Chapter 37: The Power of Shadows**

Lin Yun's heart raced, his pulse echoing in his ears as he stood amidst the fallen disciples of the Crimson Wolf Sect. The aftermath of the battle left him feeling both triumphant and drained, his body still trembling from the exertion. His breakthrough had been both a blessing and a curse, granting him a glimpse into powerful techniques but leaving his body fatigued and vulnerable.

Yu Xian and Mei were already scanning the horizon, alert for any more attacks. The threat of reinforcements loomed heavy in the air, and Lin Yun knew they couldn't afford to linger for long.

"We've got to move," Mei said, her voice a low whisper. "The Crimson Wolf Sect will send stronger disciples after us. That was just a scouting party." Her eyes flashed with concern as she looked at Lin Yun, who was still catching his breath.

"Agreed," Lin Yun said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Despite the physical toll, his mind remained sharp. His breakthrough had granted him new insight, not only into the ancient techniques he was studying but also into the many ways he could outsmart his enemies. The fight had been a perfect opportunity to test his new abilities and push his limits.

"We'll move toward the forest's edge and set up camp," Yu Xian suggested. "We can't risk being caught off guard again."

Lin Yun nodded, appreciating her cautious approach. "Good idea. Mei, stay close to the trees. Keep an eye out for any movement."

---

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Lin Yun couldn't help but reflect on the fight. He had felt his strength grow in the heat of battle, but it wasn't enough. He was still in the **1st Realm: Body Refining Realm**, specifically the **8th Body Refining Minor Realm**, and though his techniques had allowed him to overcome enemies in the **2nd Realm: Qi Gathering Realm**, he knew his limitations were becoming more apparent. To truly compete with stronger opponents, he would need to reach the **3rd Realm: Core Formation Realm** and beyond.

The **Core Formation Realm**, the 3rd major realm, was where true martial artists began to forge their path, building their **Qi Core** and establishing their foundation for future power. But Lin Yun knew it wasn't as simple as just absorbing Qi. He had to understand the deeper mysteries of the world—the spiritual and physical connection between the body and nature itself. That was the only way to break through the barriers that kept him in the **8th Body Refining Minor Realm**.

As he sat in a meditative position, focusing on his Qi Core, Lin Yun closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. The world around him seemed to pulse with life—trees, plants, and even the air itself seemed to hum with energy. There was a subtle connection, a pull between himself and everything around him, but it was still faint, like a whisper in the wind.

This was the first step toward the **Hidden Realm**—the realm of man and nature as one. A realm that transcended the usual laws of cultivation. To reach this stage, Lin Yun knew he would have to refine not just his Qi but his very understanding of the world. He would need to see the world through a different lens—one where martial power and nature's essence intertwined seamlessly.

---

While Lin Yun meditated, the forest around him grew eerily still. It was Mei who first noticed the faint rustling of leaves, the subtle shift in the air that signaled something was wrong. Her instincts were sharp, honed from years of surviving in the wild.

"There's someone here," Mei muttered, her voice tense. She had already begun moving toward the shadows of the trees, blending into the environment as only she could.

Lin Yun stood, his mind snapping back to the present. "How many?"

"Hard to tell," Mei replied, her eyes scanning the trees. "But I can sense at least two. Both of them are powerful."

Lin Yun frowned, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He could feel the pressure of their auras, even without being able to see them. They weren't ordinary cultivators—they were stronger, more refined. They had to be from the **Core Formation Realm** or above.

"Prepare yourselves," Lin Yun said, his voice calm but commanding. "These aren't ordinary disciples. Stay close, and don't let them corner us."

Yu Xian gripped her spear tighter, her eyes narrowing. "Understood."

Mei melted further into the shadows, her form becoming nearly invisible. The atmosphere around them thickened with the weight of impending danger.

Then, out of the trees, two figures emerged. They were both dressed in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods, and they moved with the grace of seasoned martial artists. Their auras were unmistakable—both were in the **3rd Realm: Core Formation Realm**.

"We've been expecting you," one of them said, his voice smooth and cold. "Lin Yun, the one who stole from the Crimson Wolf Sect. You're a hard one to catch."

Lin Yun's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "I didn't steal anything. I took what was rightfully mine."

The second figure laughed, a hollow sound that sent a chill down Lin Yun's spine. "That artifact belongs to the Crimson Wolf Sect. You'll never leave here with it."

---

The two **Core Formation Realm** cultivators moved as one, their bodies blurring as they advanced on Lin Yun. Yu Xian and Mei were already in position, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Lin Yun's mind raced. He had no intention of letting them take the artifact, but he also knew that fighting these two head-on would be a suicide mission. The disparity in cultivation was simply too great.

But the artifact had shown him the way—the hidden realm where man and nature could be one. Lin Yun had learned to harness the power of the earth itself, to pull energy from the very ground beneath him. This was the next step in his training.

With a single breath, Lin Yun released his Qi, not just into his own body but into the environment around him. The air shimmered, and the ground trembled beneath his feet. From the earth, energy surged into his body, fueling his technique.

"**Earth's Wrath**," Lin Yun whispered, his eyes glowing with newfound power.

The ground beneath the **Core Formation Realm** cultivators cracked open, massive tendrils of earth rising to strike at them with the force of a thousand fists. The cultivators reacted quickly, their Qi surging as they attempted to block the attack, but the sheer volume of energy was overwhelming.

---

When the dust settled, the two cultivators were standing, but both had taken heavy damage. Their robes were torn, and their faces showed signs of strain. They had underestimated Lin Yun.

"You've got some skill," one of them said, his voice tinged with surprise. "But it's still not enough."

Lin Yun's breath was ragged, his body still recovering from the immense strain of his technique. He hadn't fully mastered it yet, and it had drained him more than he had anticipated.

"We'll see about that," Lin Yun replied, his voice steely. "But it's you who underestimate me."