. The two early-stage Spirit Awakening Realm cultivators couldn't even withstand a single blow, mercilessly obliterated beneath the weight of the mighty cauldron.

With a blood-stained bronze cauldron firmly gripped in his hand, Lin Yang marveled at its remarkable utility.

This hefty cauldron, paired with his sheer strength, proved to be an unexpectedly effective weapon. Regardless of the technique wielded, be it a saber or a sword, a forceful blow from his cauldron would without fail bring even the most skilled opponents to their knees.