Chapter 42: The Gathering Storm

The Trial of Ascension had tested Lin Yun's endurance, but the true challenge was only beginning. As he stood over the fallen Core Formation Realm cultivator, the cloaked figure that had been observing him finally stepped forward.

"You've proven your adaptability," the figure said, his voice calm but firm. "But raw talent alone won't keep you alive in the world beyond."

Lin Yun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He was exhausted, but his fighting spirit burned stronger than ever. "Then what will?"

The cloaked figure raised his hand, and the world around them trembled. The very air seemed to shift, and suddenly, Lin Yun found himself standing atop a massive stone platform. The space stretched infinitely in all directions, filled with swirling energy and countless flickering lights.

"This is the true nature of cultivation," the figure continued. "It is not simply about strength—it is about understanding the flow of the world, the limits of your own power, and the balance between talent and effort."

Lin Yun narrowed his eyes. "You talk as if I don't already know that."

The figure chuckled. "You understand in theory, but you have yet to truly grasp it in practice. Your battle instincts are sharp, and your techniques are formidable. But you are still relying too much on overwhelming your opponents with skill rather than learning how to overcome those stronger than you."

Lin Yun clenched his fists. He had always known that brute strength wouldn't be enough, but hearing it put into words struck a nerve.

The space around him shifted again, and suddenly, dozens of shadowy figures appeared on the platform. Each of them radiated a different level of cultivation, from **Qi Gathering Realm** to **Core Formation Realm**. Lin Yun instinctively stepped back, his mind racing.

"This is your next test," the cloaked figure said. "You must defeat them without relying on direct strength alone. Use your mind, your adaptability, and your understanding of battle."

Lin Yun took a deep breath, steadying himself. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his superior techniques this time. He had to outthink them, exploit their weaknesses, and make use of the battlefield itself.

The first opponent lunged at him—**a peak Qi Gathering Realm cultivator**. Lin Yun sidestepped at the last moment, using the momentum of his attacker against him. His footwork was precise, and he struck a pressure point on the man's shoulder, causing his arm to go limp. With a swift motion, Lin Yun knocked him out with a palm strike to the chest.

But the next opponents were already closing in.

Two **mid-Core Formation Realm** warriors came at him from different angles. Lin Yun spun on his heel, dodging one strike while redirecting the other. He used their strength against them, manipulating the flow of the battle to force them into each other's paths.

One misstep, and one of them took a strike meant for Lin Yun.

That was it.

Lin Yun wasn't going to win by brute force. He had to use every advantage he had—angles, momentum, misdirection.

He leaped into the air, landing on the shoulders of a **low-Core Formation Realm** cultivator, using him as a springboard to propel himself toward another enemy. His palm struck a weak point in the man's armor, disrupting his Qi flow.

One by one, he dismantled his opponents—not by overpowering them, but by outmaneuvering them.

The battle stretched on, each wave of enemies pushing Lin Yun's limits further. By the time the last shadow warrior collapsed, Lin Yun was drenched in sweat, his breath ragged.

The cloaked figure nodded in approval. "Now you begin to understand."

Lin Yun forced himself to stand tall. "I always understood. I just never had the chance to apply it like this."

The figure chuckled. "Then you are ready."

The space around them shattered like glass, and Lin Yun found himself back in the real world, standing in the depths of the trial grounds.

But before he could even catch his breath, a loud **boom** echoed in the distance. Lin Yun's eyes snapped up. The ground trembled, and an oppressive aura filled the air.

Someone had arrived.

And from the sheer pressure of their presence, Lin Yun knew they weren't just any ordinary opponent.

The true trial had only just begun.